Darley Flying Start Conference

"Finding Solutions"

The Darley Flying Start Conference took place at the Fasig-Tipton pavilion on July 14th. The trainees’ task was to represent industry stakeholders and to offer solutions to some of the biggest challenges facing the racing industry today. The stakeholder areas were as follows:

Kate Benner: Sales Companies/Bloodstock Agents/Consignors
Adrian Bott: Racing Commissions/State and Federal Government
Leah Clark: Trainers
Nicholas Hay: Owners
Michael Hardy: Breeders
Barry Lynch: TV and Radio Coverage
Michael Morrison: International Perspective
Matt Prior: Public Perception and Opinion
Kelsey Riley: Racing Media
Lindsay Schultz: Racetrack Operators
Brianne Sharp: Casino/Racino Operators/ADW/Betting Exchanges
James Trotter: Breeders’ Cup/NTRA

M.C Kenny Rice introduced the panel of trainees, who highlighted the challenges facing the industry and offered possible solutions which led to plenty of discussion and debate with the audience. In attendance were a wide range of industry participants including Dan Pride and Terence Collier of Fasig Tipton, Keeneland's Nick Nicholson, Geoffrey Russell and Tom Thornbury; Taylor Made Sales' Duncan and Frank Taylor, Pedigree Consultants Byron Rogers; Gainesway's Michael Hernon; Hall of Fame jockey Chris McCarron; racing historian Edward Bowen; the TDN's Barry Weisbord and a number of Darley Flying Start graduates and Darley management including Jimmy Bell, Charlie Boden and Joe Osborne.

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