Borisenok Named NY Race Track Chaplaincy President

The New York Race Track Chaplaincy, which this year is celebrating its 40th year of service to the New York backstretch community, announced today that Michelle Cuozzo Borisenok, who has been serving on the board of directors as vice president, has been elected president of the organization. She is succeeding Hall of Fame jockey Ramón Dominguez, who will remain as a board member. The announcement was made by Terry Finley, the chairman of the Chaplaincy. "It is hard to adequately convey the countless ways Ramón Dominguez helps our organization thrive and we are thrilled that he has agreed to stay involved as a member of our board of directors," Finley said. "We wish him all the best in his new venture as the Executive Director of the Jockey's Guild Education Foundation." Borisenok is a longtime Thoroughbred owner, entrepreneur and philanthropist recognized for her leadership and advocacy for women across the Capital Region. She is dedicated to fostering independence and improving quality of life through education, mentorship, women's leadership, and the arts. She is the founder of Brown Road Racing, a boutique Thoroughbred racing organization that supports female racing enthusiasts with emphasis on the Thoroughbred, education and philanthropy, and co-founder of Old Tavern Farm, a New York Thoroughbred breeding farm focused on the sale of elite racehorses. Her success in racing includes a partnership victory in the 2021 Cicada Stakes, along with competitive placings in both flat track and steeplechase racing. "Michelle Borisenok has a deep understanding of our mission and an unparalleled dedication to improving the quality of life for the backstretch community," Finley said. Board member Kathy Theroux-Reynolds, a Barnard College graduate with careers in medical science and education, will succeed Michelle as vice president of the board. Theroux-Reynolds comes from a horse racing family dating back to the 1930s, with her father, Ralph Theroux Sr., spending more than 70 years as a jockey agent and her brother, Ralph Theroux Jr., continuing in the sport as a jockey agent, placing judge, and steward. "In addition to the board leadership changes, we are delighted to announce, as we look toward our future of continued excellence, two new board members, David Donk and Brad Ghaster," said Executive Director and Lead Chaplain Humberto Chávez. David Donk has been an active trainer on the New York Racing Association circuit for more than 40 years. He worked as an assistant for legendary trainer Woody Stephens before going out on his own. He has won more than 850 races, and numerous stakes races, including the Arlington Million Stakes with Awad and the Moët Champagne Stakes with Ordway. He has served several terms on the board of directors of the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association and currently holds the title of vice president. He has also served on the board of trustees for the New York Backstretch Pension Fund for the past nine years. David and his wife Fay were honored for their dedication to the NY Chaplaincy in 2015 in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. Brad Ghaster is actively involved with the Race Track Chaplaincy of America, where he serves as a Region 1 Ambassador alongside his wife, Kirsten Ghaster. Together, they help serve the Turf Paradise racing community in Phoenix with Chaplain John Schumaker and Amy Schumaker. Brad has also served as Chaplain for Racers For Christ for many years. He and Kirsten also maintain a passion for OTTB war horses to see them live out their best lives off the track. In addition to his racetrack activities, Brad is the owner of Ghaster Painting & Coatings, a Phoenix-based commercial and industrial painting company he founded in 1975. He continues to provide leadership and oversight for the company's operations, bringing decades of experience in the industry. Longtime board member, the Honorable John Andrew Kay, is transitioning from the Board of Directors to the Chaplaincy's Honorary Board.