Tracks & Racing
Bill Connelly:
I've always had horses, and I've been in the industry for 50 + years. My parents were trainers and I have followed in their footsteps.
My business is a true Kentucky trainer's business. I employ 12 full-time employees, have 20-24 horses in training at all times and train out of Turfway Park year round.
My business is in Northern Kentucky, Boone County. I raise my family here, my home is here, no different than any other small business. I am invested in this community and in this state. I have had some pressure from my 40 + owners to move my horses and race at other tracks besides Churchill Downs and Turfway Park, but I can't just up and move. I don't want to move. I have lost horses because of this and I have lost business and income, because my owners know that purses are higher and options are better in other states right now.
I have had to ship horses to Mountainer, Indiana Downs and River Downs in the last few years, but only when I have to in order to make money.
I want people to see me and hear my story. I AM Kentucky's horse industry. I am struggling and it hurts to see our business struggle and dying on the vine. I do hope Kentucky's legislators see that we aren't ‘blue bloods’ but that we are small business owners trying to make ends meet.