Pat Cummings has been named the executive director of the Thoroughbred Idea Foundation, a non-profit orgnization recently founded to “create an active forum for the exchange and curation of ideas designed to improve the prospects of the Thoroughbred industry and its stakeholders.”
“It is great to welcome Pat as the Executive Director of the Thoroughbred Idea Foundation,” said Craig Bernick, TIF founder and board member. “Pat brings a wealth of both domestic and international experience to the table. He is a great communicator, curious by nature and an optimist at heart. He has been a lifelong fan of horse racing, a longtime gambler, and an owner through various syndicates.”
Cummings, 37, joins the TIF after three years as the Executive Manager, Public Affairs (Racing) at the Hong Kong Jockey Club, during which time he helped introduce an increasingly worldwide audience to the Hong Kong racing product while overseeing the strategy and delivery of racing communications, media management and new media development. Prior to that, Cummings spent four years as the director of racing information for Trakus and seven years with the investment firm Vanguard before that.
“Pat is clearly passionate about horse racing, understands its many international aspects, what has and has not worked both here and abroad,” Bernick added. “We see Pat as an ideal person to spearhead TIF's goal of improving horse racing for owners, gamblers and fans. We are fortunate that he will lead the Thoroughbred Idea Foundation from the start.”
Cummings will be based in Lexington, Kentucky, when he takes up his position late this summer.
“It is incredibly exciting to be returning home to launch the Thoroughbred Idea Foundation,” said Cummings. “Horse owners and gamblers are the foundation of racing and our focus will be on issues that can improve the economics of the sport for these two primary constituencies. The trickle-down impact thereafter is obvious. TIF will curate new, and surely some old ideas, and we will advocate for change to benefit those making the most significant financial investments in the sport while working with racing's existing decision-makers. I am looking forward to working with our accomplished board and to begin tackling the many challenges ahead.
He continued, “I enjoyed three wonderful years in Hong Kong working in a world-class environment. The Hong Kong Jockey Club is an all-encompassing organization with a great team, a shining example of what is possible in this industry, and to have been a part of that was a priceless experience.”
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