Events for women in  horse racing

Come for the inspiration. Stay for the connections that last far beyond the finish line.

Stay tuned for 2026 event announcements.

Where women in horse racing find their people and their power

This is the big one. Hosted in the heart of horse country, our annual HRWA conference  brings together exciting voices in the sport – from decorated pros to rising stars. Expect enlightening conversations, fresh ideas, and real tools to move your career and the industry forward.

Browse our 2025 conference details below.

2025 HRWA Conference Schedule

The flagship horse racing conference for women

This is the big one. Hosted in the heart of horse country, our annual HRWA conference  brings together exciting voices in the sport – from decorated pros to rising stars. Expect enlightening conversations, fresh ideas, and real tools to move your career and the industry forward.

WEDNESDAY - 10/8 - 21c Museum Hotel

Welcome Party
4:00 - 7:00 pm
4:00 - 7:00 pm
Check In & Registration Opens
4:00 pm
4:00 pm
Welcome, Networking, & Kick Off Party
4:30 pm
4:30 pm
Event Wrap Up
7:00 pm
7:00 pm

THURSDAY - 10/9 - Limestone Hall

Full Day Conference Programming

Check In, Registration & Breakfast Opens
7:30 am
7:30 am
Welcome & Opening Remarks
8:45 am
8:45 am
Keynote Address:
9:00 am

Molly Fletcher

9:00 am
Book Signing + Networking Break 10:00 am

Pre-purchase "The Dynamic Drive". Buy through 9/19 – books will be available on-site at a slightly higher price.

10:00 am
Panel 1:
10:45 am

Roadblocks to Relationships: Building Networks That Change the Game

10:45 am
Panel 2:
11:45 am

Fueling the Fire Without Burning Out

11:45 am
Jane Goldstein Award Presentation
12:45 pm

Amy Gregory

12:45 pm
Plated Luncheon
1:00 pm
1:00 pm
Featured Speaker:
2:15 pm

Lindsay Czarniak

2:15 pm
Panel 3:
2:45 pm

Horse Racing Ecosystems: Markets, Models & Money

2:45 pm
Guided Networking Activity
3:45 pm
3:45 pm
Closing Remarks & Reception
4:30 pm
4:30 pm
Event Wrap Up
6:00 pm
6:00 pm

*Programming subject to change. 

Stay tuned for 2026 event announcements.

Stay & Play Keeneland

Attendees of the HRWA Conference are invited to extend their trip to Lexington to ‘stay and play’ on October 10 for a day of racing at Keeneland. Ladies will receive a complimentary Club Guest ticket from Keeneland, where they can enjoy light snacks, participate in a handicapping contest, and visit the newly renovated Paddock and Winner’s Circle for a commemorative group photo.

Reserve Ticket

2025 Conference Speakers & Panelists

Meet the women whose stories & insight will inspire your next stride

Our speaker lineup features women redefining leadership in horse racing. You’ll walk away with sharp insights, renewed confidence, and the momentum to race forward – wherever you’re headed.

Woman with blond hair in white suit

Keynote Speaker

Molly Fletcher

The HRWA is honored to welcome renowned speaker Molly Fletcher to deliver this year's keynote address. Hailed as the “female Jerry Maguire” by CNN, Molly Fletcher made a name for herself as one of the first female sports agents. During her almost two-decade career, Molly negotiated over $500 million in contracts and represented over 300 of sports' biggest names.

Woman with blonde hair in blue blazer

Featured Speaker

Lindsay Czarniak

Lindsay Czarniak is an accomplished media personality with more than two decades of experience in sports journalism. She has served as a host, anchor, sideline reporter, pit reporter and international correspondent for networks that include ESPN, NBC Sports, CNN, FOX Sports, CBS, CNN, and more. Throughout her career, she has covered everything from the Olympic Games to Super Bowls to the Indianapolis 500, along with MLB, NBA, NASCAR and horseracing.

Woman with blonde hair and glasses wearing pink suit jacket

Caton Bredar

FanDuel TV, Analyst, Writer, Handicapper

Caton Bredar is an award-winning horse racing analyst and commentator based in Louisville, KY, and Hallandale Beach, FL…

More About Caton Bredar

Raised near Arlington Park in a racing family, she has deep roots in both Thoroughbred and Standardbred racing. A Knox College graduate, Caton began her broadcasting career in Chicago and has worked in Florida, New Jersey, California, and Kentucky. She was the first on-air hire for TVG (now FanDuel TV) and covers major racing events nationwide. Her work has been featured on ESPN, ABC, FOX, CBS, and various regional networks. In 2019, she received the Jim McKay Award for lifetime achievement from the National Turf Writers and Broadcasters.

