At Preakness 150, Chris Morales (left) and JC Berry (middle) had an opportunity to connect with members of the Ed Brown Society, including the organization’s Chairman, Greg Harbut (not shown), and President, Clark Williams. (1/ST Photo)
Santa Anita Press Box
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – The Ed Brown Society and 1/ST are now in the fourth year of their historic partnership. During this time, five Ed Brown Scholars (undergraduates) and three Ed Brown Fellows (post-graduates), have completed spring internships with 1/ST.
The Spring 2025 cohort was comprised of Ed Brown Fellow Joshua “JC” Berry and Ed Brown Scholar Chris Morales—both Louisville, Kentucky natives with limited prior exposure to the thoroughbred industry. This immersive experience allowed Berry and Morales to gain exposure and experience across various departments at Gulfstream Park, Santa Anita Park and Pimlico Racecourse, where they had the opportunity to work with the 1/ST team at historic Preakness Stakes 150.
JC Berry is a recent graduate of the University of Kentucky, having earned his bachelor degree in Foreign Language and International Economics. When asked about his 1/ST internship and the role the Ed Brown Society is playing in his professional development, JC stated, “As an Ed Brown Fellow, I am receiving invaluable mentorship and learning that there are more paths available for me to pursue than I ever envisioned. My internship with 1/ST gave me an in-depth and immersive introduction to horse racing. This experience has sparked my passion for the sport and my desire to be part of such a dynamic and driven industry.”
Chris Morales is currently a communications major at the University of Louisville where he is scheduled to graduate in May of 2026. When asked about his 1/ST internship and experience as an Ed Brown Scholar, Chris said, “Being an Ed Brown Scholar has opened doors to opportunities I would not have had access to otherwise, which is giving me the confidence and tools to pursue a career path that blends my communication skills with a deepening interest in horse racing. Interning with 1/ST Racing has further piqued my interest in pursuing a career in marketing and public relations within the equine industry. This experience has expanded my perspective on how marketing strategies are implemented behind the scenes at large-scale racing events.”
Jodie Vella-Gregory, VP, Industry Relations at 1/ST said, “Our partnership with the Ed Brown Society has been nothing short of transformative. These students and fellows bring talent, passion, and fresh perspective to every corner of our organization. Watching them grow, and watching our industry grow because of them, has been one of the most rewarding parts of this collaboration. 1/ST is proud to support the next generation of leaders in horse racing and beyond.”
At Preakness 150, Chris and JC had an opportunity to connect with members of the Ed Brown Society, including the organization’s Chairman, Greg Harbut, and President, Clark Williams. Of Chris and JC’s internship experience and EBS’s ongoing work with 1/ST, Williams said, “Chris and JC are the fourth cohort from EBS that has had the privilege of doing spring internships with 1/ST. As our very first partner in this work, 1/ST continues to provide professional immersion that allows our scholars and fellows to gain a deeper appreciation and understanding of thoroughbred racing operations. We are delighted that they were able to get this invaluable exposure at multiple venues, culminating with being a part of the 1/ST team at Preakness 150. These opportunities that we cultivate for our scholars and fellows, go a long way in furthering our efforts to develop prepared young professionals who are ready to thrive in the thoroughbred industry and beyond.”
For additional information about the Ed Brown Society and it’s work, view our snapshot HERE.
