Mike Ziegler named Executive Director of Racing at Churchill Downs

By: SPORTS NETWORK

Louisville, KY (SportsNetwork.com) - Churchill Downs Inc. (CDI) announced Friday the creation of the new position of Executive Director of Racing with Mike Ziegler assuming the post.

Ziegler will begin his new duties on Monday, Jan. 26 and will report directly to Bill Mudd, CDI's President and Chief Financial Officer.

"Mike has long been a credible and knowledgeable voice within the racing industry and we look forward to him bringing his wisdom and insight as he takes on this new role at CDI. The industry is continuously changing and bringing new challenges, and Mike's role will be important to the continued success of our company's racing operations and its legacy," Mudd said.

Ziegler's new position will be to focus on and support the company's commitment to the U.S. thoroughbred racing and breeding industry. He will be responsible for championing CDI initiatives to enhance the racing and breeding industry and will serve as a representative and the liaison between CDI and the industry.

Ziegler, with nearly 20 years of industry experience, served since 2009 as the Executive Director - Safety & Integrity Alliance for the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) where he oversaw self-regulatory efforts to enact substantive improvements in safety and integrity in the racing industry.

"We thank Mike for the instrumental role he played in the successful launch and growth of the NTRA Safety and Integrity Alliance and wish him the best of luck in the future," said Alex Waldrop, President and Chief Executive Officer of the NTRA.

A graduate of Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo, Ziegler served in various posts at Santa Anita, Bay Meadows, Hollywood Park and YouBet.com. He was also the Executive Director for the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance from 2012-13 and has an MBA from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles.