Di is the Chief Executive of Retraining of Racehorses (RoR), British Horseracing's official charity of the welfare of retired racehorses. Di has been directing the charity's progress since 2002. She is a former leading lady rider, a member of the Board of the Amateur Jockeys Association (AJA) and a Director of Sandown Racecourse Committee. Di's role at RoR involves liaising closely with the charity's chairman and trustees in planning RoR strategy and leading the executive team in the implementation of a wide range of RoR activities and second career events. As well as communicating with the various racing and equine bodies and contacts, key to the role is promoting the highest standards of equine welfare and providing evidence to support the racing industry message that it cares about what happens to horses after their racing careers have ended. Di is the chair of the IFAR steering group and has been instrumental in the formation of the Forum in order to share best practice globally.

Andy Barr has served as the U.S. Representative for Kentucky’s Sixth Congressional District since January, 2013. He is a Member of the Committee on Financial Services, and is the Chairman of the Monetary Policy and Trade Subcommittee.

Barr is focused on strengthening Kentucky’s signature bourbon, equine, coal, agriculture and manufacturing industries, and serves as co-chair of the bipartisan Congressional Horse Caucus. He is fighting for policies that will save the country from bankruptcy, increase government accountability, and that would restore the balance of powers as intended by the founders of our nation.

In an ongoing effort to be an accessible representative to citizens of the Sixth District, Congressman Barr initiated several constituent coalitions focused on finding solutions that will help Kentucky’s Veterans, signature industries, and to find solutions to the growing drug epidemic.

Congressman Barr continues to implement his Accessibility Initiative, holding public events in each county he represents -- meeting directly with constituents, maintaining monthly staff office hours in every county, and publishing actively on social media and in his eNewsletter.

Congressman Barr graduated from Lexington's Henry Clay High School in 1992, earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Government and Philosophy from the University of Virginia in 1996, and received his law degree from the University of Kentucky in 2001.

Congressman Barr is a 2007 graduate of Leadership Lexington, a member of the Good Shepherd Episcopal Church and has served on the Board of Directors of the Friends of the Isaac Murphy Memorial Art Garden and Prevent Child Abuse Kentucky.

He and his wife, Carol, are the proud parents of two daughters, Eleanor and Mary Clay.

Bell is an alum of the University of Kentucky graduating with honors and a degree in finance.  He is President of Cromwell Bloodstock, a Lexington, KY based consulting operation specializing in auction representation, matings/seasons and shares, appraisals, racehorse and breeding portfolio management as well as racing partnerships under his banner Hat Creek Racing.  Among his successes are the discovery of Undrafted, G1 Royal Ascot winning millionaire, along with other recent G1 winners Mastery and Hootenanny.  Bell, born and raised in the thoroughbred business at his family's Jonabell Farm in Lexington has previously worked for Nicoma Bloodstock and top International trainer Kiaran McLaughlin.  He currently serves as a member of the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission and is the US overseas representative for Goffs.

Mara Blanco is the International Business Development and Country Manager for the Latin American market at PMU. Throughout her last 6 years in the company, she has contributed to settle major international partnerships and business ties for PMU on different markets. Her deep knowledge and understanding of the international gaming and racing industries as well as speaking 5 languages lead her to managing strategic projects and initiatives at PMU to ensure the growth and sustainability of Horseracing betting.

Michael Blowen began his career as an educator. After earning a Master’s Degree from Boston’s Emerson College he was asked to stay on and teach, and he did. “I didn’t have to look for a job and I loved it," he says. But Blowen had also long been interested in pursuing a career as a writer.

He got an opportunity to pen an article about director Elia Kazan’s film version of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s unfinished novel The Last Tycoon. The piece was published in an alternative weekly and it garnered the attention of an editor at the Boston Globe. An interview led to a position a “second-string” critic and then ultimately, as the newspaper's top film reviewer.
When an editor at the Globe invited Blowen to the race track one day. It sparked a new interest and, eventually, a new career. Blowen became an owner with several partners, and, in time, found himself working on the back stretch of Suffolk Downs for trainer Carlos Figueroa to learn more about horses.

After retiring from the Globe in 2000, Blowen accepted a position as the Operations Manager for the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation in Kentucky, and soon after, in 2003, he launched Old Friends, the non-profit Thoroughbred Retirement Facility in Georgetown, KY., that now supports over 175 retired horses, including 27 stallions, in nine locations.

Larry Bowers received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Chemistry from Franklin and Marshall College, Lancaster, Pennsylvania in 1972. Dr. Bowers completed his graduate work in Analytical Chemistry at the University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia in 1975 and was a post-doctoral fellow in Clinical Chemistry in the Department of Clinical Pathology at the Oregon Health Sciences University. From 1977 through 1992, Professor Bowers served on the faculty in the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology at the University of Minnesota and held an adjunct appointment in the Department of Chemistry. In 1992, he became Professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at Indiana University Medical Center in Indianapolis. During his eight years there, he was Director of the Athletic Drug Testing and Toxicology Laboratory, one of two International Olympic Committee-accredited laboratories in the United States. In September, 2000, Dr. Bowers joined the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA). He retired in November, 2016 after serving as Chief Science Officer for nearly a decade. The USADA is responsible for testing and adjudication, education, and research on issues related to the abuse of performance-enhancing drugs in Olympic and Paralympic sport in the United States. A member of the WADA Expert Laboratory Group for a decade, he wrote the original International Standard for Laboratories, laying out the performance standards and proficiency testing for human anti-doping laboratories. He has organized and chaired the internationally renowned USADA Symposium on Anti-Doping Science for 15 years. He serves as the Chair of the Scientific Advisory Board of the Partnership for Clean Competition (cleancompetition.org), a cooperative effort for funding research in anti-doping science. He has won several awards for his contributions in research, the Laureate Outstanding Public Service Award of the Endocrine Society, and a Distinguished Alumni Professional Achievements award from his alma mater. He has been an expert witness for the US Attorney’s Office, testified before Congress, and advised several government agencies. Dr. Bowers was present during the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigations Unit legal action at the BALCO laboratory in 2003 which lead to a number of international anti-doping cases involving the designer steroid THG (tetrahydrogestrinone). He also has been involved in incorporating perc

Alan Byrne is Chief Executive and Editor-in-Chief of the Racing Post, the pre-eminent publisher of horseracing data, opinion and analysis in Britain and Ireland.

