Sean Beirne began his role as Director of the Equine Industry Program (EIP) at the University of Louisville on November 1, 2018.  An early graduate of the EIP (1990), he has worked in various capacities within the racing industry.  After an initial stint in the racing department at Arlington Park, he held upper management positions at River Downs in Ohio, Evangeline Downs in Louisiana and Arapahoe Park in Colorado.  Most recently, he worked as a Regional Account Executive for Roberts Communications Network.

While in Colorado, Sean served eight (8) years on the Colorado State Racing Commission serving as Chairman for two (2) years and Vice-Chairman for three (3). Sean and his wife Mary reside in the Anchorage area. Their two daughters Samantha (Zookeeper, Denver Zoo) and Caitlyn (Nurse at St. Anthony’s Hospital) live in Denver.

Bill Casner grew up in El Paso, Texas and developed a love of the horse at an early age. Upon graduation from college, Casner embarked on a race training career in the midwest. In 1979, Casner left the Thoroughbred industry. With his partner Kenny Troutt, the two founded Excel Communications. Casner also owns B&R Equipment, which sells and leases heavy, earth-moving equipment. Casner re-entered the Thoroughbred industry in the mid 1990’s through various racing partnerships. In early 2000 he and Mr. Troutt came full circle and formed another partnership establishing WinStar Farm in Versailles, KY. Mr. Casner is currently vice chairman and co-founder of the Kentucky Equine Education Project (KEEP), and he serves on the board of trustees for the Thoroughbred Owner Breeders Association and Breeders’ Cup. In addition, he was a founding board member for The Race For Education Inc.; a national scholarship foundation that provides educational opportunities to children of racing’s backside workers and farm workers, and a past chair of TOBA (Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association).

Thanks to a lifetime of experience from all aspects of the thoroughbred industry, Doug brings a unique blend of hands-on experience and business management skills to the throughbred industry. He received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Kentucky in equine marketing and management, and graduated from the University of Kentucky law school in 1993. He briefly practiced law in Lexington with Wyatt, Tarrant, and Combs before returning full-time to the thoroughbred industry. Doug has worked for Hall of Fame trainers Laz Barrera and P.G. Johnson, as well as in England with trainer Clive Britain. Doug also served two years as assistant to leading two-year-old consignor Jerry Bailey. In 1997, Doug started Cauthen Sales Agency, a consulting, management and sales company. Concurrently, Doug worked part-time marketing the stallions at Prestonwood Farm. It was through this association that owners Kenny Troutt and Bill Casner were introduced to Doug and his vast knowledge of the business. Doug was named President of WinStar in 2001 and helped build Winstar into an industry leader.

Under Doug’s management, Winstar became a major stallion station, developing the careers of leading stallions Distorted Humor, Tiznow, and Speightstown, as well as leading Freshman sires Bluegrass Cat and Sharp Humor. Winstar won many of the world’s major races, including 2010’s Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes.

After spending 10 years helping build WinStar into an industry leader, Doug felt it was time to bring his skills to a wider audience and assist others in reaching their goals. And so Doug Cauthen Thoroughbred Management, LLC was born.

Doug lives in Lexington with his wife Katie, and his daughter Campbell.

Case is currently Chief Commercial Officer at Three Chimneys Farm and serves other clients both domestically and internationally via Case Clay Thoroughbred Management. Previously, upon receiving a degree in Economics at DePauw University, Case spent a year abroad at both the Irish National Stud and Arrowfield Stud in Australia. In addition, he spent six years in Chicago, working at Arlington Park, Ernst & Young, and the Hyatt Corporation in the Marketing sector. He is currently a Member of The Breeders’ Cup.

Roy is a lifelong resident of Kentucky. He is the oldest of 6 boys. Graduated from Eastern Ky University with an Industrial Education Degree, taught shop in Woodford Co. for four years and realized that there was more money to be made in the real estate business. He has been a real estate broker for over 40 years (Cornett & Associates) and a real estate appraiser for over 30 years. He has two children and five grandkids who are all contributing citizens thus far.

He got his first pony at 12 and his equine interest grew from there. He participated in 4-H Horse programs until he was run off due to age. He has been an avid trail rider for most of his adult life. He has ridden in 32 states (29 on his own horse) and still counting. He has been very active in regard to equine trails as evidenced not only by his riding the trails but he has also taught classes on trail design, construction and maintenance. He is actively involved on the local, state and national level with Back Country Horsemen of America (BCHA) leadership. This group has ~13,000 members in 30 states. Their primary purpose as a group is to maintain equine access on
public lands.

Working toward the enhancement of equine trails has led Roy to get involved politically on the local, state and national levels. For example, the recent discussions about privatizing Federal public lands has led him to be involved in some actions by BCHA to speak out against such moves on the Federal level. There are several trail projects in SE Kentucky that he has lead the charge in Frankfort when the various land managers need reminding that there are constituents that do in fact have a viable voice.

