Breeders' Cup taps Elliston as COO

By: SPORTS NETWORK

Lexington, KY (Sports Network) - Turfway Park president and CEO, Bob Elliston, has been named Chief Operating Officer of Breeders' Cup Ltd. Elliston takes over from Matthew Lutz, who left the organization late last year.

"We are proud to have selected one of the most talented, highly-regarded and respected individuals in the Thoroughbred racing business as our Chief Operating Officer," said Breeders' Cup President and CEO Craig Fravel. "Bob's value as a leader and expertise in coordinating operations with our board, management and with host tracks for the Breeders' Cup World Championships will be a terrific asset to our company."

The 48-year-old Elliston had been President and CEO of Turfway Park since 1999. During his tenure, the northern Kentucky racecourse became the first track in North America to install a synthetic racing surface.

"It is very difficult to place into words the excitement that I feel to be selected to join such a world class organization as the Breeders Cup," said Elliston. "From the best racing in the entire world, to a staff and Board committed to deliver even greater results in the years to come, I feel very fortunate and honored to join this incredible team."

A graduate of Eastern Kentucky University, Elliston currently serves as executive chair of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association Board of Directors and is treasurer of the Kentucky Equine Education Project (KEEP) Board. He also serves on the Board of the Thoroughbred Racing Association and the University of Louisville Equine Program Advisory Board.

"Bob Elliston's appointment to Chief Operating Officer for the Breeders' Cup is a well deserved recognition for his leadership at Turfway Park, and for the effort he has made toward improving the sport of thoroughbred racing," said a statement from Turfway Park LLC ownership. "Bob's new appointment -- to arguably one of the top jobs in racing -- is also a compliment to the entire Turfway team that he led for the past 13 years. On behalf of Turfway's ownership group, we look forward to building on the solid foundation put in place by Bob, and the entire Turfway Park Team, for many years to come."