Craig Fravel, former executive vice chair of Stronach Group's 1/ST Racing, has joined the investment management firm Brown Advisory as a partner and senior adviser in Southern California.
Fravel joins Brown Advisory after a significant career in the Thoroughbred racing industry. In his position with Stronach, he oversaw Stronach Group-owned tracks Gulfstream Park, Laurel Park, Pimlico Race Course, Rosecroft, Santa Anita Park, and the recently closed Golden Gate Fields. Before his tenure with Stronach Group, Fravel was the president and CEO of the Breeders' Cup, from 2011-19, and president of the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, where he worked from 1990-2011.
"We are very excited to have Craig join our firm. He has a demonstrated track record of success and trust—he knows how to bring people together and get things done," said Mike Hankin, president and CEO of Brown Advisory. "Craig's thoughtful approach to finding solutions combined with his connections, network, and expertise in and beyond horse racing will be very valuable to our clients."
Fravel has supported a number of impactful industry and community organizations. He served on the board of Equibase, the official provider of racing data for the Thoroughbred industry in the United States, and while at the Breeders' Cup was a member of the board of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities.
"After a rewarding career in the Thoroughbred racing industry, it is thrilling to have an opportunity to bring the skills and relationships developed over the years to Brown Advisory as it expands its presence in California," said Fravel. "While I am deeply grateful for the experiences and friends I have enjoyed in racing, it is a great time for me and my family to undertake a new challenge. The culture, integrity, and excellence I have personally witnessed in my interactions with Brown Advisory and its colleagues in recent years gives me confidence that the next chapter will be as fulfilling as the last."
Fravel currently serves on the boards of the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund, the Southern California Equine Foundation, and the Dolly Green Research Foundation. He has served as a director of the Racing Medication & Testing Consortium and the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, where he previously served as chairman. He is a member of The Jockey Club in the United States and served on its Board of Stewards from 2011-15. He chairs The Jockey Club's Thoroughbred Safety Committee and continues to serve as a member of the Breeders' Cup.
Fravel started his career at the San Diego law firm of Luce, Forward, Hamilton, and Scripps, where he was a partner specializing in corporate law and finance. He is a 1982 graduate of the University of Virginia School of Law and a cum laude graduate of Bucknell University in 1979.
