The Jockey Club shared on July 10 the list of individuals who will be speaking at its 73rd Annual Round Table Conference concerning issues impacting the sport of racing. This event is scheduled to occur on July 31 at the Hall of Springs in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., starting at 10 a.m. ET, preceded by a networking breakfast at 9 a.m. The event will also be accessible via livestream on The Jockey Club’s official website at jockeyclub.com.
Steve Kornacki, who serves as a national political correspondent for NBC News and also provides coverage of horse racing, notably including this year’s Triple Crown, is slated to deliver the main address during the initial segment of the conference, which is structured in two parts.
Griffin Johnson, a figure prominent on social media platforms with a following exceeding 14 million across TikTok, Instagram, and X, is expected to share insights on his personal development. He will also discuss the potential roles of influencers in enhancing the profile of horse racing in a conversation with Shannon Kelly, who is the director of industry relations for The Jockey Club. Johnson’s introduction to the world of horse racing involved his participation as an owner in America’s Best Racing’s A Stake in Stardom campaign.
Shawn Smeallie, the founder of ACG Advocacy, is set to present on the current state of horse racing affairs in Washington, D.C. Smeallie brings a wealth of experience from his time on Capitol Hill, engagement with the executive branch, and work within the private sector. Along with Tom Rooney from the National Thoroughbred Racing Association and other collaborators, he played a key role in securing favorable tax regulations for Thoroughbred owners through the recent tax legislation. Smeallie also contributed to the passage of significant legislation aimed at introducing anti-doping reforms to horse racing.
A presentation focusing on the analysis of scheduling data is planned, featuring John Stewart and Chris Groer, who are executives at Fastbreak AI. This company specializes in leveraging artificial intelligence to refine the business aspects of sports, including scheduling, operational strategies, and sponsorship arrangements.
A discussion panel will include Dr. Allen Hershkowitz, an environmental science adviser to the New York Yankees, and Glen Kozak, the executive vice president for operations and capital projects at the New York Racing Association. The panel will explore how sports and racing are adapting to shifts in weather patterns and will be guided by Jim Gagliano, who serves as The Jockey Club’s president and chief operating officer.
Everett Dobson, the chair-elect of The Jockey Club, is scheduled as the keynote speaker for the conference’s second half. He is expected to outline his objectives for the organization and elaborate on The Jockey Club’s continuous efforts to promote growth within the sport.
The detailed schedule and comprehensive biographies of the speakers will be made available on jockeyclub.com leading up to the event.
The Jockey Club Round Table Conference was initially conducted on July 1, 1953, at The Jockey Club’s New York City office. In the following year, the event was relocated to Saratoga Springs. Annually, the conference serves as a platform for addressing important topics within the industry, encompassing areas such as aftercare programs, equine health and safety, marketing strategies, and the pursuit of national uniformity, while also incorporating global perspectives and insights from sectors outside of Thoroughbred racing.