Alan has led the transition of the London-based Racing Post from a traditional newspaper publisher to a multimedia business, including the development of the company’s award-winning mobile app. More than a third of the Group's revenues are now digital.

Alan was previously Editor of the Racing Post from 1993 to 2001 during which time he merged the Racing Post and Sporting Life newspapers. In a period away from the Racing Post between 2002 and 2007, his primary role was as an advisor to the Godolphin racing operation of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed. He also acted as a consultant to the British Horseracing Board, Betfair and others during this time.

He returned to the Racing Post after he led the purchase of the business from Trinity Mirror by a consortium of Irish investors in 2007. He continues to spearhead the business in the wake of its sale in September 2016 to Exponent Private Equity.

A native of Dublin, he was formerly a director of Tote Ireland. He has had shares in broodmares in Ireland and Kentucky over the past two decades. He has also had an interest in some very slow racehorses.

As an owner of the distinguished farm Haras Le Quebrada, Hernan Ceriani Cernadas III, oversees the family operation alongside his mother Indes Olaviaga, and his sister Maria Ines.

Founded in 1945 by Hernán Ceriani Cernadas with the support of his wife, Sara Roccatagliatta, Le Quebrada has become one of the foremost breeding operations in Argentina and South America. Ceriani Cernadas was one of the pioneers to import North American bloodstock, which included the champion sire, Make Tracks, who would go on to shape the breed in the region. Hernán Ceriani Cernada passed away in 1973, but his son Hernán Ceriani Cernadas II (Jr.) would continue and augment the legacy of Le Quebrada – supported by his mother and sister. Prominent sires that stood stud at Le Quebrada under Hernan Jr’s management include the aforementioned Southern Halo, Mutakddim, Luhuk, and Indygo Shiner. Hernan would also go on to be a leading voice in international forums, often working alongside and in dialogue with such global racing figures such as John Magnier, Ted Bassett, Robert Sangster, John Sikura, and John Gaines. Hernan played an important role to the creation of the Carreras de las Estrellas, a divisional championship style day of racing, inspired by the Breeders’ Cup. Currently, Hernan Ceriani Cernadas III is a Breeders' Cup Member. Ceriani Cernadas III would take over management of Le Quebrada following the passing of his father in 2007.

The farm realized a milestone achievement in 2012 when Calidoscopio, bred by the farm, won the Breeders’ Cup Marathon. Le Quebrada has won 57 Pellegrini Awards, being named Breeder of the Year 10 Times, and has been the breeder of over 300 winners of classic races, including 124 Group 1 victors.

Mr. Christian is a graduate of the University of Kentucky, (Bachelor of Science in Animal Science, Equine Option; Economics Minor). After graduating university Mr. Christian attended the Irish National Stud in Kildare, Ireland in 2004 and returned to Lexington, Kentucky to work as Sales Coordinator at Breeders’ Cup. In 2006 Mr. Christian served as Account Manager at Paramount Sales. Following the stint at Paramount Sales he returned to Breeders’ Cup in 2008 as Director of Racing where he now holds the title of Senior Director of Racing and Nominations of Breeders’ Cup Limited. Mr. Christian resides in Lexington, Kentucky; as well London, England.

IGNACIO CORREAS IV is a thoroughbred horse trainer, with a public stable based in Lexington, Kentucky. Born 1959 in Buenos Aires, Argentina and is married to Marina Victoria Donovan, he also has two sons Ignacio and Benjamin.

His roots in the business, go back at least 4 generations, when in 1887 his namesake founded Haras Las Ortigas, This farm to this day, is still run by his father and has had tremendous relevance in breeding and racing in Argentina. On many occasions, Las Ortigas has been the leading breeder or has stood the leading sire. Names such as Neapolis, Diamond Jubilee, Yatasto, Arturo A, Campero, etc. are part of the history the farm.

Ignacio, at a young age, followed in the footsteps of his family, working for Mr José B. Irazusta in Palermo in 1979 he travelled to France and (stage) with Mr Alec Head , return to France in 1981 and worked for Mr David Smaga. Back in Argentina he started training in 1983, where he soon tasted success, Pier Seventeen G1, Southern Filly G1, Overspeed G1, etc. In 2001 he came to the United States and worked on the East and West coasts with William Badgett Jr. Mr. William Lindsay Currin and Southern Equine, He until recently was the private trainer for Kevin Plank's Sagamore Farm and enjoyed notable success with Millionreasonswhy Matron G2, Humble and Hungry Commonwealth G3, Walkwithapurpose MD Champion 3yo Filly, Monzón, Hamp, Charge Cotton, Tiger Walk, etc.

At the end of 2015, he moved to Lexington, Kentucky and started a public stable, where he is assisted by his son Benjamin. The current stars of the stable are KASAQUI Arlington Hcap G3 (close 2nd. in last years Arlington Million), IDOLO PORTENO, etc.

Mr. Diaz-Valdes is the Racing Manager and Consultant to Don Alberto Corporation. Born and raised in Santiago – Chile, Mr. Diaz-Valdes has resided in the USA for more than 30 years where he developed an international thoroughbred brokerage business. Mr. Diaz-Valdes comes from a long family history of thoroughbred breeders in Chile, where he continues to own and race horses.

Mr. Diaz-Valdes has worked side-by-side with Mr. Carlos Heller in the development of Don Alberto as a global operation. Currently Don Alberto has over 300 mares in Chile while also winning the most prestigious races there. They recently opened a racing stable in Argentina with such quality horses by Frankel, Henry the Navigator, Dylan Thomas, and Viscount Nelson. Currently Don Alberto has over 100 mares in Kentucky with a few mares in Europe in foal to stallions like Galileo, Frankel, Dubawi, and Australia. In addition, Don Alberto has twenty 3-year olds in training in the USA with the likes of the amazing Unique Bella (by Tapit), Reach the World (by Tapit) and Cunco (by Frankel) in England. This year, they will have about 50 2-year olds in training with top trainers like Bob Baffert, Jerry Hollendorfer, Chad Brown, and Todd Pletcher.

Mr. Diaz-Valdes studied at the Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Spain. He is married to Dr. Francisca Azocar and has three adult children. Mr. Diaz-Valdes currently resides in California.

Donald H. Dissinger, AIA, RAIC is a Senior Vice President of EwingCole. Joining the firm in 1985, Mr. Dissinger is a Principal and shareholder and leads EwingCole’s Entertainment practice. He has over 35 years of programming, planning and design experience of international sports, entertainment and mixed-use development projects.

