by Frank Angst

Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell has appointed Corinne Sweeney, D.V.M., chairwoman of the Pennsylvania Racing Commission while also naming John Hannum to the commission.

Both new commissioners bring years of experience in horses and racing to the commission, which had been functioning with just a single commissioner in Rick Abbott.

Sweeney is a professor of medicine at New Bolton Center and serves as chief operating officer for the University of Pennsylvania’s George D. Widener Hospital for Large Animals. Hannum has worked as an assistant trainer and recently owned horses in England, where he competed as an amateur steeplechase jockey.

“Pennsylvania has made great strides in advancing our world-class racing industry, ensuring that the state remains a great place to raise, race, and enjoy horses,” Rendell said. “These new racing officials bring with them a wealth of racing knowledge and will help propel Pennsylvania racing into a prosperous future.”

Frank Angst is senior writer for Thoroughbred Times