KTA, KTOB adjust voting requirements for annual awards

The board of directors for the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association and the Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders announced changes to voter eligibility for their annual Kentucky-bred Champions and Broodmare of the Year awards. The amendments, announced on Jan. 31, expand voting privileges among the organization's membership and will facilitate voting by giving members the opportunity to cast their ballots online.

In previous years, voting on the championships was open only to members of the KTA/KTOB board of directors. The expanded voter eligibility is part of an initiative by KTA/KTOB to promote greater inclusiveness throughout the organization.

“We believe opening our Kentucky-bred Champions and Broodmare of the Year voting to all our members not only provides them an additional valuable benefit, but reinforces our commitment to ensuring that, regardless of size, every owner and breeder in this organization is equally represented,” KTA/KTOB president Clifford Barry said.

The amendments are effective immediately. KTA/KTOB members will receive ballots and an invitation to vote for the 2012 candidates either online or in mail in the coming weeks. Winners of each championship division will be announced at an awards luncheon at Keeneland in Lexington, Ky., on April 25.