McClain resigns during NYRA board meeting

Ellen McClain was honored as one of the “25 Influential Black Women in Business” by TNJ in 2012 (NYRA/Adam Coglianese Photography)

The New York Racing Association (NYRA) board of
directors approved its three-year work plan, focused on equine safety, and
formally began its search for a new president and CEO for the organization
during its second meeting on Friday.

Early in the meeting, NYRA’s current president and chief
operating officer, Ellen McClain, announced her resignation. McClain will stay
on through at least March 31 as NYRA searches for and begins its transition to a
new president and CEO. Board members Bobby Flay, Stuart Janney, Earle Mack and
Jane Rosenthal will serve on the executive search committee, which will be
chaired by Skorton.

“Ellen McClain has been extremely helpful since my
appointment in educating me about NYRA as an organization and helping this board
begin its work,” Chair David Skorton said. “Establishing stable, long-term leadership at NYRA is another critical part of our mission and we take that task very
seriously.”

Meeting in Manhattan, the board addressed a series of
recently proposed equine safety initiatives, including reducing the number of
race days per week during the inner-track meet at Aqueduct, forming a
search committee for the Equine Veterinary Medical Director, and establishing a
mortality review board for NYRA. There was discussion of the merits of
installing a synthetic surface on the inner track and that issue will continue
to be explored by the board.

“The safety of the equine and human athletes competing at
NYRA’s tracks is a top priority for this board,” Skorton remarked.
“Today, we took important steps forward, guided by recommendations from the
Equine Health and Safety Committee. I thank Dr. Michael Kotlikoff, dean of the
Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine and Special Advisor to the
board for Equine Health and Safety, and committee chairman Anthony Bonomo for
their leadership on this issue. We will soon begin the search process for the
new Equine Veterinary Medical Director position announced last week.”