JOCKEY CLUB DENIES STUD BOOK PRIVILEGES TO LOPE GONZALEZ FOLLOWING HORSE CRUELTY JUDGMENT
PRESS RELEASE
At its February 9, 2010, meeting, The Jockey Club’s Board of Stewards accepted the recommendation of The Jockey Club Registrar to deny Florida resident Lope M. Gonzalez all privileges of The American Stud Book on a permanent basis effective January 1, 2011.
This action was taken based upon information received by the Registrar, which included the judgment entered October 14, 2009, in the Circuit Court of Marion County Florida in the matter of the State of Florida vs. Lope M. Gonzalez (Case number 09-MM-7123), and pursuant to Section V, Rule 19(A)(4)(d) of the Principal Rules and Requirements of The American Stud Book concerning acts of cruelty committed to a horse.
Denial of all privileges of The American Stud Book includes the privilege to register foals or submit any documents related to foal registration. The January 1, 2011, effective date allows registration of foals already conceived prior to the judgment.
Ogden Mills Phipps, the chairman of The Jockey Club, said, “The Jockey Club fully supports and assists law enforcement agencies, the courts and racing regulatory authorities in the investigation of matters involving cruelty to Thoroughbreds. When there is a final determination by a court, an official tribunal or an official racing body that a person has killed, abandoned, mistreated, neglected or abused, or otherwise committed an act of cruelty to a horse, The Jockey Club will not hesitate to take appropriate action under Rule 19.”
Principal Rules and Requirements of The American Stud Book are located here.
The Jockey Club, founded in 1894 and dedicated to the improvement of Thoroughbred breeding and racing, is the breed registry for North American Thoroughbreds. In fulfillment of its mission, The Jockey Club provides support and leadership on a wide range of important industry initiatives and it serves the information and technology needs of owners, breeders, media, fans and farms, among others. Additional information is available at jockeyclub.com.
Tags: American Stud Book, Jockey Club, Lope Gonzalez, Ogden Mills Phipps, Paulick Report
February 10th, 2010 at 6:51 am
I have mixed feelings on this decision. I certainly don’t want Gonzalez to even own horses, much more breed them, but what happens to any TB still in his possession?…or future? Are the horses allowed their birthright/papers?
The decision doesn’t prevent Gonzalez from owning TBs, just barrs him from registering with his name…..easy to get around.
What about Gill and Paragallo or their related companies?…and so many others?
The JC needs to do so much more for these magnificent horses.