Job Overview :

The Racing Secretary will work in conjunction with the Sr. Director of Racing to manage the NYRA Racing Office and Racing Office personnel.

Responsibilities include writing the condition book for specific NYRA meets so that horsemen may properly prepare horses for a particular type of race on a specified date, as well as scheduling and filling races.

When performing the role, the Racing Secretary will make recommendations regarding the racing program, its stakes schedules, conditions books and racing surface usage to the Sr.

The Racing Secretary will be assigned other responsibilities by the Sr. Director of Racing and SVP of Racing & Operations based on NYRA’s business needs.

These duties may include recruiting new and existing stables, working with NYRA’s Stakes Coordinator on planning stakes races, managing various racing officials and maintaining key relationships with owners, trainers and breeders who participate in the NYRA circuit.

The position will supervise numerous positions within the NYRA Racing Office including Racing Officials, Placing Judges, the Clerk of Course and Program Coordinator.

A strong working knowledge of New York State Gaming Commission rules will be required to successfully perform these job functions.

Essential Functions :

• Analyzes horse population and to determine how many and what types of races should be run.
• Develops, writes and executes the filling of seasonal condition books aimed to attract entries and maximize field size.
• Serves as a subject matter expert on horse racing (rules, regulations, logistics and protocol) and provides insights and makes recommendations to senior management.
• Supervises Entry Clerks responsible for filling each reach with eligible, most qualified horses.

Studies and maintains knowledge of past performances of horses racing at NYRA.

• Establishes positive working relationships with horsemen by speaking and listening to trainers and stakeholders about issues and racing needs.
• Oversees the documentation of accurate records of horses’ performances for future reference.
• Checks eligibility and weight allowances of every horse entered to race.
• Draws post positions from which each horse will start in a race.
• Supervises the production of the Overnight report detailing the racing schedule and conditions, horses scheduled to run, purse amounts, and other data regarding the weight, equipment, and medical conditions of each horse racing in 48 hours.
• Manages ad hoc racing department projects and tasks assigned by the Sr. Director of Racing & SVP of Racing & Operations.
• Ad hoc projects at the request of the Sr. Director of Racing.
• Fill-in work as a Racing Official in the afternoon, as needed.

Qualifications :

• College degree preferred, or equivalent experience.
• 7 years’ experience in various positions in horse racing with at least 3 years of experience as a Racing Secretary or Assistant Racing Secretary.
• High level of professionalism, integrity and commitment to quality.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Supervisory and Administrative skills.
• Expert knowledge of horseracing rules, regulations, logistics, protocols.
• Familiarity with racing terminology, conditions, and track measurements.
• Qualified handicapping skills.
• Acquired knowledge of high-quality horses and past performances.
• Knowledge of the process of putting together a competitive race and an entire race day.
• Excellent problem solving, analytical and reporting skills.
• Training materials development and maintenance and training delivery skills a plus.
• Excellent communications skills verbal, written and listening.
• Team player and change agent willing to take on all tasks, large and small.
• Ability to create and complete project deliverables and documentation in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to work independently with minimal guidance to meet corporate and team objectives.
• Ability to be licensed as a Racing Official in the state of New York.

Summary of Physical Requirements and Work Environment :

This role is primarily sedentary in nature with no special physical requirements.

Pay Range / Salary : $160,000 - $175,000

Last updated : 2024-06-17