In 2018, Michele Fischer founded Darting Star LLC, a consulting firm specializing in horse racing.  Darting Star’s clients have included, Hong Kong Jockey Club, Sportech, Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia, Exacta Systems, SIS and Duralock. 

Prior to  Darting Star, Michele  was Vice President of Sales and Business Development at Sportech Racing, which is a pools and tote betting company with customers in over 35 countries and processes over $11 billion in wagers annually. She was at Sportech Racing (formerly part of Scientific Games and Autotote) for 16 years.  

Fischer also has experience in television sports production, simulcasting, and as an adjunct professor teaching equine marketing and international racing at the University of Louisville Equine Program. She earned a degree in Business Administration (Equine) and an MBA at the University of Louisville. 

Debra Hamelback is the Executive Director of the Kentucky Veterinary Medical Association and has held that role since 2018. Prior to that, Debra was the Executive Director of the Paris-Bourbon Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Commission for 5 years and worked in the veterinary pharmaceutical industry for over 20 years in Kentucky and Florida.

Growing up in Janesville, WI, Debra’s family showed Hackney ponies throughout her life which grew her love for her ponies, Saddlebreds, and for the equine industry. She knew she wanted to make the equine industry her career with goals to work in Kentucky. After graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, she earned that dream job with Fort Dodge Animal Health and moved to Lexington, KY in 1995. Debra is married to Eric Hamelback and they have two children, Austen and Hannah, and live in Paris, KY.

A Woodford County, Kentucky native and lifelong equine enthusiast, Chris is proud to work in his home state as an attorney at Jackson Kelly, PLLC, where he represents racetracks, horse farms, owners and various other businesses involved in the equine industry. In addition, Chris regularly advises clients on various regulatory matters in the equine industry and other industries. Chris also practices in the construction industry, representing general contractors, construction managers, design professionals and others on construction projects.

Terence J. Meyocks became the National Manager of the Jockeys’ Guild in September of 2007.

Meyocks, who is a 3rd generation horseman, has worked within the thoroughbred industry since he graduated from Loras College in 1972.

In early 2007, prior to becoming the National Manager of the Guild, Meyocks was a founding shareholder in Meyocks & O’Hara Racing Enterprises, Inc. (MORE) with Philip O’Hara. The Company was formed to pursue acquisitions within the racing industry and provide project management and advisory services.

In April, 2004 Meyocks was named special assistant to the commissioner of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) and later served as Vice-President for the NTRA Racing & Industry Memberships.

Meyocks was named President and Chief Operating Officer of New York Racing Association in December, 1996 and remained in that position until the fall of 2003 and then remained with NYRA until April, 2004.

In 1993, Meyocks was hired by New York Racing Association as Vice-President of Racing and stayed in that position until October, 1995 when he became Vice-President of Operations.

Meyocks, in 1979, was hired as racing secretary for Calder Race Course. Then in 1991 was hired at Gulfstream Park to become Director of Racing and Meyocks stayed at both race tracks until 1993.

Prior to becoming racing secretary at Calder Race Course, Meyocks worked in all capacities in the racing department at various meetings for many of the renowned race tracks in the country including Keeneland, Oaklawn Park, Arlington Park, Hawthorne, Churchill Downs, Hialeah Park, Delaware and Liberty Bell.

Meyocks was born in Chicago, Illinois and is the son of respected jockey agent Paul Blair Meyocks, who worked for Hall Of Fame jockey Earlie Fires for over twenty eight years.  Paul Meyocks also worked for many prominent jockeys that included Steve Cauthen, Herbie Hinojosa, Ray York, Johnny Heckmann and Wendall Eads among others.

Terry Meyocks currently resides in Lexington, Ky., with his wife, Stacy, and they have three children, Abby, Kevin and Clay.  Abby is married to jockey Javier Castellano and they have three children, Kayla, Sienna, and Brady.  Kevin, a jockey agent, is married to Kristen and they have two children, Ryan and Andrew. Clay works for Delaware Park.

Jack is a graduate of Eastern Kentucky University, Kentucky State University and the University of Kentucky, with degrees in Business Management and Administration. Currently, Jack serves as Administrative Staff Officer to the Dean of the College of Health Science at the University of Kentucky. His role also encompasses Operations Manager, Development Officer, Director of Alumni Affairs and Safety and Security Chairman. Jack has also served in the Army as an officer in Infantry and Armor divisions. He is a retired Lieutenant Colonel in the US Army Reserve. Jack owns Sycamore Springs Farm where he breeds and markets Natural Gaited Mountain Horses.

Frank graduated from Lafayette High School in Lexington, and Georgetown College with a BA in Business Administration & Economics. He served as Assistant Dean of Men at Georgetown College, Vice President of Penn Brothers Storage, Co-owner of Penn Sales, LLC and owns Pennbrook Farm, a Thoroughbred boarding and Burley tobacco operation. Frank is community-minded, serving on a variety of boards, including Georgetown College Board of Trustees, LFUCG Planning Commission, Lexington Southern States Board, Fayette County Farm Bureau Board of Directors, LFUCG Greenspace Commission and Rural Land Management Board, Governor Patton’s Smart Growth Task Force, Kentucky Farm Bureau Equine Committee and Political Education Committee, Council for Burley Tobacco, Fayette County Farm Service Agency, Mayor’s Water Task Force, Fayette County Extension Board, to name but a few.

