Damon Thayer, the outgoing Kentucky state senator, has been named the recipient of the 2024 Warner L. Jones Jr. Horseman of the Year Award presented by the Louisville-based Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners. Thayer's decades-long dedication to championing the horse racing industry in the commonwealth and beyond have earned him this prestigious honor.

Elevating Kentucky's Racing Legacy

A Lifelong Passion for the Sport

Damon Thayer's love for horse racing began at a young age, when he was a 4-H horse-club kid. His introduction to the industry came through a chance encounter between his father and a Thoroughbred owner-breeder, which led to Thayer's early exposure to the sport. As a teenager, he learned the ins and outs of running a racing stable, working at Hazel Park and Detroit Race Course, where he gained valuable experience in various aspects of the industry.

Championing Legislative Initiatives

Throughout his 22-year tenure in the Kentucky General Assembly, Thayer has been a tireless advocate for the horse racing, breeding, and overall equine industries. His signature legislative achievement was the 2021 passage of Senate Bill 120, which updated the state's definition of pari-mutuel wagering to include historical horse racing gaming. This pivotal legislation has transformed Kentucky into the premier racing circuit, offering the highest purses in America and fueling economic development and job creation in racetrack communities.

Fostering Industry Partnerships

Thayer's impact on Kentucky's horse racing industry extends beyond his legislative work. As a communications professional, he has held various roles, including publicity director at Thistledown and the Maryland Jockey Club, as well as overseeing virtually every department at Turfway Park. In these positions, Thayer collaborated with industry leaders like Jerry Carroll and Mark Simendinger to create and develop the Kentucky Cup day of champions, a prominent series that attracted top-tier horses and champions.

Diversifying the Industry's Reach

Thayer's efforts have not been limited to the Thoroughbred sector. He has also worked with key allies across the aisle and in both legislative chambers to legalize sports betting in Kentucky, structured in a way that requires bookmakers to partner with racetracks. Additionally, he has played a vital role in creating breeders' incentive funds that benefit all Kentucky horse breeds, funded by the 6 percent sales tax on stud fees, and in strengthening the Kentucky-bred incentive programs for both Thoroughbred and Standardbred racing.

Embracing the Role of Horse Owner

Thayer's dedication to the industry extends beyond his legislative and professional endeavors. He has also become a horse owner, partnering in a group of horses campaigned by CJ Thoroughbreds, including the two-time Grade 2 winner and Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf starter, Hang the Moon.

Honoring a Legendary Horseman

The Warner L. Jones Jr. Horseman of the Year Award, named after the legendary horseman who spent 50 years on the Churchill Downs board, including eight as chairman during the track's resurgence in the late 1980s, is a fitting recognition of Thayer's contributions to Kentucky racing. As Thayer himself stated, "To be on the list of those who have been honored with the award is a real privilege to me."