AMPLIFY HORSE RACING LEADERSHIP

ANNISE MONTPLAISIR

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, CO-FOUNDER

Annise Montplaisir co-founded Amplify Horse Racing in 2019 and assumed the role of executive director in 2023. Annise grew up near Fargo, North Dakota, and was active in the 4-H Horse Project as a youth. She fell in love with Thoroughbred racing after seeing the movie Ruffian (2007) and began spending all the time she possibly could each summer at the North Dakota Horse Park, the racetrack near her family home. She received a bachelor of science in management communication, international studies, and Spanish at North Dakota State University, and completed internships with Canterbury Park, the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA), Minnesota Quarter Horse Racing Association (MQHRA), and The Saratoga Special. 

After graduating from NDSU in 2017, she moved to Lexington, Kentucky, and completed internships with Fasig-Tipton, Keeneland, and Mill Ridge Farm before getting accepted into the Godolphin Flying Start (GFS) program. It was during this time that Annise began developing the business plan for Amplify. 

Her professional background includes project managing for the global networking organization Together for Racing International (TfRI), co-hosting Hípica TV’s Spanish coverage of the Breeders’ Cup in 2021 and 2022, and producing and co-hosting the Spanish language online horse racing program, La Trifecta, with America’s Best Racing. Prior to joining Amplify, Annise served for two years as the equine education coordinator of the Kentucky Equine Education Project (KEEP) Foundation. In her free time, she enjoys gardening, playing polo, and scuba diving.

MARY-COURTNEY COMBS

OPERATIONS MANAGER

Mary-Courtney grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area with her parents and four sisters, where she rode horses and competed in hunter jumpers and eventing. She made a big move to Kentucky to attend Asbury University where she graduated with a bachelor's in equine management and communications. Since college, she has worked in various aspects of the equine industry, from mucking stalls on Thoroughbred farms to working in marketing at the United States Pony Club. She is thrilled to be part of the Amplify Horse Racing team as the operations manager.

CADY COULARDOT

DIGITAL MEDIA MANAGER

Cady Coulardot is originally from Bluffton, Indiana, her passion for Thoroughbred horse racing ignited when her 3rd-grade teacher took her to Turfway Park to watch a race. However, it wasn’t until 2017 that Cady truly fell in love with racing after a tour of the backside of Churchill Downs. Since then, her family has become heavily involved in the Thoroughbred industry by creating their racing team, Coulardot Racing. Cady serves as their Operations Manager and oversees their horses. 

Cady also developed a love for photography, capturing workouts and races, which became essential during the COVID-19 pandemic when her family couldn’t visit their horses. She started a TikTok page to share their racing journey and educate others about horse ownership, showcasing opportunities like micro shares with MyRacehorse and leasing through Nexus Racing Club. In 2020, Cady became the social media manager for Nexus Racing Club, connecting with young racing enthusiasts. The following year, she joined Coady Photography, where she had the opportunity to photograph the Kentucky Derby and Breeders’ Cup, pushing her creativity. Cady graduated from the University of Louisville in 2023 with a Bachelor’s in Equine Business Administration. Cady has witnessed a growing interest among young people in racing and is eager to help create opportunities through Amplify Horse Racing. She believes that with the right tools and strategies, they can engage the next generation of racing enthusiasts and ensure a bright future for Thoroughbred racing.

OFFICERS

  • Laurel Humbert-Stock is the Racing and Wagering Finance Manager at Keeneland. In her role, Laurel oversees the accounting functions of Keeneland’s racing and simulcasting departments, the Horsemen’s Bookkeeper office, and Money Room. She specializes in handle and live race meet analysis. Laurel earned a dual BS/BA in Finance and in Equine Administration from the University of Louisville Equine Industry Program as well as a Master’s in Accounting and Finance from the London School of Economics. Originally from Henderson, Kentucky, Laurel grew up attending the races at Ellis Park as a fan before starting her career in horse racing. She worked in various roles at Ellis Park and at BloodHorse prior to joining the Keeneland team.

  • Hallie Hardy is the Executive Director of Visit Horse Country, the member organization that promotes and organizes experiences for guests visiting Central Kentucky’s equine industry. Originally from Frankfort, Kentucky, Hallie found her passion for the Thoroughbred industry during her time as a student at the University of Kentucky.

    While in the equine program at UK, she interned for several different farms including WinStar Farm. At WinStar, her primary responsibility was giving the regularly scheduled tours where she developed a passion for sharing the industry with guests.

    Following graduation, Hallie joined The Jockey Club’s fan development initiative, America’s Best Racing, and their bus tour as a brand ambassador – where she traveled around the country promoting the nation’s biggest races. After a year with ABR, Hallie went to Ireland to complete the Irish National Stud Breeding course. Following INS, Hallie was accepted to the Godolphin Flying Start program. After graduating Flying Start, Hallie worked for trainer Graham Motion, WinStar Farm, and Godolphin before taking on the role at Horse Country. She is thrilled to be promoting one of the state’s signature industries, a passion for her that started during her internship at WinStar Farm.

