A meeting of the FTBOA Board of Directors was held on Friday, August 22, 2025, at which the following were among the items discussed or acted upon:

 

1. The Board reviewed and considered an amendment to the 2025 Annual Plan for Payment of Breeder, Stallion and Special Racing Awards and reviewed and considered the proposal for the 2026 plan. This portion of the meeting was open for members of the public to provide comments and/or observe the Board’s proceedings. FTBOA President George Isaacs, FTBOA CEO Lonny Powell, and FTBOA CFO Peggy Yost briefed the Board on the proposed Plan amendment, the 2026 plan proposal, and on changes in state funding related to the Plan. The Plan(s) designate Florida breeder and stallion awards at 15% of the announced gross purse less Florida Owner Awards beginning Sept. 1, 2025, based upon Plan approval for amended 2025 and through 2026 by the Florida Gaming Control Commission. Breeder awards will be paid at 10% of earnings on first place, 3% of earnings on second place, and 2% of earnings on third place in Florida races, subject to specified caps. Caps are $10,000, $3,000 for second, and $2,000 for third. Stallion awards beginning third quarter 2025 and 2026 are paid at 15% capped at $15,000. 

 

After discussion, the Board unanimously approved the 2025 Plan Amendment and the 2026 Plan for submission to the Florida Gaming Control Commission.

 

2. CEO Lonny Powell discussed efforts related to ‘no decoupling’ and efforts to enhance the breeder opportunities in the state.

 

3. The Board received a legislative briefing from FTBOA lobbyist Jon Rees regarding decoupling and the 2026 legislative landscape. 

 

4. The Board received a legal/regulatory briefing from counselors Lisa Hurley and Steve Menton on the progress of various court cases affecting the Florida gaming industry. 

 

5. The Board received a report on Florida-bred racing and breeding incentives from Administrative VP Steve Koch and an Export incentive program for breeders.

 

6. Yost noted that Foals of 2025 receive a free FTBOA Florida-bred registration, once the registration form was completed timely by the breeder of record that’s an FTBOA member. If the foal of 2025 is also by an FTBOA registered Florida sire, once the registration is complete, the horse is also fully eligible for the FSS at no fee. Note: payment is still required for Foals of 2024 for both registration and FSS eligibility. The FTBOA membership fee will be $200 in 2026.

 

7. The FTBOA’s Annual Meeting (virtual) will be on Oct. 24 at 10 a.m. An official notice for the Annual Meeting will be sent out to Regular Members prior to Sept. 17 via e-mail (or mailed to those without e-mail), giving a reservation link to sign up for the meeting. The meeting is also noticed in trade publications and other member communications. The morning of the meeting, a reminder will be sent by e-mail to regular members. Members who miss the virtual meeting will be able to view it at a later date. 

 

9. The Board received a report from FTBOA VP-Membership, Events and Sales Tammy Gantt regarding the Florida Sire Stakes (FSS) series to be run on Sept. 6, Oct. 18 and Nov.29 at Gulfstream Park. 

 

10. The Board received a briefing from the new chair for charity and events Beth Bayer regarding the annual golf tournament at Stone Creek, which will include new items like a $1 Million Hole-in-One contest, a beer tasting by Infinite Ale House on course, and a pre-event kick-off on Tuesday, Sept. 23 at the Midtown Food Hall sponsored by Two Brothers Distillery and Infinite Ale Works with drink and food specials, door prizes, and advance team check-in. 

 

11. The Board received a report from FTBOA Senior Director Media Communications Brock Sheridan, regarding the repositioning of The Florida Horse to online content, growth of the website to more than 20,000 views monthly, digital advertising offerings, and a 25% increase in Wire to Wire Racing Digest subscribers. 

 

12. The Board received a briefing from Elaine K. Ansbacher about students awarded scholarships for the 2025/26 school year. Scholarships are funded by Florida Thoroughbred Charities and Endowments. 

 

13. The board received a report from Gantt on the FTBOA Board election process which began June 26, 2025, based on a timeline established at the May 23, 2025, Board of Directors meeting. There was one timely and complete self-nomination by Christine K. Jones turned in by the July 25, 2025, deadline.

 

For 2025, there are six Director vacancies to be filled on the FTBOA Board, five for three-year terms running until October 2028, and one to complete the remainder of a term left by Colin Brennan, which runs until October 2027. 

Pursuant to the Association’s Bylaws, the current Board of Directors nominated the following six candidates for these vacancies: (1) Jerry Campbell (incumbent); (2) Mary Lightner (incumbent); (3) Nick de Meric; (4) Christine Jones; (5) Dr. Phil Matthews; and (6) Dr. Jean White. All terms end 2028, except White’s term which ends in 2027. 

Each candidate has agreed to run and to serve as an FTBOA Director.

Because there are only six candidates for the six Director vacancies, members will not be required to cast ballots, and these six candidates will be deemed elected to office upon the presiding officer calling the FTBOA’s Annual Meeting (virtual) to order on Oct. 24 at 10 a.m.

The Board recognized the outstanding contributions of outgoing Board members Marilyn Campbell, Mike Hall, and Joe O’Farrell III. The Board recognized George Isaacs as outgoing president, but he remains on the board until his term ends in 2027.

Return to the September 16 issue of Wire to Wire