As Thoroughbred racing heads into a brand new yr, it faces the inevitable problem of studying from the previous 12 months and making use of these classes going ahead.
With 2026 at hand, BloodHorse has reprised its on-line year-end survey to ask a few of the sport’s main people for his or her opinions on pertinent points dealing with horse racing.
By means of Jan. 2, a choose group of panelists will handle points akin to probably the most thrilling freshman sire for 2026, discipline measurement, fixed-odds wagering, foal crop measurement, the Breeders’ Cup, and the Triple Crown. We proceed the sequence right now with a query about selling the game to new followers.
Whereas realizing there are numerous different voices, the hope is that these solutions will spark significant dialogue throughout the business.
Anybody who wish to supply their opinion is inspired to submit it in writing to editorial@bloodhorse.com for inclusion in BloodHorse’s Letters to the Editor. Longer items may be thought-about for an Business Voices column.
To entry the 2023 year-end survey, please click on the next hyperlink for a pdf model.
Responses have been edited for model and readability.
Query: If you’re introducing somebody new to the game, what are the stuff you inform that particular person you most take pleasure in about racing?
Acacia Courtney Clement, NYRA TV analyst: For me, it’s going to at all times be firstly concerning the horse. Should you haven’t had the pleasure of rising up round horses or driving, a go to to the backstretch may be actually eye-opening. Getting near the animals and watching them practice or of their stalls makes it a way more private expertise. As well as, these visits permit folks to see how fastidiously equine athletes are sorted, and the care that’s supplied by the coach, groom, hotwalker, and everybody concerned with the secure. There have been many mornings on the Oklahoma Coaching Monitor in Saratoga the place I’ve witnessed somebody fall in love with the horses and the sport.
In comparison with different huge sports activities, horse racing provides wonderful entry for these within the business and even only for followers. There are such a lot of unimaginable tales woven into the historical past of this sport, and it’s one in every of my favourite issues about my job. There are the backgrounds of the horses who give us such thrills, but in addition the human factor, whether or not or not it’s the journey of an train rider who has overcome adversity, a breeder carrying on a household legacy, or a coach who has had a resurgent season. I actually consider horse racing has one thing for everybody.
Griffin Johnson, social media influencer and proprietor: Once I’m introducing somebody new to racing, the very first thing I discuss is the sensation as a result of nothing else actually compares to it. The anticipation strolling into the paddock, watching a horse you’re related to step onto the observe, the adrenaline when the gates open. It’s a mixture of sport, competitors, custom, and pure emotion. However past the race itself, what I like most is the group. Racing brings collectively folks from fully totally different backgrounds who all share the identical ardour. When you expertise that, even as soon as, it’s arduous to not fall in love with the game.
Mike Smith, Corridor of Fame jockey: It most likely begins with the horses after which the game comes after that. When you see these wonderful animals they usually get in your blood, you’ll by no means get them out of it. They’re unimaginable. The best creature I’ve ever seen.
The game a part of it is usually so wonderful as properly. It’s as thrilling of a minute-and-a-half or two-minute occasion as you’ll ever discover. I speak with a whole lot of professional athletes, be they within the NFL or MLB, NHL, or NBA, and as soon as they get a style of horse racing, they’re hooked. Whether or not you personal the horse or you might have a $2 guess on it, as soon as that horse crosses that wire first, there’s no feeling on the earth prefer it.
Nick Tammaro, observe announcer and handicapper at Sam Houston Race Park and participant improvement supervisor at Sam Houston and Retama Park: The sheer majesty of the racehorse. Horses are wonderful animals that lay all of it on the road as a result of they’re born to run. Seeing them carry out at any degree is a privilege and reveals athletic prowess arguably unseen in another sport. I like the puzzle of handicapping races and the issue of putting successful wagers. I by no means omit that I’ve but to take anybody to the racetrack who didn’t have a good time.
