Equine Medical Director

Join the Churchill Downs Incorporated team! Its namesake racetrack, Churchill Downs, in Louisville, KY opened in 1875 and is most widely known for the Kentucky Derby. As the Kentucky Derby legacy has evolved over 130-plus years, so has CDI to a multi-state, publicly traded company with racetracks, casinos and the United States' leading online wagering company among its growing portfolio of successful businesses.

Summary
The Equine Medical Director (EMD) will develop, direct the implementation of, and ensure enforcement of equine health and safety policies for CDI. As such, the EMD will be charged with the development and implementation of strategies to enhance the safety and integrity of racing and training at all Churchill Downs Incorporated racetracks, which inclue:

  • Churchill Downs Race Track in Louisville, KY
  • Arlington International Racecourse in Arlington Heights, IL
  • Fair Grounds in New Orleans, LA
  • Presque Isle Downs & Casino in Erie, PA
  • Ocean Downs in Berlin, MD
  • Miami Valley Gaming and Racing in Lebanon, OH, and
  • Oak Grave Racing and Gaming in Oak Grove, KY

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

  • Foster regular communication with CDI leadership and track management, state regulatory agencies, and industry stakeholders in order to ensure proactive development, communication of, and enforcement of safety and integrity policies;
  • Facilitate advocacy for adoption of safety and medication policy changes with regulatory agencies;
  • Participate with race track management in areas relating to the safety and condition of racetrack facilities and surfaces;
  • Liaise with practicing veterinarians on medication and safety issues;
  • Coordinate racing-related safety reviews of all track facilities;
  • Manage incident investigation and coordination of data collection as needed to enhance equine helath and safety;
  • Provide oversight of compliance with individual track veterinary protocols, including infectious disease control and quarantine procedures.

Educational and Communication Responsibilities
A significant component of the position will involve ongoing education regarding research findings relevant to enhancing equine health and safety and communication of best practices to CDI track stakeholders, including the racing community and the public.

  • Coordinate and recommend research to enhance racing and training safety;
  • Establish a continuing educational program for practicing veterinarians and horsemen that fosters the highest standards of safety;
  • Serve as CDI representative to national racing health and safety organizations;
  • Interact with other industry equine medical directors;
  • Participate in intelligence gathering and sharing on emerging threats in equine sport, particularly with respect to illict practices and banned substances;
  • Host meetings with horsemen about medication regulation, proposed rule changes and general education; and
  • Interface with the media and general public.

Required Qualifications

  • The EMD will be required to possess a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine/Veterinary Medica Doctor or equivalent degree
  • The EMD will be required to have a minimum of 10 years' experience in equine medicine
  • Significant experience with racing regulations and medical oversight; including knowledge of drug-testing protocols and comprehensive understanding of racing injuries
  • Abillity to closely monitor horse injuries and the racing environment to develop new innovative solutions, services, processes and programs to protect the health and welfare of the horse
  • Minimum of 5 years in racetrack experience, preferably as a praciticing veterinarian

The successful candidate will possess:

  • Demonstrated ability in leadership
  • Excellent communication skills including training in media relations
  • A strong foundation in principles of business management, including delivery of strategic direction and implementation of all business operations and financial policies, practices, and procedures

This position will be a full-time position. The individual will be required to work on weekends and holidays and other days during the week as needed to fulfill their duties and responsibilities. Salary will be commensurate with experience. EMD reports to the Executive Director of Racing

Accepting Application Dates: 
June 10, 2019 to July 10, 2019
Contact Info: 

Contact Information

First Name: 
Meaghan
Last Name: 
Dill
Address Form: 
600 North Hurstbourne Parkway Ste. 400
Louisville, KY 40222
United States
Phone: 502-394-1035
Contact Email: 

Supported by: 

 

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        National HBPA  TOBA        

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