The 2025 Global Symposium on Racing is set to return December 8–10 at the Loews Ventana Canyon Resort, where more than 80 speakers and over two dozen sessions will bring together the sport’s most influential voices.
For more than 50 years, the Symposium has served as one of racing’s most important annual gatherings, uniting industry leaders, regulators, analysts, executives, and innovators to confront the sport’s challenges and identify its next opportunities.
This year’s program places a spotlight on emerging technologies, wagering integrity, regulatory reform, track operations, mental health, fan acquisition, and the evolving economics that continue to reshape the sport.
Below is a look at the three-day schedule, as well as a full list of the more than 80 speakers expected to attend.
Monday, December 8: Technology, Integrity, and Industry Operations
Opening day centers on modernization and governance. Sessions include a workshop on Human–AI collaboration, track surface management, dispute resolution strategies, and the annual Racing Secretary Summit.
Additional panels will address investigative practices, equine insurance, data security in wagering networks, and advancements in equine biomechanics.
HISA and HIWU representatives will provide updates in an extended Q&A, followed by a session comparing racing wagering with the exploding sports betting market.
The day concludes with a presentation on America’s historic racetracks and an evening networking reception.
Tuesday, December 9: Business Models, CAWs, and Fan Engagement
Tuesday opens with the keynote address before shifting to a major session on how states are restructuring racing’s business model amid shifting economic pressures.
A highly anticipated panel on Computer Assisted Wagering will examine the role of CAWs, rebate structures, and the balance between sustainability and fairness for everyday horseplayers.
The day also features a discussion on major track construction projects, an awards luncheon, and a rare gathering of five Hall of Fame jockeys.
Afternoon topics include mental wellness in racing and the rapid growth of fan-facing series such as Race for the Crown. An evening reception wraps the day.
Wednesday, December 10: Regulation, Innovation, and the Future of Racing
The final day begins with the RTIP capstone presentation and a year-in-review panel featuring industry leaders from NBC Sports, 1/ST, Third Time Games, and PENN Entertainment. A legislative update and HISA State of the Union follow.
Panels throughout the morning and afternoon will explore prediction markets and sweepstakes wagering, the decline in U.S. Thoroughbred breeding, and a live Q&A with Mike Repole. The final sessions address the role of influencers in shaping racing’s digital presence, timing accuracy in U.S. racing, and insights from the world’s largest racing events. A closing reception ends the Symposium.
2025 GLOBAL SYMPOSIUM SPEAKERS
Donald Ahrens – Vice President, ORI Integrity and Consulting Services
Andrew Archibald – President, United Tote
Bailey Armour – Marketing Manager, 1/ST Technology
Harris Auerbach – Managing Partner, M. Auerbach, LLC
Karl Begg – Chief Technology Officer, Global Tote
Matthew Bertram – Vice President, Active Tracking Technology
Christina Blacker – Racing Host, Analyst & Reporter, FanDuel
Donna Barton-Brothers – Sports Reporter, NBC Sports
Brien Bouyea – Communications Director, National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame
Branden Brookfield – On-Site Testing Manager, Racing Surfaces Testing Laboratory
Joe Carr – Founding Partner, Equine Risk Management Group
Steve Cauthen – Hall of Fame Jockey
Joshua Christian – VP of Racing & Nominations, Breeders’ Cup
Ian Cummings – Founder & CEO, Third Time Games
Pat Cummings – Executive Director, National Thoroughbred Alliance
Scott Daruty – President, Monarch Content Management & Elite Turf Club
Chris Dobbins – Senior Vice President, InCompass Solutions
Ramon Dominguez – Hall of Fame Jockey