  • Born and raised in California, Jordyn graduated from the University of Arizona Race Track Industry Program and completed the Godolphin Flying Start management training program. From 2013 to 2021 she served as Director of Special Projects for the Maryland Horse Breeders Association and was tasked with revitalizing the Maryland Horse Foundation (the MHBA’s charitable arm). During Jordyn’s tenure, the Maryland Horse Foundation launched two successful educational programs and completed a capital campaign that allowed for the development of the Maryland Horse Library and Education Center. Jordyn now serves as the executive director of the California Thoroughbred Horsemen's Foundation and is a passionate Amplify Horse Racing board member.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

  • Price Bell began his working life in the stables of Mill Ridge Farm, cleaning stalls, turning out horses, and learning the ins and outs of horse farm life as a seventh grader. He continued to work summers at Mill Ridge throughout his teenage years. Today, as General Manager, you’ll still often find Price in muddy boots and a Mill Ridge cap, walking the grounds of the farm.

    Price is a 2000 Graduate of the Taft School in Watertown, Connecticut, where he served as Head Monitor of the school. He then earned his BS in Economics from Vanderbilt University in 2004, and later his MBA from Vanderbilt Owens School of Business in 2011. He began a career in real estate in Charlotte, North Carolina in 2005 for Parkway Properties and soon transferred to the Nashville, Tennessee market. Once in Nashville, Price served on the Executive Committee of the Nashville Downtown Partnership for two years and was influential in the development of the Gulch Business Improvement District (GBID). He was also a member of the Education Committee for the Nashville Chamber of Commerce for two years. In late 2007, he left Parkway Properties for DZL Management, a Nashville real estate investment, management, and development company dedicated to adaptive reuse neighborhood development.

    In 2011 he returned to his hometown to begin working for the family businesses, Mill Ridge Farm and Nicoma Bloodstock as a bloodstock agent. In 2020, he was named General Manager of Mill Ridge. Once reinvested in Mill Ridge and Lexington’s civic scene, Price applied his education and experience to improving Lexington and growing Mill Ridge. He serves on several nonprofit boards in Lexington for causes he cares about.

  • Patrick Cummings is the executive director of the National Thoroughbred Alliance (NTA), a consultative organization founded by leading owner Mike Repole. Prior to launching the NTA, Cummings led the Thoroughbred Idea Foundation during its five-year operation, achieving multiple American firsts while heading the think tank. In previous roles, Cummings managed the Hong Kong Jockey Club’s racing public affairs team, served former race-tracking and data firm Trakus, and covered international racing for a variety of publications. He has also operated his own consulting practice – Global Racing Solutions – and enjoyed horse ownership through syndicates in the U.S., the United Arab Emirates and South Africa. He also spent seven years in various roles with investment giant Vanguard. Cummings holds undergraduate degrees from Dickinson College and an MBA from Baylor University. He resides with his wife in Lexington, Kentucky.

  • Katie, a Lexington, Kentucky native, has been involved in the Thoroughbred business for the last 22 years. She has worked for Godolphin as the Darley Stallion Promotions Coordinator since 2003 and is responsible for overseeing client entertainment, race sponsorships, and merchandise. Several years ago, she expanded her role under the Godolphin banner as Charities Manager for America. In her new role, she is responsible for overseeing the organization’s global and local charitable initiatives.

    After graduating from the University of Alabama, she went to work in the conference services department for the Ritz-Carlton Atlanta. She then moved to Miami and worked in the marketing department at Hialeah Race Track. Following the close of racing at Hialeah, she returned to Lexington and worked for TOBA. During her tenure there, Katie was responsible for new member recruitment and the coordination of New Owner Clinics at racetracks across the country.

    Katie is currently serving as Board Chair of the KEEP Foundation, the charitable arm of the KEEP Alliance. She is also serving on the board of Amplify Horse Racing and the advisory board of the Kentucky Equine Adoption Center. Recently she joined the board of the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation. She has been on the Board of Directors of the Thoroughbred Club of America since 2013 and just concluded her two-year term as the Club President.

  • Cate Masterson was appointed as Director of the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in April 2019 after serving as the Museum’s director of development since 2016. In her previous role at the Museum, Masterson led development and sponsorship initiatives and held a key role in special events and racing industry outreach. 

    Prior to joining the Museum in March 2016, Masterson worked for Kiaran McLaughlin Racing Stable for eight years, serving as a liaison to horse owners, coordinating employee benefits and programs, managing relationships with racetracks, vendor and legal counsel, supervising stable logistics and handling website and accounting duties, among various other responsibilities. Prior to working for the McLaughlin Racing Stable, Masterson spent eight years as manager of promotions and special events for Ed Lewi Associates, Inc., a Clifton Park, N.Y.-based public relations firm where she was involved in all aspects of client marketing, event promotions, and sponsorship development. Masterson developed marketing strategies, promotional budgets and plans, as well as the execution of promotions for the New York Racing Association at both Saratoga Race Course and Belmont Park.

  • Madison grew up in Austin, Texas, and fell in love with racing when Smarty Jones was making his bid for the Triple Crown. She moved to Lexington, Kentucky to attend the University of Kentucky in 2012. During college, she spent time at Three Chimneys Farm, Shawhan Place, and Fasig-Tipton. She graduated from UK with a BA in Marketing and a BS in Equine Science and Management.Upon completing university, Madison was accepted to the Godolphin Flying Start program, a two-year international training and management course for the Thoroughbred industry. With the program, she delved into various aspects of the racing industry and added work experience for Christophe Clement, Gai Waterhouse/Adrian Bott, and Tattersalls. She joined Solis/Litt upon graduation in July 2018. Madison is a co-founder of Amplify Horse Racing, a non-profit that promotes education in the Thoroughbred industry and lives in Kentucky.

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