A First Look at the 2026 Agenda

Here’s your first look at the 2026 Global Symposium on Racing agenda. More speakers, sessions and topics will be announced soon.

MONDAY, December 7

Putting AI to Work in Racing: What Helps, What Hurts, and How to Tell the Difference
AI is already working in racing, whether it's writing marketing copy and social posts, handling routine fan and customer questions, or digging through handle, field size and website analytics to find out what's driving your business. And with AI agents, more of these tasks can happen with little or no human intervention. But the manager's job hasn't changed: you still have to figure out where AI actually helps, where it quietly degrades quality or adds risk, and how to know the difference. In this session, we'll get practical about choosing the right AI applications for your operation, setting a few simple ground rules so AI use doesn't create new problems, and measuring whether it's actually delivering.

Kathleen Kennedy – Professor of Practice, Norton School of Human Ecology
Mark Midland – CEO, Horse Racing Nation

ARCI Model Rules Meeting
The ARCI Model Rules Committee will meet to consider presentations on any advance submissions for proposed additions or modifications to the “Model Rules of Racing” which embody the best regulatory practices for horse racing. Any additions or modifications recommended by the Model Rules Committee are then sent to the ARCI Board of Directors for review. The final decision on any additions or modifications will be made by the Board. This Committee meeting is open to the public.

Ed Martin – President, ARCI

Sleep: The Hidden Competitive Advantage
Horse racing is a 24/7 industry built around early mornings, long hours, travel, and high-stakes decision-making. Yet one of the most important factors affecting performance, safety, health, and well-being is often overlooked: sleep. In this engaging session, Dr. Michael Grandner, one of the nation's leading sleep researchers, will examine how sleep impacts everyone involved in racing—from grooms and trainers to executives and racing staff. Drawing on scientific research, he will explore the consequences of sleep deprivation, the connection between sleep and decision-making, and practical strategies for managing fatigue in a demanding work environment. Attendees will learn why sleep is not simply a matter of personal wellness, but a critical component of workplace safety, peak performance, and long-term success. Dr. Grandner will also share evidence-based approaches for improving sleep quality, including sleep habits, scheduling practices, and strategies that can help racing professionals maximize alertness, resilience, and overall health.

Michael Grandner – Director, Sleep & Health Research Programs and Associate Director, Center for Sleep, Circadian and Neuroscience Research, University of Arizona College of Medicine

6th Annual Racing Secretary Summit
The racing office is the central hub of all racetracks bringing together racing officials, horsemen, track management, and regulators to coordinate and deliver the daily racing product. The 6th Annual Racing Secretary Summit returns to provide a platform for all industry professionals to have an impactful conversation regarding the racing office and racing product. Discussions will dive into recent successes, identify and address challenges, and explore new opportunities. Join the conversation, develop fresh ideas, and set those ideas into motion!

Chris Dobbins – Senior Vice President, InCompass Solutions
Rick Hammerle – Consultant, 1/ST Racing and Director of Racing, Kentucky Downs

Choosing a Different Track: New Approaches to Resolving Racing Disputes
Last year, the Symposium introduced the concepts and methodologies behind alternative dispute resolution (ADR) and early dispute resolution (EDR). This year, the conversation moves from theory to application. Through real-world examples and practical demonstrations, this session will explore how ADR tools can be used to resolve disputes within the horse racing industry more efficiently and effectively. The panel will examine different forms of ADR, where they can be most useful, and lessons learned from the first year of mediation under HISA’s proposed Rule 7050. The session will also take attendees inside the EDR process, demonstrating the four key stages: initial dispute assessment, information and document exchange, risk analysis—including the use of decision trees to forecast the risk-adjusted value of a case—and ultimately, resolution. Rather than simply discussing the benefits of alternative approaches to conflict resolution, this session will demonstrate how these tools work in practice and examine how they could change the way disputes are handled by participants, industry organizations and regulators across racing.

Richard Erhard – Principal & Founder, Richard Erhard and Associates, LLC
Peter Sacopulos – Senior Partner, Sacopulos, Johnson & Sacopulos

Beyond the Spot Check: Mapping the Racing Surface in Real Time
Racing surfaces have traditionally been evaluated through periodic measurements, spot checks, and perhaps most importantly, the experience and instincts of the track superintendent. New cutting-edge technology is opening the door to something more comprehensive: continuously mapping the racing surface to understand not just what is happening at a single location, but how conditions vary across the entire track, and how they change over time. This session explores the development and field deployment of the Defender Surface Intelligence system, which combines surface mapping, geophysics, GPS, moisture, weather and other environmental data to create a more complete picture of the racing surface. The conversation will focus on how large volumes of data can be transformed into practical information that track superintendents can use to make better-informed maintenance and management decisions. Most importantly, the panel will address the relationship between technology and experience: technology can provide a clearer picture of the surface, but it cannot replace the knowledge, judgment and expertise of the people responsible for managing it.