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Melanie Case

KY Race Track Chaplaincy, Dir. of Women's Ministry

Melanie Case is a follower of Jesus Christ. She is the proud wife of Jason and mother of six children, who keep her quite busy…

More About Melanie Case

Melanie Case is a follower of Jesus Christ. She is the proud wife of Jason and mother of six children, who keep her quite busy. She earned her master's degrees in Missiology and Biblical Counseling from Southern Seminary. Currently, she serves as the Director of Women's Ministry for the Kentucky Race Track Chaplaincy. Before her work at Churchill Downs and Trackside, she was the Director of Children's Ministry at Watermark Community Church in Hong Kong where she and her family lived and ministered for 12 years. She truly enjoys engaging other cultures which is exactly what she gets to do in the mission field that is the backside of Churchill Downs. Here, she is privileged to reach out to a very diverse group of horsemen and horsewomen which God has entrusted to her team.

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Anna Seitz Ciannello

Fasig Tipton, Director of Client Relations

Anna Seitz Ciannello is the Director of Clients Relations at Fasig-Tipton. She has been working for the auction company for the past…

More About Anna Seitz Ciannello

Anna Seitz Ciannello is the Director of Clients Relations at Fasig-Tipton.  She has been working for the auction company for the past 16 years recruiting horses and buyers in the US and overseas. She travels to the Middle East, Australia, and Europe to promote the sales and market the company. Before joining Fasig-Tipton, Anna worked on the racetrack for leading horse trainer Todd Pletcher for almost 4 years after graduating from the University of Notre Dame.  Anna grew up working on her family’s Brookdale Farm in Versailles and from all these different experiences it was a natural transition that she would want to own racehorses herself.  So, to attract new owners to the sport, Anna and her husband Evan Ciannello managed racing syndicates for the past 12 years. They have 2 children, Francis (9) and Vincent (6). 

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Kate Galvin

Godolphin, Sales & Comms Manager

Kate Galvin grew up in the thoroughbred breeding industry at her parents’ McMahon of Saratoga Thoroughbreds in New York…

More About Kate Galvin

Kate Galvin grew up in the thoroughbred breeding industry at her parents' McMahon of Saratoga Thoroughbreds in New York. A Cornell University graduate and Godolphin Flying Start alumnus, she earned a Certificate in Business Management from Cornell in 2022. Now residing in Versailles, KY, on Hunter Valley Farm with her husband, Fergus, and their four children, Kate has worked at Godolphin's US base since 2006. She holds various roles in the Darley Stallions department and oversees operations at Jonabell Farm, where she is also part of Godolphin USA’s Senior Management Team. Kate serves on the board of The Gluck Equine Research Center and has previously been involved with the Thoroughbred Club of America and the Thoroughbred Women’s Network.

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Sheri Holmes Sterling

Gulfstream Park, VP of Administration

A key contributor at Gulfstream Park for 16 years, Sheri oversees AV, Broadcast, the Gift Shop, Mutuels, Racing Compliance…

More About Sheri Holmes Sterling

A key contributor at Gulfstream Park for 16 years, Sheri oversees AV, Broadcast, the Gift Shop, Mutuels, Racing Compliance, Simulcast, and Guest Services.  A career spanning multiple leadership roles, Sheri has served as Pari-mutuel and Broadcast Manager at Calgary Stampede, Manager of Alberta Teletheatre Network at Northlands Park, and Pari-mutuel/Racing Finance Manager at Regina Exhibition Park. Her passion for developing young talent, optimizing processes, and embracing innovation drives her work. Beyond the racing world, Sheri has experience in Banking and Archaeology.

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Woman in vest with text of Hagyard and Brittany Middlebrooks, DVM

Brittany Middlebrooks

Hagyard, Fertility Vet

Brittany Middlebrooks grew up in Greenville, South Carolina and attended Clemson University for her undergraduate education…

More About Brittany Middlebrooks

Brittany Middlebrooks grew up in Greenville, South Carolina and attended Clemson University for her undergraduate education. Dr. Middlebrooks attended veterinary school at Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine on the island of St. Kitts, where she also earned her master's degree. She completed her clinical year at U.C. Davis, where she then stayed on for an Equine Field Service Internship. Following her internship, she went on to Colorado State University for a residency in Equine Theriogenology. She completed her residency and became a Diplomate of the American College of Theriogenologists in July of 2024. Shortly after, Dr. Middlebrooks joined Hagyard Equine Medical Institute. In her spare time, Dr. Middlebrooks enjoys running, traveling, horseback riding, and being outdoors with her husband and their three dogs.

