The Florida Thoroughbred Horsemen group in South Florida announced Feb. 19 that its executive director Herb Oster is stepping down to concentrate on recent health issues.
Oster has served as FTH executive director since January 2024. For the past 25 years, he has served on racing industry boards in New York and Florida, including as director for the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association. He became involved in the FTH after moving to Aventura, Fla., in 2014, first as a board member and then as a special projects coordinator. His greatest interest has been on the benevolence side of the horsemen group's responsibilities and initiated several programs to improve the lives of backstretch workers at Gulfstream Park and Palm Meadows Training Center.
Most recently, Oster has been embroiled in controversy involving a legislative initiative that, if approved, would allow Thoroughbred racetracks to operate casinos or card rooms without being required to run live racing, as is currently required by law. The FTH initially supported the legislative effort, known as decoupling, when bills were filed with the Florida Legislature Jan. 6.
"By supporting the statutory amendments to Chapter 550 to enable Gulfstream Park's live racing schedule to become independent of the venue's pari-mutuel license, we are securing a sustainable future for horsemen in Florida that sensibly addresses the challenging economic realities facing the industry," Oster said back in January.
After a meeting with Stronach Group representative Keith Brackpool, who told Florida horsemen that live racing could not be guaranteed beyond 2028 because the land on which Gulfstream sits is too valuable, the FTH board of directors changed its position and now opposes the legislative change.
"The future of Thoroughbred racing in South Florida is too important and too uncertain if HB 105 is passed. We cannot take that risk without a definitive plan going forward," read a Feb. 3 statement from the FTH. "Unless and until that solution is developed and agreed upon, the Florida Thoroughbred Horsemen will be against decoupling or any legislation that threatens continued Thoroughbred racing in South Florida."
The FTH will establish a search committee to find a suitable replacement for Oster.
"The organization extends its best wishes to Herb for his future endeavors and health," the FTH said in its announcement of Oster's resignation. "His contributions to the Thoroughbred racing community will be fondly remembered and greatly missed."
