Posts Tagged ‘ruffian equine medical center’
Monday, March 1st, 2010
By Ray Paulick
Dr. Patricia Hogan has resigned as chief surgeon at the Ruffian Equine Medical Center adjacent to Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y. The 26,000-square-foot veterinary hospital, built at a cost of $18 million by International Equine Acquisitions Holdings, opened last May after numerous delays related to the difficult lending market.
Hogan confirmed that she resigned in mid-February but would not comment on the reason for her departure.
“I spent the past five years assisting in the designing, building, and start-up of the REMC,” she told the Paulick Report. “It is a first-class facility and I hired an excellent staff to run it. I firmly believe in the concept of having a hospital of this magnitude in close proximity to the horsemen of New York.
“I hope that people can look past the controversies that seem to surround the IEAH group and see the greater good as far as this hospital is concerned–it is a very valuable asset to the equine population of the greater New York area and provides critical medical and surgical care, as well as advanced diagnostic capabilities a mere stone’s throw from the backstretch of Belmont Park.”
A 1992 graduate of the University of Pennsylvania school of veterinary medicine, Hogan had a three-year surgical residency at Texas A&M University, then spent 11 years as a surgeon at the New Jersey Equine Clinic. She opened her own practice—Hogan Equine at Fair Winds Farm. in Cream Ridge, N.J.–in 2007.
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Tags: belmont park, Dr. Patricia Hogan, Elmont, Equine Acquistitions Holdings, Ray Paulick, ruffian equine medical center
Posted in Horse Welfare | 27 Comments »
Tuesday, February 9th, 2010
Dr. Patricia Hogan, an accomplished veterinary surgeon who operates Hogan Equine in New Jersey and oversees the Ruffian Equine Medical Center adjacent to Belmont Park, understands that public perception is reality when it comes to equine welfare issues. When the American Veterinary Medical Association and American Association of Equine Practitioners came out in support of horse slaughter, Hogan said the organizations were out of touch with the general public’s views on animal welfare. Her criticism of those two groups has fallen on deaf ears.
Recently, Dr. Hogan turned her attention to the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, an organization that invested a great deal of time and money on the much-ballyhooed Safety and Integrity Alliance created in the wake of the tragic death of Eight Belles in the 2008 Kentucky Derby. The Alliance has a Code of Standards that, among other things, encourages tracks to provide for the aftercare of retired racehorses, but takes no position on horse slaughter. In fact, the last time anti-slaughter legislation went before Congress, commissioner and CEO Alex Waldrop wrote that the NTRA neither opposed nor supported the bill.
In a letter sent by Federal Express to Waldrop on Jan. 16, Hogan urged him to reconsider the NTRA’s neutrality on anti-slaughter legislation and not rely on the AVMA and AAEP leadership position as the NTRA’s compass on the issue. "I sincerely hope you will consider my request," Hogan wrote. "I only represent what so many people want to see happen in this sport–both the industry participant and the casual racing fan–we all want to see Thoroughbred racing survive and we cannot lose if we truly look to preserve the principles of integrity, decency, and those of equine welfare."
More than three weeks have passed, and Hogan has yet to hear anything from Waldrop or his staff, even after she followed up with a phone message to the NTRA chief.|
The lack of response begs the question: Is anyone home at the NTRA?
Following is the complete text of Hogan’s letter, reprinted here with her permission. — Ray Paulick
January 16, 2010
Mr. Alex Waldrop
NTRA
2525 Harrodsburg Road
Suite 400
Lexington, KY 40504
Dear Mr. Waldrop:
We have never met but in fact we have a great deal in common - we are both heavily invested in the Thoroughbred racing industry and we both share an obvious concern and dedication to see the sport survive. I ask that you please give me a few moments of your time and hear me out about an increasingly important issue burdening our sport.
I am a veterinary surgeon and I am fortunate enough to have the privilege of caring for some of the most valuable horses our sport has to offer. I also care for some of the least valuable - those horses that are no longer financial contributors to racing and therefore must either find an alternate career, or in too many cases, be shipped off to slaughter.
I work very closely with many retirement organizations but there is one in particular that you should know more about. It is the Turning For Home Program at Philadelphia Park and we have made a very tangible difference there- a difference for the racetrack, for the horsemen, and most of all, for the horses. Everyone wins in this program. The track shows the public that it cares about its "product" enough to institute and support a program, the horsemen now have options in order to comply with the anti-slaughter policy put forth by the racetrack, and the horses gain a second chance to serve a useful purpose. It is a great example of how members of our industry are approaching this problem effectively at the grass-roots level. I am currently working on setting up a similar type of program in New York following the recent announcement of NYRA’s strong anti-slaughter policy. We are planning to connect NYRA, my affiliate hospital, Ruffian Equine Medical Center, and New Vocations, a well-established Thoroughbred retraining/placement organization together to provide the same type of network to address this issue. My point is that it can be done and it is being done throughout our industry. Wouldn’t it be to the NTRA’s advantage to be ahead of the story rather than trying to catch the train that has already left the station?