Mr. Dissinger’s project experience includes landmark developments for Yonkers Raceway and Empire City Casino, Harrington Raceway and Casino, the Singapore Turf Club, Jamaica’s proposed Caymanas Park Racing and Gaming Complex, the Cross Iron Entertainment Complex in Alberta Canada, Emerald Downs Racetrack in Seattle, the Meteor Sports Complex in Dnepropetrovsk, Ukraine, Atlantic City’s Historic Boardwalk Hall, Citizens Bank Park home of the Philadelphia Phillies and Met Life Stadium host of Super Bowl XXXXVIII. He has led the programming, planning and design for the renovation and expansion of racetracks across the country including the Saratoga Racetrack, Belmont Park, Gulfstream Park, Delta Downs, Meadowlands Racetrack and Hollywood Park. Mr. Dissinger recently completed the restoration and redevelopment of historic Hialeah Park in Miami, Florida.

Mr. Dissinger is a member of the American Institute of Architects, The Royal Canadian Institute of Architects, and is a registered architect in 17 jurisdictions including Florida, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Ontario, Canada. He has been a critic and a juror at the University of Pennsylvania and Drexel University. He is a frequent speaker on hospitality planning and design at the G2E gaming conference. He served the Philadelphia Chapter of the AIA as a state representative as well as Treasurer, Vice-president and President of AIA Pennsylvania. He has written articles for Stadia Magazine, the Philadelphia Architect and the Thoroughbred Times. He received his Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Architecture degrees from Virginia Tech in 1975 and 1976.

See PDF for full continued biography.

om Durkin is best known as the voice of horse racing’s Breeders’ Cup from its inception 1984 until 2005. He also called the Triple Crown races from 2000 until 2010. He was the long tenured voice of Belmont Park and Saratoga Race course for 23 years. He called over 80,000 races in the United States and Europe.

A trained actor, Durkin was a theater major at St. Norbert College in DePere, Wisconsin. He appeared in many productions in college including the title role in Moliere’s Tartuffe and major roles in Man Of LaMancha, The Boyfriend, John Brown’s Body, and almost a dozen other projects. He most recently appeared in the Homegrown Theater of Saratoga Springs as Mr. Macy and the Drunken Santa Clause in “Miracle on 34th St.”

He also taught Public Speaking in the 2015 Fall Term at Saratoga High School Continuing Education.

He has had several voice over roles in movies; Woody Allen’s” The Mighty Aphrodite”, “All Dogs Go to Heaven” and in 2014 “St. Vincent” with Bill Murray.

He was the radio and TV commercial voice of the New York Racing Association from 1990 until 2014. He was also the national radio and TV voice of the Breeders’ Cup commercials and promos from about 1988 until 2005.

For decades he has voiced numerous TV and radio projects for the horse racing and breeding industries.

In addition to his race calling for both ESPN and NBC Sports, he also wrote, produced and presented feature segments.

During and after his career with ESPN, NBC and the racing industry he has been a sought after emcee and public speaker.

He has appeared on stage with The Philadelphia Orchestra on two occasions as the narrator of “The Horse”.

Horacio Esposito was born on November 8th, 1955 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He was an important official in the Ministry of commerce and the Ministry of International trade. Member of the Board of Alvarez and Esposito International Trade living in Nairobi, Kenya for 3 years. He was the Vice President and C.E.O. of Galerias Pacifico main shopping center in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Later on as C.E.O. he managed the 7 most important malls in Argentina for many years. He developed the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Sao Paulo, Brazil and the Park Hyatt in Mendoza, Argentina. Actually he is member of the Board and represents the Shareholders. He was the Project Leader and C.E.O. of Maroñas Race Course in Montevideo, Uruguay.

He is founder and member of the Board of LARC, Latino American Racing Channel. The company that has the broadcasting rights of the South American Race Courses, which broadcast to USA, UK, France, Turkey, Australia, South American Countries, etc,. Also LARC was the organizer of two International Conferences to promote every aspect of the Racing Industry. One in Argentina and the other one in Uruguay. In 2015 was the organizer in a partnership with the American Jockey Club of the first Pan American Conference in New York. Currently, it is organizing the second Pan American Conference with the American Jockey Club, that will take place in Washington D.C. on May 2017.

He is at the present time, member of the Board and represent Ascot Group, who is one of the shareholders of Kentucky Downs Racetrack. in Kentucky, USA.

Since 2010 he is an adviser for international affairs of the President of OSAF. OSAF is the main South American Organization who represents all the Countries in the International Federation. He is part of the Executive Committee of the IFHA.

He is involved in Breeding equestrian horses in Argentina and he owns thoroughbred horses in Uruguay, Chile and Argentina.

Post graduated in Foreign Trade, graduated in International Relations, Beatriz Fonseca started her career in international events, managing conferences and organizing foreign delegations in Rio de Janeiro. After that, she has worked several years on foreign trade. She is the former President of the Brazilian Turkish Chamber of Commerce, where she worked for 2 years in promoting commerce and politics between the 2 countries along with Turkish representatives in Brazil. She has written and published articles in specialized magazines and websites. Since 2016, she is responsible for the international racing area at PMU Brasil, negotiating contracts with foreign partners, as well as elaborating the official racing calendar with simulcasts. She is also in charge of the company’s institutional communication. Beatriz speaks fluently Portuguese, English, Spanish and French.

Dr. Mayra Frederico graduated as a veterinarian in 2001 and completed an internship at the veterinary hospital at Jockey Club Brasileiro. She also is a graduate of the Darley Flying Start program, experiecing the industry in many areas of the world.

After her time with Darley Flying Start, Dr. Frederico returned to Brazil and spent time as the adminstrative manager of racing and breeding of the world-renowned farm , Stud TNT property of Gonçalo Torrealba.

Dr. Frederico worked for 7 years as manager of racing at Jockey Club Brasileiro, and is primarily respnsabilities were racing office, veterinary departament, anti- doping control, apprentice school for jockeys and other racing specific areas. She completed and MBA at Fundação Getulio Vargas (FGV). 

Dr. Frederico is currently the general manager at the Brazilian Breeders and Owners Association. She is also a member of the OSAF veterinarian technical committee.

Joe Gorajec has worked in the horse racing industry throughout his entire adult life. He graduated from the University of Arizona’s Race Track Industry Program in 1981 and has served as a racing official, and in administrative, management and regulatory positions during his career.
In 1986, at the age of 28, Mr. Gorajec had the distinction of being the youngest general manager in the nation when he took the reins of Yakima Meadows Race Track in central Washington State.

