Trish Bowman has been named The Jockey Club steward for New York Racing Association racetracks from July 1, 2026, replacing Cody Watkins in a regulatory appointment with direct relevance to one of America’s key racing circuits.
The Jockey Club confirmed the move on Tuesday, with Bowman taking up the NYRA role after serving as associate state steward at the Indiana Horse Racing Commission.
Her background also includes work as a racing official at Aqueduct Racetrack and the Maryland Jockey Club, as well as a safety steward role at Oaklawn Park.
Since 2023, she has served on the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit’s Internal Adjudication Panel.
Bowman Brings Multi-Jurisdiction Experience To NYRA Role
The appointment comes as New York racing continues its transition into a new phase, with Saratoga central to the summer programme and Belmont Park’s redevelopment reshaping the wider NYRA calendar.
The Jockey Club chair Everett Dobson pointed to Bowman’s regulatory experience and industry knowledge, saying her background across multiple racing jurisdictions and HIWU work would be valuable for maintaining integrity and safety in New York racing.
Bowman earned Level 1 accreditation from the Racing Officials Accreditation Program in 2020.
She also holds a master’s certificate in Thoroughbred Management from Godolphin Flying Start and a bachelor’s degree in Media Communication from Holy Family University.
Watkins had held the NYRA steward position since January 2025 as part of an international exchange programme. Bowman’s appointment was confirmed by Thoroughbred Daily News.
