Reflections on Global Symposium on Racing
Attending the Global Symposium on Racing was one of the most meaningful and rewarding academic and professional experiences of my time in the University of Arizona's Race Track Industry Program.
This year's symposium brought together leading experts, regulators, industry professionals, and students from across the horse racing industry, providing a unique opportunity to connect classroom learning with real-world application. Throughout the event, I was able to engage in educational panels, build professional relationships, and see firsthand the results of the extensive work that went into organizing such a major industry event.
One of the most valuable aspects of the symposium was attending panels featuring leading experts in the racing industry. These discussions covered a wide range of topics, including regulation, integrity, media, and the future of the sport. Hearing directly from professionals actively shaping the industry reinforced many of the concepts I have learned this semester and helped me better understand how theory translates into practice. The panels also emphasized the importance of collaboration between regulators, racetracks, horsemen, and media to ensure the long-term sustainability of horse racing.
Networking was another major highlight of the symposium. The opportunity to speak with individuals currently working in various sectors of the industry allowed me to gain insight into different career paths and professional roles. These conversations were especially meaningful because they helped me envision where I might fit within the racing industry after graduation. Meeting mentors connected to the RTIP program was equally impactful, as it reinforced the strong professional network that the program provides and the continued support available to students even after the symposium concludes.
A particularly influential experience was attending the Mentor Luncheon with Scott Chaney of the California Horse Racing Board. His career path closely aligns with my own professional goals, as I am interested in pursuing a role in racing regulation and oversight. Speaking with him allowed me to better understand the responsibilities, challenges, and rewards of working in a regulatory position. This conversation further solidified my interest in pursuing a similar career and gave me valuable guidance as I plan my academic and professional next steps.
The symposium also provided opportunities beyond formal panels and networking. One exciting moment was finally taking Racing After Hours live with my co-student, Nathan Klein. Being able to participate in this event in a professional industry setting was both rewarding and validating, as it demonstrated how student-led initiatives can successfully integrate into major racing events.
Additionally, speaking with Donna Brothers, a former jockey and current NBC racing analyst, was an invaluable learning experience. She offered Nathan and I practical advice on interviewing, storytelling, and on-air professionalism, which will be extremely useful as we continue developing our media presence.
Another memorable experience was attending the awards luncheon, where I had the opportunity to have lunch with Griffin Johnson as he received the Big Sport of Turfdom Award. Witnessing this recognition of excellence in racing journalism highlighted the importance of media in shaping public perception of the sport. The luncheon also emphasized the value of integrity, professionalism, and long-term commitment within the industry.
Perhaps the most personally rewarding aspect of the symposium was seeing how all the work completed throughout the semester contributed to the success of the event. Watching everything come together and hearing numerous compliments, many stating that this was the best symposium yet, was incredibly fulfilling. It reinforced the importance of teamwork, organization, and attention to detail, and it gave me a strong sense of pride in being part of the RTIP program.
Finally, meeting notable figures such as Jayson Werth and Hall of Fame jockey Ramon Dominguez further underscored the significance of the symposium. Their presence highlighted the broad reach of the event and the respect it holds across both the racing industry and the broader sports world. Overall, the Global Symposium on Racing was an invaluable experience that strengthened my academic learning, expanded my professional network, and reinforced my career goals. It provided clarity, motivation, and a deeper appreciation for the collaborative efforts required to support and advance the horse racing industry.
I am grateful for the opportunity to be involved and look forward to applying what I learned as I continue my education and professional development.
Tashua Antoinette
University of Arizona Race Track Industry Program
Racing needs to take the next Steps
Two Steps Toward Improving Racing.
The first would be a lifetime ban for any trainer or owner who contributes to a racehorse ending up in the slaughter pipeline. The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority should have oversight of such issues. If this is not a safety and integrity issue, then I don't know what is.