Steve Anderson – Founder, Equine and Ranch Rewards
Dr. Trey Rogers – Professor of Turfgrass Research, Michigan State University
Kevin Woller – Director of Technology and Partner, Equine and Ranch Rewards

New World Screwworm & the Frontline of Equine Biosecurity
The detection of New World screwworm in Texas has raised urgent concerns for animal health officials and the broader livestock and equine industries. While current cases are limited, the parasite’s ability to rapidly infect open wounds makes it a serious risk for horses, particularly in a sport defined by frequent travel and close-contact stable environments. This panel will examine what the Texas situation could mean for horse racing, how quickly a localized outbreak could affect movement and competition, and what proactive steps race track management, trainers, and regulators should take now. Discussion will focus on practical biosecurity measures, stable protocols, transport precautions, and coordination with veterinary and regulatory authorities. Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of the risk landscape and actionable strategies to strengthen prevention, early detection, and response across racing operations.

Dr. Betsy Greene – Professor/Extension Horse Specialist, ACBS/Cooperative Extension, University of Arizona
Dr. Emily Janovyak – DVM, MPH, DACVPM Assistant Director, Arizona Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, University of Arizona
Dr. Ryan Wolker – State Veterinarian, FADD, Animal Services Division, Arizona Department of Agriculture

Wearables in Racing: What We Can Measure, How We Can Analyze It, and Where the Technology Is Going
Wearable technologies are providing unprecedented information about equine movement, workload, recovery, and behavior—but collecting data is not the same as producing useful insight. This interactive workshop will explore how inertial motion sensors, heart rate and HRV monitors, GPS, synchronized video, and markerless pose-estimation tools such as DeepLabCut can be used to study equine athletes. Using real-world examples, participants will follow wearable data from collection through quality control, synchronization, analysis, visualization, and interpretation. Case studies will include measuring gait and asymmetry, establishing individual movement “fingerprints,” monitoring cardiovascular recovery, and combining video with sensor data. The workshop will also examine common failure modes, including motion artifacts, inconsistent sensor placement, missing data, misleading automated summaries, and overreliance on population averages. Participants will learn how to determine when wearable results are trustworthy, when measurements should be repeated, and when findings warrant veterinary or professional evaluation. The session will conclude by looking toward multimodal monitoring, AI-assisted analysis, individual longitudinal baselines, rehabilitation and return-to-work applications, shared data standards, and future collaborations across racing, research, veterinary medicine, and aftercare. No technical background is required.

Brad Bolen – CEO, Hooflink Powered By LipChipLLC
Dr. Laura Miller – Professor of Mathematics and Biomedical Engineering, University of Arizona
Dr. Thilo Pfau – Professor of Kinesiology and Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary

Beyond the Finish Line: The Future of Thoroughbred Aftercare
Thoroughbred aftercare has evolved dramatically over the past 15 years, becoming an increasingly important part of the racing industry. A recent initiative by Keeneland Association, Fasig-Tipton Company Inc., Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company Inc. (OBS) and a group of leading North American stallion farms will provide additional funding for the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance to strengthen long-term support for accredited aftercare programs while encouraging broader participation across the industry. As part of its newly adopted strategic plan, the TAA will establish an Allocation Task Force, along with a series of subcommittees representing diverse sectors of the industry designed to leverage specialized expertise, address unmet needs and enhance transparency in the distribution of aftercare funding. This panel will explore the process of this initiative and what the future of Thoroughbred aftercare looks like and how the industry can build a stronger, more sustainable system for horses transitioning from racing and breeding into their next careers.

