With a double major in psychology and political science from the University of Alberta in Canada, Jodie Vella-Gregory pondered a career in criminal psychology, but upon graduation in 2007 she spent a summer in Lexington and everything changed.
Now as the vice president of industry relations for 1/ST Racing, Vella-Gregory is in the midst of a busy time of year with Gulfstream Park's Championship Meet in South Florida opening Thanksgiving Day and Santa Anita's Classic Meet in Southern California getting underway Dec. 26. One of the most anticipated events of the year for 1/ST Racing is when Gulfstream Park hosts its signature race, the $3 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1), at its Hallandale Beach track Jan. 25. Vella-Gregory plays an integral role in catering to attendees, both within the industry and outside, to ensure that everyone has an enjoyable and memorable experience.
Vella-Gregory's answers are edited for clarity and space.
BloodHorse: How were you introduced to racing?
Jodie Vella-Gregory: Even though I didn't grow up with a racing background, my mom is British and she has an absolute love for anything horse-related. She introduced me to horseback riding when I was 5. I grew up three-day eventing in Canada. I was on the Young Riders Team. I competed on quite a few off-the-track Thoroughbreds. Some of the horses I was competing on I would look up where they came from.
I didn't really know much about the depth of the racing industry, so I came to Kentucky to soak it up after finishing university. I got the opportunity to do a working-student position in Lexington (Bluegrass Thoroughbred Services) because of some family friends. While I was there I also volunteered at KESMARC (Kentucky Equine Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation Center). That summer my eyes were opened up to a lot of different avenues in horse racing. I worked the sales, I got to go to Keeneland and Churchill Downs. It wasn't until that summer that I realized you could make a career in horse racing. There is literally something for everybody.
By the end of that summer, I had been offered a couple of jobs, and I ended up taking a job with Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital as a clinician technician with Dr. Scott Hopper.
BH: What is it about the industry that hooked you?
JVG: I learned so much while working at Rood & Riddle. The care, time, energy, and money that goes toward (the welfare) of these horses. I had no idea what was available to these amazing athletes.
I was given quite a few opportunities when I was at Rood & Riddle. I got to do the TOC2 testing at the Breeders' Cups when they were run at Churchill. I also got to go to the (Kentucky) Oaks and Derby as part of that team as well. Seeing the excitement and energy from being around the stables…that started pushing me more toward wanting to be on the racing side of things.
I am where I am today because of the support of people around me and the teams that have given me chances to push forward ideas, and I'm grateful for that.
BH: What are your duties as the vice president of industry relations at 1/ST Racing?
JVG: The thing that I love about my job is that it's never the same day twice. I do a lot of communication with the high-level racing stakeholders and industry participants on our marquee events. I have a lot of communication and work with the event attendees and that is across all our properties at 1/ST. For our marquee events, I'm the conduit between our experience and racing teams. I am making sure that the people who are coming, stakeholders or participants, are being well taken care of.
I also work on on-track experiences, such as the Compton Cowboys (which provides a positive influence on inner-city youth through riding horses) when they come out to ride at Santa Anita.
BH: It sounds like a job that pulls you into many different directions. Are you a high-energy person?
JVG: I think people that meet me would say I am an extroverted person, but I wouldn't say that I am. I do, though, enjoy being around people and I like learning and hearing from people.
When the events come, the energy is so high. I thrive off of that. When that crowd is cheering, I still get chills even though I see a lot of races because (my office) is at Santa Anita. It just never gets old. I just love seeing people at the track. This industry is such an emotional one sometimes. I just know how much goes into getting a horse into the gate and I want to celebrate that. I think for the most part all of us are ambassadors for the sport in whatever role we fill within the racing world.
One of the things 1/ST is big on is making sure that everybody that comes to the track—no matter what capacity they are coming in—are getting a really good experience.
We obviously want to make sure that the people who are coming on a regular basis are having an amazing time. The people we're trying to bring in and elevate, maybe those who haven't been to the races before, we want them to have an amazing time so they come back.
BH: What about your job gives you satisfaction?
JVG: Working to increase diversity in the industry is dear to me. I work with the Ed Brown Society (which creates opportunities for young people of color to gain industry exposure, training, and experience in racing) and the Compton Cowboys, as I mentioned earlier. I also helped to start the Horse Racing Women's Summit. I also enjoy working with the backstretch community and making sure we have a lot of charitable projects going on there. At each of our tracks we have an aftercare liaison, just to make sure that if anyone needs help placing a horse after racing they have a resource; I oversee that program.
BH: I see that you competed at the 2022 Real Rider Cup, a charity jumping event, as part of Team 1/ST Racing. Is horseback riding still a part of your life?
JVG: Luckily, I get to be around amazing horses all the time, but I don't get to ride as much. I will get back to it at some point. I hadn't jumped a horse in four years until the day before the Real Rider Cup in 2022. Maybe I am a confident person or just crazy. My boss, Aidan Butler (president, 1/ST), wanted 1/ST to have a team at the Real Rider Cup because he really cares about the horses, and he made sure all of our tracks supported the team, which also included (former jockey and senior vice president/racing operations) Aaron Gryder and Dionne Benson (1/ST Racing chief veterinary officer). I haven't jumped a horse since but my plan is to compete in more Real Rider Cups.
