News Releases

Tuesday, April 13, 2004Contact: Bob Curran (212) 521-5326
Equibase Management Committee Appoints O'Hara President/CEO of Equibase

The Management Committee of Equibase Company LLC announced today that Philip T. O’Hara Jr., who served in a variety of executive management positions at Penn National Race Course and Penn National Gaming, Inc. before becoming a horse racing industry consultant, has been named president and chief executive officer of the Lexington, Ky.-based company.

O’Hara is expected to start the new assignment in early May.

“Phil’s proven leadership qualities, his business skills and his vast array of experience with pari-mutuel operations and the Thoroughbred industry in general will serve him well as Equibase's next president,” said Alan Marzelli, Chairman of the Equibase Management Committee. “We feel confident that with Phil at the helm, the Equibase team will continue to expand its service to this sport and enhance the Equibase brand in the process.”

Joe Harper, the president of the Thoroughbred Racing Associations of North America (TRA), said, “We have seen the results of Phil’s work ethic and dedication to the industry over the past 20 years and we’re certain he can and will capitalize on opportunities that exist in the ever-changing business landscape that surrounds us these days.”

O’Hara joined Penn National in 1985 as the assistant general manager and marketing director, before being named vice president/on-track operations in 1989 and then vice president/general manager in 1994. He subsequently served as executive vice president/pari-mutuel operations for Penn National Gaming, Inc. from February 1998 until March of 2000.

During that time he was responsible for the development of business plans, management training, contract negotiations and government relations for three racetracks and 10 off-track sites.

For the past three years, O’Hara has operated his own consulting firm, specializing in government and agency relations, business plan development, licensing projects and management development.

O’Hara is a 1980 graduate of the University of Arizona’s Race Track Industry Program. Prior to joining Penn National, he served stints at Tampa Bay Downs, Arapahoe Park, Commodore Downs and Louisiana Downs in varied roles, including assistant racing secretary, racing official, marketing director and publicity assistant. He was also a newspaper handicapper at one time.

Equibase Company LLC is a partnership between The Jockey Club and the TRA and serves as the Thoroughbred industry's Official database for racing information and statistics.

Through its web site, www.equibase.com, the company offers an ever-increasing menu of racing information and handicapping products for handicappers of all skill levels, including Virtual Stable™ which provides e-mail notification of entry, result and workout information for horses which fans want to follow.

(A photo of Philip T. O'Hara Jr. is available upon request.)