The position that defined his career, however, is the 25 years he served as the Executive Director of the Indiana Horse Racing Commission (1990-2015). Indiana’s horse racing industry, during Gorajec’s tenure, was known for its proactive, highly principled approach to regulation.
This proactivity is manifest in several initiatives, a few of which include Indiana being the first state in the nation to adopt and enforce the national model rule regulating the use of anabolic steroids (2008). Indiana was also the first state to regulate the abuse of cobalt (2014).
Indiana was one of the first States to sample and test horses out of competition (2007). Under Gorajec’s guidance, Indiana’s out of competition testing program became one of the most extensive in the nation.

In an effort to ensure the integrity of its equine testing program, Gorajec initiated a unique-to-the-industry laboratory audit, as well as a double-blind sample testing program (2015).
During his service in Indiana, Gorajec was active in the trade association of racing regulators, the Association of Racing Commissioners’ International, serving on its Board of Directors for six years and as its Chairman in 2008.

Upon leaving the Indiana Horse Racing Commission in October 2015, Gorajec began serving as a racing industry consultant through a LLC he established – Horse Racing Integrity Consulting.
Gorajec is a proud member of the Water Hay Oats Alliance (WHOA).
Most recently, Gorajec was appointed by the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) to their newly formed Horse Racing Advisory Council (2016).

Mr. Gralla is Director of Equestrian Services for Populous, an international planning and architecture practice specializing in sport, public assembly and equestrian project design and development. Populous is also highly regarded for event overlay design and management, including the Super Bowl, the Breeders Cup, FIFA World Cup, Olympic Games and other major international events.

Over the past 28 years, Mr. Gralla has played a key role in the strategic development or redevelopment of more than 300 equestrian venues around the world. His experience includes all facets of facility development, including master planning, market & feasibility analysis, facility design, construction, and special event overlay planning. Fan engagement and event experience are key components of the firm’s approach to design, and Populous’ experience in designing today’s most prolific professional sports and entertainment venues worldwide is unique in the industry.

Some of the firm’s notable projects and clients include the Hipodromo de Las Americas, Churchill Downs, Ascot Racecourse, the 2012 London Olympic Equestrian Venues, the Hong Kong Jockey Club, Keeneland Racecourse Master Plan, the Brisbane Racing Club, the Abu Dhabi Racecourse and Equestrian Club, and the current Pimlico/Preakness Redevelopment Assessment.

Equestrianism and racing are in Todd’s blood. He was raised on his family’s breeding farm which focused on sprint horses and later Thoroughbreds. Many of those horses found their way into Todd’s polo string over the years, proving their versatility and usefulness off the track. Todd is an active member of numerous equine industry organizations and governing bodies including the American Quarter Horse Association, the American Horse Council, the China Equestrian Association, and the American Paint Horse Association for which Todd also holds a Board of Director’s seat. The Gralla Family owns and operates an 80-acre show horse farm in Norman, Oklahoma and is very active in the national APHA and AQHA show circuit across the United States, garnering more than 30 World Championship titles over the past decade.

Grandison, a Panama native, called races at El Hipódromo Presidente Remón in Panama City from 1978 – 2003. His extensive sports broadcasting experience also includes stints with ABC Radio, KW Continente and Radio Pan-Americana. Hired by NYRA in 2014 to provide year-round Spanish Race Calls. See link provided for more details.

Evan Hammonds has been the managing editor for BloodHorse since 1998 and is currently the lead writer for the publication’s “What’s Going On Here” editorial column. In addition to his duties with the print edition of the 101-year-old weekly publication, he has also been involved with BloodHorse.com, serving as digital editor of the website in 2010-11, and is a contributor to both the website and BloodHorse’s Daily product.

Prior to joining BloodHorse Hammonds worked for eight years at Daily Racing Form in both its Hightstown, N.J., and Phoenix, Ariz., offices as a copy editor and page editor. He edited, and contributed to, to the weekly editorial/opinion pages and was also responsible for compiling foreign data for DRF past performances. A stint at F.I.G.S. Form in New York, a forerunner of Racing Times, preceded his time at DRF.

A native of Lexington, Ky., Hammonds is a graduate of the University of Kentucky’s College of Communications and lives in Versailles, Ky., with his wife, Susan, and three children.

As Chairman & CEO of Sports Information Group / Daily Racing Form LLC since 2009, Hartig has transformed the 123-year old iconic newspaper business into a premiere multi-channel information company comprised of complementary digital and print assets, including online wagering and tournament operations. DRF has capitalized on the growing online wagering sector by building what is referred to as the “Bloomberg terminal for horseracing”, which has served to drive the Company’s rapid growth since 2010. DRF.com’s mobile-optimized experience combines the brand’s premium content, analytical tools, and proprietary handicapping functionality with DRFBets, the Company’s third-party, pari-mutuel wagering platform. Daily Racing Form’s print newspaper, considered “the horseplayer’s bible,” has been published continuously since 1894 and serves as the cornerstone of DRF’s multi-channel strategy. SIG also publishes 70+ unique daily print programs for DRF’s race track partners. Supplementing its core horse racing and breeding products, SIG also owns two digital properties, Head2Head and StatFox, which deliver and syndicate in-depth fantasy and sports odds content to third party partners and to fans who engage in online fantasy gaming.

Prior to SIG/DRF, Hartig was CEO of BrandPort Inc., an early stage video business aggregating targeted audiences using proprietary gaming technology. From 2002 to 2007, Hartig was SVP at Hearst Magazines and served as a member of Hearst’s executive management team, leading the Company’s circulation and M&A initiatives.

From 1985 to 2001, Hartig held a number of key management roles at Time Inc. He was President and CEO of The Parenting Group, co-led the successful launch and rapid growth of InStyle magazine, and oversaw People magazine’s consumer and business development franchises.

Hartig began his career in Los Angeles at the public relations agency Rogers & Cowan and spent five years collectively at the advertising agencies Needham, Harper and Steers and Dailey and Associates.

Hartig is a graduate of California State University in Communications and holds an MBA from the University of Southern California.

Christiane Head-Maarek more familiarly known as « Criquette » daughter of Alec and Guislaine Head and fourth generation of the Head dynasty. Racehorse trainer since 1977. First female trainer to win the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe with “THREE TROIKAS” in 1979. More recently known for her successive Arc wins in 2013 and 2014 with the family farms homebred TREVE. Internationally renowned female trainer with Group 1 successes on three continents and top female trainer in France.

