BANDOROFF RUNS FOR BREEDERS’ CUP BOARD

Memorandum to clients and colleagues

I am writing to ask for your support in the upcoming election for the Breeders’ Cup board and to tell you about several things that are important to me, and for which I will be an advocate if I am elected to the board. As you know, I have been in the industry my entire professional career and I have a passion and deep-seated love for it.

I feel the BC has done a great job branding the event and I understand great strides were made to enhance the fan and owner experience last year. (Because I had a horrible fan experience in 2010, I did not attend last year). I think it is important that the BC continues to enforce the reputation of the brand as well as well as to enhance the event experience, making it a talked-about and must-do event. It should equal or exceed the experience at other major championship sporting events such as the Super Bowl, World Series, and Final Four. That should remain an important objective for the staff every day. I’d like to see an effort made to attract celebrities to attend.

Second, I have always believed that the only chance for our industry to succeed, re-establish itself, and not reach a point of total irrelevance to the general sports fan is through centralized power. Someone needs to represent the owners and breeders who fund this industry and I’d like to see the BC do that in a meaningful way. The BC has the respect of other industry stake-holders, is well capitalized, and, importantly, it is funded by breeders and owners. It seems logical to me that the BC should be our voice on industry issues. How strong and active a voice is a point that should be debated and decided by the board. I feel the organization has excellent leadership with Craig Fravel and the addition of Bob Elliston. I respect them both and my intention would be to support them.

We all know that the clock is ticking for our industry, and we have a limited amount of time to turn it around. I’m encouraged that The Jockey Club is taking a more active role and implementing the suggestions that the McKinsey Report made last year. I think the BC should work hand in hand with TJC in these endeavors. I truly believe the guts are there to make this sport relevant again. It can work, which is obvious at the few places where we put on a good show and give the public what they want. I feel I have an additional incentive to see the sport succeed as the father of a 20-year-old son who is determined to come into the industry.

Perhaps others may feel that my goals for the BC are not part of their traditional role.But if we don’t address medication, how we handle violations, and our perception to the public, media and European horsemen, I feel our future is bleak. Is that the role of the BC? I think it has to be in conjunction with other like-minded groups.

Thank you for your time and your consideration of my request. Please feel free to email or call me at 859-621-7877 if you would like to discuss this with me.