NTWAB Member Shuelein Passes at 77

Steve Schuelein, a former sports journalist and turf publicist died at age 77 on August 29. The long-time resident of Playa del Rey, CA was an NTWAB member for many years.



According to his obituary, Schuelein was born in New York City in 1946 to Robert and Rosa Schuelein, both of whom fled Nazi Germany prior to the outbreak of World War II. Schuelein attended school in Norwich, NY and from an early age loved sports, especially horse racing, golf, and basketball. Growing up, he often visited his close relatives in the Utica area. He was never married and had no offspring.

Schuelein attended The State University of New York at Buffalo, where he received a Bachelor of Arts degrees in liberal arts in 1967 and Syracuse University, where he received a Master of Arts degree in journalism in 1969. Shortly after graduation, Steven enlisted in the United States Army Reserve and served through 1975.

As a sports journalist, Schuelein primarily covered horse racing. He moved to southern California in 1982 and worked publicity at Del Mar and Santa Anita. He was part of several Breeders' Cup notes teams and served as a correspondent for the now-defunct Thoroughbred Times. Throughout his life, he often attended sporting events, especially at his alma mater in Syracuse, New York, and he played golf regularly until his death.

Besides maintaining friendships with the people he got to know at school, the Army, and through sports, Steven also attended Congregation Tikvat Jacob in Manhattan Beach, CA as he always had a close bond with Judaism according to his obituary.

Funeral services will be held at Hillside Memorial Park and Mortuary at 6001 W. Centinela Avenue in Los Angeles Sept. 5 at 2:00. For those unable to attend the service, an interactive zoom link starts at 1:45 CT for the service, and thereafter the gravesite service and burial will be live-streamed. Contact Hillside for links to the zoom link and live stream.

June 15, 2026
My fellow NTWAB Members, It was great seeing so many of you during the Triple Crown season and at our biannual meeting held during Kentucky Derby week.
May 7, 2026
Ben Baugh, a longtime member of NTWAB, died unexpectedly overnight after the Kentucky Derby. He was 60. Baugh lived in Reddick, just north of Ocala, Fla., and most recently worked with 352today.com, where fellow journalist Scott Harrell described him as a consummate newsman. "In fact, the only things Ben loved more than the place he lived were the equine sports it helps nurture and support," Harrell wrote. "His final stories for 352Today concerned the region’s connection to his cherished Kentucky Derby. “Ben was a dedicated journalist who cared deeply about his work and the community he served. He brought curiosity, professionalism, and a steady presence every day,” wrote North Central Florida Media GM Lisa Varner in an internal announcement published at 352today. “His contributions to 352today and the stories he told will have a lasting impact, and he will be greatly missed.” Former trainer Randy Bradshaw eulogized Baugh on Facebook, writing "That’s so sad - spent a week with Ben when he was doing a piece on Wayne Lukas, he was a great person and talented writer!" Former jockey Pablo Morales posted upon his retirement, "I wanna give a huge thank you to Benjamin Baugh for writing about my career and my retirement, having his support thru my time as a jockey has been an honor...." Baugh's coverage of U.S. efforts to support local military veterans drew the praise of Todd Belknap, an official of Vets Helping Vets. "I met Ben when I was the Deputy Director at Vets Helping Vets USA. Ben was so approachable, and he had a keen sense of humor to navigate the rigors of journalism and the mine fields that accompany the trade," Belknap wrote. "Ben helped us tremendously at Veterans Helping Veterans USA, always fitting us in on his already crammed schedule whenever we had a story or event we needed help promoting." Baugh's LinkedIn bio says he was a graduate of Ashland University in Ohio and covered politics, public safety, education, religion, entertainment and equestrian sports for 28 years. He had previously written for the Ocala Gazette, its former sister publication Ocala Style, and Past the Wire. According to the latter publication, Baugh was "an intern at Thoroughbred Racing Communications, and through hands-on time at Adena Springs South and Crupi’s New Castle Farm, learning racing not just as a craft but as a way of life." Ed DeRosa of Horse Racing Nation posted at X, "Worked with Ben at TTimes way back when.RIP!" A report at 352.com says Baugh was discovered on the morning of May 3 by his stepfather, John Butt, who came to wake him for church. According to his Facebook page, Baugh is survived by his brother Matthew Baugh and cousins Errol Portman, Rita Schineis, Lorraine Portman and Carolyn Dent. A post at 352today.com says information about any memorial events will be forthcoming. We at National Turf Writers and Broadcasters extend our sympathies to Ben's family, friends and colleagues. By Dick Downey .
March 31, 2026
Earlier today, the board of directors of the National Turf Writers and Broadcasters shared a letter with executive leadership at FanDuel and Flutter Entertainment expressing our concerns regarding the decision to phase out FanDuel TV.
March 27, 2026
NTWAB's spring meeting will be held on Wednesday, April 29, at 11 a.m. ET in the press conference area at Churchill Downs. Members attending in person are welcome to join us on-site, and a Zoom option will be available for those unable to travel. More.....
March 27, 2026
Click through the link to view NTWAB members 2025 Eclipse Awards votes
January 23, 2026
Cutting to the chase, and to the surprise of almost no one, the HORSE OF THE YEAR is SOVEREIGNTY. Other finalists were Forever Young and Journalism. Congratulations!
January 8, 2026
The National Thoroughbred Racing Association, Daily Racing Form, and the National Turf Writers and Broadcasters today announced the winners of the 2025 Media Eclipse Awards in six categories. Every entry must have been primarily published or aired for the first time between November 16, 2024, and November 14, 2025.
January 4, 2026
The National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA), Daily Racing Form, and the National Turf Writers and Broadcasters (NTWAB) today announced the finalists for the 2025 Resolute Racing Eclipse Awards, recognizing excellence through the past year in Thoroughbred racing.
December 26, 2025
The National Turf Writers and Broadcasters (NTWAB), with matching financial support from The Jockey Club, has agreed to support a record nine internship applications at horse racing media outlets in 2026, by far the largest group funded since the program began in 2023.
December 4, 2025
It was great seeing so many of you at Del Mar for the 2025 Breeders’ Cup and during our annual NTWAB Awards Dinner and our general membership meeting during Breeders’ Cup week.