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Lesley Howard

Lesley Howard

Stonestreet, CEO

Lesley Howard is the President and CEO of Stonestreet, one of the industry’s premier Thoroughbred breeding operations…

Lesley Howard is the President and CEO of Stonestreet, one of the industry’s premier Thoroughbred breeding operations. A native of Kentucky’s Bluegrass region, Lesley has been with Stonestreet since its founding in 2005. She began as Chief Financial Officer before being promoted to General Manager in 2010, and now leads the organization’s strategic direction and daily operations.

With a degree in Accounting from the University of Kentucky and credentials as a Certified Public Accountant, Lesley launched her career in the Equine Department at Dean Dorton & Ford, where she spent six years in public accounting before moving into the private sector.

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Erin Halliwell

Thoroughbred Charities of America (TCA), Executive Director

Erin Halliwell is a graduate of St. Lawrence University with a Master of Arts in Media Communications. She began her…

More About Erin Halliwell

Erin Halliwell is a graduate of St. Lawrence University with a Master of Arts in Media Communications. She began her career in digital media as an Account Executive for an online gaming company and later worked at Group 5 Advertising in Gainesville, Florida, managing media strategy for various brands. In 2006, Erin became the Director of Marketing and Communications at the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association, focusing on brand visibility and stakeholder engagement. In 2009, she was appointed Executive Director of the Thoroughbred Charities of America (TCA), where she oversees initiatives supporting Thoroughbred aftercare, backstretch and farm worker programs, and equine-assisted therapy. Erin combines her expertise in communications, philanthropy, and equine welfare to elevate the organizations and causes she serves.

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Kelly Kraeszig

Equibase, SVP, Business Operations & Administration

Kelley Kraeszig is the Senior Vice President of Business Operations and Administration at Equibase Company and has been…

More About Kelly Kraeszig

Kelley Kraeszig is the Senior Vice President of Business Operations and Administration at Equibase Company and has been part of its executive team since 2016. Her role has expanded to include oversight of Track & Field and Racing Services, increasing her reach across the organization. Kelley began her Thoroughbred industry career in 1998 with The Jockey Club’s accounting department after the Registry relocated to Lexington, KY. She later transitioned to Equibase, where she held various management roles in customer accounts and business support for 18 years before stepping into her current leadership position.

In 2024, Kelley became a first-time horse owner through Haphazard Racing’s all-female partnership, further deepening her connection to the sport. She earned her Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Business Management from the University of Kentucky. Outside of work, she enjoys travel, pickleball, and time with loved ones. Kelley and her husband, Greg, have been married for 27 years and have two sons, Alex and Clark.

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Maggie Moss

Lawyer and Racehorse Owner Attorney, racehorse owner and advocate

Ms. Moss is an attorney from Des Moines, Iowa, and Paradise Valley, Arizona, specializing in Equine Law and horse welfare. A former…

More About Maggie Moss

Ms. Moss is an attorney from Des Moines, Iowa, and Paradise Valley, Arizona, specializing in Equine Law and horse welfare. A former Chief Prosecutor in Polk County, she has also competed nationally in show jumping, winning championships at Madison Square Garden and The Washington International. With 20 years of experience as a racehorse owner, she has been the leading female owner in races won and was nominated for an Eclipse Award in 2006. Her notable victories include the Grade 1 Spinaway and Grade 2 Churchill Downs. Currently focused on the protection and retirement of racehorses, Ms. Moss initiated one of the first horse prison retirement programs in Iowa and the H.A.R.T. program at Prairie Meadows. She received the Allaire du Pont Leadership Award in 2023 and continues to advocate against the transport and slaughter of racehorses.

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Katy Ross

Exacta Systems, LLC Sr. Director of Gaming Operations

Katy Ross is the Senior Director of Gaming Operations at Exacta Systems, LLC, an historical horse racing company, now part of…

More About Katy Ross

Katy Ross is the Senior Director of Gaming Operations at Exacta Systems, LLC, an historical horse racing company, now part of Churchill Downs, Inc. A licensed attorney and lifelong equestrian, Katy has always blended her love for horses with her professional path. After law school at the University of Kentucky, she practiced law with a focus on the racing industry, working closely with a range of clients in the field. Her passion for horses led her to serve as Executive Director of the Kentucky Horse Council for over five years, where she focused on education, advocacy, and equine welfare. Today, Katy brings that same energy and experience to the gaming side of the industry, recognizing the importance of gaming to the racing industry. She’s excited to be part of a community of women who are shaping the future of horse racing.