Surely the NTRA has reached a point where the obvious "writing on the wall" is at least visible, if not legible. Animal welfare issues are absolutely at the forefront of the public’s concerns. Thoroughbred racing has never been under more intense scrutiny by the public and we just cannot afford to appear complacent or indifferent. Does it not say something to the NTRA that many of its member tracks have now independently instituted some very strong anti-slaughter policies? If these tracks can recognize both the financial and public relations value of that policy as being relatable to their own livelihood and bottom line, why cannot the NTRA see that as well and provide the leadership in that arena?
I urge you to not let the pro-slaughter position taken by the leadership factions of the AVMA and AAEP continue to be your compass on this issue. Please don’t allow their special interests to become yours. I am a long-standing member of both organizations and although they serve their purposes within my profession, they do not dictate my politics or my ethics. It is important to note that it is only a very small percentage of AAEP veterinarians who are actually involved with Thoroughbred racing - the vast majority of the membership is involved with the pleasure horse industry and therefore have little to lose in regards to issues with public perception and slaughter. Yet the racing industry has, by far, the most to lose here.
I am asking you to please reconsider your neutrality on this vital issue and at least take a stand for the Thoroughbred racehorse. I am not asking you to come out politically against the anti-slaughter bills - just please consider taking care of our own interests. Those of us working in the trenches, so to speak, need your leadership on this issue. We need you to recognize that the slaughter of Thoroughbred racehorses is simply not acceptable. If the public sees that we are actively working to resolve this important welfare issue in our sport, then we as an industry will be all the better for it.
I sincerely hope you will consider my request - I only represent what so many people want to see happen in this sport - both the industry participant and the casual racing fan - we all want to see Thoroughbred racing survive and we cannot lose if we truly look to preserve the principles of integrity, decency, and those of equine welfare.
If I can personally be of service in any way to get this moving in the right direction, please do not hesitate to contact me. I will use whatever resources I can provide to continue to support a resolution to this very important issue.
Respectfully,
Patricia M. Hogan, VMD
Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Surgeons
Tags: aaep, alex waldrop, american association of equine practitioners, american veterinary medical association, avma, equine welfare, hogan equine, horse slaughter, National Thoroughbred Racing Association, NTRA, ntra safety andintegrity alliance, Patricia Hogan, patty hogan, Paulick Report, Ray Paulick, ruffian equine medical center
Posted in Horse Slaughter, Horse Welfare, National Thoroughbred Racing Association | 59 Comments »
Wednesday, August 5th, 2009
By Ray Paulick
Trainer Jeff Mullins has asked the general counsel for the New York State Racing and Wagering Board for assistance in getting paid $31,336 Mullins said he is owed by IEAH Stables from I Want Revenge’s victory and related expenses from the the $750,000 Wood Memorial at Aqueduct April 4. IEAH bought a 50% interest in the son of Stephen Got Even from David Lanzman 10 days before the Wood.IEAH campaigned two champions (Big Brown and Benny the Bull) and 11 Grade 1 winners in 2008, finishing one vote shy of an Eclipse Award as outstanding owner.
There is precedent for the New York Racing and Wagering Board getting involved when owners may have failed to meet their financial obligations. Ernie Paragallo, now at the center of an animal abuse criminal case in New York, had his owner’s license revoked in 2005 because he had not paid a bill from the University of Pennsylvania New Bolton equine hospital.
Mullins was suspended for seven days by the New York Racing and Wagering Board for an incident that occurred inside the Aqueduct detention barn prior to an earlier race on the day of the Wood.
Following is the text of Mullins’ letter to Robert Feuerstein, general counsel for the Racing and Wagering Board:
Dear Mr. Feurstein,
I write to you on the advice of my attorney, Karen Murphy who met with New York State Racing and Wagering Board Steward, Carmine Donofrio, June 4 on a matter regarding IEAH Stables.
I am very concerned about IEAH Stables’ business practices as it relates to Thoroughbred racing, specifically their lack of meeting financial obligations to all concerned with the training, riding, care and services provided to I want Revenge, a horse trained by me who won the April 4 Wood Memorial.
From the day IEAH Stables purchased a 50% share of I Want Revenge from David J. Lanzman, last March they have failed to pay my bills, the travel expenses of jockey Joe Talamo, and the bills from veterinarians, lay-up farm, horse transporters, etc. To this day they have yet to pay me their 50% share of the 10% of the purse earnings from the $750,000 Wood Memorial. As you know, the race was run on April 4 of this year, making the bills four months outstanding. My accountant/bookkeeper has contacted them and their attorney on numerous occasions and they have repeatedly promised payment to no avail. It is my understanding that the New York State Racing and Wagering Board can assist me in assuring that these owners meet their financial responsibilities as they continue to race horses in New York and throughout the country.
IEAH Stables is scheduled to start several horses during the Saratoga meet including, Benny the Bull in the $250,000 Alfred G. Vanderbilt, August 9 and Court Vision in either the $500,000 Sword Dancer, August 15 or the $200,000 Bernard Baruch H, August 28.
