Chris Kay

Christopher K. Kay is the Chief Executive Officer and President of The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA).

NYRA is one of the largest thoroughbred horse racing organizations in the country, and operates three race tracks in New York, those being Belmont Park (home of the third leg of the Triple Crown, the Belmont Stakes); Saratoga Race Course (where the longest and most prestigious horse racing meet in the country is conducted each summer); and Aqueduct Racetrack.

Approximately $2.2 billion is wagered on NYRA’s races each year. NYRA is the leader of the State’s horse racing industry, which is responsible for more than $2.1 billion in annual economic impact, and more than17,000 jobs. During his tenure, Mr. Kay has led the organization’s efforts to enhance the guest experience (both on-site and online), improve the quality of horse racing, and create a stronger financial and business foundation.

Prior to this appointment, Mr. Kay served as Chief Operating Officer for The Trust for Public Land, where he oversaw the operations of the land conservation organization’s headquarters and 37 field offices. While in that role, Mr. Kay created a new revenue stream, one that responded to the growing need for parks in cities (especially those in need of better storm water management), and helped develop a program that installed fitness equipment in existing urban parks. During that same period of time, Mr. Kay served as the only non-physician on the Board of Trustees of the American Medical Association, where he engaged in a similar effort to fight obesity.

Mr. Kay also served as the Managing Director of International Business Development for Universal Parks & Resorts, where he led a team that negotiated comprehensive development, construction, management and licensing agreements with government and business leaders in China and Korea for the creation of multi-billion-dollar, theme park-oriented resort properties like those operated by Universal in Orlando and Hollywood.

Mr. Kay was the first General Counsel in the history of Toys ‘R’ Us, a Fortune 200 international company with $12 billion in annual sales. He subsequently served as its Chief Operating Officer, and led the company’s worldwide operations. During his tenure at COO, the company’s net debt was reduced by more than $1.2 billion, and the he played a leadership role in the sale of entire company to three private equity firms for a then record amount of $6.6 billion.

Prior to those executive positions, Mr. Kay worked in the private legal sector. He was an equity partner in one of the nation’s largest firms, and subsequently founded his own firm, which became one of the fastest growing law firms in Florida.

Mr. Kay serves on several thoroughbred racing industry associations. He also serves on the Advisory Board of RSR Partners and previously served on the Duke University School of Law Board of Visitors.