“This is Ridiculous,” Horse Breeders Call on Gov. Wolf to Release Award Funds

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Above: Peter Giangulio, who owns Castle Rock Farm in Chester County with his sister, Barbara Geraghty. says the jammed-up award money is hurting breeders.--photo Main Line Today.

The Pennsylvania Horse Breeders Association is calling on Governor Tom Wolf to help release breeder and stallion award funds that have been suspended since February, writes Tom LaMarra for Bloodhorse.com.

phba-logoThe issue at hand is the new horse racing reform law that came into effect at the end of February. According to the state Department of Agriculture, its ambiguous language prevents it from making the 2015 breeder awards totaling $9.31 million and stallion awards of $1.65 million.

“This is ridiculous,” said  Peter Giangulio, who owns Castle Rock Farm in Chester County with his sister, Barbara Geraghty. “It’s killing breeders, it’s killing suppliers, it’s killing the industry.“

On July 27th, the PHBA asked the state Horse Racing Commission to reinstate the funds which, according to law firm Buchanan Ingersoll, could be made under current law. However, despite passing a motion allowing the payments, the racing commission tabled its final decision until late August.

To combat this, the PHBA has reached out to its members and others who  own and races horse in the region to send a letter to Wolf pointing out how unsustainable this situation is.

“We can’t wait for the legislature,” said Giangiulio. “As far as I’m concerned, we can’t put up with this any longer.”

Read more about the situation at Bloodhorse.com here.

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