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. In her free time, you will find her reading, riding or cheering on the cats in Rupp Arena.
Nicole Russo
PROGRAM COORDINATOR
Nicole fell in love with racing at an early age, through novels and through horses like Cigar and Serena’s Song, and had the spark that writing would be her path in the Thoroughbred world during a trip to the Churchill Downs backstretch with Kids To The Cup and the late, great, Trudy McCaffery. She achieved that dream, and is excited to help introduce others to the myriad of roles in the industry and pursue their own dreams through her work with Amplify Horse Racing’s programs.
Nicole’s professional background includes full-time roles as a writer and editor with Daily Racing Form, Thoroughbred Times, and The Saratogian; writing for publications including the BloodHorse, the Steeplechase Times umbrella of publications, Schenectady’s Daily Gazette, and Rochester’s Democrat and Chronicle; and working on media teams for events such as The Kentucky Derby, Breeders’ Cup, and other major racetracks and sales companies. She is a contributing author and editor of the book The Racetracks of America: From Pre-Civil War to the 21st Century, and an author in the new Racing Royalty series. She is a voter for the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame, and a board member for the National Turf Writers and Broadcasters Association.
Nicole graduated from Nazareth Academy before studying communications and journalism at St. John Fisher College, both in Rochester, N.Y., where her family still resides, including her two beloved nephews. She competes in dressage with her off-the-track Thoroughbred, Warrior, and is passionate about racehorse aftercare. When she’s not thinking about Thoroughbreds, she enjoys reading, musical theatre, and hanging out with her cat.
OFFICERS
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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.
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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.
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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
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Liza Hendriks is an entrepreneur and lifelong Thoroughbred industry advocate dedicated to creating modern, accessible pathways into horse racing. She founded Wanamaker’s, one of the first online Thoroughbred auction platforms in the U.S., which was later acquired by Inglis in 2024, and now serves on the Board of Inglis Digital USA.
A graduate of the Godolphin Flying Start program, Liza has worked across global racing jurisdictions and developed expertise in leadership, digital strategy, and racing operations. She previously worked with Starlight Racing and reports for the New York Racing Association, focusing on steeplechase coverage.
Coming from a multi-generational Pennsylvania racing family, Liza is passionate about bringing new people into the sport and supporting Amplify Horse Racing’s mission to educate, inspire, and empower the next generation.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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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Damon Thayer is the CEO/founder of Thayer Communications & Consulting LLC, where he provides strategic communications and advisory services across the Thoroughbred industry. He also serves as senior adviser to the Thoroughbred Racing Initiative (TRI), supporting efforts to sustain live racing in the United States.
From 2003 to 2024, Thayer represented the 17th District in the Kentucky State Senate, including 12 years as Majority Floor Leader, where he was a leading advocate for Kentucky’s signature industries, including horse racing.
Prior to public office, he held executive management roles with Breeders’ Cup, Turfway Park, Maryland Jockey Club and Thistledown. Thayer is also the CEO/co-founder of Kentucky Senator Spirits LLC, the producer of award-winning Kentucky Senator Bourbon. A graduate of Michigan State University and a partner with CJ Thoroughbreds, his background spans communications, marketing and public policy, giving him a broad perspective on the industry and its stakeholders.
