Martha Claussen was honored for nearly three dedecades of work promoting racing in Texas on Saturday at Sam Houston Race Park.

© Jack Coady Photogrpahy

By Leann Noguera, StallioneSearch

HOUSTON, TX—MARCH 25, 2026–Longtime Sam Houston Race Park publicity director Martha Claussen was honored March 21 during the Texas Champions Day card, recognizing nearly three decades of work promoting racing in Texas.

Claussen, who joined Sam Houston in 1997, spent 29 years shaping the track’s public presence and building relationships across the industry. Her recognition comes as she transitions into a semi-retired role after relocating in 2024 and shifting her focus toward her health.

A native of Buffalo, New York, Claussen’s path to racing was anything but traditional. She began her career in sports marketing with International Management Group (IMG), managing major tennis events and working with high-profile sponsors.

It was during that time she connected with Bryan Pettigrew, now vice president of Texas racing operations for Penn Entertainment, a relationship that ultimately led her into the racing business.

Her passion for the sport, however, started earlier. Introduced to the racetrack as a teenager at Fort Erie and later experiencing Hialeah during her college years at the University of Miami, Claussen developed a lasting appreciation for racing and its athletes.

Marth Claussen was joined by many friends and colleagues for her special recognition, including her husband Don, many staffers from the “Bork Era,” Jack Coady, and current Sam Houston Race Park employees, trainers, and friends. © Lori Bledsoe/Jack Coady Photography

At Sam Houston, she became known for her hands-on approach and deep respect for jockeys, horsemen, and breeders. Early in her tenure, she organized community outreach efforts, including hospital visits with jockeys—an experience that left a lasting impression and underscored the generosity of the riders she worked alongside.

Claussen’s contributions extended well beyond publicity. She worked closely with owners, trainers, and breeders, earning widespread respect throughout the region. In 2020, she was named the Texas Thoroughbred Association’s Member of the Year.

She also credits her time working under the late Sam Houston executive Bob Bork as one of the defining periods of her career.

While stepping back from her longtime role, Claussen remains active in the industry. She currently serves as a Quarter Horse analyst at Horseshoe Indianapolis and continues publicity work for the Louisiana Quarter Horse Breeders Association, much of which she now handles remotely. In addition, she will also continue to contribute her knowledge and expertise of the sport to StallioneSearch on occasion.

Looking ahead, Claussen has set her sights on a personal milestone—qualifying for the National Horseplayers Championship.

Reflecting on the transition, Claussen remains grounded in the sport that has defined her career.

“As difficult as it was to step away from Sam Houston Race Park, I am so fortunate to work with SES, LQHBA and Horseshoe Indy,” she said. “I love racing and SES is the absolute best QH publication, due to their 24-7 work around the clock.”

For a figure who has spent decades elevating the sport, the next chapter presents a different kind of challenge, but one she appears ready to embrace.