WhatsApp To Replace Text Message System Beginning October 1

Effective Oct. 1, the Maryland Jockey Club and MTHA will begin using the free messaging app WhatsApp to disseminate information and updates related to the racing office, training hours, entries and anything that is usually released via text messages.

The parties cited the increasing costs and reliability of using a phone text message system to relay information to such a large group of subscribers which totals over 1,000 users. 

“The WhatsApp discussion groups have been extremely well-received by our horsemen and have dramatically improved communication amongst our entire community,” remarked MJC Vice President of Racing Development Georganne Hale.  “Sending our alerts out on WhatsApp will allow us to take advantage of the modern features of the messaging app for our huge list and avoid the many glitches we’ve experienced using our current system.

In an effort to improve communication and productive discussion in the racing community, the MTHA earlier this year began testing the concept of WhatsApp groups specific to the following communities: Laurel Park trainers, Pimlico Race Course trainers, and Maryland jockeys. Those allow for secure online conversations among those admitted to each group. Horsemen have raved about the effectiveness of these options and they are widely used. Using WhatsApp has allowed real time feedback to be received on issues like track conditions and barn area concerns to expedite issues being addressed. 

MJC Racing Office will replace the current text-based message system and will require users to subscribe. It will not offer a chat function and will serve only to disseminate information.

Subscribe to the MJC Racing Office WhatsApp Group For Community Alerts and Info:

https://chat.whatsapp.com/IoIVOVWN3UW77cxNAse4oy