Horsemen's Conference to Spotlight Timely Issues

In perhaps a sign of some amount of relationship mending between the National Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association and The Jockey Club, the chairman of the latter will deliver the keynote address at this year's National HBPA Conference. While The Jockey Club, as one of the major backers of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority, and the National HBPA, which has opposed HISA through years-long litigation, have been at opposite ends of that issue, National HBPA CEO Eric Hamelback said there are still plenty of big picture items in the sport where they have agreement. With that being the case, Everett Dobson, chairman of The Jockey Club, will deliver the keynote address March 4 at the conference at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Ark. The conference will feature presentations, panels, discussions, and awards Wednesday through March 6 after a welcome reception the evening of March 3. The National HBPA will conduct a board meeting the morning of March 7. National HBPA Conference Agenda for 2026 "The reality is, we all want to work and collaborate and to get along, so to speak, but really to collaborate and do what's best for the industry," Hamelback said. "There's no mistaking the fact that our organization has currently been in some litigation with the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act, but again, that's set aside. There's still a lot of work to be done." Hamelback, who began a stint at Adena Springs in 1997, in which he would become general manager, has known Dobson for many years. "He was a big supporter of Awesome Again, so I've known him outside of his role as the chair of The Jockey Club. I respect and like Everett, and understand his mentality," Hamelback said. "I believe that he and I are aligned on many things within the industry. So this was my opportunity to really kind of wave a big flag and say, 'Guys, we all want to work together.' "I think Everett Dobson is going to be a person who can help bring everything together. And so I really wanted to kind of reach out and talk to him about it." The conference will also feature a number of timely panels, including an update on HISA litigation, a look at artificial intelligence and other technological opportunities in the sport, a discussion of ownership approaches that could see horsemen take a bigger role, a discussion of prediction markets and their potential threat to racing's business model, and a presentation on building pathways to second careers. On Friday, the Kent Stirling Memorial Medication panel will wrap up topical presentations. On Thursday afternoon, William "Jinks" Fires will be presented with the "Living Legend" honor. "Jinks is an icon," Hamelback said. "He's always been that consummate horseman that everybody looks to for advice, everybody looks to for knowledge, and he's always there for you. "He maybe doesn't have the same accolades as a Wayne Lukas, but when you look at that stature, that's how many people see Jinks Fires as well—just an honest horseman who does things the right way, and is there to give his knowledge away. You just got to ask."