Robert S. Strauss, an international statesman, presidential
cabinet member and one of the nation’s top lawyers who has headed the Del Mar
Thoroughbred Club’s (DMTC) board of directors as its chairman for the past 12 years,
announced Saturday that he would be stepping down from his DMTC role, effective
immediately.
The 94-year-old Strauss, who served both Democratic and
Republican presidents over the course of a remarkable legal and political
career, has a special love for Del Mar, a place he has been coming to for more
than half a century.
Stepping up to take on the role of chairman, by unanimous
vote of the nine-member DMTC board convened at a meeting at the track Friday
morning, is David H. Batchelder, 63, a businessman who has been a
board member for the past five years and is a racehorse owner with a deep
passion for the game.
Strauss, who has served on the DMTC board since 1988, has
agreed to stay involved as both a director and chairman emeritus. He said he has
treasured his association with his favorite racetrack.
“Del Mar is just a wonderful place to be each summer and it
has been my great joy to be involved with it over these many years,” he said.
“The fine sport, the special people and the marvelous setting have all blended
together to make it a magical summer playground for any and all.”
Strauss lives primarily in Washington, D.C., but takes up
residence at his oceanfront home in Del Mar each summer. He plans on continuing
those arrangements into the future.
Batchelder, co-founder and principal of Relational
Investors LLC, a $6-billion investment fund, as well as a past chairman or board
member on 11 public companies, several of them on the Fortune 500 list, said he
was honored to be selected to fill the role of DMTC chairman.
“I am honored to be associated with the exemplary
management and board of the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club,” he said. “Del Mar sets
the standard for all of horse racing with its incredible location and facility,
combined with the passion of its fans and the integrity of its leadership. I
also would like to add my personal thanks to Mr. Strauss for his leadership as
our chairman.”
Batchelder, who lives in Del Mar, dabbled in racehorse
ownership initially with the partnership group West Point Thoroughbreds.
Currently, he and his wife, Sylvia, who is a dressage rider, have an interest in
12 Thoroughbreds overseen by family friend Jeff Bloom of the Bloom Racing
Stable. The Batchelders also have a ranch near Santa Isabel where they have nine
horses, including two former racehorses. His wife enjoys the challenge of
converting them into dressage horses. The couple has three grown children and
two grandchildren.
Del Mar’s 37-day season will continue through Wednesday.
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