Gabriel to Return to NYRA as Racing Secretary

Frank Gabriel Jr., currently the Dubai Racing Club's chief executive officer, will rejoin the New York Racing Association as the racing secretary for Belmont Park and Saratoga Race Course. 

 

Gabriel, 59, will start his seasonal position at NYRA in mid-April after the Dubai World Cup (UAE-I) March 29 and prior to the Belmont spring/summer meet, which begins May 1. Dan Eidson will continue in his role as racing secretary for Aqueduct Racetrack.

 

Gabriel, who was NYRA's director of racing in 1998-99, also spent 16 years at Arlington Park, where he served as racing secretary and handicapper and later as vice president of racing operations. 

 

"Frank has an outstanding reputation among horsemen and throughout the entire industry," said Martin Panza, senior vice president of racing operations for NYRA. "Adding someone of his caliber is an expression of the premium we are placing on quality at our most prestigious meets."

 

Gabriel was named chief executive officer for the Dubai Racing Club in 2005 and oversaw the development of Meydan Racecourse, which opened in 2010. 

 

Gabriel has worked in various capacities at several United States racetracks, including Timonium Race Track, Keystone Racetrack (now Parx Racing), Atlantic City Race Course, Meadowlands Racetrack, Garden State Park, Hialeah Park, and Gulfstream Park. 

 

"I am grateful for this opportunity to work for the New York Racing Association," Gabriel said. "After a remarkable nine years with the Dubai Racing Club, I look forward to working with the horsemen and the NYRA management team to bring the fans the best quality racing programs at the Belmont and Saratoga meets."