Kentucky Thoroughbred Association (KTA) & Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners & Breeders (KTOB)

Our Mission

We are committed to long-term solutions that will enable us to protect and promote the Thoroughbred industry. We strive to increase our influence on issues that impact our industry locally, nationally, and internationally.

Kentucky Thoroughbred Association

A group of Kentucky's finest horsemen formed the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association (KTA) in 1983 with two primary goals. The first was to unite the industry by addressing long-term problems and representing the Thoroughbred industry on a national basis. The second was to maintain the highest standards of racing, breeding and training in the Commonwealth.

Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners & Breeders

The state's leading breeders founded the Thoroughbred Breeders of Kentucky, Inc. in 1961. TBK focused on promoting and protecting the Thoroughbred industry in Kentucky. Renamed Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders, Inc. (KTOB) in 1980, the organization expanded to include owners as well as breeders.

This Day in History

June 19

June 19, 1973: Officials of Arlington Park invited Secretariat to compete in a specially created race, the $125,000 Arlington Invitational Stakes.

KTA-KTOB News & Announcements

James G. Bell, KTA-KTOB Board of Director

President of Darley Stud Management, LLC. Current Board of Director of Kentucky Thoroughbred Association/Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders, Inc. Current Board member of Keeneland and the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance. Current Chair of the KTOB Foundation Advisory Board. Current member of The Jockey Club and sit on The Jockey Club Health & Safety Committee. Past President and Director of Thoroughbred Club of America and TOBA New Owners Committee. Breeder of European Champion GREEN FOREST.

Tony Holmes: New Zealand to Kentucky

Tony Holmes, born in Christchurch, New Zealand, dreamed of coming to Kentucky to become more involved in the Thoroughbred business. Before landing in Kentucky, he worked as a mechanical engineer apprentice, worked at a large mining town in outback Western Australia, after which he worked on dairy farms in New Zealand. After time spent on dairy farms, he began employment in the Thoroughbred industry working his first breeding season in New Zealand followed by a breeding season on a farm in Australia.

RMTC Accredits First Two Laboratories

The University of California-Davis Kenneth L. Maddy Laboratory and HFL Sport Science Inc., Lexington, Ky., became the first two fully-accredited laboratories under the RMTC Laboratory Accreditation program Tuesday.

‘Rapid Response’ Protocol Approved by KY Equine Drug Research Council

In a meeting earlier this week, the Kentucky Equine Drug Research Council approved ‘Rapid Response’ protocol measures that will allow the state to quickly take action to test for emerging illegal substances.

Board Profile:

James G. Bell, KTA-KTOB Board of Director

Our Mission