NSA winter meetings are considered a great success
The annual NSA Race Chairman’s and Board of Directors’ meetings were held on Friday, January 16, 2026 at the Dewberry Hotel in Charleston, SC. Aiken Steeplechase Chairman Frank Mullins hosted the Race Chairmen’s six-hour conference, themed “Sharing Best Practices.” Nineteen of the 28 scheduled race meetings for 2026 were in attendance, with detailed presentations from Aiken, Carolina/Colonial Cup, Blue Ridge, Foxfield, Virginia Gold Cup/International Gold Cup, Iroquois, Willowdale/Pennsylvania Hunt Cup, Virginia Fall, Far Hills and Montpelier. The valuable exchange of ideas focused on many points of interest, including marketing strategies, social media and sponsorships, racetrack maintenance, community involvement, family-oriented initiatives, raising purses to support riders, and much more. Mullins was especially pleased with the involvement of his fellow race chairmen. “There was a lot of substance in the meeting and there was a very positive dialogue shared by everyone,” he said.
Dr. NSA Medical Equine Director Reynolds Cowles also released a very positive report, showing that the NSA had the safest year of racing in the last twenty years. He praised the race meetings for marked improvements in turf management, the elimination or modification of many problematic fences, the addition of running rails where necessary and other course changes. He also noted that the riders and our veterinary teams played a critical role in adhering to enhanced safety practices.
The morning and afternoon sessions of the Race Chairmans were followed by the first NSA board meeting of the year. Under the leadership of NSA President Dr. Al Griffin, the reports were once again very positive, reflecting two years of tremendous growth at the Association. Purses reached an all-time high of $7.6 million, most race meetings were thriving, the major track program was stronger than ever, and of particular note, the Fair Hill, Maryland jump racing program will rejoin the NSA circuit in May 2026.
Dr. Griffin welcomed two new NSA board members: Peter Sacopulos and Michael Tudor, and announced several changes to the association’s committee structure. “I was very pleased with the large turnout at the Race Chairmen’s meeting, and the tone of the Board meeting was equally optimistic,” he said. “We have made great strides as an association since the pandemic and the positive energy is contagious. I look forward to 2026 with great enthusiasm.”
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