The Florida Thoroughbred Breeders' and Owners' Association and Gilligan Racing, its exclusive racetrack development partner, announced Oct. 28 they have secured control of more than 300 acres in Marion County for a new Thoroughbred racetrack.
The site purchase marks a key advancement in their efforts to bring a premier racing and entertainment destination to Ocala, Fla. The FTBOA has possessed a nonprofit racing license for many years and the purchase marks a significant step toward putting that license to use.
The property was selected for its size, topography, and accessibility. The FTBOA and Gilligan Racing expect to announce its exact location in the near future.
Preliminary plans call for a championship-caliber dirt track and turf course, modern grandstand and hospitality facilities, and dining, entertainment, and event venues designed to operate year-round. The development aims to strengthen Marion County's Thoroughbred and broader equine industry while creating a new destination for tourism and economic activity.
"There's a reason Ocala is known as the Horse Capital of the World," said John Morgan of Gilligan Racing and founder of the Morgan & Morgan law firm. "Some of the greatest Thoroughbreds in history have been bred, raised, and trained right here. Now we have an extraordinary opportunity to bring world-class Thoroughbred racing to the very community that produces these magnificent athletes.
"We have the land, we have Florida's sole remaining Thoroughbred racing permit, we have the equine industry and we have an incredible community. Now we need to bring together the public and private leadership to make this vision a reality. We intend to build something that will make Ocala proud and give Florida Thoroughbred racing an extraordinary future."
Morgan pointed to the FTBOA's role in the partnership and the guidance of its CEO, Lonny Powell.
"My team appreciates our strong alliance with FTBOA and its Ocala Thoroughbred Racing nonprofit, and our collaboration with Lonny Powell, CEO of FTBOA, for his strong on-the-ground expertise, relationships and experience across the national and local Thoroughbred industry and the business and political cultures of Marion County, Florida, and Tallahassee."
The Gilligan Racing team includes prominent owner/breeder and Kentucky Downs co-owner Ron Winchell.
"I am excited to be part of such an important and challenging project, with a combined team of dedicated professionals," Winchell said. "At Kentucky Downs, we've demonstrated what can happen when a racing destination combines a great racing product, competitive purses, and an exceptional guest experience. Ocala has an extraordinary opportunity to build on those principles at an even greater scale. Working with Gilligan Racing and the FTBOA, I believe we can make that happen for Florida's Thoroughbred industry."
Powell notes that the track would strengthen the Florida industry.
"For generations, Marion County has been the heart of Florida's Thoroughbred breeding and training industry," Powell said. "Establishing a premier racing facility here under our long-held nonprofit racing permit is an opportunity to build on that legacy and secure the long-term future of Florida Thoroughbred racing. Securing a site of this magnitude is a meaningful step forward, and we look forward to our continuing work with Gilligan Racing, Marion County officials, state leaders, and individual Florida industry stakeholders."
"Marion County already has the horses, the farms, the expertise, and the international reputation," said Richard Heysek, newly elected FTBOA president, who breeds and races with his wife, Cathy, as Caperlane Farm in Reddick, Fla. "Our shared vision with John Morgan and his team is a racing destination worthy of the Horse Capital of the World, one that celebrates our heritage and helps secure its future for generations to come."
The racetrack will operate under Florida's sole remaining Thoroughbred racing permit held by Ocala Thoroughbred Racing, the FTBOA's wholly owned nonprofit subsidiary. OTR's nonprofit structure is designed to support the long-term sustainability of Thoroughbred racing in Florida, including competitive purses, breeder incentives, and investments in racing infrastructure.
"Our shared objective is a strong, stable, and sustainable Thoroughbred industry, with competitive purses and awards that benefit Florida's breeders, owners, trainers, horsemen, and the broader community," said George Isaacs, president of OTR and general manager of Bridlewood Farm. "Our driving goal should be what great looks like, and we should accept nothing short of that."
While the land purchase is a significant step forward, the project remains in its early planning stages. Gilligan Racing, working on behalf of OTR and alongside the FTBOA, will coordinate with Marion County, the state of Florida, and regulators on the approvals, infrastructure, and partnerships needed to advance the development.
Details on plans, partners, and timeline will be released as planning progresses.
This press release has been edited for content and style by BloodHorse Staff.
