VanMeter apologizes for racist social-media posts

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Tom VanMeter, the Central Kentucky owner, breeder, and consignor whose racist comments on social media drew widespread attention Monday, has issued a statement saying that his words were “unjustifiable” and that he is “disgusted” by his actions.

On Monday, screen shots of a Facebook exchange were circulated on social media showing that VanMeter used a shortened form of a racist word referring to black people as a substitute for a word in “National Football League.” In a later exchange on the post, VanMeter responded to criticisms of recent protests by saying, “Put em back in their cages!!!”

“Contrary to what these comments might suggest, in no way do these responses represent my true feelings towards my friends and community members of color,” VanMeter said. “Moving forward I am committed to listening and learning as to how I can be a better ally and advocate in my community and within the racing industry as to how we can better foster inclusivity for all.”

VanMeter said in the statement that he had made a contribution to the local chapter of the NCAAP.

The comments created a swift condemnation from some members of the racing industry. On Monday, OwnerView, a website promoting ownership of racehorses co-owned by The Jockey Club and the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association, took down VanMeter’s listing in its directory. Both Keeneland and Fasig-Tipton, the two largest auction houses in the United States, issued statements critical of the social-media posts, but the statements both stopped short of saying that VanMeter would be barred from entering horses at the companies’ sales.

On Tuesday, VanMeter’s son Griffin placed a post on Facebook saying, in part, that “I hope my father can unlearn the racism that was taught to him and that he later taught to me.”

“It hurts my heart for somebody I love to be so misguided,” Griffin VanMeter wrote. “Yet, I understand how he got there. . . . As white people, especially overly privileged white people, we must do our part to change oppressive individuals and systems. Luckily, my dad will have that opportunity, and I will do my part to support him on his anti-racism journey.”