Because the newly minted government director of the Kentucky Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protecting Affiliation, Alex Foley is aware of what’s on the minds of his constituents, the trainers, and homeowners that help the state’s 5 Thoroughbred racetracks. A son and former assistant to his father, Kentucky-based coach Greg Foley, Alex is a third-generation horseman.

When the Kentucky HBPA management alternative introduced itself final fall, it represented a crossroads for the 32-year-old native of Louisville, Ky.: strive one thing completely different or keep working alongside his father and brother, Travis, additionally an assistant within the Foley shedrow.

In a Jan. 15 interview with BloodHorse, Alex discusses his resolution. His solutions are edited for readability and house.

BloodHorse: What are your earliest childhood recollections of being round your father’s barn?

Alex Foley: Earlier than I began elementary college, 4 or 5 years previous, Dad would take me (to the barn) very early within the morning, every now and then. I’d have my little clipboard and I’d go across the barn checking off who was doing their job. I had no clue what I used to be . After about 20 minutes, I’d get drained or chilly, and go to the workplace. Dad would give me a field of powdered donuts and an Orange Sunkist. I had my little bag of toys and I’d sit in there and watch TV. I claimed I labored 20 minutes after which I used to be achieved for the day.

BH: Who’s your favourite horse skilled by your father?

AF: My favourite Foley horse of all time is Champali (a a number of graded stakes winner). He ran within the (2004) Breeders’ Cup, revamped $1 million. I truly am gazing an image of him proper now, profitable the (2004) Phoenix Stakes at Keeneland.

He was my dad’s first actual good horse. He gave publicity to our barn, our homeowners – and they’re nonetheless lifelong homeowners with us, Fred Schwartz and Jim Bakke. I obtained to go to races (with Champali), races that I used to observe on TV, and we had been by no means part of. The horse sort of put Dad on the map. Champali confirmed us a unique facet of the sport, so it made it really feel prefer it was inside our grasp to be part of that. Positive sufficient, we obtained there… 20 years later. However the flame was already lit (earlier than Champali) – I cherished horse racing even after we had $10-20K claimers.

BH: You come from a household of hardworking and profitable horsemen. What impression has that had in your private {and professional} development?

AF: My grandfather, Dravo, was the primary one to begin coaching and handed it all the way down to my father and my Aunt Vickie. I noticed how laborious they labored day by day. It’s a 365, seven-day-a-week job. I gained respect for them doing that. It teaches you how one can hold your head down and work laborious.

(My dad) wasn’t capable of be round on a regular basis. That took slightly little bit of a toll on us rising up as a result of he needed to miss a few of our stuff. However he did a great job. In highschool, my brother and I had been each first rate basketball gamers and as an alternative of going south (within the winter), the place my dad might have made slightly bit extra money, he stayed at Turfway (Park), so he might watch our basketball video games, which was fairly cool.

My mom, Sheree, is the rock of this household. With out her, we wouldn’t be the place we’re in the present day.

BH: Rising up, had been you inspired to seek out your profession path via your schooling quite than it being a given you’ll grow to be concerned with horses?

AF: My household very a lot needed me to pursue avenues exterior of horse racing. Anybody concerned in horse racing is aware of how laborious it’s on household and pals, since you’re touring on a regular basis and also you don’t get days off. The safety of a standard life is what my father and mom needed for me.

Dad at all times joked with me and my older brother, Travis, ‘I put you each via all kinds of colleges. You bought bachelor’s levels, PhDs, issues like that. You possibly can have saved me some huge cash simply by going straight to the racetrack.’ We love the racetrack; we simply couldn’t steer clear of it.

BH: You accomplished your regulation diploma; did you ever observe?

