LEXINGTON, Ky. _ The Thoroughbred racing industry moved swiftly this week to condemn racist social media posts circulating under the name of a prominent Thoroughbred breeder in Lexington, Tom VanMeter.
VanMeter, a veterinarian, is a well-known figure in the horse industry and in Central Kentucky. His brother is Laurance VanMeter, a justice on the Kentucky Supreme Court.
Laurance VanMeter issued this statement Tuesday: "I first heard about this yesterday afternoon. These statements are absolutely outrageous and do not reflect my values in any way."
Tom VanMeter owns Stockplace Farm, where 2015 Triple Crown winner American Pharoah was born, as well as Pretty Run Farm in Clark County where American Pharoah spent time as a foal. VanMeter has had a long and lucrative working relationship with American Pharoah's owner, Ahmed Zayat, who invited VanMeter into the winner's circle at Churchill Downs after the horse won the Kentucky Derby.
On Tuesday, The Thoroughbred Daily News published a statement from Tom VanMeter apologizing for the comments.
"Over the weekend, comments I made on a private page of a social media platform surfaced which have since come under scrutiny due to their racist nature. I will not attempt to deny that I wrote the comments, nor will I attempt to justify my actions," Tom VanMeter said in the statement. "Certainly, I am frustrated with the current social situation in our country, however, what I wrote was unjustifiable. I was wrong and am disgusted by my actions. Contrary to what these comments might suggest, in no way do those responses represent my true feelings towards my friends and community members of color. Moving forward I am committed to listening and learning as to how I can be a better ally and advocate in my community and within the racing industry as to how we can better foster inclusivity for all."
VanMeter said he had made a donation to the NAACP "as a gesture of goodwill" and he said, "I am hopeful all the industry stakeholders and the community at large can forgive me. I can and will do better."
The apology came a day after screen shots of comments posted on Facebook under VanMeter's name began flying around the industry, including one using a racial slur.
"Defund the n----- Football league," VanMeter commented on a post by Donnie Snellings, another prominent Thoroughbred breeder asking followers to "Re-post if you are still boycotting the NFL."
There have been calls to boycott the National Football League after it publicly reversed policy on allowing players to kneel during the national anthem. The shift came in the wake of protests across the country after the killing of George Floyd by a police officer, as well as the killing of Breonna Taylor in Louisville by police officers.
In other posts on his own Facebook page, VanMeter has defended police actions.
Snellings is yearling manager at Denali Stud, is president of the Kentucky Thoroughbred Farm Managers Club and has worked at other top Kentucky farms, including Mill Ridge Farm.
Further down in the comments on Snellings' post was another comment under VanMeter's name, which also was shared widely on social media: "Put em back in their cage!!!"
The remarks apparently were made June 30. On Monday, they went viral on Twitter.
