2025 Horse Racing Women's Association Conference

FanDuel TV, Analyst, Writer, Handicapper

​

​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.

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. 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.

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 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). 

Godolphin, Sales & Comms Manager

​

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.

Gulfstream Park, VP of Administration

​

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.

Hagyard, Fertility Vet

​

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.

Stonestreet, CEO

​

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.

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 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.

Equibase, SVP, Business Operations & Administration

​

​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.

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 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.

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 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.

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 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.