The Jockey Club announced July 14 the agenda, including a list of speakers on timely topics, for its 2026 Round Table Conference on Matters Pertaining to Racing.
The conference will be Aug. 6 at the Saratoga Springs City Center in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., and livestreamed at jockeyclub.com. Everett R. Dobson, chair of The Jockey Club, will open the conference and deliver the closing remarks.
This year's keynote presentation will be delivered by Greg Maffei, who has developed an innovative franchise-based horse racing league. Maffei is a veteran sports executive who helped transform Formula 1 into a global entertainment powerhouse during his tenure as president and CEO of Liberty Media. He currently serves as executive chair of QVC Group, chair of SiriusXM and MediaKind, and a director of Zillow.
Tom Hashimoto of the Japanese Racing Association will discuss efforts to attract younger generations to the sport and sustain racing's popularity in Japan. Hashimoto joined the JRA in 2003 and has held positions at Nakayama and Kyoto racecourses and the Promotion, Financial and International departments at the Tokyo headquarters. He is currently a representative of the New York office of the JRA.
James T. Dresher Jr., chair of the Maryland Jockey Club, will provide an update on recent positive developments in Maryland and what he sees in the state's racing and breeding future. Dresher owns Glenangus Farm, a Thoroughbred operation in Bel Air, Md., and serves as CEO of Skye Asset Management.
The program will also feature an in-depth analysis of Thoroughbred ownership trends, including owner retention. The presentation will be delivered by Joe Appelbaum, former president of the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association and co-founder of Off The Hook, a breeding, racing, and sales company, and the current founder and CEO of Waigr, an analytics and assistive wagering firm.
Victoria Edwards, founder of Frankie Jean Group, and Dan Tordjman, president of TJC Media Ventures and America's Best Racing, will share insights on an expanded industrywide marketing initiative aimed at elevating horse racing's profile, strengthening its cultural relevance, and growing engagement across all facets of the sport. Edwards has led marketing efforts for major sports properties and global brands and, most recently, served as global chief creative services officer at HP.
In addition, Charlotte Clement de Bona, The Jockey Club's chief strategy and transformation officer, will provide an update on the organization's strategic priorities and the future of the sport. Kristin Werner, vice president of Thoroughbred strategy and industry initiatives, will present the latest developments in The Jockey Club's Traceability Initiative, an ongoing project first introduced at the 2023 Round Table Conference.
The full agenda and bios of speakers will be posted on jockeyclub.com in advance of the conference.
This press release has been edited for content and style by BloodHorse Staff.