President of the French Trainers’ Association since 1998. President of the European Trainers’ Association between 2007 and 2016 Member of various committees at France Galop and the French Breeders Association. She also runs the Haras du Quesnay, the Family stud in Normandy with her brother Freddy and sisters Patricia and Martine.

Stuart S. Janney III was named chairman of The Jockey Club in August 2015, succeeding Ogden Mills (Dinny) Phipps. He had served as vice chairman of the organization since June 2010.

He has also served as the chairman of Bessemer Trust Company, Bessemer Trust Company, N.A., Bessemer Group, Inc., Bessemer Trust Company of Florida, and Bessemer Securities Corporation since January 1995.

In 1970, Janney graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a B.A., and in 1973 he received his J.D. from the University of Maryland.

From 1973 to 1976 he held several positions in the Federal government. He was a legislative assistant to U.S. Senator Charles Mathias, special assistant to the U.S. Secretary of State, and later a foreign policy assistant to U.S. Senator Howard Baker.

In 1977, he joined Niles, Barton & Wilmer, a Baltimore law firm, where he was a partner.

From 1986 to 1994 he was a managing director of Alex Brown & Sons in charge of Asset Management. He was also a director of Brown Advisory and Trust Company and Alex Brown Holdings, where his responsibilities included all investment advisory and investment partnerships.

Janney served as the chairman of The Jockey Club’s Thoroughbred Safety Committee from its inception in 2008 until August 2016. Today, he still serves on the boards of the New York Racing Association, and King Ranch, Inc.

Janney has campaigned, in his name or in partnership with Phipps Stable, numerous graded stakes winners through the years, including 2013 Kentucky Derby winner Orb, Air Support, Carriage Trail, Coronado’s Quest, Criminologist, Data Link, Hit it Rich, Hymn Book, Hunting, Ironicus, Inspector Lynley, On Leave and Onus.

His parents, Stuart S. Janney Jr. and Barbara Janney, owned the champion filly Ruffian.

Janney is a trustee emeritus of The Johns Hopkins University, a trustee of John Hopkins Medicine and chairman emeritus of the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab.

He is married with two children and resides in the Baltimore area.

Pablo Kavulakian back ground is on TV and Communications. in 1989 he became the TV and broadcasting responsible for many South American race tracks. Founded Telecommunications companies that serves main TV channels. For the past 12 years serves as director of LARC a company who distribute South American racing world wide to all gaming markets.

After commencing in the racing industry as a Cadet Stipendiary Steward in 1985 with the Queensland Turf Club (Brisbane, Australia), Kim was appointed as a Stipendiary Steward in 1987 before occupying the positions of Acting Chief Stipendiary Steward with the Central Western Queensland Racing Association (1992), Chief Stipendiary Steward with the Sunshine Coast Turf Club (1993) and Chief Stipendiary Steward with the Gold Coast Turf Club (1993).

He was then appointed as a Stipendiary Steward with the Australian Jockey Club (Sydney, Australia) in December 1995 before being promoted to the position of Deputy Chairman of Stipendiary Stewards with the NSW Thoroughbred Racing Board in August 1997. In 2002 he accepted the position of Stipendiary Steward with the Hong Kong Jockey Club before being promoted to the position of Chief Stipendiary Steward in July 2009.

He is currently the Chairman of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (“IFHA”) International Harmonisation of Raceday Rules Committee, Chairman of the IFHA International Stewards’ Conference and a Member of the IFHA Technical Advisory Committee.

Gary King is a native of Kildare, Ireland who grew up at the edge of the Curragh Racecourse. He attended Trinity College Dublin, earning a Bachelor of Business Studies, and graduated from the Godolphin Flying Start international management training program in 2010. In his six years with the Thoroughbred Daily News, he has risen to the position of Vice President of International Operations, where he directs the TDN’s growing international content and oversees a staff of a dozen full- and part-time employees on three continents.

Elaine joined Goffs in 2004 and was appointed to the Board of Goffs Bloodstock Sales in 2008. Prior to joining Goffs she worked with Highclere Thoroughbred racing in Ireland.

Elaine previously worked for a number of years in the USA where she was P.A. to John Gosden and also acted as Goffs Representative in the USA from 1987 to 1990.

She then managed the very successful Oak Cliff Thoroughbred Racing, owners of Breeders Cup winner Skywalker and breeders of outstanding racehorse and stallion Sunday Silence.

Elaine also manages the multiple group 1 winning filly, GLOBAL GLAMOUR in Australia. GLOBAL GLAMOUR is owned by forty women from seven different countries and is trained by champion trainer Gai Waterhouse.

Mr. Lawson is Chief Executive Officer of Woodbine Entertainment Group, Canada’s largest racetrack operator. Mr. Lawson is active in the Canadian Horse Racing Industry as a breeder and owner and his father is in the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame. Mr. Lawson served for five years as Chairman of the Jockey Club of Canada and remains on the Board of Stewards of the JCC.

Mr. Lawson is currently the Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Canadian Football League, a professional sports league located in Canada. Mr. Lawson has also served recently as the interim Commissioner of the CFL.

Mr. Lawson also served over the course of his career as a Partner at Torys LLP and at Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP and as the Senior Vice President of XO Communications Canada. Mr. Lawson was Co-Chair of the Finance and Real Estate Group at Torys LLP from 2001 – 2004. He has served on a number of public (Toronto Stock Exchange) boards including Algoma Steel Inc., Zargon Energy Trust and Countryside Power Income Fund.

Mr. Lawson is a graduate of Brown University, (A.B. Economics, magna cum laude) and University of Western Ontario (LLB). Following undergraduate studies, Mr. Lawson signed a professional hockey contract with Montreal Canadiens and spent most of his professional career with Montreal’s A.H.L. affiliate Nova Scotia Voyageurs.

Mr. Lawson resides in Oakville, Ontario with his wife Sue and 3 children. Mr. Lawson is active in youth amateur sports, community and charitable activities.

Guillermo Liberman is the CEO of Global SLI, a family owned business. He is in charge of a seaport development in the Panama Canal and overlooks businesses not only in the horseracing industry but also in cable television, hotels and flower production. Mr. Liberman is a thoroughbred breeder and founder & partner of Latin American Racing Channel (LARC). He currently lives in Panama.

