LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 8, 2009) – The University of Kentucky Horse Racing Club will host its signature Thoroughbred trainer panel, titled “Inside Horse Racing: The Trainer’s View,” at 6 p.m. Tues., April 21, in the Student Center Grand Ballroom on UK’s campus.

“Inside Horse Racing: The Trainer’s View” provides students and members of the community with the opportunity to learn more about horse racing from industry members and to network with some of the best trainers in the business.

“I think the best thing about the event is the opportunity to listen to people talk about their passion for horses and horse racing,” said Laurie Lawrence, club adviser and professor of equine nutrition for the UK Department of Animal and Food Sciences.

Hall-of-Fame trainer Claude “Shug” McGaughey, Kentucky Derby-winning trainer Michael Matz, Preakness Stakes-winning trainer Neil Howard, Belmont Stakes-winning trainer Ken McPeek and stakes-winning trainer Michelle Nihei will share their experiences in the industry as featured trainers on the panel. Horse Racing Radio Network president Mike Penna will emcee the event.

“The event will be entertaining for all types of horse racing fans,” Lawrence said. “They will have the opportunity to hear from leading trainers on subjects of current interest and also find out how each trainer got started. Plus, there will be a great silent auction that will include racing-related items and non-racing items, too.”

“Inside Horse Racing: The Trainer’s View” begins at 6 p.m. with a silent auction and hors d’oeuvres. Trainers will speak at 6:30 p.m. A question and answer session will follow. Proceeds from the event go to the Horse Farm Workers’ Educational Assistance Fund and the UK Horse Racing Club. Tickets are $10 at the door and $5 for students.

“The main goal of our club is to give students an inside look at the industry,” said club president Katey Caddel. “The trainer panel will allow all attendees to put a face to the sport.”

The club hosted its first trainer panel in October 2007. The event featured McPeek, as well as Kentucky Derby-winning trainers Carl Nafzger and John Ward and stakes-winning trainers Rebecca Maker and Ron Moquett. Approximately $4,000 was raised to benefit the Maker’s MarkSecretariatCenter and the UK Horse Racing Club.

The UK Horse Racing Club would like to thank the following sponsors for their support:  Airdrie Stud, Churchill Downs, the Jockey Club, Keeneland, the Kentucky Equine Education Project, Kentucky Thoroughbred Farm Managers’ Club, Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders, Pin Oak Stud and Vinery.

The University of Kentucky Horse Racing Club was founded in 2004 to educate college students in all aspects of the Thoroughbred racing and breeding industry. Industry members are invited to speak at the club’s monthly meetings and field trips to local farms and racetracks are taken throughout the school year. The trainer panel is the club’s biggest event of the year.

For more information, email the club at ukhorseracingclub@hotmail.com or visit http://www.ag.uky.edu/equine/index.php?p=147.

Author: Laura Pepper