Ashok Raghavan, the Honorary Secretary of the Karnataka Racehorse Owners Association (KROA) has decided to step down after six years in office. The Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the KROA and the elections of the Managing Committee of the Association for the year 2008-09 is scheduled to be held on Monday the 11th of August in Bangalore.

Raghavan has also announced that he would not recontest as the Secretary of the KROA.

According to a KROA release, while it is apparent that the Association has through its persuasive efforts achieved significant gains in the areas of stake money and incentive payable to the owners and in laying down a procedure for procurement of Oats which has resulted in significant cost reduction over the years, there is lot more to be achieved in the areas of infrastructure required for Racing. Raghavan feels that the succeeding committees would try to accomplish this by their continued efforts with the Managements of the Bangalore Turf Club and the Mysore Race Club respectively.

According to Raghavan, there are tumultuous times ahead for the Bangalore Turf Club due to the decision of the Government to relocate the Race Course after the lease expires on December 31, 2009 and the Owners Association along with the Trainers and Jockeys Association should also take all steps necessary to safeguard their interests, when the eventuality of the relocation of the Race Course which appears imminent takes place.