Speaking May 7 in Louisville, Ky., during the ongoing annual meeting of the Association of Racing Commissioners International, leadership of several state horse racing regulators expressed continued challenges related to staffing positions for veterinarians and stewards. There is a shortage of those qualified for the professions and young people desiring to pursue such a career, panelists indicated.
Jamie Eads, president/CEO of the Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Corporation, said the work/life balance of these professions has created a difficult hiring environment, noting the need for travel within the state, and work on weekends, holidays, and sometimes at night.
"It's just a hard sell," she told the audience during the panel, an executive director roundtable.
The KHRGC has increased salaries and created year-round employment to lure applicants for some positions. Amid expanded regulatory oversight, which has increased veterinary evaluations, there is a need for qualified staff.
Eads and Aaron Grigsby, deputy executive director of the Texas Racing Commission, expressed support for reducing student debt for equine veterinarians. Grigsby said that a loan-forgiveness program could incentivize aspiring equine veterinarians to enter the regulatory field.
Staffing shortages are not limited to veterinarians. Qualified stewards are also in limited supply.
"Young people in racing—none of them aspire to be stewards," said panel moderator Scott Chaney, executive director for the California Horse Racing Board. "It's something you kind of do as a second career."
He mentioned having discussions with jockeys in the twilight of their racing careers—they already possess an understanding of the rules of racing—as a means to bring new stewards into the sport. Those desiring to become stewards can then receive training via the Racing Officials Accreditation Program.
Pay raises, housing accommodations, and waiving background checks have been steps the New Mexico Racing Commission has taken to fill steward positions, said Izzy Trejo, the New Mexico Racing Commission's executive director.
Trejo told BloodHorse before the panel that New Mexico has utilized a remote steward to review races, providing oversight in addition to stewards on-site. The remote steward analyzes racing from a Racetrack Television Network video feed that is seen by on-site stewards and shared with the public.
He told the panel that stewards also need writing skills to express violations in rulings.
"The level has to be raised. ... The game's so litigious," he said.
The panel discussion also included overviews of supplemental funds contributed toward racing, such as gaming or tax-related subsidies, and horse welfare and criminal activity issues related to unsanctioned racing. Chaney said these unregulated races extend across the country, but are most prevalent in the Southwest involving Quarter Horses.
The ARCI conference, which began May 6 with new regulator orientation and training, continues with panel discussions through May 9.
