Hot-button issues such as decoupling and computer-assisted wagering will be in focus when the University of Arizona's Race Track Industry Program hosts the 2025 Global Symposium on Racing. The 51st Symposium, set for Dec. 8-10 at the Loews Ventana Canyon Resort in the foothills of Tucson, Ariz., will also feature panels on policy, technology, safety, and organizational challenges facing the sport.
Nearly 600 attendees are expected, continuing the event's standing as the largest annual racing conference in the world, according to RTIP chair Robert Hartman.
Panels on Tuesday and Wednesday follow an expanded slate of concurrent workshops Monday covering artificial intelligence, racing surfaces, model rules, investigative procedures, dispute resolution, and a summit of racing secretaries. The full agenda is online.
After a Tuesday keynote address from Frank Taylor, Taylor Made Farm's director of new business development and co-founder of Stable Recovery, panels begin that morning with "Reinventing Racing's Business Model: Lessons from State Battles and Policy Shifts."
Two of its speakers—Lonny Powell, CEO of the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders' and Owners' Association, and Damon Thayer, owner and president of Thayer Communications & Consulting—remain central figures opposing the 1/ST Racing-backed initiative to decouple casinos from Thoroughbred racetracks in Florida.
Decoupling refers to removing the statutory requirement that a track conduct live racing to retain its gaming license. Florida's earlier decoupling of greyhound, Quarter Horse, and Standardbred racing from gaming contributed to the collapse of those sports there. Gaming is far more profitable for operators than racing.
Powell, Thayer, and other representatives will discuss recent policy developments, state-level negotiations, and approaches taken in other jurisdictions on a range of regulatory matters.
"Racing's business model is under a lot of pressure," Hartman said. "So I think this is a really important panel to say, 'How are we going to navigate the next 20 years in racing, given all of the pressures on the sport?'"
The RTIP announced that this panel will be available to the public for free via live stream, unlike the full symposium, which costs $149 for streaming and on-demand access.
Next, "The Sustainability Algorithm: Balancing CAW Growth with Racing's Long-Term Health" gathers experts to examine the industry-wide effects of computer-assisted wagering, an area that has drawn criticism from disillusioned retail horseplayers. David O'Rourke, president and CEO for the New York Racing Association, is one of four speakers on that panel, which will be moderated by Pat Cummings, executive director of the National Thoroughbred Alliance.
Jockeys and riding-related topics take the stage Dec. 9 in the afternoon, beginning with "The Winningest Symposium Panel in Racing History: Over 23,000 Victories. One Stage." The panel features four Hall of Fame riders—retired greats Steve Cauthen, Ramon Dominguez, and Laffit Pincay Jr., along with still-active Mike Smith. Later, "Riding Together: Supporting Mental Wellness in Racing" includes retired jockey Trevor McCarthy, now a jockey wellness consultant for the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority.
Following a capstone presentation from U of A student Nathan Klein—the lone graduating senior from the RTIP's class of 15—Wednesday opens with "Racing's Success Stories: The Year in Review," followed by a legislative update from National Thoroughbred Racing Association president and CEO Tom Rooney, and then a HISA update from CEO Lisa Lazarus.
Breeding trends take the spotlight later that morning in "Strength in Numbers: Innovative Approaches to Boosting U.S. Thoroughbred Breeding," a discussion of incentive programs, regional collaboration, stallion marketing strategies, and emerging analytics designed to support growth.
The Symposium concludes Wednesday afternoon after the Turf Publicists of America Mark Kaufman Workshop—focused on the rising role of influencers in promoting the sport—and additional discussions on fixing timing inaccuracies and showcasing premier events on the world stage.
BloodHorse will provide coverage of the Tuesday and Wednesday panels.
