Tag: Business Of Horse Racing

As one of North America's top sires, Uncle Mo mated with 257 mares in 2020. Under a new rule by The Jockey Club, Uncle Mo's last 117 foals would not be registered as Thoroughbreds. (Image: Coolmore America)

Three Powerful Breeding Farms Sue The Jockey Club Over Stallion Cap

Three of Kentucky’s most powerful breeding farms filed suit in US District Court on Tuesday, seeking to end The Jockey Club’s stallion cap rule that limits stallions born in 2020 or later to 140 mares a year. The plaintiffs, Spendthrift Farm, Ashford Stud, and Three Chimneys Farm, also listed two […]

Prince Bandar bin Khalid Al Faisal, the chairman of the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia, said in a Saturday TV interview he hopes the final dispersal of the 2020 purse will happen soon. (Image: Doug De Felice/Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia)

Saudi Cup Official Said 2020 First-Prize Payout Near Resolution

In a short television interview before Saturday’s Saudi Cup, Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia Chairman Prince Bandar bin Khalid Al Faisal said the final $10 million purse distribution for the 2020 Saudi Cup should come within six weeks. Prince Bandar addressed the elephant in the room regarding the world’s richest […]

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said he will sign a bill legalizing historical horse racing machines the moment it hits his desk. (Image: Timothy D. Easley/Associated Press)

Kentucky Governor Chomping at the Bit to Sign HHR Machine Bill

With legislation legalizing historical horse racing (HHR) machines meandering toward his desk, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear told a virtual meeting of the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission Tuesday he will sign the bill “as fast as it reaches my desk.” Beshear told the commissioners he couldn’t sign Senate Bill 120 last […]

The Kentucky House of Representatives passed a bill legalizing historical horse racing machines -- a key economic engine for the state's racing industry. (Image: Marcus Dorsey/Lexington Herald-Leader)

Kentucky House Passes HHR Bill, Heads to Governor for Signing

In a move illustrating the speed of Kentucky legislators when it comes to that state’s Thoroughbred horse industry, the Kentucky House of Representatives approved Senate Bill 120 on Thursday night, legalizing Historical Horse Racing (HHR) machines. The measure passed 55-38, two days after it cleared the Kentucky State Senate, 22-15. […]

Colonel Liam romped to victory in the Pegasus World Cup Turf, Jan. 23. His victory in one of two Grade 1 races during January helped build strong January handle numbers. (Image: Lauren King)

Racing Economic Indicators Show Jump in January Handle

Total horseracing handle jumped for the second consecutive month, providing one key takeaway from Equibase’s first Economic Indicators in Thoroughbred Racing report of 2021. Betting in January climbed 9.57% from January 2020’s numbers to $959,602,269. That followed a 6.24% boost in December wagering, signifying that horseracing may be rebounding out […]

Officials a the Red Mile Casino in Lexington turned off their HHR machines last weekend. A state senator plans filing a bill to legalize the machines when Kentucky's General Assembly opens 
 next week. (Image: The Red Mile)

Kentucky State Senator Will File HHR Legalization Bill Next Week

As one major racetrack shuttered its Historical Horse Racing (HHR) machine parlor, Kentucky State Sen. John Schickel (R-Union) said Thursday he authored a bill supporting legalization of the machines. Schickel, whose district includes Churchill Downs Inc.-owned Turfway Park, told WTVQ-TV he plans on filing the bill when the legislative session […]

Saudi Prince Khalid bin Abdullah created a breeding powerhouse on both sides of the Atlantic. One of the most respected owners and breeders in the world, Prince Khalid died Tuesday at 83. (Image: Trevor Meeks)

Powerhouse Owner, Breeder Prince Khalid bin Abdullah Dies at 83

Tributes from all over the racing world poured in Tuesday, remembering Prince Khalid bin Abdullah, who died Tuesday of undisclosed causes. The Saudi prince and nine-time Eclipse Award winner as owner and breeder was 83. A member of the Saudi Royal Family, Prince Khalid owned Juddmonte Farms, which announced the […]

The life-changing opportunities from 
 hitting a Pick 6 -- like this Saratoga one from September 2015 -- can be eye-watering. That explains why multi-race bets are the fastest-growing wagers in horseracing. (Image: TwinSpires)

Seeking Horseracing’s Fastest-Growing Wagers? Take Five or Pick Six

One of the eternal allures and constant truths about betting on horses is the ability to win a lot by wagering a little. And, when it came to the most popular and fastest-growing wager types in 2020, this eternal truth manifested itself in multiples. Multiples – as in multiple-race wagers. […]

While many of the country's biggest tracks fell short of their 2019 handles, Remington Park in Oklahoma watched its handle hit nine figures for the first time in the track's 32-year history. (Image: Remington Park)

Despite Topsy-Turvy Year, Horseracing’s 2020 Handle Falls Only 1.3%

Tracks closed, spectators were absent, and schedules were changed beyond recognition. Yet, amid a year unlike any other in Thoroughbred racing, the total 2020 US handle dipped only 1.3% from its 2019 totals. What was remarkable about that modest dip — from $10.871 billion in 2019 to $10.727 billion in […]

Not even his most devoted supporters saw Into Mischief enter the 2020s as North America's top stallion. The sire of Kentucky Derby winner Authentic captured that honor for the second consecutive year in a runaway. (Image: Coyle Photography/Spendthrift Farm)

Into Mischief Takes Top Stallion Honors for Second Consecutive Year

That Into Mischief became North America’s leading stallion for the second consecutive year is borne out by facts that carry weight, heft and meaning beyond the breeding shed. Yes, there’s the $225,000 stud fee he commands. That hasn’t stopped would-be filly and mare owners from beating a path to his […]