Walter E. Lynch AIA, PLLC is a Washington, DC based Architectural Planning and Development Company actively involved with master planning and development for national corporations, individual owners, cities, counties and the Federal Government Agencies. The firm has successfully developed and managed high profile commercial, mixed-use, and transportation-oriented projects nationally and internationally, but with its main focus on the Washington, DC and Baltimore region. Typically Walter E. Lynch AIA, PLLC will oversee and coordinate all aspects of the development process on behalf of the owner.

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Mauricio Maurel Tassara was born on February 23th, 1974, in Iquique, Chile. He is a professional Business Engineer with experience in multimedia and entertainment industries. Mauricio joined Valparaiso Sporting on June 1st, 2016 as a General Manager of Valparaiso Sporting.

An internationally recognized expert in sports law and arbitration, Professor Richard McLaren
has spent his career working at the highest levels to protect the integrity of sports.

 

Professor McLaren is involved in the adjudication of sports-related disputes at both the amateur
and professional level. As a member and Arbitrator of the Court of Arbitration of Sport (CAS), he
has arbitrated key sport cases around the world. As an Ad Hoc Panel Member of CAS, he has
participated in five Olympic Games during which he resolved disputes pertaining to anti-doping,
athlete eligibility and intellectual property rights.

 

Professor McLaren has lent his expertise across multiple sports. He has served with distinction
as an arbitrator for the National Hockey League dealing with salary arbitrations and
Player/Agent disputes for the NHL Players’ Association. In 2007, he was a consultant in the
independent investigation into the illegal use of steroids and other performance enhancing
drugs by players in Major League Baseball (the “Mitchell Report”). He is currently an Anti-
Corruption Hearing Officer for the Tennis Integrity Unit and President of the European
Basketball Arbitral Tribunal.

 

As a member of the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA) 2015 Independent Commission, he
examined systemic doping and corruption in Russian athletics. In 2016, WADA once again
called on his expertise to lead the investigation into allegations of sample tampering at the 2014
Sochi Games.

 

Richard McLaren is a professor of Law at the Western University in London, Ontario; Chairman
Emeritus Advisory Board, National Sports Law Institute at Marquette University; and Special
Advisor to Strauss Institute for Dispute Resolution, Pepperdine University. He has published in a
wide range of areas, including dispute resolution and bankruptcy. He is also Counsel to
McKenzie Lake Lawyers LLP and has extensive practical experience as a commercial lawyer
and a labour and commercial arbitrator and mediator.

 

Professor McLaren is a recipient of the Order of Canada, one of the country’s highest civilian
distinctions. It recognizes exceptional achievement, service and contribution to the country and
the international community.

 

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Kenneth G. "Kenny" McPeek was born August 2, 1962 in Fort Chaffee, Arkansas and raised in Lexington, Kentucky. He graduated from Tates Creek High School and then the University of Kentucky with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration. In 1985 McPeek received his Thoroughbred Trainer's License. The most important race of his career was the 2002 Belmont Stakes, when Sarava, trained by McPeek and considered a longshot, won. This race was considered McPeek's big break. That year, he was voted the Big Sport of Turfdom Award by the Turf Publicists of America.

McPeek serves on the Boards of the University of Kentucky College of Agricultural Equine Program Advisory Committee, Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association (TOBA), and the National Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association (HBPA). He is a member of the New York Racing Association (NYRA) and The Cornell College of Veterinary Medicine Equine Veterinary Medical Director Search Committee.

McPeek has trained a number of successful racehorses. In 2002, he won the Belmont Stakes with Sarava. He has won back-to-back Spinster Stakes' with Take Charge Lady in 2002 & 2003 and back-to-back Gulfstream Park Breeder's Cup Handicaps with Hard Buck (BRZ) & Prince Arch in 2004 & 2005. Other Grade 1 victories include the Florida Derby, Ashland Stakes, Blue Grass Stakes, Dixiana Breeders Futurity and the Darley Alcibiades Stakes three times in his career.[2] He has also trained all-time leading North American money earner Curlin, Dream Empress, Tejano Run, Golden Ticket, Harlan's Holiday, Hard Buck (BRZ), Java's War, Pure Fun, Repent, Take Charge Lady, , Einstein, Prince Arch, Noble's Promise, Kathmanblu and Rogue Romance, among others.

McPeek has won more than 174 stakes in his career, with 74 of them graded. Through May 1, 2017, he has 1,536 career wins with earnings of more than $71 Million.

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Jon Miller is President, Programming, NBC Sports Group where he oversees programming for NBC Sports and NBC Sports Network and is prominently involved in sales for both networks. Previously, Miller served as Executive Vice President, NBC Sports since November 2006. He reports to Mark Lazarus, Chairman, NBC Sports Group.

Miller, who is credited for co-creating the NHL Winter Classic – an event that the New York Times said “has stolen New Year’s Day” – oversees nearly 9,500 hours of annual programming on NBC Sports and NBC Sports Network (NBCSN) including the Triple Crown, the Breeder’s Cup, the NFL, the NHL, French Open, Notre Dame Football, Premier Boxing Champions, Tour de France, IndyCar and NBC’s golf properties, which include the PGA TOUR’s Players Championship and Presidents Cup, as well as the PGA of America’s Ryder Cup . Miller, who has been with NBC for more than three decades, is also responsible for original programming on NBCSN and has been integral in creating programs such as Pro Football Talk and NFL Turning Point.

Most recently, Miller has been instrumental in the acquisition of some of the world’s top sports properties, helping solidify multi-year agreements for Formula One, the top international open-wheel racing series, NASCAR, America’s top Motorsports Franchise and the Premier League, the preeminent soccer league in the world.

An innovative and resourceful leader, Miller created the successful NBC Sports Ventures unit, which generates income from non-traditional revenue streams and does not rely merely on advertising as the sole source of income. The unit acquires and develops new and existing sports properties, and is actively involved in the organization, marketing and promotion of the events. Properties under that umbrella include the highly successful American Century Golf Championship and the USA Rugby 7’s World Series and Collegiate Rugby Championships.

Successful events/shows he has created include The PNC Father/Son Challenge, National Heads-Up Poker Championship, the U.S. Army All-American Bowl, the Golf Digest U.S. Open Challenge and the National Dog Show, which has become a Thanksgiving Day tradition.

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José Nelson, born in 1958 and graduated as an attorney in 1983, is a partner with Hope, Duggan & Silva, a Law Firm based in Buenos Aires. José practices Corporate Law, M & A, Foreign Investments and Equine Law.

