DSOA announces new executive director

Dover, DE – The Delaware Standardbred Owners Association Board of Directors is happy to announce that John Hensley has been hired to take over the harness racing position of Executive Director. Hensley will succeed the current Executive Director Sal DiMario who will be leaving the position in November.

Hensley has over 25 years of experience in horse racing administration and more than 15 years involvement with direct oversight of sports wagering.

“I am honored to follow Sal in this role,” said Hensley. “And look forward to continuing to provide the exceptional level of service the Board, the membership, and the horsemen and women of Delaware are accustomed to under his direction.”

Hensley has been a part of the Standardbred sport his entire life. His family raced horses in Delaware and Maryland in the 70s and 80s.

Hensley is the Director of Race and Sports at Bally’s Dover, where he has been for over 20 years and actually oversaw the first legal sports wager made outside of Nevada upon the repeal of PASPA in 2018. He was also the Director of Racing at Harrington Raceway from 1997-2000.

Hensley is a graduate of Wesley College with a Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering and Wilmington College with a Masters of Business Administration. He has served as a Track Director for District 11 on the USTA Board from 2017-2023 and is a Director on the Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund Board representing Bally’s Dover.

From the Delaware Standardbred Owners Association