The quality of racing at Ascot remained strong as ever. But the storied track faces economic challenges in 2021. (Image: Eclipse Sportswire)

Ascot CEO Sees Social Distancing, Close Financial Troubles for Track

The chief executive of Ascot, Britain’s most popular racetrack, said he expects more financial pain from the global COVID-19 pandemic, and that he doesn’t expect a return to normalcy until 2022. Guy Henderson, Ascot’s CEO, said he anticipates a “significant pre-tax loss in 2021” as one-time pandemic insurance payments cease, […]

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, you won't be able to walk to the Santa Anita Park window to bet and cash winning tickets. But the Southern California track has you covered with a smorgasbord of wagers on its upcoming Winter/Spring Meet. (Image: Mario Tama/Getty)

No Spectators? No Problem as Santa Anita Offers Myriad of Wagers

Santa Anita Park unveiled a betting menu for its upcoming Winter/Spring Meet that includes North America’s lowest takeout on win-place-show bets, and its popular 20 cent Rainbow Pick Six Jackpot wager. The iconic Southern California track announced a 15.43% takeout on all $2 win, place, and show wagers. That’s the […]

The Churchill Downs turf course is getting more than a makeover. The $10 million project will be ready by the spring of 2022. (Image: Coady Photography/Churchill Downs)

The Bluegrass Will Be Greener on Churchill Downs’ New Turf Course

One week after closing its turf course, Churchill Downs Racetrack announced plans to build a new $10 million turf course designed to increase the track’s durability – along with the number of turf races. Don’t expect the project to be ready anytime soon. Track officials announced that construction will begin […]

Into Mischief broke a 2016 Tapit record for highest progeny earnings in a calendar year. (Image: Spendthrift Farm)

Into Mischief Again Proves He’s a Breed Above the Rest

Into Mischief illustrated again why he is the most sought-after sire in North America when his suddenly hot 2-year-old, Life Is Good, won his Del Mar debut Sunday. With the victory, Into Mischief broke the North American single-season progeny earnings record. When Life Is Good romped home by 9-½ lengths […]

Expo Gold, in foal to multiple Grade 1 winner Catholic Boy, sold for $950,000. She is better known as the dam of Preakness Stakes champion Swiss Skydiver. (Image: Keeneland)

Keeneland November Sale Brings Stability, Slight Dip to Sales Market

One of the biggest horse sales in North America, the Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale, ended its 10-day run Wednesday with a modest, COVID-19-related drop in sales from 2019. At the same time, nine horses sold for at least $1 million each. The Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale is one […]

Currently, North American horseplayers bet using the pari-mutuel system, which pays out based on money wagered in a common pool. New Jersey may be the first US state allowing fixed-odds wagering on horse races. (Image: Ryan Denver/Equi-Photo)

New Jersey Moves One Step Closer to Fixed-Odds Horseracing Wagering

A bill expanding and legalizing fixed-odds wagering on New Jersey horse races emerged from committees in that state’s senate – a little more than a week after being introduced in New Jersey’s state legislature. The bill, allowing permanent fixed odds on races, enjoys bipartisan support in the state legislature. The […]

After Authentic and John Velazquez captured the Breeders' Cup Classic, the 3-year-old Kentucky Derby champion rides into retirement. He'll open the 2021 breeding season at Spendthrift Farm. (Image: Darron Cummings/AP)

After Breeders’ Cup Classic Win, Authentic Rides Off to Retirement

After watching his gate-to-wire victory in Saturday’s Breeders’ Cup Classic, it took Authentic’s owners barely 24 hours to retire the three-time Grade 1 winner at the end of his 3-year-old season. The Kentucky Derby champion heads to Spendthrift Farm, the large Kentucky breeding farm and majority owner of Authentic. He […]

Uncle Mo, the standout 12-year-old stallion, bucked the trend of stud-fee reduction. Coolmore American increased his fee, while lowering most of its roster for 2021. (Image: Coolmore America)

Coolmore Lowers Stud Fees on Triple Crown Winners AP and Justify

Following breeding farm trends in this depressed economic climate, Coolmore America’s Ashford Stud lowered its fees on the majority of its roster, including Triple Crown winners American Pharoah and Justify. American Pharoah, the 2015 Triple Crown champion, will stand for $100,000. That’s a 42.8% reduction from his $175,000 fee in […]

The scene for the 2021 Pegasus World Cup day won't be as crowded as it was in 2018. But Gulfstream Park will allow fans inside for its Championship Meet that begins Dec. 2. (Image: John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel)

Gulfstream Park Will Allow Limited Fans Inside for Championship Meet

Gulfstream Park announced Monday it will allow fans inside for its Championship Meet, which begins Dec. 2 at the South Florida track north of Miami. Bill Badgett, the executive director of Florida racing for track owner The Stronach Group, told Thoroughbred Daily News Gulfstream Park will cap attendance at 50% […]

Authentic and John Velazquez's Kentucky Derby stretch duel with Tiz the Law came in front of an empty Churchill Downs. Yet, a September Derby boosted the month's and quarter's racing handle. (Image: Horsephotos/Getty)

September Derby Brings Bettors, Handle Boost to Racing Economic Totals

A September Kentucky Derby produced stronger third-quarter numbers in 2020 vs. 2019, according to the Equibase Economic Indicators in Thoroughbred Racing. Horseplayers wagered more than $3.2 billion in the third quarter. That represents a 12.7% bump from 2019’s figures of $2.92 billion. At the same time, America’s most wagered upon […]