AF: I graduated in 2018, however I didn’t observe. I sat for the bar that September. I handed the essay portion, after which failed the (multiple-choice examination) the primary time. They used to have a rule – it’s a two-day check, first day is the essay and the second day is the a number of alternative – no matter portion you handed, you solely must take the portion you failed the following time. So, I needed to examine once more for the multiple-choice check, which was the next February, after which I failed it for the second time, by one query. I used to be going to take it once more, however then they modified the rule that you just needed to take each parts once more, in order that’s once I went to work on the racetrack. Everyone advised me to go and take it once more, however I don’t assume I ever needed to observe. I like the regulation, and truly I cherished each of my clerkships – I labored on the workplace of the Commonwealth’s County Attorneys. My boss had at all times joked, ‘Who cares when you can’t cross that portion of the check, simply hold taking it till you do, since you’re going to be an important lawyer. Appears you simply can’t steer clear of the racetrack. (However) if you wish to go to the racetrack, simply don’t fear about it, and go.’ He’s nonetheless a great buddy of mine and we nonetheless joke about that.

BH: What motivated you to use for the chief director place on the Kentucky HBPA?

AF: I didn’t apply initially. At first, I had a few reservations, just because I used to be my dad’s touring assistant. Our barn is doing so properly proper now, and every little thing was clicking so easily. I like working for my dad and brother. A pair members on the board and Rick Hiles (president of the Kentucky HBPA) referred to as me and mentioned, ‘You actually ought to take into consideration taking this job.’ My dad mentioned, ‘I respect the truth that you’re keen on working for me, however you significantly want to consider taking this job. It offers you slightly extra safety and stability by way of not having to maneuver round on a regular basis. You’ll be able to elevate a household and keep right here in Louisville, year-round.’ That was the principle motive – when my father gave me his blessing. It’s the very best resolution I made and I couldn’t be happier.

BH: How is the transition going for you?

AF: I’ll inform you what, the alarm clock is lots simpler on me. My schedule is an entire lot simpler on my physique. Transition has been nice. I work straight with Rick day by day and he’s been concerned with the HBPA for a few years. He is aware of every little thing, the ins and outs and the politics of it. He goes in every single place with me; he couldn’t be a greater mentor. I’m very lucky I’ve Rick with me and our board. My government assistant, Sara Toomey, has been with the HBPA for over 15 years, and I rely closely on her each day – she’s a rock star and I’m very grateful for her.

I inform everybody, on a regular basis, particularly individuals exterior of horse racing, studying the ins and outs of it and the politics, every little thing we’ve got our hand in, it’s truly unbelievable. I knew what the HBPA was my entire life, however I didn’t have a (full) understanding or appreciation for what they do. Simply in a pair months, I now do.

BH: What are your principal duties and the way do you go about executing them?

AF: I characterize the horsemen and all of the homeowners in Kentucky. I characterize my horsemen by placing out any fires, like bottom upkeep, ensuring cleanliness (is being adhered to) on the bottom, and addressing racetrack security. These are the day-to-day issues. I’ve conferences with all of our committees in addition to the (Kentucky Thoroughbred Affiliation) and the (Kentucky Horse Racing Fee).

Our huge issues we cope with are the contracts with the 5 Kentucky racetracks. That’s not yearly. Though not every day, it’s our most vital precedence. My predecessor, Marty Maline, retired at a time when our contracts had been set for the foreseeable future. The well being of the HBPA, and Kentucky racing throughout, you couldn’t get any higher than the state we’re in proper now. They put me able to succeed. It will be good to simply preserve the place we’re, however, clearly, there may be at all times room for enchancment, and that’s what we need to do.

BH: As you look forward to the approaching months, what points will you be advocating for on behalf of Kentucky horsemen?

AF: My primary precedence now’s the well being and security of our equine athletes. As you recognize, that has been a problem. That’s on the forefront of what we’re . We’re working with the KTA and HISA (Horseracing Integrity and Security Authority) as properly. Whether or not you’re pro- or anti-HISA, they’re the governing physique in the intervening time, so we’ve set to work with them. Moreover the well being and security of our horses, our purses – it’s laborious to get any higher than they’re now – are at all times a precedence.

We’ve got a few initiatives to implement in 2024 for our Kentucky horsemen. I can’t actually say far more than that in the intervening time.