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Kelley Stobie

Caribbean Thoroughbred Aftercare Founder, Caribbean Thoroughbred Aftercare & Equine Welfare Advocate

Kelley Stobie is a lifelong horsewoman who began her equine journey in England and Canada, where she first worked with off-track…

More About Kelley Stobie

Kelley Stobie is a lifelong horsewoman who began her equine journey in England and Canada, where she first worked with off-track Thoroughbreds. She moved to Puerto Rico in 1996 and became manager of the island’s top Thoroughbred training facility. In 2010, she co-founded Save The Horses, Inc., and later launched Equi Blu Therapies to support equine rehabilitation. In 2016, she co-founded Caribbean Thoroughbred Aftercare (CTA), which earned the 2018 Eclipse Award for heroic efforts during hurricanes and droughts. Kelley runs CTA and an Equine Academy from her family farm at the base of El Yunque Rainforest, advocating for the welfare of all horses in the Caribbean. She lives in Puerto Rico full time with her husband and two children.

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Meet the Moderators

Shannon Kelly, wearing white shirt and dark flowered skirt, leaning on fence

Shannon Kelly

Jockey Club Safety Net Foundations Executive Director

Shannon has strong family ties to horse racing. She grew up going to the racetrack with her Hall of Fame…

More About Shannon Kelly

Shannon has strong family ties to horse racing. She grew up going to the racetrack with her Hall of Fame grandfather, TJ Kelly, and her father, Tim Kelly, a former trainer and now Safety Steward for NYRA. After spending many summers working in Customer Service at Saratoga Racecourse, she joined The Jockey Club in 2013 and is now the Executive Director of The Jockey Club Safety Net Foundation, a charitable trust which assists humans in need in the thoroughbred industry, as well as The Jockey Club’s Director of Industry Relations.

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Jessica Paquette

Parx Racing, Track Announcer

Jessica Paquette has held various roles in the Thoroughbred racing industry over the past two decades…

More About Jessica Paquette

Jessica Paquette has held various roles in the Thoroughbred racing industry over the past two decades with a background in PR and broadcasting. In 2022, she became the full time track announcer at Parx Racing in Pennsylvania where she is currently the only woman in North America to hold a position as a full time Thoroughbred race caller.

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Alison Zeitlin

Stites & Harbison Lawyer, Equine Law

Alison Zeitlin is a transactional lawyer who focuses on equine law, mergers and acquisitions, and corporate governance matters…

More About Alison Zeitlin

Alison Zeitlin is a transactional lawyer who focuses on equine law, mergers and acquisitions, and corporate governance matters. Alison has experience negotiating a wide range of commercial contracts. She frequently navigates clients through strategic business transactions, with recent representation including deals in the technology, manufacturing, and healthcare industries.

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Meet the Emcee

smiling woman with dark shoulder length hair wearing yellow blouse

Andie Biancone

FanDuel TV Racing Reporter & Analyst

Biancone reports on foot and from horseback on marquee racing days from across the country….

More About Shannon Kelly

Andie Biancone is a FanDuel TV racing reporter and analyst, a position she has held since 2020. Biancone reports on foot and from horseback on marquee racing days from across the country.

Biancone was born in Hong Kong, but grew up in Arcaida, California right across from Santa Anita racetrack. She is the daughter of horse trainer Patrick Biancone and spent much of her childhood cleaning stalls in exchange for riding lessons.

In 2017, she moved to South Florida and galloped full time for her dad while attending Palm Beach State College. She eventually transferred to the University of Florida where she spent a year studying animal sciences, but dropped out and became her father’s assistant full time after he was diagnosed with cancer. She is happy to report, three years later, her father is cancer free.

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The horse events you’ll talk about all year

HRWA events are where women come together to lead, connect, and celebrate. Each of our events for women in horse racing bring something meaningful – new perspectives, shared experience, and the momentum to keep going. Our Pay It Forward program makes sure that cost isn’t what stops anyone from accessing growth and opportunity.

What they say about our events

When women in horse racing engage, we elevate one another, and the sport as a whole. Here’s what that looks like in real life.

