News Releases

Thursday, April 17, 2003Contact: Bob Curran Jr. (212) 521-5326
McAlpine, Sexton Appointed to Equibase Management Committee

Jim McAlpine, president and chief executive officer of Magna Entertainment Corporation (MEC), and Steve Sexton, president of Churchill Downs and Ellis Park, have been appointed by the Thoroughbred Racing Associations of North America (TRA) to serve on the Management Committee of Equibase Company LLC, it was announced today by Management Committee Chairman Alan Marzelli.

McAlpine will represent the Mid-Atlantic region and replace Martin Jacobs; Sexton replaces Bryan Krantz.

“Words cannot adequately express our appreciation for Marty’s dedicated and untiring efforts on behalf of Equibase over the past seven years,” said Marzelli. “His contributions were numerous and far-reaching, and the industry will forever be indebted.

“The timing of his appointment in 1996 couldn’t have been more opportune. Equibase was then at a critical juncture, and Marty immediately took an active role, helping to craft the track-agreement renewals that stabilized the company’s finances.

“He also played an important role in the negotiations that led to the signing of the historic license agreement with Daily Racing Form in 1998,” added Marzelli.

“In a similar vein, we want to thank Bryan for his steadfast support of Equibase over the past two years.”

After serving as executive vice president of non-automotive affairs for Magna International, MEC’s parent company, Jim McAlpine was appointed as MEC’s president and chief executive officer in 2001.

Sexton, a racetrack executive since 1983, was appointed president of Churchill Downs and Ellis Park in 2002 after serving in the same capacity at Arlington Park since August 2001. He joined Arlington from Lone Star Park where he was a member of the original management team before being promoted to executive vice president and general manager in 2000.

“We’re happy to have key individuals from two significant track operators on the Management Committee,” said Marzelli.

The Equibase Management Committee is comprised of 12 members, with each of the Company’s two general partners appointing six representatives. In addition to McAlpine and Sexton, the other TRA representatives are Craig R. Fravel, Terry Meyocks, Ray Tromba and Michael Weiss. Besides Marzelli, The Jockey Club representatives are Sherwood C. Chillingworth, Steve Duncker, John C. Ertmann, Nick Nicholson and Ogden Mills Phipps. Chris Scherf, executive vice president of the TRA, serves as the Company’s secretary.

Equibase Company LLC is a partnership between The Jockey Club and the TRA and serves as the Thoroughbred industry’s Official database of racing information. Through its web site, equibase.com, the Company provides an ever-increasing menu of racing information, statistics and handicapping products for everyone from the casual fan to the most experienced handicapper.