Breeders’ Cup new President - Craig Fravel chosen after Greg Avioli resignation
On March 4th 2011, Greg Avioli resigned from his post as President and Chief Executive Officer (C.E.O) of the Breeders’ Cup, in order to take a position at another racing and gaming firm. The search then began for Breeders’ Cup’s new leader.
In May 2011 a committee interviewed six likely candidates for the post. Of these Craig Fravel emerged as the most suited applicant for the job and in a statement released by the organization on Friday 17th June 2011 he has been confirmed as the
new President and C.E.O.
This news does not come as a shock because rumours of Fravel’s appointment by the Breeders’ Cup organization have been afloat for a while.
Prior to this, Fravel was a track executive for Del Mar Thoroughbred Club in La Jolla, California. At the beginning of his career he served at the law firm Luce, Forward, Hamilton, and Scripps.
In 1982 he graduated from University of Virginia Law School and has worked with Del Mar ever since, making it almost twenty years now. He was promoted to the position of general manager and track president at Del Mar a year ago.
Tom Ludt, chairman of the search committee said of Fravel’s capabilities:
"We are proud to have selected one of the most talented, innovative, and, respected individuals in our business to take the reins as the new Breeders' Cup president and chief executive officer. Craig's value as a leader and expertise in so many areas will
be a terrific asset to our company in the expanded global universe of the Breeders' Cup".
Fravel, 54, who will leave Del Mar on 30th June 2011 and will assume responsibilities on 18th July 2011, says this new post is a big honour for him. He feels he is fortunate to have landed the job and is excited about working with the
Breeders’ Cup Board to help move the racing industry forward.
Meanwhile, his boss at Del Mar said that although he was happy for Fravel he would still miss him because his hard work acted as one of the driving forces for Del Mar.
In summer 2010 Fravel joined the Jockey Club in addition to already a number of organisations and being a board member at Equibase, the Dolly Green Research Foundation, the Southern California Equine Foundation and the National Thoroughbred Racing Association.
He has also served as chairman of the Southern California Off-Track Wagering, Inc. and California Marketing Committee.
Fravel will join the Breeder’s Cup organization just in time for this year’s championship preparations to gain momentum. This year’s championship will hold 15 races, including one for juveniles just added recently with overall purse money of $26 million.
Here’s hoping that Fravel helps make this year’s event an even bigger success than its predecessors.
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