Racing Steward

The Minnesota Racing Commission (MRC or State) is requesting proposals from qualified individuals to preside as racing stewards. Minnesota Statutes section 240.16 requires all horse races run at a licensed racetrack to be presided over by a board of three stewards who must be appointed or approved by the Minnesota Racing Commission (MRC). The MRC may authorize Canterbury Park to conduct approximately 55 days of live Thoroughbred and Quarter horse racing in 2025, which will begin in early May 2026 and continuing through late September 2026.

Contractors will be required to work a minimum of five days/evenings per week to coordinate with the live racing and entry schedules. Contractors must be able and willing to work all weekends, evenings and holidays during the racing season unless otherwise specifically agreed to by the MRC.

Racing stewards must be available from at least one week before live racing begins until one week after the meet ends, unless otherwise agreed by the MRC. Any income which may accrue to the contactor, other than salary as a steward under this contract, must be independent of and unrelated to patronage of or employment by any licensee of the MRC so as to avoid the appearance of any conflict of interest of suggestion of preferential treatment of a licensee.

The approximate term of contract would be for one year, with the option to extend an additional four years in increments determined by the State. The MRC may award multiple contracts as a result of this RFP. Responses to this RFP may also be considered for positions on an as-need basis and in future live racing seasons.

Responses to this RFP will be accepted up until 2:00 PM Central Time, December 31, 2026. Priority will be given to responses that are received by December 31, 2025.

The full RFP is posted on MRC's website at: https://mn.gov/mrc/rules-resources/specific/