Walt Robertson – President, Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance

The Five-Tool Team: Bringing Out the Best in People to Make Better Decisions
In horse racing, success is never achieved by one individual. It is the result of tightly connected teams working together across racing operations, training barns, breeding farms, regulatory bodies, and racetrack management. The ability to communicate, make decisions, and perform under pressure is essential, particularly when timelines are tight and conditions can change rapidly.Drawing from the principles in his new book, The Five-Tool Team: Bringing Out the Best in People to Make Better Decisions, Dr. Ricardo Valerdi explores what enables teams in high-performance environments to consistently execute at a high level. Joining him are two of Arizona’s most accomplished coaches, Hall of Fame softball coach Mike Candrea and men’s basketball head coach Tommy Lloyd, who will share perspectives from their experiences building, leading, and sustaining elite teams.The discussion will examine how leaders identify and leverage individual strengths, build trust and accountability, communicate across different roles, and make effective decisions under pressure.

Dr. Ricardo Valerdi – Department Head, Systems and Industrial Engineering, University of Arizona
Mike Candrea – Hall of Fame Coach, University of Arizona and USA Softball Women's National Team
Tommy Lloyd – Head Coach, University of Arizona Men's Basketball

TUESDAY, December 8

Welcome & Keynote Address

Randy Boyd – President, University of Tennessee System & Co-Founder of Boyd Racing
Robert Hartman – Chair, University of Arizona Race Track Industry Program

The 99%: The Work Behind the Winner's Circle
Racing fans often see the trophy presentation, the major victory, or the career-defining moment. What they rarely see is the 99% that came before - the early mornings, long hours, setbacks, near misses, difficult decisions, and years of persistence required to reach the sport's highest levels. This panel brings together winners of some of horse racing's top races to discuss the realities of building a career in the industry. Through personal stories and candid reflections, speakers will explore the challenges they faced, the failures they learned from, and the lessons that ultimately helped them succeed. Their experiences demonstrate that success in horse racing is rarely the result of a single breakthrough, but rather the culmination of years of dedication, resilience, and continuous improvement. Attendees will gain practical insights into how top performers navigate adversity, learn from failure, build strong professional relationships, and sustain success over the long term. The discussion will explore the importance of perseverance, mentorship, adaptability, and continuous learning in an industry where patience and resilience are often the difference between giving up and breaking through. Because while everyone remembers the 1%, the lessons are found in the 99%.

Steve Asmussen – Hall of Fame Trainer
Cherie DeVaux – 2026 Kentucky Derby Winning Trainer
Donna Barton Brothers – Former Jockey & NBC Sports Reporter

What Racing Can Learn from Sports’ Boldest Innovators
Innovation rarely comes from looking inward. Some of the most successful sports organizations have transformed the fan experience, embraced new technologies, developed fresh business models, and attracted new audiences by challenging long-held assumptions. What lessons can horse racing borrow from these successes? Featuring Mike McCarley, Founder & CEO of TMRW Sports, and Russ Brandon, CEO of the United Football League, this panel will explore how organizations are rethinking the traditional sports experience. TMRW Sports, the company behind TGL, has approached golf from the ground up, combining technology, entertainment, venue design, media, and strategic partnerships to create a new way for fans to experience the sport. The UFL is similarly building a modern sports property with a focus on audience engagement, media, partnerships, and the overall fan experience. The discussion will examine how innovation, technology, media, venue design, strategic partnerships, and customer engagement can create new audiences and new opportunities. Not every idea will translate to racing. But some could challenge long-held assumptions and fundamentally change how the industry thinks about its future.

Mike McCarley – Founder & CEO, TMRW Sports
Russ Brandon – CEO, United Football League

50 Ideas in 50 Minutes - The Next Generation
The future of racing will be shaped by the leaders willing to challenge convention today. In this fast-paced session, the next generation of leaders take the stage to share their ideas for the sport’s future. Emerging leaders will each have one minute to present one idea, innovation, or bold proposal that could improve racing. From fan engagement and technology to wagering, workforce development, ownership, media, and the racing product itself, the ideas will be practical, provocative, and designed to spark conversation. No long presentations. No panels. Just 50 ideas, 50 minutes, and a room full of people thinking about what racing could become.

Alex Sausville – Solis/Litt Bloodstock
Bella Hodge – Marketing Manager, Colonial Downs
Eric DeCoster – Racing Coordinator, New York Racing Association
Matt Scull – President/Managing Partner, First Rodeo Racing
Delaina Stenchever – Broadcast Analyst & Media Manager, Turf Paradise

The On-Track Racing Product: Lessons from the Past, Solutions for the Future
This panel features some of racing's most senior racing officials who have seen just about everything the sport can throw at them. They've weathered industry booms and downturns, adapted to changing horse populations, rewritten countless condition books, and made the daily decisions that determine what fans see on the racetrack. The conversation will explore many of the industry's product challenges, including building effective condition books, filling races in an era of declining foal crops, recruiting and developing racing office staff, improving interstate coordination of racing and breeding programs, managing public perception, and addressing the growing influence of "super trainers". More importantly, this session is about solutions. Hear what has worked, what hasn't, and how lessons learned over decades can help shape a stronger, more sustainable future for the on-track racing product.