As such José has advised numerous international clients in acquisitions and investments in different sectors of the economy, including some of the most recognized international names in Oil & Gas, Gambling and Racing Regulations and Operations as well as Project Finance.
As an Equine Law practitioner José has advised South American and International clients in regulatory and contractual matters in different transactions related to international simulcasting, sponsorship agreements, sale and shuttle of stallions, horses in training, purchase and sale of South American Breeding Rights and Partnerships and gambling activities in general.

José has been a full member of the Board of the Jockey Club and President of the Argentine Stud Book, President of the Argentina Graded Stakes Committee and Steward of the San Isidro Racetrack. He has represented Argentina in different international conferences as speaker and participant and he has written articles of various topics of racing and gambling.

José continues a small but successful breeding and owning operation, including breeding and racing in Argentina and Uruguay. Since 2014 he owns, with partners, a Champion 2yo and Champion Miler in Argentina and a dual Graded Stakes winner in California, WINNING PRIZE, now a stallion at La Quebrada.

Richard A. Nunnelley (“Rick”) is a Member in Stoll Keenon Ogden PLLC’s Lexington office. He serves as Chair of the Real Estate practice group and is also a member of the Equine practice group. Rick is a graduate of Transylvania University and earned his JD degree (cum laude) from the University of Louisville School of Law, where he served on the Journal of Family Law and was inducted into the Brandeis Honor Society. Rick's practice focuses on commercial real estate acquisitions, development, financing, leasing and condominium development, equine acquisitions and dispositions, leasing, syndications, management agreements, service agreements, regulatory law and foreign ownership, and he has extensive experience with horse farm transactions. Rick is a member of the Fayette County, Kentucky and American Bar Associations, the International Council of Shopping Centers, the Keeneland Club, The Thoroughbred Club of America, Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association, the KTA/KTOB, the American Horse Counsel and the American College of Equine Attorneys. He also serves on the boards of directors for the High Hope Steeplechase Association and Central Kentucky Riding for Hope and serves on the planning committees for the University of Kentucky Biennial Real Estate Law and Practice Institute and the National Equine Law Conference. Rick is AV Preeminent® Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell® and is recognized by Chambers USA, Best Lawyers and Kentucky Super Lawyers for his legal accomplishments.

Park Yang Tae assumed his current position as Executive Director of Racing, Board of Directors, in August 2015.

He has been involved in the sports of horse racing for more than 30 years and out of which 20 years have been spent serving in various positions in the industry ; Between 2007 and 2008, Mr. Park was KRA's Senior Manager of Racing and was responsible for the strategic direction and running of racing department, including end-to-end management of KRA's race planning, strategies, and service and support in all connections of the relevant industry. Earlier, he also headed KRA's International Relations and played a key role in the continued development of strategic relationships with key figures inside and outside the sport, ensuring flexibility in response to an increasingly competitive marketplace. Over the next 10 years, he advanced through positions of increasing responsibility in racecourse, planning and strategies.

A longtime advocate of integrity and passion, Mr. Park is now with his vigorously drafted series of initiatives heading towards the KRA's next chapter of PART Ⅱ.

Mr. Park holds a Bachelor of English Education degree from the Seowon University and earned a Master of Business degree from the Sungkyunkwan University in 2013.

He and his wife have two sons.

As a Director of Turnberry Consulting, Paul Roberts has been extensively involved in a wide range of international planning and development projects, specialising in thoroughbred racing and other sports facilities, university campuses and estate-driven developments. He has advised a number of the world’s leading racecourses on development strategy, authoring capital improvement strategies for the Ascot Authority, the New York Racing Association, Flemington Racecourse and York Racecourse.

Roberts has led several research projects and has co-authored a series of books and articles about the field of thoroughbred racing, including Parade: Paddocks Parade Rings Mounting Yards (2016); York Racecourse: Rebuilding the Northern End (2015), which narrates the story of York’s ambitious, £10-million redevelopment; the comprehensive historical survey Racecourse Architecture (2013); and The Spa: Saratoga’s Legendary Race Course (2011), an architectural profile of North America’s oldest sporting venue.

Furthermore, Roberts has spoken frequently on the subject of racecourse design in a wide-variety of international contexts. His past lecture engagements on this theme include the National Sporting Library, Virginia (April 2015), New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual Conference (November 2014), Keeneland Race Course (October 2013 and September 2014) and the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame, Saratoga Springs (August 2013).

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The links between his family and French racing date back to 1907, 110 years ago. Louis Romanet’s professional career has been entirely devoted to his passion, the racing world. For more than 40 years, he has been in charge of important responsibilities within the French Horse Racing Institution. The fourth person in his family, over three generations, to work for the Société d’Encouragement, he joined this organization in 1968 and was appointed Director General in 1986. When FRANCE GALOP was created in May 1995, Louis ROMANET was appointed FRANCE GALOP Director of Organization and International Affairs. Then, Director General in 1998 until 31st December 2007, date of his retirement.

Since January 2008, he is the Counsellor of the Chairman of France Galop for International Affairs. Louis ROMANET is Chairman of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities, since its creation in 1994, 23 years ago. Since 2004, he is the Chairman of the French Racing & Breeding Committee. Louis ROMANET was awarded the decoration of Officer of the Order of the Legion of Honor by the French Government on June 24th 2009.

Other international awards :
- 1990 - Derby Award by the British Association of the Racing Press
- 2007 - Gold Medal of the US Jockey Club
- 2007 - Special Sovereign Award from the Jockey Club of Canada
- 2008 - Gold Medal of the German Direktorium für Vollblutzucht und Rennen
- 2010 - Japanese Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon
- 2016 - Longines and IFHA International Award of Merit on behalf of the ROMANET’s Family.

Carlo Rossi Soffia was born on October 25th, 1955, in Viña del Mar, Chile. He is a professional Business Engineer, businessman and company director. His family has been related to the horse racing activity since 1945, when his grandfather created the Alpino Stud, today his property. In 1994 he became a member of the board of directors of Valparaiso Sporting and in 1998 was appointed as the chairman of the board of directors of this institution. He currently holds the position of President of OSAF.

Phil Siers started work in the betting industry in the mid seventies working with both bookmakers and pari mutuel betting when in 1977 he started with the UK Tote, the government owned body. In 1992 he developed as their MD the tote direct concept from green field to operations in 10,000 OTB. In 1998 Phil left the Tote to work with a technology specialist to introduce EPoS to UK OTB and the leading U.K. Betting Brands, installing both betting and information display technologies in 9,000 plus OTB.

