Contact: Bob Curran Jr. (212) 521-5326
THE JOCKEY CLUB DENIES STUD BOOK PRIVILEGES FOLLOWING HORSE CRUELTY JUDGMENT
At its February 9, 2010, meeting, The Jockey Club’s Board of Stewards accepted the recommendation of The Jockey Club Registrar to deny Florida resident Lope M. Gonzalez all privileges of The American Stud Book on a permanent basis effective January 1, 2011.
This action was taken based upon information received by the Registrar, which included the judgment entered October 14, 2009, in the Circuit Court of Marion County Florida in the matter of the State of Florida vs. Lope M. Gonzalez (Case number 09-MM-7123), and pursuant to Section V, Rule 19(A)(4)(d) of the Principal Rules and Requirements of The American Stud Book concerning acts of cruelty committed to a horse.
Denial of all privileges of The American Stud Book includes the privilege to register foals or submit any documents related to foal registration. The January 1, 2011, effective date allows registration of foals already conceived prior to the judgment.
Ogden Mills Phipps, the chairman of The Jockey Club, said, “The Jockey Club fully supports and assists law enforcement agencies, the courts and racing regulatory authorities in the investigation of matters involving cruelty to Thoroughbreds. When there is a final determination by a court, an official tribunal or an official racing body that a person has killed, abandoned, mistreated, neglected or abused, or otherwise committed an act of cruelty to a horse, The Jockey Club will not hesitate to take appropriate action under Rule 19.”
Principal Rules and Requirements of The American Stud Book are located at jockeyclub.com/registry.asp?section=3#nineteen.
The Jockey Club, founded in 1894 and dedicated to the improvement of Thoroughbred breeding and racing, is the breed registry for North American Thoroughbreds. In fulfillment of its mission, The Jockey Club provides support and leadership on a wide range of important industry initiatives and it serves the information and technology needs of owners, breeders, media, fans and farms, among others. Additional information is available at jockeyclub.com.
