Returning to the Bluegrass for the second year in a row, the Horse Racing Women's Association (HRWA) celebrated a milestone fifth annual conference, hosting 193 women for the three-day event, Oct. 12-14, in Lexington, Kentucky. The conference marked five years of bringing women from all facets of the Thoroughbred industry together to foster meaningful connections, share knowledge and experiences, and build upon the progress that's been made to advance women's representation in the sport.
"The energy and engagement at the 2026 HRWA Conference was truly inspiring. From the welcome reception and dynamic speakers and panels to our leadership workshop with Dr. Robin and an afternoon of racing at Keeneland, the conference was an exemplary reflection of our mission to engage, elevate, and invest in the women in horse racing," said Jodie Vella-Gregory, HRWA Event Logistics Committee Chair.
"As we celebrate five years of the HRWA, it's the meaningful connections, stories of doors opening, and opportunities being created that will carry over to the workplaces in productive ways, ultimately benefiting our great sport."
This year's program kicked off Monday with a welcome and networking reception, highlighted by guest speaker Donna Barton-Brothers, a former jockey and beloved NBC trackside reporter who retired from that notable role earlier this year.
Continuing into Tuesday, attendees returned to Harper Hall in downtown Lexington to experience a fulfilling program consisting of three panel discussions, featured speaker and keynote speaker sessions, the presentation of the 2026 Jane Goldstein Award, and a networking session for both panelists and guests.
This year's keynote speaker was none other than Elana Meyers Taylor, an Olympic bobsled champion and six-time Olympic medalist. Through an in-depth conversation, hosted by Britney Eurton, Host and Reporter on NBC and Prime Video, Taylor shared her life changing and career-shaping experiences that involved overcoming challenges, balancing motherhood and elite sports, breaking barriers, building community, and creating opportunities for others.
"This all happened because I was willing to take any opportunity I had, learn from my mistakes, and pivot to a new adventure," said Meyers Taylor, whose journey saw her transition from college softball stardom to Olympic bobsled glory. "Going fast in a bobsled downhill on ice is terrifying. With all fearful things in life, you do the work ahead of time, plan, and prepare so you know you're capable.
"I take the learner mindset into every transition in life. Be confident in what you do know but understand there's a lot you don't and be curious."
Along with an Olympic champion keynote speaker, the HRWA was joined by Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes-winning trainer Cherie DeVaux and co-owner Daisy Phipps Pulito of Phipps Stable. Each woman discussed how their backgrounds led them to the careers they hold now, what experiences shaped them along the way, and how this year's historic triumph, where DeVaux became the first female trainer to win the first leg of the Triple Crown, has impacted both of them.
"I didn't pick Cherie because she's a woman, I picked Cherie because she's a really good trainer," said Phipps Pulito. "I knew she'd take care of our horses in a way that we wanted them taken care of."
"Winning the [Kentucky] Derby was a great thing, but that's not who I am. I have more to give. I don't want the Kentucky Derby to define who I am," said DeVaux. "In horse racing, especially at the level that we play, it doesn't matter if we're women or men. This is our livelihood. This is our life."
"I hope what everyone takes away from this conversation that we had here today is that success isn't just about the milestones that we reach; it's about the people who help us get there, the doors that we open for others, and the impact that we're leaving on this industry," concluded moderator Audrey Cassidy.
The first panel of the day, entitled 'Ambition & Agency: Women Navigating and Shaping Racing,' was led by Shannon Arvin, President & CEO of Keeneland; Jamie Eads, President & CEO of the Kentucky Horse Racing & Gaming Corporation; Rosie Napravnik, Retired MGSW Jockey and OTTB Retrainer at New Vocations; Emily Wygod-Bushnell, Founder & Executive Director of Tranquility Lake Farms; and moderator Hallie Hardy, Executive Director of Horse Country.
'Future Proofing: Technology, AI & the Next Era of Racing,' the second panel of the program, was led by Dr. Dionne Benson, Chief Veterinary Officer of 1ST; Charlotte Clement de Bona, Chief Strategy & Transformation Officer of The Jockey Club; Youmna Hakoum, Senior Data Analyst of Equibase Co.; Caroline Leach, Data Management Specialist for the University of Kentucky, Institute of Biomedical Informatics, Center for Applied AI; and moderator Liza Hendriks, Boards of Directors of Inglis Digital USA.
The third and final panel of the conference, entitled 'The Power Network: Mentorship, Sponsorship & Opening Doors,' was led by Heather Higgins, Senior Vice President of Corporate Partnerships for Breeders' Cup; Dena Merson, Founder of Simply Racing; Deja Robinson, DVM Candidate and Ed Brown Society Fellow; Katie Taylor-Whalen, Vice President of Operations for Taylor Made Sales Agency, Inc.; and moderator Cathy Shircliff, Director of Equine Industry Relations & Experience for Churchill Downs Inc.
A highlight of this year's program was the presentation of the 2026 Jane Goldstein Exemplary Leadership Award to honoree Amy Zimmerman. Named after Jane Goldstein, a pioneering turf publicist and HRWA board member, the award recognizes outstanding women in horse racing for their leadership, dedication, and contributions to the sport.
Zimmerman, a well-respected sports TV producer, director, writer, and network executive whose career spans decades in the horse racing industry, was surrounded by friends, colleagues, and mentees as she received the award named for a woman who not only employed Zimmerman at one time, but remains a mentor and friend to this day.
"I am just honored to go to work every day to play with my friends, to be part of several loving families, and to get to pet the horses. Because after all these years, that still brings me happiness and joy," said Zimmerman.
The HRWA closed its annual conference on Wednesday morning with a guided networking workshop facilitated by Dr. Savannah Robin, Lecturer and Director of Undergraduate Studies for Equine Science and Management and Director of the Martin-Gatton Student Leadership Academy.
Titled "From Insight to Impact," Robin challenged attendees during breakout sessions to reflect on those messages conveyed by conference panelists and speakers, and to consider ways to apply them in their daily life.
"As we continued to think about the messages that we heard, especially those about vulnerability, I really started thinking about how that's pivotal in this process...to be able to really share with one another, connect and then find a community of people that are willing to hold us accountable," said Dr. Robinson.
The workshop was hosted in the Keeneland Sales Pavilion and followed by a "Stay and Play" race day for attendees at the track.
To learn more about the HRWA and how to get involved, click here.
HRWA Launches Emerging Professionals
During the Tuesday conference, the HRWA announced its Emerging Professionals, a segment of the association focused on empowering the next generation of women in racing.
"Emerging Professionals was taken from concept to reality by a volunteer group of early-career young women passionate about racing," said HRWA Executive Stephanie Hronis. "Their plans have generated excitement and interest among the HRWA membership, and we look forward to launching our first Emerging Professionals events next spring."
The mission of Emerging Professionals is to build a supportive community of young women—high school graduates, college students and recent graduates— interested in pursuing a career in the Thoroughbred industry.
Emerging Professionals will utilize the professional contacts and skillsets of the HRWA and other resources to provide one-of-a-kind, national networking opportunities; immersive, real-world experiences and professional development enhancement.
A variety of in-person, hybrid and virtual events are set to launch in the spring of 2027.
For news and updates, please visit the HRWA Emerging Professionals' LinkedIn page.
To join Emerging Professionals, see the Membership page on the HRWA website. Annual membership dues are $25.
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