In a deal announced Friday, the Jockey Club has purchased a controlling interest in Blood-Horse magazine and related properties.
Jockey Club Chairman Ogden Mills Phipps and Peter S. Willmott, chairman of The Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association, announced the deal, which in addition to a 51 percent stake in Blood-Horse magazine also includes the horse racing publication’s printing and digital assets, as well as its 50 percent share of True Nicks LLC.
“Blood-Horse will continue to cover the issues, events and personalities in our industry in a journalistically sound manner going forward,” Phipps said in a statement.
The financial terms of the deal — which took effect immediately — were not disclosed.
In a related move, Blood-Horse announced the appointment of a new president and chief executive officer. John K. Keitt Jr., who has held a variety of legal and media roles with ties to the Thoroughbred industry, began his new role in the Lexington office on Friday.
TOBA retains ownership of The Horse magazine, and current Blood-Horse publisher and CEO Marla Bickel will move into a similar role at The Horse.
The announcement acknowledged the considerable pressures that publishing houses have operated in, particularly in the wake of the Great Recession.
“TOBA and its predecessor breeders organization have been the sole owner of Blood-Horse since 1935,” Willmott said. “With the considerable changes underway in the publishing industry, it is our strong feeling that a partnership with The Jockey Club in ownership of Blood-Horse will enhance Blood-Horse’s ability to serve its customers, especially on digital platforms.”