Will Duff Gordon – COO, Total Performance Data
Dr. Jennifer Durenberger – Director of Equine Safety & Welfare, HISA
Richard Erhard – Principal & Founder, Richard Erhard and Associates
Michele Fischer – Vice President, SIS Content Services
Alan Foreman – Chairman & CEO, THA
Dustin Gouker – Principal, The Closing Line Newsletter
Todd Gralla – Director of Equestrian Services, Populous
Dr. Marshall Gramm – Professor of Economics, Rhodes College
Marc Guilfoil – Director of Stewarding & State Racing Commission Relations, HISA
Eric Halstrom – VP & GM of Racing, Horseshoe Indianapolis
Rick Hammerle – Consultant, 1/ST Racing; Director of Racing, Kentucky Downs
Dr. Michael Hardy – Acting Chief of Science, HIWU
Tom Hashimoto – General Manager, Japan Racing Association (NY Office)
Jay Hovdey – National Columnist, BloodHorse
Jack Hudspith – Managing Director, Ellipse Data
David Ingordo – Owner, Ingordo Bloodstock; Co-Founder, Belladonna Racing
Griffin Johnson – Influencer
Kathleen Kennedy – Professor of Practice, University of Arizona
Andrew Kim – Partner, Goodwin Proctor
Jason Klouser – ORI Integrity and Consulting Services
Bill Knauf – President & GM, Maryland Jockey Club
Lisa Lazarus – CEO, HISA
J. Curtis Linnell – EVP, Thoroughbred Racing Protective Bureau
Scott Little – Vice President, Racing Services, Equibase
Kaitlin Lively – CEO & Co-Owner, GSS The Marketing Agency
Vicky Leonard – Founder & Managing Director, Kick Collective
Larry Lucas – Chairman, Revolutionary Racing
Ed Martin – President, ARCI
Chris McCarron – Hall of Fame Jockey
Trevor McCarthy – Jockey Wellness Consultant, HISA
Diana McClure – Board Member, Virginia Thoroughbred Association
Kyle McDoniel – President & COO, Equibase
Ann McGovern – HISA Director of Racetrack Safety
Craig Milkowski – Timing Analyst
Rachel Miller – Digital Marketing Manager, America’s Best Racing
Dr. Laura Miller – Professor, University of Arizona
Kate Mittelstadt – Chief of Operations, HIWU
Sally Mixon – Executive Director, Abijah’s on the Backside
Ashlyn Moore – VP of Equestrian Operations, 1/ST
Ben Mosier – Executive Director, HIWU
Jon Moss – Executive Director, Iowa HBPA
Randy Moss – On-Air Announcer, NBC Sports
Andrew Offerman – Sr. VP of Racing & Operations, NYRA
Jay O’Neal – Senior EVP, Wagering Systems, AmTote
David O’Rourke – President & CEO, NYRA
Greg Pachman – General Manager, StrideSAFE
Jessica Paquette – Announcer, Parx Racing
Bryan Pettigrew – VP & GM of Texas Racing Operations, PENN Entertainment
Laffit Pincay Jr. – Hall of Fame Jockey
Lonny Powell – CEO, FTBOA
Dr. Patricia A. Prelock – Provost & Chief Academic Officer, University of Arizona
Sam Reinhardt – Assistant General Counsel, HISA
Mike Repole – Entrepreneur, Racehorse Owner
David Richardson – Executive Director, Maryland THA
Mackenzie Rockefeller – Director of Operations, Racing Surfaces Testing Lab
Tom Rooney – President & CEO, NTRA
Peter Rotondo – SVP of Racing & Wagering, 1/ST Racing
Paul Ryneveld – Director, Horse Racing Alberta
Peter Sacopulos – Senior Partner, Sacopulos, Johnson & Sacopulos
Ian Sambor – Executive Producer, Race for the Crown
Tasha Saunders – VP of Operations, OnRise
Mark Simendinger – Owner, Severn Consulting
Mike Smith – Hall of Fame Jockey
Nick Smith – Director of Racing & Public Affairs, Ascot Racecourse
Valerie Spicer – President & Owner, Trilogy Group Partners
Mike Tanner – EVP & CEO, United States Trotting Association
Frank Taylor – Director of New Client Development, Taylor Made Sales
Damon Thayer – Owner/President, Thayer Communications
Lynn Thomas – Co-Founder & President, Horses for Mental Health
Ismael “Izzy” Trejo – Executive Director, New Mexico Racing Commission
Maurice Timmermans – Head of Equine Technology, MYLAPS
Lexy Willis – Laboratory Manager, Racing Surfaces Testing Lab
Maury Wolff – Retired Professional Gambler
Shuran Wright – Manager of Business Analytics & Development, TRPB
Amy Zimmerman – Senior VP & Executive Producer, Santa Anita Park
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