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Questions & Answers with Tina Bond
Hometown
Mechanicville, NY and Palm City, FL
What was your path like to get to your role now?
I have been breeding and owning horses for 40 years. I served as an Owner Direct on the NYTHA board for 10 years prior to my being elected as President.
Congratulations on being elected the new president of the New York Thoroughbred Horseman’s Association (NYTHA). What are you most looking forward to in serving as leader of this organization?
I look forward to strengthening the sport, improving the Return on Investment (ROI) for owners, and bringing in new owners.
You have publicly said that your most important job in life is being a mom. How have you juggled being a mom to your two boys while being the Managing Partner of Bond Racing Stables and serving as the President of NYTHA?
Being a mom is the most important job. When Kevin and Ryan were young, I did what was best for them and worked hard to keep our family unit together as much as possible, which is not easy when married to a trainer. My sons are now in their 30s and we all work together in this wonderful sport. Both of my boys went to college and earned degrees and then they came back to this industry, which led me to want to do what I can to build the sport and make it stronger for the future.
If you had to choose just one, what’s your favorite aspect of the racing industry?
My favorite aspect of the racing industry is The HORSE. The horses are everything. Winston Churchill said it best, "The outside of the horse is good for the inside of man and woman."
A lot of people see your more public persona, what is something that you do just for yourself?
I don’t do much for myself as it is all about the horses with our farm Song Hill Thoroughbreds, owning horses as Managing Partner in Bond Racing Stable and this position of President of NYTHA. There are not many hours left.
What would you tell your younger self, or any young woman for that matter, who might just be getting started in the industry?
You better love the lifestyle because that is what this is.
New York Racing has had a massive investment by the state to revitalize the Belmont and we just experienced an incredible Belmont Stakes held in Saratoga a few weeks ago. What does this investment mean to you and to racing in New York?
The new Belmont is a fantastic opportunity to have a world class facility for the future of New York Racing. We have to get this right to prove to the state, the fans, and the horsemen that we can be the best.