Barbara Banke, owner of Stonestreet Farms, was elected as board chairman of the Breeders' Cup at a board of directors meeting Friday night. Banke, who was elected to serve a two-year term, becomes the first woman to chair Breeders' Cup Limited. She succeeds Fred Hertrich III, who served as chairman from 2017 until Friday. Antony Beck of Gainesway Farm was elected as vice chairman to serve a two-year term with Banke. “It is a great honor to be named chairman of the Breeders’ Cup board of directors, and I look forward to serving with my fellow directors and members in continuing the mission and vision of the Breeders’ Cup World Championships in support of our nominators and our racing fans around the world," Banke, who was elected as a Breeders’ Cup member in 2012 and was elected to the board of directors in 2014, said in a press release. “I also congratulate our new vice chairman Antony Beck and greatly look forward to working together closely. In addition, I extend my warmest thanks to Fred Hertrich, who provided the Breeders’ Cup with outstanding leadership throughout his tenure as chairman. Fred’s vision was key to several successful strategic initiatives over the last few years, including advancements in equine safety and integrity efforts, innovative approaches to improving the fan experience, and the successful running of the 2020 world championships amid the COVID-19 pandemic. “As chairman, I look forward to working closely with stakeholders across the industry to ensure a bright future for Breeders’ Cup Limited, the world championships, and the sport of Thoroughbred racing," Banke continued. Banke, who also has enjoyed successful careers as a lawyer and international vintner, is a leading owner and commercial breeder. Under her direction, Stonestreet has bred and raised horses that have won more than 120 graded and listed stakes races worldwide. Banke is a steward of The Jockey Club and a member of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association (TOBA), the National Racing Museum and Hall of Fame, and Keeneland’s advisory board of directors. Banke also has been a strong proponent of industry safety initiatives, including the Thoroughbred Safety Coalition and the passage of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act in 2020. She also is a well-known philanthropist who is known as an advocate for children’s and educational charities around the country and assisting victims of domestic violence. She is a global ambassador for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. “The directors have made a very wise choice in electing Barbara Banke as the next chair of the Breeders’ Cup,” Hertrich said in the release. “In her service as a member and a director, Barbara has instituted bold and innovative approaches to help strengthen and enhance the stature of the Breeders’ Cup as ‘the best of the best.’ On a personal note, I have immensely enjoyed working with our industry stakeholders, our members and fellow directors during my four years as chairman.” Following Friday’s election, the board of 14 Breeders Cup Directors is as follows: Banke, Stonestreet Farms (Chairman); Beck, Gainesway Farm (Vice Chairman); Jimmy Bell, Godolphin America;  Alan Cooper, Niarchos Family/Flaxman Holdings Ltd.; William S. Farish Jr., Lane’s End Farm; Drew Fleming, Breeders’ Cup Limited (President), Eric Gustavson, Spendthrift Farm; Walker Hancock, Claiborne Farm; Hertrich, Watercress Farm; Bret Jones, Airdrie Stud; Clem Murphy, Coolmore Stud; Gavin Murphy, SF Bloodstock; Alex Solis II, Solis/Litt Bloodstock; and Elliott Walden, WinStar Farm.