FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Saratoga 2015 Wrap-Up: Gary Contessa’s Historic Educational Projects
Help Grow the Sport of Horse Racing
Saratoga Springs and Elmont, New York—Anyone who’s met Gary Contessa realizes quickly that the respected New York-based Thoroughbred Trainer is passionate about horses and the sport of racing them. His raw enthusiasm is infectious: to hear the man talk about horses is to become entranced.
Contessa loves horses and horse racing, but he has a drive for education, as well. He has observed rightly that one of the reasons why horse racing isn’t growing by leaps and bounds is that—the sport is very complicated. It’s complicated, and a uniform network of formal education for the public isn’t in place. Both long-time race fans and potential fans should have easy access to information about everything from the conformation of a horse to discussions of pedigree, wagering, care and how to buy at auction. And it should be fun.
This goal, of educating the public, was the driving force behind many new projects undertaken by Contessa during the 2015 Saratoga meet. Nearly every day, in-between morning workouts and racing, Contessa educated by giving barn tours. After the races, he served as host and auctioneer for special events sponsored by non-profit organizations such as CAPTAIN Youth and Family Services and ACTT Naturally. Contessa was invited to speak at many industry events, including participation in panels at the New York State Gaming Commission’s Lasix Forum and the Albany Law School Saratoga Institute of Equine, Racing & Gaming Law. Contessa was on the move virtually every day and night of the Saratoga meet. .
Next on Contessa’s education agenda was his series of Clinics for the edification of the public: the series of three Clinics were held on Tuesdays (dark days of the meet). The first Clinic, on conformation, was held at his barn on the Oklahoma Training Track at Saratoga Race Course. The second and third Clinics (“Everything You Always Wanted to Know about Horse Racing, but Were Afraid to Ask” and “So You Bought a Horse—Now What?”) took place in the Hall of Fame at the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame. All three Clinics were so well-attended and reviewed that the decision was made to expand, and produce four or five Clinics during Saratoga 2016.
And then there was the creation of Gary Contessa TeleVision on YouTube. The YouTube channel was launched on June 19th, 2015, and the reception so far has been tremendous.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3ylV4I7qDGO8dxPJ2neuIA
It appears that this is the first time that a Thoroughbred Trainer has created a YouTube channel as a means of educating the racing public, and helping them to grow both their range of knowledge and their passion for the horses and the sport. While Contessa’s motivation is purely philanthropic—surely a move like this has historic value, and can be only a boon for the growth of the sport. Nineteen videos currently grace the YouTube channel, with more being planned for the near future. (Note that all three Clinics are posted on Gary Contessa TeleVision on YouTube.)
“I was so ready to go: this is a great way to share this business and my experiences in it with everyone,” effused Contessa, “we created videos all during the Saratoga meet, and will keep it going until we’ve exhausted every topic. And between horses and horse racing—the list of potential topics is endless.”
For more information on speaking engagements, Clinics and/or Gary Contessa TeleVision, or to schedule an interview with Contessa, please contact Marion Altieri, Director of Communications at (859) 940-0568 / Altieri_Contessa_Racing@yahoo.com. Thank you.
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