Violette will not seek re-election as NYTHA president
ELMONT, N.Y. – Trainer Rick Violette, who has served as president of the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association since 2008, will not seek re-election this fall.
Violette said he believes it’s time for a change for both he and the organization and cited a desire to spend more time doing his primary job, training horses including his recent Grade 1 Jockey Club Gold Cup winner Diversify. Violette asked the NYTHA board this week to remove his name from the ballots that go out on Oct. 24.
“I’m proud of what we accomplished during my tenure, but it’s just time for a change,” Violette said. “I’ve served beside a great group of people, dedicated directors and a staff and professionals who have devoted so much time and energy to everything we do.”
Violette said his decision had nothing to do with recent health issues he’s had including a recent bout with pancreatitis that hospitalized him for 10 days in September. Two years ago, Violette underwent treatment for cancer, which he says is now in remission.
Violette’s decision to remove his name from the ballot leaves Joe Appelbaum, a horse owner, as the lone candidate running for president. Ballots must be returned on Dec. 4.
Violette has played an integral part in advancing and strengthening NYTHA during a turbulent period for the organization as well as the New York Racing Association, which went through bankruptcy and reorganization.
During Violette’s tenure, NYTHA went from near bankruptcy to financially stable to the point where in 2016 it contributed nearly $2 million to benevolence initiatives, donated more than $350,000 annually to equine aftercare initiatives, and increased contributions to scholarships for backstretch workers and their families and funding for backstretch recreation programs.
Violette helped in getting horsemen’s voices heard in Albany. Under legislation passed in the spring, horsemen now have a voting right on the new board of directors of the New York Racing Association board. Previously, NYTHA had a seat on the NYRA board, but no voting right.
Violette helped negotiate the horsemen’s share of revenue from the Video Lottery Terminal casino at Aqueduct, fighting to get the share of purses from 5.5% to 7.5%, which nets about $15 million in additional revenue to purses annually.
Violette led NYTHA through negotiations with the New York Gaming Commission to establish a split sample program for medication violations, slated to go into effect Nov. 3.
Under Violette, NYTHA helped to reorganize and strengthen the Backstretch Employee Service Team, and was co-creator of Take2 and Take The Lead, programs that help to re-train horses for second careers or find homes for them in retirement.
Violette has also been chairman of New York’s Jockey Injury and Compensation Fund, which is in charge of acquiring Workman’s Compensation insurance for jockeys and exercise riders.
“We’ve worked hard in Albany, and have been rewarded with great working relationships with the Governor’s Office, the Senate and Assembly, and the Gaming Commission,” Violette said. “Our partnerships with BEST and the Chaplaincy have grown, and our initiatives for the backstretch workers – scholarships, dental and eye care programs, recreation, education – are second to none. I’m particularly proud of how far we’ve come in caring for retired racehorses. The Take2 and Take The Lead programs have been an incredible success, there are now more than 350 horse shows across the country offering Thoroughbred-only classes, and we help find retirement homes for 100 New York horses every year.
“I will miss being in the trenches and doing everything we can for the horsemen and the horses, but I am looking forward to the days without the political headaches, the constant meetings and the endless conference calls.”