GOVERNOR O’MALLEY CELEBRATES HORSE INDUSTRY AT FAIR HILL TRAINING CENTER

ELKTON, MD (May 20, 2011) – On the eve of Maryland’s best-known horse event, The Preakness Stakes, Governor Martin O’Malley today showcased Maryland’s horse racing industry as a vibrant part of the State’s economy.  Governor O’Malley toured the stable and training facilities of Kentucky Derby winner ‘Animal Kingdom’ at Fair Hill, the nation’s premier training center, led by world-renowned trainer Graham Motion and the horse’s owners Barry Irwin and Aron Wellman of Team Valor International.

“This weekend, Maryland becomes the center of the horse racing world with the 136th running of the Preakness.  But Marylanders know that horse racing in our state is so much bigger and more valuable than just the one race,” said Governor O’Malley.  “Our horse industry has a tremendous impact on Maryland jobs, farmland, economy and traditions.  Some 28,000 jobs and more than 587,000 acres of farmland associated with the equine sector depend upon the stability and growth of the industry, and we’re committed to ensuring its thriving future for years to come.”

Maryland has a rich tradition of horse racing and horse breeding, and these industries generate thousands of jobs and millions of dollars for the local economy. Fair Hill Training Center, with 1,000 people working there daily, is the most innovative thoroughbred training center in Maryland. Situated on 350 acres of rolling hills in the Mid-Atlantic’s lush countryside, this thriving business is a premier example of the importance of the industry, its economic impact and the jobs that depend on our rich history of racing in Maryland.

This Administration has worked hard to protect horse-related open space, agriculture and jobs in the State of Maryland.  Governor O’Malley introduced and signed emergency legislation in 2009 to give the State greater authority to keep the Preakness Stakes in Maryland.  Under the legislation, the State is authorized to acquire by purchasing or exercising eminent domain over Maryland’s racetracks and all rights and racing events that are associated with the Preakness Stakes and its trophy, the Woodlawn Vase.

Last year the O’Malley Administration negotiated a settlement agreement – the Preakness Covenant – which ensures that Baltimore is home to this historic race and Maryland will continue to realize the economic benefits of this annual event.

Late last year, after negotiations between all parties had broken down, Governor O’Malley brokered a last-minute deal that preserved the 2011 racing calendar, helping to keep Maryland’s treasured Preakness Stakes where it belongs and protecting the more than 28,000 people who work in Maryland’s horse industry full time.

Yesterday, Governor O’Malley added his signature to legislation he sponsored which redistributes existing slots revenues to assist in the operations of Maryland’s racetracks, salvaging the racing season for next year and likely for 2013 as well, and preserving thousands of jobs associated with Maryland’s horse industry.  The Hollywood Casino in Perryville opened in September as the first of five approved locations for video lottery terminals in Maryland, followed by Ocean Downs in January.  As of April 30, more than $4.2 million has been distributed back into the breeding and racing sectors. These funds should help keep all of Maryland’s racetracks alive this season and provide a bridge to a longer-term solution, saving thousands of horse and agriculture related jobs.

Maryland’s rich history of horse-related agriculture goes back centuries.  Annapolis hosted the first organized horse race in America, the Annapolis Subscription Plate, in 1743.  The first running of the Preakness Stakes, the second leg of the Triple Crown was held in Maryland in 1873.

The equine industry is a critical component of Maryland’s economy, with assets totaling more than $5.6 billion. It holds approximately 10 percent of Maryland’s land (587,000 acres), has twice as many horses per square mile as Virginia, Texas, California, or Kentucky, and employs more than 28,000 people. There are more than 79,000 horses in Maryland valued at $714 million.

In addition to its economic benefit, the horse industry also serves a critical environmental purpose. Horse farms preserve valued green space and serve as a buffer to development. They are a critical element in the maintenance of the state’s agricultural heritage.