In the mid 2000's he moved into media creating and operating Turf TV and later managing the SIS betting division as MD. In 2012 he Moved to take a senior role in Betfred who acquired the U.K. Tote in 2011.

He is currently the Betfred group Chief Commercial Officer, and also in charge of a number of group and non group businesses, which include chief executive of Chelmsford City Racecourse a leading all weather track in the U.K. He also has a number of other directorships including the EPMA, where he has been a director for 5 years.

Juliet has worked in sports marketing for 20 years starting her career at Octagon before moving on to spend five years at Adidas International where she held a series of marketing communications posts across Running, Brand and Women’s. Juliet managed international marketing campaigns for Adidas including the 1996 brand campaign for the Atlanta Olympics and the 1999 Women’s Football World Cup.

After moving back to the UK, and marriage to Times Chief Sports Reporter Owen Slot, Juliet was made Commercial Director of Fulham Football Club where she oversaw all sponsorship, communications, retail and ticketing operations for five years. Juliet was appointed to the Board of Fulham FC, the first female in its history!

In January 2004 Juliet joined the London 2012 bid team to raise the £10m sponsorship required to fund the bid. Following London’s success Juliet stayed on LOCOG (London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games) and authored the first draft of the marketing plan before being approached to run a subsidiary of the Haymarket Media Group.

As Managing Director of the customer publishing agency Haymarket Network working with clients such as Manchester United whereby Haymarket produced all content for the brand, The FA, The IAAF and well as a host of non-sporting brands.

Juliet joined Pitch, an independent sports communications consultancy, as MD in December 2009. During her three years at MD she drove significant growth of the agency working on clients such as London 2012, The British Olympics Association, Skandia, Asics, Heineken, the NBA, the RFU, UEFA and Channel 4. After a chance move to ride in a Charity Horse Race at Newbury on the 5th July 2011, and subsequent work at Royal Ascot for Pitch, Juliet was literally introduced to the racing world and it wasn't long after that she was approached to work at Ascot who were looking for a non-racing Commercial Director to take the brand to the next level, drive revenue and develop new concepts and products.

Juliet joined Ascot Racecourse Ltd as Commercial Director in November 2012. Since joining Juliet has brought in a completely new Commercial Partnership programme with new rights sold around Royal Ascot and annually delivering several significant new brands to racing sponsorship. Commercial Income has grown across every channel especially hospitality, ticket sales and media which has enabled Ascot to post a profit for the first time since the re-development in 2007.

The Honourable Belinda Stronach is a business and public leader who is focused on developing economic opportunity and quality of life both at home and abroad.

Belinda is the Co-Chairman and President of The Stronach Group, a privately held company that owns, operates and manages a number of leading businesses in various industries, including horse racing, technology and entertainment. She also serves as the Chairman of
Acasta Capital, a strategic and financial advisory services firm.

Belinda was formerly Executive Vice-Chairman of Magna International Inc., one of the largest suppliers of automotive systems and components in the world with more than 120,000 employees in 29 countries and over US $30 billion in annual sales. While at Magna, she also served on the Board of Directors and as the company’s President and CEO. Under
her corporate leadership, the company had record sales and profits in each year and its stock price nearly doubled in value. As a senior Magna executive, she experienced firsthand the tough lessons of the global competitive challenge to Canada, and served on the Ontario Task Force on Productivity, Competitiveness and Economic Progress.

Long recognized as an emerging leader with vision, the National Post had already identified Belinda in 2001 as the most powerful businesswoman in Canada. In the same year, the World Economic Forum named her a “Global Leader of Tomorrow.” In 2002, she was ranked #2 by Fortune Magazine in its annual list of the world’s most powerful women in
business, and named one of Canada’s “Top 40 under 40,” an annual award that honours the country’s most promising younger leaders. In 2004, TIME Magazine ranked Belinda as one of the world’s 100 most influential people and in 2005 the World Economic Forum named her a member of its network of global young leaders. Also in 2005, the Women’s Executive acclaimed Belinda a “trailblazer” and one of Canada’s top 100 most powerful women.

In 2008, she established The Belinda Stronach Foundation (TBSF) as an incubator for innovative projects that provide educational opportunities for young women and aboriginal youth, and help improve the lives of young people in developing nations.

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Bill Thomason became Keeneland’s seventh President and Chief Executive Officer on Sept. 1, 2012, two years after joining Keeneland as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.

Thomason graduated from the University of Kentucky with a B.S. in Accounting in 1977 and a Masters in Business Administration in 1978. He worked for two years at the accounting firm of Alexander Grant & Co. before joining Mill Ridge Farm, where he worked for 28 years as Financial and Administrative Manager.

He is a member of The Jockey Club, a trustee of the American Horse Council and a board member of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA), Thoroughbred Racing Associations (TRA), Thoroughbred Racing Protective Bureau (TRPB), Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA), University of Kentucky Gluck Equine Research Foundation, Kentucky Chamber, Central Kentucky Chapter of the American Heart Association and Central Bank Lexington’s Advisory Board of Directors. He formerly served as the assistant treasurer for the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association/Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders and was a member of the audit committee of Breeders’ Cup Limited. Thomason also previously served as treasurer of the Thoroughbred Club of America.

Bill and his wife, Barbara, have three daughters: Marcie (1980-2006), Melissa (Chambless), and Laura (Dickens).

Scott Wells has been in the business of horse racing in one facet or another all his life. A third generation horseman, he was a successful trainer, licensed in 14 states before turning to racetrack administration in 1990 when he took a position in the Remington Park marketing department. He worked his way up to positions as assistant GM at Hollywood Park and then as general manager of Ruidoso Downs, in New Mexico. He was racing project manager in the reopening of the Hipodromo de las Americas in Mexico City from 1998 to 2001, then served as racing manager during the construction and reopening of Maroñas, the national racetrack of Uruguay from 2001 until February of 2005 when he returned to serve as president and general manager of Remington Park, an upscale racino in Oklahoma City. He has served on the board of directors of the TRA (Thoroughbred Racing Associations) for 12 years and was elected president of that organization in March of 2013. In August of 2013, he was also named the president and general manager of Lone Star Park at Grand Prairie, the premier racetrack in Texas and site of the 2004 Breeders’ Cup.