Donegal Racing
.

Our Team

Jerry Crawford

CEO of Donegal Racing

Jerry Crawford grew up on a farm in Warren County, Iowa. It was there that his grandfather taught him to love horses. Jerry left the farm and, following high school, graduated from Macalester College and the Iowa Law School. Jerry taught trial advocacy at the Law School before establishing his own law practice. Jerry's background in sports is significant, from being an avid golfer, to former broadcaster, to founder of the Iowa Energy NBA G League franchise in Des Moines. 

In 2008, Jerry founded Donegal Racing. Donegal has fielded four Kentucky Derby entrants with PADDY O'PRADO, DULLAHAN, KEEN ICE and now MO DONEGAL. PADDY and DULLAHAN each finished third in the Derby, and Keen Ice won the G1 Travers S., defeating Triple Crown winner American Pharoah. Jerry maintains a passion for the racing industry writ large, having been elected to the Breeders' Cup Board of Directors and later serving as Vice-Chair of that Board.

 

Conor Crawford

Operational consultant and pedigree analyst

Conor serves as Donegal Racing's operational consultant and pedigree analyst. He is the final gatekeeper for every Donegal yearling prospect at sale, researching bloodlines through multiple generations and assessing each yearling's value at auction. In addition to his work at the yearling sales, Conor advises the racing campaign of every Donegal horse.

Conor is a graduate of Yale University (B.A., History) and the University of Virginia School of Law. Conor also graduated from Godolphin Flying Start, the world's preeminent management training program for thoroughbred industry leaders. While on the Flying Start, Conor completed work placements at Keeneland in Lexington, Kentucky; at Aushorse in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; at Falcon & Associates in Dubai, UAE; and at Weatherbys Hamilton in Newmarket, England. Conor maintains an avid interest in racing regulations and is the author of Nutraceuticals in American Horseracing: Removing the Substantive Blinkers from National Racing Legislation.

 

Connor Turner

Information Technology Specialist

Connor Turner has been with Donegal for four years. He is a terrific information technology specialist who does a fabulous job helping me put the data together for the sales.  Connor also helps organize all of our ticketed events.  Importantly, Connor prepares all the handicapping information we provide to the partners.

Donegal has to have the smallest staff of any partnership and Connor’s hard work is one of the main reasons why. Thanks Connor for all you do!

© 2024 Donegal Racing. All rights reserved.