NTWAB members,

t was great seeing so many of you during Kentucky Derby week at Churchill Downs and others in person or via Zoom in our spring meeting.

For those who may have been unable to attend, our longtime president, Tom Law, stepped down from his leadership role, though he will continue to serve the board this year, providing much-needed guidance. Additionally, our vice president Greg Hall and board member Frank Angst have concluded their board service to the NTWAB.

All served the NTWAB with distinction and excellence.

Sara Gordon from The Thoroughbred Daily News and Carlos Morales of Agentes 305 will join the board this year. Both bring infectious positivity to everything they do.

Continuing to serve as directors on the board are Nicole Russo, Scott Hazelton, Steve Byk, and Tom Law. Dick Downey and Jennifer Kelly continue their roles as treasurer and secretary, respectively.

Nathan Campbell is our new vice president, and I am honored to be your NTWAB president.

We have also added a half dozen new members: Molly Rollins, Pete Denk, Joe Perez, Andie Biancone, Katie Ritz Petrunyak, and Stefanie Grimm.

There is a second opportunity in the fall for those still wishing to join. We welcome others to join our organization!

The board and officers pledge to continue Tom and Greg’s fine leadership. As Tom and Greg did before us, Nathan and I will exercise our position as a critical third of the Eclipse Award steering committee.

You will recall our frustrations related to steering committee actions that unfolded last year in which an honoree was advanced despite our reluctance. Ultimately, through Tom and Greg’s efforts, the NTWAB received a promise that any decisions related to the special or merit Eclipse Awards would require a vote and a unanimous result to move forward. Abstentions will be accepted, but only for a direct conflict of interest. This promise follows years (decades perhaps) of an unwritten tradition of the committee that any special or merit honors handed out would be after overwhelming approval of the steering committee. The longstanding unwritten process is now formalized.

The other area of concern has been the change in the media contest rules to allow work created by industry publicity vehicles. While the steering committee could not reach an agreement on this, everyone agreed to discuss the matter further to work toward a resolution. Nathan and I will continue to advocate for the NTWAB on this important issue.

As Tom noted in our Derby week meeting, the steering committee has asked us to discuss or propose an alternative. One idea from within the NTWAB includes generating a separate award or awards for publicity outlets and discussing this possibility with the Turf Publicists of America before the steering committee meets.

I welcome your thoughts on this possibility or any other suggestions you may have. Feel free to email me at ByronnealkingKY@gmail.com or contact another board member on this or any other matter.

Also, please consider potential honorees for our annual fall fundraiser, which will take place during Breeders’ Cup week at Del Mar. If you have someone well suited to any of our awards, please submit the name of the person you’d like to nominate and the basis for your support. Early submissions are welcomed before voting takes place this summer.

Last year’s honorees were superb: Team Cody’s Wish, Mike Kane, The Edwin J. Gregson Foundation, Kenny Rice, and Cindy Hutter. Let’s make this year’s group just as special!

Have a great Preakness week!

Byron King

NTWAB president
May 15, 2024