TOBA Sales Integrity Program Monitoring Committee Announced

LEXINGTON, Ky. - The Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association announced today the appointment of D.G. Van Clief, Jr. as the chairman of the Sales Integrity Program Monitoring Committee.

The Monitoring Committee is charged with overseeing the implementation and determining the effectiveness of the Sales Integrity Task Force’s recommendations that were issued in November 2007. The new policies include a ban on exogenous anabolic steroids for 45 days prior to a sale for weanlings and yearlings, a voluntary ownership registry, an updated list of prohibited practices and a Code of Conduct for all participants in public auctions.

Van Clief is currently the chairman of Fasig-Tipton Company, Inc. and was the former president of Breeders’ Cup Limited and commissioner of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association.

"We are honored that D.G. has accepted the responsibility of leading this important industry initiative," said Dan Metzger, president of TOBA. "His leadership skills, along with his integrity standards, make him the ideal person to lead this committee."

"Nothing is more important to our markets than integrity and the confidence which that integrity will engender," said Van Clief. "This committee is fortunate to have the services of important industry leaders and the organizations they represent. The group will take a diligent, dynamic approach to monitoring and when necessary, recommending changes to the policies which were developed by the Sales Integrity Task Force last year and which are being implemented by sales companies presently."

In addition to Van Clief, the other members of the monitoring committee are as follows: 
Jimmy Bell (Darley USA) 
Reynolds Bell, Jr. (Reynolds Bell Thoroughbred Services) 
Bill Casner (WinStar Farm) 
Nick Nicholson (Keeneland Association) 
J. Michael O’Farrell (Ocala Stud Farm) 
Frank Penn (Pennbrook Farm) 
Fred Sarver (American Saddlebred Horse Association) 
Samantha Siegel (Jay Em Ess Stable) 
John Sikura (Hill ‘n’ Dale Farms) 
Bayne Welker (Mill Ridge Farm)

TOBA has launched a new website for the Sales Integrity Program (www.salesintegrity.org) and the task force’s recommendations were implemented at the recently concluded Fasig-Tipton July Yearling Sale. The new conditions of sales will also be in effect at the upcoming Keeneland September Yearling Sale.

TOBA, based in Lexington, Ky., was formed in 1961 and is a national trade organization of leading Thoroughbred breeders and owners. TOBA’s mission is to "improve the economics, integrity and pleasure of the sport on behalf of Thoroughbred owners and breeders." Projects managed by TOBA include the American Graded Stakes Committee, Sales Integrity Program, The Racing Game and the Claiming Crown. TOBA is also represented on the Board of Directors of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association as a founding member. TOBA owns The Blood-Horse, Inc. More information on TOBA appears on www.toba.org. 

Source: www.toba.org