Senior Vice President of Racing Operations

The New York Racing Association (NYRA) has named Frank G. Gabriel, Jr. the successor of Martin Panza as Senior Vice President, Racing Operations. Gabriel will assume the position February 3 following the departure of Panza last October. As SVP of Racing Operations, Gabriel will be responsible for leadership and oversight of racing functions at NYRA, including the overall development, planning, and execution of NYRA's premier stakes offerings, marquee events, and daily racing programs.

With more than four decades in Thoroughbred racing, Gabriel brings a wealth of experience into the role. He was the CEO of Dubai Racing Club from 2005-2014 and the Executive Director of Racing for Dubai Racing Club from 2014-2020. The Pennsylvania native oversaw the construction Meydan Racecourse, which opened in 2010 as one of the world's premier racing and entertainment venues. Gabriel also led the transition of the Dubai World Cup Carnival and Dubai World Cup from Nad al Sheba to Meydan Racecourse.

“We are pleased to welcome Frank Gabriel back to NYRA at this important time in the history of the organization,” said NYRA President and CEO David O'Rourke. “His passion for racing is matched by a deep knowledge of the current dynamics of the sport. Frank is a proven leader with expertise in nearly every aspect of racing who will continue the successes achieved at NYRA in recent years.”

Gabriel has served at NYRA previously as Director of Racing from 1998 to 1999 and Racing Secretary for Belmont Park and Saratoga Race Course in a seasonal capacity in 2014. He also spent 16 years at Arlington Park, where one of his roles was as Vice President of Racing Operations. He's also been associated with Timonium Race Track, Keystone Racetrack [now Parx Racing], Atlantic City Race Course, Meadowlands Racetrack, Garden State Park, Hialeah Park, and Gulfstream Park in various capacities.

“NYRA is the premier racing circuit in the country, and it is a high honor to accept this position,” said Gabriel. “Our sport continues to evolve and change in meaningful and important ways, and I look forward to joining a team that successfully balances history and traditions while embracing the changes that will benefit the sport for decades to come.”

Gabriel has served as a member of the Breeders' Cup Selection Committee, the Dubai World Cup Committee, and Emirates Racing Authority. He has also served on the Asian Racing Federation Executive Council; as Vice Chairman of the International Grading and Racing Planning Advisory Board; as Chairman of the Asian Pattern Committee; as representative for the Emirates Racing Authority at the International Federation Horse Racing Authority Conference; and as Chairman of the UAE Pattern Committee.

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Martin Panza will leave his position as Senior Vice President of Racing Operations at the New York Racing Association (NYRA) effective at the conclusion of the Belmont Park fall meet Oct. 31. Panza has been in charge of the leadership and oversight of racing functions at NYRA since he joined the organization in 2013. He has also been responsible for the overall development, planning, and execution of NYRA's stakes offerings and daily racing programs, including changing the scheduling of major stakes on individual days to blockbuster events featuring multiple significant races. The strategy has resulted in deep cards for Travers and Whitney days at Saratoga Race Course and the three-day Belmont Stakes Racing Festival and Stars and Stripes Racing Festival at Belmont Park. Panza was also instrumental in the creation of the Turf Triple Series, which is a 3-year-old turf program emulating the American dirt Classics.

“Martin has successfully maintained the history and traditions of New York racing while also modernizing the program to adapt to changes in the sport and the overall industry,” said NYRA President and CEO Dave O'Rourke. “His contributions have strengthened Thoroughbred racing here in New York and across our sport. During his tenure, Martin has established a talented racing office team that will serve as the foundation for continued success. We extend our thanks to Martin for his years of service to NYRA and wish him the best as he enters a new phase in his career.”

During his time at NYRA, Panza played a leading role in the formation of a coalition of leading Thoroughbred racing associations and organizations committed to phasing out the use of Lasix. NYRA and its coalition partners eliminated the use of Lasix in all 2-year-old races in 2020, followed by all stakes races in 2021. As a direct result, all three Triple Crown races are now contested without the use of raceday medication.

“I would like to thank my colleagues at NYRA and the NYRA Board of Directors for their dedication to this organization and the sport, which has allowed us to innovate together to enhance NYRA's world class racing product,” said Panza. “I'd also like to thank the horsemen, jockeys, and horseplayers who support our racing on a daily basis throughout the year.”

Panza is on the board of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA), the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA), the Racetrack Medication and Testing Consortium (RMTC), and the Thoroughbred Racing Association (TRA). He also serves on the advisory board of the University of Arizona Racetrack Industry Program (RTIP). In addition, Panza has served on a number of racing committees, including the American Graded Stakes Committee, the Breeders' Cup Selection Committee, and the North American Ratings Committee. Panza also served as chair of the NTRA Safety Committee, which established the NTRA Code of Safety Standards. NYRA was also a founding member of the Thoroughbred Safety Coalition under Panza's leadership.

Over the eight years of Panza's tenure at NYRA, the organization has embarked on a sustained effort to recruit prominent international horses and trainers to compete on the New York circuit. This initiative, led by Panza, has generated an increase in global interest in NYRA and strengthened the foundation of New York racing.

“I've been lucky to have learned the craft from some of the best in the business,” Panza added. “It's a responsibility to share that knowledge with the next generation, and I look forward to watching the NYRA racing office flourish and succeed for many years to come.”

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