News Releases

Monday, July 08, 2019Contact: Alexa Ravit (212) 521-5307
Dr. Jennifer Durenberger Named The Jockey Club Steward at NYRA Tracks

Dr. Jennifer Durenberger, who is currently the chief examining veterinarian for the New York Racing Association (NYRA), has been appointed as The Jockey Club steward at NYRA tracks.  She will succeed Jim Edwards, who retired at the conclusion of Belmont’s spring/summer meet on July 7.

The appointment was announced by Stuart S. Janney III, the chairman of The Jockey Club.

“We are thankful for Jim Edwards’ valuable service as a steward for The Jockey Club and to the racing industry over the years, and we wish him the best in retirement,” said Janney.

“Dr. Durenberger has an impressive background that includes extensive experience as a regulatory veterinarian and steward,” said Janney. “Her commitment to the integrity of horse racing makes her an excellent choice to serve as The Jockey Club’s next steward.”

Durenberger will continue as NYRA’s chief examining veterinarian until she commences her role as The Jockey Club steward on the first day of Belmont’s fall meet. Dr. Ted Hill, who served as The Jockey Club steward for NYRA from 1996-2015, will fill the position during the summer meet at Saratoga Race Course.

Prior to serving as the chief examining veterinarian at NYRA, Durenberger was an association veterinarian for NYRA from 2003-2008. She worked as a commission veterinarian for the California Horse Racing Board from 2008-2010.

She has worked as a steward at Delta Downs in Vinton, La., and Canterbury Park in Shakopee, Minn. She also served as the director of racing for the Massachusetts Gaming Commission for three years.

Durenberger is an accredited steward and serves as secretary for the Racing Officials Accreditation Program’s (ROAP) board of directors. A member of ROAP’s Education Committee, she also serves on the American Association of Equine Practitioners Ethics and Professional Conduct Committee and on The Jockey Club’s Racing Equipment and Safety Committee. She operates a consulting business, Racing Matters, and serves as a veterinary consultant for the National Thoroughbred Racing Association Safety and Integrity Alliance.

Durenberger received her veterinary degree from Cornell University and her law degree from Western State University College of Law.

Edwards was named The Jockey Club Steward in December 2015. He won more than 2,000 races as a jockey and won an Eclipse Award as the outstanding apprentice jockey in 1975. He served three consecutive terms on the Jockeys’ Guild board of directors and then spent seven years as a regional manager for the guild.

Before he was named the state steward for the New Jersey Racing Commission, Edwards spent time as a racing official in Florida and New Jersey and managed off-track betting facilities in Pennsylvania.

The Jockey Club, founded in 1894 and dedicated to the improvement of Thoroughbred breeding and racing, is the breed registry for North American Thoroughbreds. In fulfillment of its mission, The Jockey Club, directly or through subsidiaries, provides support and leadership on a wide range of important industry initiatives, and it serves the information and technology needs of owners, breeders, media, fans and farms. It founded America’s Best Racing (americasbestracing.net), the broad-based fan development initiative for Thoroughbred racing, and in partnership with the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association, operates OwnerView (ownerview.com), the ownership resource. Additional information is available at jockeyclub.com.