The second would be making contributions to aftercare mandatory, not optional. Add a percentage to every single entry fee that would go toward aftercare. This could be done on a sliding scale. The lower the purse, the lower the percentage. That approach would not put small stables out of business but would make sure the people who can afford to spend millions on a single horse are paying their fair share.
Robin Brooks
Lexington, Thoroughbred owner
Needed changes
The current state of horse racing is not nearly as positive as the BloodHorse comments on Dec. 24, 2025, make it seem.
Most racing in the United States is rather dreary with way too many races consisting of five or six horses.
For bettors, the acceptance of computerized wagering by most jurisdictions makes it difficult for regular players to compete. Yes, some tracks have shut off these wagers within the last one or two minutes before the race. Not all. Shutting them down in the last five or six minutes should be mandatory. This is unlikely to happen as the tracks say computerized wagering is too profitable for them.
Though there is an effort to limit medications, there are still too many horses racing with questionable meds. The best option: eliminate all meds. Of course, trainers would then complain they can't race their horses. This doesn't seem to be a problem in the rest of the "meds-free" horse racing world.
Finally, there needs to be a study established to determine why the amount of foals has declined so dramatically. Why is this happening? It's obvious that more horses available to race would solve many problems for the industry.
Bruce Cotton
Chicago
Racing Leaders Need to Change Their Approach
As a longtime racing fan (my earliest memory is being brought to Monmouth Park at 5 or 6 years old), I disagree with the premise that there seems to be a lot of confidence in racing. This pains me to say as a lover of the sport—the horses, and the experience—but it is obvious horse racing is in deep trouble.
The majority of the industry thinking revolves around two areas: 1) We are running a horse racing business and 2) Our major competition are the other jurisdictions.
So to address No. 1: No, we are not in the horse racing business, we are in the ENTERTAINMENT business. And No. 2, our competition isn't the other jurisdictions. Maryland's competition is not Pennsylvania racing, New York's isn't California or Kentucky, New Jersey's isn't Delaware. Yet they all act like they are in competition with each other.
Our competition is where people spend their entertainment dollars, including MLB, NFL, NBA, movies, restaurants, amusement parks, etc.
Now we face wagering competition from sports betting, which we are losing badly. Thoroughbred racing has a unique advantage over those other entertainment options, and that is the majestic Thoroughbred racehorse!
I have never taken a visitor to the backstretch to meet the horses and not have them come away a new fan.
So yes, some small, promising steps are being taken. MyRacehorse has stepped into a void to help get more of the public involved in the ownership experience. Kenwood Racing focuses on the member experience and love of the Thoroughbred. There are others. Tracks such as Oaklawn Park are doing the right things. Monmouth Park, Saratoga Race Course, Del Mar, and Keeneland each have their own attraction. But those are unfortunately the exception rather than the rule.
Let's start thinking out of the box! Fixed-odds wagering is a good start. How about tackling the takeout next? Sportsbooks typically have odds of -110 on a 50-50 bet, equivalent to a 10% takeout. Why would anyone want to place a horse racing bet at 15%, 17%, or even 25% takeout when they can get 10% betting on pro sports? What are we afraid of? Losing money? We're losing money now! A lower takeout will almost certainly attract more betting. Will it offset the decrease in takeout? Who knows, but what we are doing now isn't working.
Combination betting with pro sports has to be a given. What about prop bets for the casual fan on horse racing? If a track has 10 races scheduled on a given day, how about a bet with a -110 that more than five races will be won by an even-numbered horse? I'm sure greater minds than mine can come up with better prop bet ideas.
Finally, make actually going to the track an exciting, unique experience. Conduct daily backstretch visits, create a mini-museum experience showing the history of a particular track. Create simulated jockey experiences for young fans (much easier and less expensive with the advent of artificial intelligence technology). In summary, make going to the track attractive vs. the competition! But I'm realistic, let's start by just having clean bathrooms.
Jack Czajkowski
Oceanport, N.J.
