Morris leaving TOC to rejoin Stronach Group

Joe Morris, the president of the Thoroughbred Owners of California since early 2013, has been hired by The Stronach Group to oversee the company’s West Coast operations, which includes Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, Calif., and Golden Gate Fields in Northern California, the company has announced.

Morris will start in his new role Nov. 9, at which time his resignation from the TOC will become effective, The Stronach Group said. Morris had formerly worked at The Stronach Group from 2011 to 2013 as the general manager of Golden Gate Fields and as the company’s vice president of operations and sales.

In his new job, Morris will report to Keith Brackpool, a former chairman of the California Horse Racing Board who is The Stronach Group’s chairman of West Coast operations. Morris will in part fill a role that was vacated when Tom Ludt resigned from The Stronach Group in late April, on the eve of Santa Anita’s spring meet. Ludt’s title was senior vice president of racing operations at Santa Anita.

Morris also will oversee the operation of the San Luis Rey Downs Training Center in Bonsall, Calif., a Stronach Group property that has 500 stalls.