When you spend enough time around Thoroughbred racing, it doesn't take long to be exposed to the concerns about the industry. They are real, they are public, and those speaking up about those concerns are highly influential people who are speaking loudly.
We have seen longtime horsemen step away from the track in recent years, some because they felt it was simply time to retire, and others citing economic pressures such as wages and insurance, labor force issues, and burnout. The foal crop has also continued to shrink, with The Jockey Club projecting a North American registered foal crop of 17,000 in 2026, a continued gradual decline over at least the past decade. FanDuel TV also recently announced that it will phase out live racing coverage by the end of 2027, leaving a void in reaching a broad national audience.
Finally, one of the most debated issues in the industry revolves around the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority. Focusing on and increasing track safety and horse welfare are noble causes that horsemen can rally around. Determining what HISA's role should be and who pays that cost is another topic entirely.
But these issues don't tell the whole story.
I share this as a newer owner, and my own experience in horse racing has not been one of decline. It has been one of excitement, relationships, learning, and real optimism. What I have found is a sport that still grabs a hold of people in a way no other sport can. There is something different about watching a horse that you care about train, develop, and compete (and if everything falls into place, WIN). It's emotional, it's humbling, and it's deeply human. Once you are in this game, even in a small way like I am, it gets in your blood and it's there to stay.
Despite the perceived doom and gloom, there are many signs that this sport still has plenty of life in its legs.
Major capital is presently flowing into racing. New York's Belmont Park's redevelopment is gearing up for its 2026 reopening, with a rebuilt facility, new racing surfaces, and a more fan-centric layout. In 2027, Maryland will have a new racing center with a completely rebuilt Pimlico Race Course, with both of those projects approaching and perhaps exceeding $1 billion. Kansas is set to revive Thoroughbred racing in October after more than 17 years away, while regional tracks such as Fairmount Park, Sunland Park, and Colonial Downs have continued making improvements to facilities and infrastructure while expanding their racing schedules.
These are not the moves of an industry that has given up on itself.
The same is true on the ownership and breeding side. Across the country, states are creating breeding programs, while others are strengthening breeding incentives. Even major farms have stepped in with creative initiatives designed to support state-bred and regional runners helping to make participation more attainable. Taylor Made Stallions' State-Bred Initiative Program, as an example, creates pathways for new owners and breeders to get involved without having to compete exclusively at the very top end of the market. These offerings matter because they lower barriers and create real opportunities for people looking to enter the sport in a sustainable way—myself included as I navigate having my first mare bred in 2026.
Just as important, the ways people can participate in "the sport of kings" are changing for the better.
Not everyone has to go all-in and buy a horse on their own to be part of this sport anymore. There are partnerships, syndicates, and microshare options that make it possible to get involved without taking on all the risk yourself. Groups such as America's Best Racing have done a great job bringing new people in through ownership experiences, and platforms such as MyRacehorse have made it accessible at a level that just wasn't there before. I've been to plenty of races and have overheard exuberant fans talking about how they "own part of a horse." Even when their ownership consists of a share that they purchased for less than $100, that opportunity created genuine excitement and an escalation of adrenaline when that horse is running. Whether it's a small share or a more traditional setup, there are simply more ways to get involved today than there used to be—and that's a good thing for the future of the sport.
This matters because the future can't be built only by the people who have always been here. "The good ol' boy network," if you will. This sport needs to have input and involvement by the people who are just now discovering how thrilling and meaningful horse racing is.
That is why I would encourage racing's longtime veterans, the men and women who built this industry through hard work and sacrifice, to embrace the next generation. We need their wisdom, their standards, and their history. But we also need them to welcome new owners, new fans, and younger people who may not know all the traditions yet but are eager to learn. Every sport needs fresh energy to survive. Racing is no different.
There are already influential voices in the industry saying exactly that. Leaders within The Jockey Club have emphasized that the sport's future depends on collaboration, growth in participation, and reconnecting with fans. That is the kind of mindset horse racing needs. Not denying or ignoring the issues and not blind cheerleading, but confidence matched with effort. My personal experience has been outstanding, with access to successful veterans who have been willing to share advice, as well as their own experiences as trainers, owners, bloodstock agents, and advisors. I won't pretend to be the only one being treated so well by these important figures in the sport.
Horse racing has a great future, not just because of massive capital projects or incentive money, but because of what the sport gives people. It offers competition, community, hope, an unmatched tradition, and the unforgettable experience of being part of something bigger than yourself. For me as a newer owner, it has already been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.
Yes, racing has challenges. Every honest person in this game knows that. But it also has beauty, momentum, and opportunity. If we continue taking the time to welcome new people in, and we are wise enough to appreciate and value the people who have carried the sport this far, I believe Thoroughbred racing will remain strong for decades to come.
Sincerely,
Joe Moore
Owner, Silo Skyline Farms - Racing Stable, Pulaski, Wis.