Ben Huffman – Vice President of Racing & Racing Secretary, Churchill Downs & Keeneland
Martin Panza – Co-Director of Racing, Kentucky Downs
Mike Lakow – Vice President of Racing Operations, Gulfstream Park & 1/ST Racing
Patrick Pope – Racing Secretary, Oaklawn Park
Tom Robbins – Director of Racing, Del Mar Thoroughbred Club
Rick Hammerle – Consultant, 1/ST Racing and Director of Racing, Kentucky Downs
Jay Privman – Retired National Correspondent, Daily Racing Form

WEDNESDAY, December 9

The State of the Sport: A Conversation with Everett Dobson
Join Everett Dobson, Chairman of The Jockey Club, for an in-depth discussion on the opportunities, challenges, and priorities shaping the future of horse racing. In a fireside chat format, Dobson will share his perspective on the industry's most pressing issues, the strategic direction of The Jockey Club, and the initiatives designed to strengthen the sport for future generations. The conversation will focus on The Jockey Club's strategic priorities for strengthening the future of horse racing, including safety and equine welfare, growing fan engagement, expanding horse ownership, leveraging data and technology, and advancing the sport's long-term economic sustainability. Attendees will gain insight into the progress being made across these initiatives, the challenges that remain, and the role industry stakeholders can play in shaping racing's future. An audience Q&A will follow the conversation.

Everett Dobson – Chairman, The Jockey Club
Jay Hovdey – National Columnist, BloodHorse Publications

From Sports and Music to Racing: Building New Audiences and New Owners
Racing has long attracted successful athletes, entertainers, and business leaders as owners. Today, sports figures, music executives, and entertainment entrepreneurs are bringing new audiences, powerful personal brands, and fresh approaches to the industry. This panel will explore how influential figures from outside racing are using their platforms, networks, and business expertise to introduce the sport to new fans, create new pathways to ownership, and expand racing’s reach. The discussion will examine what attracts these individuals to racing, how they are helping tell the story of the sport in new ways, and what racing can learn from their approach to audience engagement, marketing, partnerships, and brand building.

Adam Kluger – Founder, Run Fast Racing
Jayson Werth – 2024 Belmont Stakes Winner, Founder & Partner, Icon Racing
Rich Mendez – Co-Founder, Morplay Racing
Donna Barton Brothers – Former Jockey & NBC Sports Reporter

Mark Kaufman TPA Workshop: Managing Media in an Evolving Landscape
The media ecosystem covering horse racing is changing rapidly. Traditional outlets now share space with independent bloggers, livestreamers, podcasters, content creators, and social media influencers, creating new opportunities and new challenges for racing organizations and event organizers. This panel will explore how racing can adapt its media relations strategies to meet the demands of a more diverse media landscape. Topics will include best practices for evaluating credential applications, balancing access and accountability, and determining how to support emerging voices while maintaining strong relationships with established media partners. Attendees will gain practical insights into building fair, transparent, and forward-looking media policies that serve both the industry’s communication goals and the next generation of racing storytellers.

Ed DeRosa – Vice President, Content, Horse Racing Nation
Eric Halstrom – Vice President & General Manager, Horseshoe Indianapolis
Rachel Miller – Senior Brand Marketing Manager, America's Best Racing
Jessica Paquette – Track Announcer, Parx Racing

Latinos in Racing: Building Connections, Growing the Audience
Latinos have deep and growing connections to horses, racing, and the communities that make the sport possible, yet the industry has not fully translated those connections into fans, participants, and customers. This panel will explore how racing can better connect with Latino audiences through authentic storytelling, targeted marketing, community engagement, and stronger representation across the sport. The conversation will include trainers and industry leaders who can share how they have built relationships with Latino fans, owners, employees, and horsemen. From understanding what resonates with Latino audiences to creating marketing that feels relevant and genuine, panelists will discuss practical strategies for attracting new fans and making racing a more welcoming part of their lives.

Carlos Morales – Founder & Director, Agentes 305
Gabrielle Kuenzeli – Associate Professor of History, University of South Carolina
Gustavo Delgado Jr. – 2023 Kentucky Derby Winning Assistant Trainer