Dr. Doug Daniels, a horse owner and equine veterinarian, was elected president of the National Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association at the organization's full board meeting last week at Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino in Altoona, Iowa.
Daniels, the lone candidate to replace Leroy Gessmann, has been vice president of the Virginia HBPA and a member of the executive committee of the National HBPA since 2019. In addition to his Virginia Equine PLLC practice, Daniels also works for the Virginia Racing Commission when his services are required as a regulatory veterinarian at the Thoroughbred, Standardbred and steeplechase meets in the commonwealth.
“It's a pivotal time for the industry in general,” Daniels said. “I feel very fortunate to be involved and to have the opportunity to give back to an industry that's been good to me personally and professionally. My hope and my goal would be to use my education and my work experience and knowledge of equine medicine to the betterment of the membership.”
The National HBPA is in the process of challenging the legality of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA). The National HBPA long has advocated for enhanced safety regulations, security and tougher sanctions for cheaters but believes policies must be implemented with transparency and input from horsemen's and veterinary representative groups.
“Because of the pending federal legislation, I feel like this is a good time for the membership to have a veterinarian with a voice to look out for their interests,” Daniels said.
Having been raised in Kansas, Daniels received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Auburn University, where he graduated cum laude. Daniels has raced horses in several Midlantic states, Florida and Texas.
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