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he National Steeple*
chase Association annouX
need today that Francis H. “Franny” Abbott Jr. has been named the 14th president of the association, taking over from Jonathan Sheppard, who served from 2004 to 2006.
Abbott, 53, hopes to make an immediate impact by broadening steeplechasing’s position within Thoroughbred racing.
“If I can do anything it will be to bridge the gap between steeplechase racing and flat racing,” he said. “It is critical that everyone understands we are all part of the same exciting game. Steeplechasing brings a very important and different product to the Thoroughbred experience. I’m looking forward to working with people in the racing industry in hopes that we can increase our exposure and position both nationally and internationally.”
Abbott brings experience in a variety of areas to the position. He directed the successful Radnor Hunt Races in Malvern, Pa. for 25 years, overseeing growth in attendance, sponsorship and a more than tenfold increase in purses when he retired in 2003. In addition, he has been a steward on the circuit and also served on the association’s hearing, review and appeals committee. An NSA board member since 2003, he was the association’s secretary from 2004 to 2006.
Outside of steeplechasing, he runs a bloodstock consulting firm, Abbott Bloodstock, which specializes in buying, selling and pedigree analysis and is active at Thoroughbred sales at Keeneland, Fasig-Tipton and others. Once a partner with his
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