It is unacceptable that a racing operation such as IEAH Stables be allowed to continue racing in New York or anywhere for that matter without first meeting their financial responsibilities to horsemen and the providers of services to their horses.
I urge the New York State Racing and Wagering Board and NYRA to immediately put a freeze on their horseman’s account in an effort to assure that all of their past due financial responsibilities are met before they are paid any purse monies.
I will list below those I know who have not been paid along with their contact information and the amounts owed to them. I will also be happy to furnish you with copies of bills/invoices from all. In addition to those out of state listed, owner David Lanzman spoke with Belmont Vet Group, Sallee Horse Vans and Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital and they are all owed quite a bit of money as well. Because they are all are owed such a significant amount of money they fear if they take any action right now, in an effort to get paid they will anger them and lose any chance of getting paid. Lanzman only contacted people directly involved with I Want Revenge and can only imagine how many other people they owe money to. Rumor in California has it that they owe backstretch horsemen in New York in excess of $500,000. It is unconscionable that they are allowed to continue racing.
Jeff Mullins………………..……………Trainer………….$31,336,04
(the above amount includes $20,625.00 which is their share of the purse money owed to me for the win in the Wood Memorial and training/board and travel expenses related to the Wood Memorial and Kentucky Derby)
Dr. Foster Northrop…………………..Vet…………….…..$1,754.74
Joe Talamo/Access to Travel……..Jockey……..………$3,312.90
La Croix Farm…………………..…….Lay-up………….…$3,150.00
Dr. Melinda Blue………………………Vet…………..………$559.10
Please advise me as to what the next steps, if any may be necessary to take in assuring that I, along with the parties listed above are paid.
I thank you in advance for your help and attention to this matter.
Sincerely
Jeff Mullins
Copyright © 2009, The Paulick Report
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Tags: benny the bull, Big Brown, david lanzman, ernie paragallo, I Want Revenge, IEAH stable, jeff mullins, Jim Miller, kentucky derby, Mark Frimmel, Michael Iavarone, new york state racing and wagering board, Paulick Report, Ray Paulick, robert feuerstin, ruffian equine medical center, state racing and wagering board
Posted in IEAH, Regulatory Issues, Thoroughbred Business | 29 Comments »
Tuesday, June 9th, 2009
Dunkirk, the second-place finisher in the June 6 Belmont Stakes, suffered a non-displaced condylar fracture of the left hind cannon bone during last Saturday’s running of the 1 ½ - mile Classic. The injury was detected when the colt was slightly off following the race, and x-rays taken June 8 revealed the fracture.
“He will have surgery later this morning to place a screw into the area which will stabilize the injury while it heals,” said Todd Pletcher, trainer of Dunkirk. “We anticipate a full recovery and a return to racing later this fall.”
The surgery will be performed at the Ruffian Equine Medical Center in Elmont, NY by Dr. Patricia Hogan.
Dunkirk, owned by Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith, was a $3.7 million Keeneland September yearling sale purchase. Sired by multiple graded stakes winner Unbridled’s Song, he led the field in this year’s Belmont, setting the pace under jockey John Velazquez. He finished 2 ¾ lengths behind eventual winner Summer Bird and a neck ahead of Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird.
The Belmont was the fifth start for Dunkirk, who ran an impressive second to Quality Road in the Florida Derby after scoring back to back wins at Gulfstream Park.
Tags: belmont stakes, dunkirk, Elmont, Patricia Hogan, ruffian equine medical center
Posted in Horse Health, Horse Welfare, belmont stakes | 16 Comments »
Friday, February 20th, 2009
By Ray Paulick
International Equine Acquisitions Holdings, the racing partnership that finished second by one vote behind Frank Stronach in Eclipse Award voting for outstanding owner of 2008, has altered the primary responsibilities of its two top executives, Michael Iavarone and Richard Schiavo, who had served as co-presidents of the company.
Iavarone is now president of the racing stable, with Schiavo listed as secretary and a director of IEAH. Schiavo will be in charge of the Ruffian Equine Medical Center, which had a planned opening for last spring and is now nine months behind schedule. An opening date is expected to be announced soon for the equine hospital located next door to Belmont Park.
“Richard will be president of IEAH Corporation, which is building the hospital,” Iavarone told the Paulick Report. “The workload on the hospital is overwhelming. There is so much involved there: insurance, hiring of staff, and it’s taking up a great deal of time.
“As far as the holding company is concerned, you shouldn’t have two presidents anyway,” Iavarone continued. “But there has been no major structural change, and no additional management has been brought in.”
Iavarone will continue to serve as chairman of the board of IEAH, which he founded.
IEAH is “feeling pressure from the economy,” Iavarone added. “We were getting tons of people calling us, but the investment environment is really tough. This is another reason Rich is working on the hospital. It was an impossible task to get a bank to help us with construction. The cost is about $18 million, and we are finally finished.”
Tags: IEAH, international equine acquisitions holdings, Michael Iavarone, Paulick Report, Ray Paulick, richard schiavo, ruffian equine medical center
Posted in IEAH, People | 6 Comments »
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