John Veitch joins elite group

Contact:  Mark York 502-564-3350

FRANKFORT, Ky. (May 29, 2007) –  John Veitch, the chief state steward for the Kentucky Horse Racing Authority (KHRA), has been elected to the National Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame, officials announced today.

Veitch will be inducted into the prestigious organization during a ceremony scheduled Aug. 6 at the Hall of Fame and Museum at Saratoga Springs, N.Y.  He becomes only the 63rd trainer so honored.

“It’s just overwhelming,” Veitch said of his selection. “To be compared to some of the greatest in history…it’s a tremendous honor.”

“We are extremely proud of him,” said Lisa Underwood, KHRA’s executive director. “John Veitch is one of the all-time great trainers, and we are fortunate to have him serving as Kentucky’s chief state steward.”

Veitch joined the KHRA in the fall of 2005 and serves as the top thoroughbred racing enforcement officer.

During his distinguished career as a trainer, Veitch worked for some of the nation’s most prominent horse farms, including Calumet and Darby Dan in Kentucky. His best-known horse was Alydar, who dueled with Affirmed in what is widely considered the most exciting Triple Crown series in history, in 1978.

Other prominent thoroughbreds Veitch trained included Proud Truth, winner of the Breeders’ Cup Classic in 1985, and Davona Dale, also a member of the Hall of Fame.

Veitch learned his trade from a great teacher, his father, the late Sylvester Veitch, who also is a member of the Hall of Fame.

Before his retirement as a trainer, John Veitch, 61, won 410 races in North America in 2,340 starts.