Earl, along with his brothers Bobby and Omer, own and operate their Bath County farm, where they have spent their lives harvesting crops, including hay and tobacco, and raising cattle and Tennessee Walking Horses. For Earl and his brothers, horses are a business. They sell yearlings annually. Earl’s family is typical of breed enthusiasts across the state that contribute to Kentucky’s economy, and are an important part of the equine industry that drives it to being the #1 agricultural cash crop in the state. Horses play a significant role in Earl’s life, both on and off the farm. Away from the farm, Earl is President of the Kentucky Walking Horse Association (KWHA). For the past 31 years Earl has been the manager of the Owingsville Lions Club’s four-day horse show. The show was started by the Rogers family in the 1940s and is held each July. The show is one of the largest in the state, bringing more than 5,000 people to the small town. Show participants bring a variety of horses to exhibit, including Saddlebreds, road horses and ponies, and Walking Horses. Exhibitors also boost the local economy by bringing in revenue to local businesses, including hotels, restaurants, gas stations, grocery stores, feed stores and more.

Bennie is a lifelong resident of Kentucky. He began his career of showing Quarter Horses as a youth in 4-H. Bennie has been a professional trainer for 20 years, and specializes in training all-around horses. He has trained and shown horses to seven versatility championships, multiple AQHA championships, and numerous AQHA Honor Roll titles in several events, including halter, reining, working hunter and trail. Bennie has also guided his amateur adult and youth riders to AQHA and AQHYA World and Congress Championships.

Bennie has been a national American Quarter Horse Association Director for the past 6 years and an AQHA judge for the past 7 years; he judged the the All-American Quarter Horse Congress in 1999 and 2003, the AQYHA World Championship show in 1999 and 2002, the AQHA Amateur World Select Show in 2003, the European Championship Show, the Belgium Nationals, the Texas Classic, the Tom Powers Futurity, the Arizona Sun Circuit and the New Zealand Nationals. Bennie is active on the Professional Horseman’s Association, has served on the World Show Task Force Committee and the Long Range Strategic Planning Committee for AQHA shows.

Fred is a professional in the industry of breeding American Saddlebred Horses for more than 35 years. He has successfully managed horse farms since 1982, beginning with Leatherwood Farm in Bluefield, VA; Callaway Hills Stable in New Bloomfield, MO; and Jones Mountainview Saddlebreds in Aroda, VA before making his way to Kentucky to become a horse farm manager at Leatherwood Stud in Paris, KY. Currently, he is the owner of Cornerstone Farm in Carlisle, KY and the proprietor of Sarver Equine, LLC in Paris, KY.

Mr. Sarver served as the Past President of the American Saddlebred Horse Association and served as co-chair of the Medication Disclosure Committee of the 2007 TOBA Sales Integrity Task. He currently serves on the board of the United States Equestrian Federation, and the Kentucky Saddlebred Owners and Breeders’ Association and was most recently named a Director on the Kentucky State Fair Board as of 2009.

Mr. Sarver lives in Paris, KY with his wife and two children.

Jack Smith, III was born in Louisville, Kentucky and grew up in Madisonville. He graduated from Western Kentucky University. Jack worked for Johnson & Johnson and Philip-Morris before starting a Bloodstock Agency that specialized in Thoroughbred racing partnerships in Atlanta in 1984. Jack moved back to Kentucky in 1992 to be the Director of the Kentucky Racing Commission. In 1993, Jack returned to Thoroughbred partnerships with his business, Jack Smith, III Thoroughbreds.

As President of Taylor Made, Duncan develops the leadership of the company. He focuses on living the Core Values of the company and encourages the other leaders to live and share these values. Be honest, transparent, care for our customers, team member and horses like they are family. Deliver smiles through service. Have fun while striving for excellence and always look for a better way.   Duncan and his wife, Carol, have five children: Marshall, Morgan, Danny, Madeline and Caroline.  Duncan also serves on the board of Keeneland.

Adrian has worked for Coolmore Stud since 2001 and has been employed at their American farm Ashford Stud for the majority of that time. A native of Tipperary, Ireland Adrian grew up on his family’s stud farm, Grenane House Stud. He was educated at Glenstal Abbey school which is a Benedictine boarding school in County Limerick, Ireland. After he graduated he decided on a Gap year at Ashford Stud and has been there ever since. Adrian’s principal roles at Ashford include selling nominations and dealing especially with an ever growing number of South and Central American clients. Adrian spent 7 breeding seasons in South America, mainly in Argentina but also Uruguay, Chile and Brazil where he accompanied their traveling roster of shuttle stallions. Adrian follows the South American industry closely and travels to the region regularly to meet clients and check on their stallions during the breeding season.

Adrian is married to Michaela who works for Darley America. Together they have a daughter named Giselle and live in Midway.