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Pitt Business e-newsletter

Pitt Alumnus Steps Into the Winner’s Circle at Churchill Downs

“It’s a real thrill, which is probably a trite term, but it’s hard to describe” James B. Tafel said after his horse Street Sense won the 133rd Kentucky Derby on May 5. “It’s a distinct and unique pleasure to be the breeder of this horse, but it’s also very satisfying to break the jinx of no horse winning the Derby after winning the Juvenile Championship.”

Tafel, the retired chair and chief executive officer for Dun & Bradstreet Technical Publishing Company, began his career at Ketchum, McLeod, and Grove in 1950, working there as a media manager. In 1953, he joined Technical Publishing Co. and worked as a sales representative and sales manager before being promoted to president in 1967. The company grew rapidly and merged with Dun & Bradstreet in 1978. At that time, all publishing operations were consolidated, making Technical Publishing one of the largest business publishing companies in the United States. Tafel served as chair and CEO of Technical Publishing from 1978 until his retirement in 1983.

In his retirement, Tafel has joined several thoroughbred racing ownership partnerships. With its victory in Louisville last month, Street Sense became the first two-year-old champion to win the Kentucky Derby since Spectacular Bid in 1979. Tafel maintains about 30 horses in training and a broodmare band of approximately 10. He keeps his breeding stock at Mill Ridge Farm, with a few at Darby Dan Farm, Chesapeake Farm, and Claiborne Farm, all located in Kentucky.

Photo: Victorious trainer Carl Nafzger, jockey Calvin Borel, and owner James B. Tafel, in the winner�s circle at Churchill Downs, Louiseville, Ky., May 5. (Getty Images Sport/Andy Lyons)

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