NEWS

Industry News

Most Popular Stories

Most E-mailed Stories

TCA Honor Guest Duchossois optimistic on racing’s future

Posted: Monday, January 10, 2011 10:14 AM

by Ed DeRosa

In receiving recognition as the Thoroughbred Club of America’s Honor Guest, Richard Duchossois reflected not on his years of involvement in Thoroughbred racing and breeding but on the future of a sport without him in it.

Duchossois, 89, owned Arlington Park before 2001 when Churchill Downs Inc. acquired the Chicago-area facility, and his family’s The Duchossois Group is Churchill’s largest shareholder. Duchossois also breeds and races horses with his Hill ‘N Dale Farm in Barrington, Illinois, the flagship of that endeavor.

The TCA honored Duchossois at its 79th annual Testimonial Dinner Sunday in Lexington. Duchossois received several standing ovations from an enthusiastic crowd that included past winners Ted Bassett, Alec Head, Robert Courtney, Sr., and Catesby Clay as well as industry leaders such as Churchill Downs Inc. President Bob Evans, Keeneland Association President Nick Nicholson, and Claiborne Farm’s Dell and Seth Hancock.

During the dinner, the TCA displayed photos and video footage of Duchossois’ career as racetrack and horse owner, reliving the 1985 fire that destroyed the Arlington grandstand, the “Miracle Million” that took place just weeks after the blaze, the rebuilding of one of the world’s premiere racing facilities, and Duchossois’ emotional win in the 2010 Beverly D. Stakes (G1) with Eclair de Lune (Ger).

“These pictures brought back a lot of memories,” Duchossois said. “Some seemed like 100 years ago, but as I relived them that brought me to tonight and to one of the biggest honors I’ve ever received.

“I don’t deserve it. To see the names on this list is an honor I’ll never forget.”

And that was all the reflecting Duchossois did on a past loaded with successes and of a legacy of caring for the customer. The former Arlington chairman acknowledged that racing has lost customers on track, but Duchossois sees an opportunity in the electronic marketplace as well as in selling the excitement of racing’s core product.

“Investment in this sport brings thrills money can’t buy,” Duchossois said. “A commercial during the Breeders’ Cup showed people cheering on a horse and the tagline read, ‘No one ever lost his voice cheering for a mutual fund.’ That says it all.

“Stay positive; we have to be our own cheerleaders. People love racing, and this industry isn’t dying or on life support. It has too much to offer. Make racing the place to be like Keeneland has done and Churchill with night racing. Arlington has some things to learn from what they’ve done. We all can learn from each other.”

Bassett, a former Keeneland president and the 1984 Honor Guest introduced Duchossois, calling him “a trusted friend, dear associate and a fellow octogenarian who has never lost his zest, zeal, and enthusiasm for longevity” and the “courageous, ingenious architect of Arlington.”

Ed Bowen, the chairman of the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation and former editor of The Blood-Horse presented Duchossois with a pin recognizing his lifetime membership in the TCA and a scroll proclaiming his service.

“In recognition of his innovation and vision as a race track entrepreneur, his grasp and dedication to the best interests of the sport and business of Thoroughbred racing, his international racing achievements, service to his country, and extraordinary and positive impact on the history of American and international industry, the Thoroughbred Club of America … hereby presents this testimonial scroll to Richard L. Duchossois.”

Duchossois said, “I’m very optimistic because the [TCA] will change the racing industry. The foundation for the future of racing is in this room, and my advice is—Never forget your core business of racing and breeding horses.

“Our industry has challenges, but from challenges come opportunities, and these opportunities can be game changers. Times change but our objectives haven’t. Life is what you have done and on the other hand it’s what you still can do.”

In other business, TCA President Ed Saunier recognized Richard F. “Happy” Broadbent IV as TCA director of the year.

Ed DeRosa is news editor of Thoroughbred Times