The New York Racing Association announced Aug. 8 the appointment of Eric Johnston to the position of Stakes Coordinator.
Johnston brings more than four decades of racing industry experience to his new role. He was previously the Director of Racing and Sportsbook at Penn National, where he led the racing office and was responsible for pari-mutuel and sports wagering operations.
As Stakes Coordinator, Johnston will oversee the execution and operations required to administer the 230 stakes races offered annually on the NYRA circuit. He succeeds Andrew Byrnes, who had held the position since 1999 and will retire at the conclusion of the summer meet at Saratoga Race Course. Johnston will assume his stakes coordinator responsibilities Oct. 3.
"NYRA is pleased to welcome Eric Johnston to the talented and experienced group of professionals currently in place within the racing office," said Andrew Offerman, NYRA Senior Vice President of Racing and Operations. "He is a talented manger who pairs decades of experience with detailed knowledge of the racing and wagering landscape nationally."
Prior to his leadership role at Penn National, Johnston, a native of Grantville, PA, was a racing official in Maryland and worked in a variety of roles at Sam Houston Park and Fort Erie Race Course.
In addition, NYRA today announced the promotion of Harry Wright from Racing Official to the position of Assistant Stakes Coordinator and Racing Official.
While the 40-day summer meet at Saratoga Race Course continues through September 1, NYRA is proceeding on schedule with a $455 million redevelopment of Belmont Park that will result in a world-class racing and entertainment destination on Long Island. Belmont Park will re-open for live racing in September 2026 with the Belmont Stakes Presented by NYRA Bets set to return to Long Island in 2027.
In May, New York Governor Kathy Hochul joined the Breeders' Cup to announce the new Belmont Park as the site of the 2027 Breeders' Cup World Championships, which will be held Oct. 29-30, 2027, in Elmont. Belmont Park last hosted thoroughbred racing's annual year-end championship event in 2005.
