The best racing in America has launched a monthly series to celebrate women in racing, to explore the challenges with which they are confronted in what men dominated by men has been and emphasizing their performance.
Advertising offers the biggest test of a leader. Cate Masterson, director of the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fametakes the test.
Masterson responded to the challenge when the devastating pandemic almost stopped the world in 2020 and again when the chairman of the board John Hendrickson, the driving force behind the renovation of the museum and a capital campaign of $ 20 million died on a cardiac arrest on August 19, 2024.
While others worked from home during the Pandemie, Masterson continued to report to her office every day. “I came in this way to take action and to ensure that things are achieved as they need,” she said.
Masterson spoke with Hendrickson at 11.30 am on the day he died. About two hours later she received the almost incomprehensible news that Hendrickson had disappeared. He was 59.
“It was a shock,” she remembered. “We immediately had a staff meeting.”
Her message to members of her team, many of whom still falter the pandemic?
“None of us would have expected this,” she told them. “Unfortunately, life throws our curveballs. We’ll be fine.”
The planning started immediately for a tribute to Hendrickson, a memorable celebration of the life of more than 500 people two weeks after his death.
Apparently nothing can stop Masterson, 45, or even slow down.
“Cate is a dynamo. She is all about perfection and what is in the best interest of the museum,” said Charlotte Weber, who succeeded Hendrickson as chairman of the board. “She doesn’t shy away from hard work or makes her hands dirty.”
Masterson’s passion for all things that race is reflected in her early morning walks.
“There is no place like the backstretch at Saratoga in the morning,” she said. “It’s a great place to walk around, talk to people, get a cup of coffee and just get caught up with what’s going on.”
Everyone who accompanies her to Saratoga Race Course must be willing to spend some time. “She knows everyone that the man’s circuit pushes a broom to the stewards. She is friends with all,” said Michael Denio, her old partner. “It’s great to watch.”
Masterson enjoys her 27th consecutive summer meeting. She grew up in Troy, NY, a short drive to Saratoga Race Course. Her wish for her 16th birthday was to attend the races in the iconic Upstate New York location for the first time. Fortunately, her parents, Paul and Ann, are obliged.
Masterson studied business marketing with a minor in communication before graduating at Sacred Heart University in Connecticut. It is not surprising that she has applied her lessons for racing.
She was working for 10 years by Ed Lewi Associates, who worked closely with the New York Racing Association, before getting a great knowledge of life on the backstretch as an office manager for trainer Kiaran McLaughlin for eight years.
At the insistence of Hendrickson, she joined the museum as Director of Development in 2016. She became the director of the museum three years later.
“She’s definitely the perfect person and I think the timing has been a win-win for both of us,” said Weber. “I really think the museum was a bit old. It was a bit like a boy’s club, if you know what that means. I don’t think it really had an energy and Cate has thrown the light switch on.”
There is now nothing old at the institution.
“People had said that if they came to us once, they didn’t have to come back,” Masterson noted. “We want riders to come to us every year, so we started changing exhibitions every year.”
She is constantly striving for thinking about creative ways to enter the future. “I think it’s great that we constantly think ahead. We have planned exhibitions until 2027,” she said. “We constantly want to continue our mission, continue our educational programming.”
While the museum marks its 75th anniversary, highlights in July include a drop-in program for children in the HorsePlay Gallery, the Circle Summer Camp of the first winner and a racing and rose fashion show.
Retired Hall of Fame Jockey Angel Cordero, Jr. is planned for one Museum tour on August 6. Retired legendary job announcer Tom Durkin Regales visitors every Thursday while viewing a remarkable collection from the 17th century.
Do you want to know what it feels like to ride in a race? There is a racing simulator for that. Do you want to learn more about those who are anchored in the Hall of Fame? Watch a fascinating film of 18 minutes-“What It It Takes: Journey to the Hall of Fame”-. All Hall of Fame plaques are interactive.
Masterson said about the museum: “It must live and breathe and be active. We like to say that our age group is zero up to 99.”
Masterson does everything in a great way, even when she cooks. She recently prepared Chicken Cutlet Parmigiana. According to Denio, his partner ensured that she had enough to feed relatives and colleagues. She also ensured that she remembered an older neighbor with health problems.
“Every time she makes a big meal,” said Denio, “he gets a container.”
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