Jockey Club buys majority share in Blood-Horse
magazine
The Jockey Club and the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association (TOBA)
have announced that The Jockey Club Information Systems Inc. has purchased a
majority ownership interest in Blood-Horse magazine. The purchase also
includes related digital and custom printing properties of Blood-Horse,
the Stallion Register, and Blood-Horse‘s 50 percent interest in
TrueNicks LLC.
The announcement was made jointly by Ogden Mills Phipps, chairman of The
Jockey Club, and Peter S. Willmott, chairman of TOBA.
“The Jockey Club stewards believe that a publication with the history,
influence and brand recognition of Blood-Horse is a considerable asset
for the Thoroughbred breeding and racing industry and that there are certain
synergies that will make it an even stronger entity as a result of this
transaction,” Phipps said.
“TOBA and its predecessor breeders organization have been the sole owner of
Blood-Horse since 1935,” Willmott said. “With the considerable changes
underway in the publishing industry, it is our strong feeling that a partnership
with The Jockey Club in ownership of Blood-Horse will enhance
Blood-Horse‘s ability to serve its customers, especially on digital
platforms.”
Simultaneously with the closing, Blood-Horse announced the appointment
of John K. Keitt Jr. as chief executive officer and publisher. Keitt has served
as a senior executive, corporate attorney, and consultant with broad experience
in the media and technology areas. He was the senior vice president of Global
Business for The Associated Press in New York City from 2003-06, and he has also
been a business and legal advisor to a wide range of Thoroughbred industry
organizations since 1986.
Keitt will be based at the Blood-Horse offices in Lexington, Kentucky,
starting Friday.
“Blood-Horse will continue to cover the issues, events and
personalities in our industry in a journalistically sound manner going forward,”
Phipps said. “The Jockey Club and its affiliated companies have many
longstanding business and editorial relationships with other media organizations
in this industry, and we will strive to maintain and enhance those
relationships. We are pleased to welcome aboard John Keitt as Blood-Horse‘s
new business leader.”
The purchase is effective immediately and financial details related to the
transaction will not be disclosed. The transaction does not include ownership of
The Horse, which will remain with TOBA and operate separately. Marla
Bickel, the CEO and publisher of Blood-Horse Publications, will transition into
a role as CEO and publisher of The Horse.
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