It’s so important to create a safe, non-judgmental place where we can support each other.

To be a future leader in the horse racing industry, to preserve and protect its legacy while uplifting and meeting other women with the same passion!

I am passionate about racing and would love to be part of getting more women involved in the sport and improving the public perception of racing overall.

I joined the HRWA because I volunteered at the 2025 conference and was very inspired by the organization’s work. After volunteering, I knew I needed to become a member to continue gaining support and industry knowledge.

Attended the conference and met so many wonderful women who cared about horses, and prioritized ethical racing and equine welfare.

Take away is there are so many ways to make a contribution and add value and women who are willing to collaborate and invest in ideas to move the industry forward.

This was a great opportunity to meet women in this community and network, to learn about their experiences and how we can improve an industry we love.

Lovely event, appreciate the details and the dedication and passion of the leadership and planning committee. Great professional and personal experience.

I really loved how as a group we were problem solving about the future of the industry that we love. We empowered women through that problem solving.

Great women willing to come up and chat with other ladies and be of service.

The quality of the speakers was fantastic. Overall, the energy at this conference was so collaborative and positive! Excellent job by the planning committee!

It was terrific to meet so many young, bright women who are involved in horse racing and who would make great ambassadors/executives for the industry in the future.

It was terrific to meet so many young, bright women who are involved in horse racing and who would make great ambassadors/executives for the industry in the future.

I think this is an important event for the industry and the empowerment of women.

I didn’t know if this year would be as great as last year but it was and some!!!!

I love that there are so many woman who can relate to each other and who want to make this industry better. It’s even better that we get them under one roof.

Amazing difference in today’s women in racing, on every level. Numbers, quality, respect in the marketplace! Keep raising the bar.

This was a wonderful gathering. So professional but friendly and warm.

I love the reflection and discovery uncovered in the workshops! Those are always my favorite.

Always love the HRWS events!!!

The panels were really fantastic. Such interesting insight across several facets of the industry. Very empowering!

It was such a pleasure to listen to the speakers and to meet new people within the industry. I’m hoping for another summit next spring at Keeneland. Keep up the great work you do ladies!

AMAZING! Really enjoyed this year. There were so many more take home points. You guys really considered the feedback from last year, and I would love to attend annually.

I had an amazing time and met so many wonderful woman in horse racing as well as heard some very inspirational talks. I was very happy to be a part of this great day!

All 2025 HRWA events

We’ve got a lineup of horse racing events that keep the energy going all year long. Keep an eye on what’s next.

HRWA x Del Mar Thoroughbred Club

Celebrate Breeders’ Cup week with powerhouse women in racing

Spend a lively day trackside at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club with a community of passionate racegoers. Compete in an exciting handicapping challenge, connect over lunch and drinks, and cheer each other on from one of the most iconic venues in the sport.

  • Dates: October 30, 2025
  • Time: 11:00 AM - 4:30 PM PT
  • Location: Del Mar Racing, CA
  • Program: Handicapping seminar, 6-race challenge, networking & community
  • Hospitality: Valet parking, lunch, beverages included

HRWA x Woodbine Racetrack

Our first international racing day event

This event at Toronto’s legendary Woodbine Racetrack is packed with everything you love about the HRWA: amazing women, smart conversations, hands-on learning, and a whole lot of fun. Plus, a handicapping challenge with prizes.

  • Dates: June 27, 2025
  • Time: 10:00 AM - 6:30 PM ET
  • Location: Woodbine Racetrack, Toronto
  • Program: Guest speakers, networking, and a friendly handicapping competition with prizes
  • Hospitality: Free parking, full continental breakfast, luncheon, cocktails

HRWA Member Meet Up

Enjoy Flat & Steeplechase Racing together!

Mid-Atlantic Regional members and those interested in membership are invited to meet up at Laurel Park to gather and watch horse racing.

  • Dates: TBD
  • Time: TBD
  • Location: TIPS Restaurant, Laurel Park, MD
  • Program: Handicapping seminar, 6-race challenge, networking & community
  • Hospitality: Valet parking, lunch, beverages included

Handicapping Tournaments

Coming soon

Exclusive contests that aren’t just fun—they’re your pathway to the NHC. We’re creating more opportunities for women to qualify, compete, and shine on racing’s biggest stage.

2024 & 2025 event highlights we’re still talking about

Missed our last event? Or just want to relive the energy? Let us take you back to the powerful panels, crowd-favorite speakers, and incredible community moments that defined the day!