Jockey Club pledges funding to help improve the profile of Thoroughbred Racing

The Thoroughbred racing industry is in decline due to an aging fanbase, competition from other forms of gambling, and increased concern about horse welfare, among other issues.

Only 22% of the general public views Thoroughbred racing positively. Even among those classified as racing fans, less than half would recommend the sport to others. Attendance at tracks is decreasing, the fan base is aging, and those that still attend are betting less. These are some of the grim numbers presented at the Jockey Club’s annual Round Table Conference.

The study, titled, “Driving Sustainable Growth for Thoroughbred Racing and Breeding,” was commissioned by the Jockey Club to analyze the current state and the future of the Thoroughbred industry.

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The findings on the state of the industry likely won’t surprise anyone who has followed Thoroughbred racing in recent years. Since 1990, the number of starters is down 23%. Race days are down 14% from 2000. The fan base is decreasing by 4% each year as aging fans pass away, casual fans lose interest, and fewer new fans enter the racing world.

The one component of the Thoroughbred industry that has improved is interest in major events, such as the Kentucky Derby and Breeders’ Cup. Those races have seen increases in attendance and television ratings over the past ten years. However, they account for only a tiny percentage of the sport.

The study cites several reasons for the decline in racing’s popularity. Competition from other gambling options, such as casinos or online gambling, appears to pull fans away from the track. The sport also has a negative public image due to rising concerns about animal welfare and the perception that racing is not family- or community-friendly. Additionally, top races often occur nearly simultaneously at different tracks, diluting the dwindling fan base at each event.

The recommendations outlined in the study are:

Increased television coverage
A free-to-play website
Fewer, better races and better scheduling
Creation of a social game
Innovative wagering platforms
Track-integrated Advance-Deposit Wagering (ADW)
Racing integrity reforms
Encouragement of ownership through greater transparency
Dissemination of best practices from tracks around the country.

At its August 14 Round Table Conference, the Jockey Club President and CEO James L. Gagliano announced that the organization would commit to funding these initiatives over the next five years.

Also at last weekend’s conference, the Jockey Club released its prediction that the 2012 Thoroughbred foal crop would be the smallest since 1971, based on the number of mares bred this year.

Click here to view selected exhibits from the industry study.

13 years ago

Leslie Potter

Leslie Potter is a graduate of William Woods University where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Equestrian Science with a concentration in saddle seat riding and a minor in Journalism/Mass Communications. She is currently a writer and photographer in Lexington, Ky.Potter worked as a barn manager and riding instructor and was a freelance reporter and photographer for the Horsemen's Yankee Pedlar and Saddle Horse Report before moving to Lexington to join Horse Illustrated as Web Editor from 2008 to 2019. Her current equestrian pursuits include being a grown-up lesson kid at an eventing barn and trail riding with her senior Morgan gelding, Snoopy.

Next International Conference on Equine Welfare scheduled for September 26-28 in Virginia »

PKL says:
August 17, 2011 at 5:46 am
Boy, that is a tough problem. You certainly, can not stop people from aging, or loseing interest. TB farm will just have to get smaller, and not breed so many mares, just to get a few "best" colts/foals for racing. Or use what foals result, instead, of taking two out of 100 foals. The rest are sent where....???? Canada/Mexico
Shani says:
August 17, 2011 at 7:46 am
I hope this works. I have always loved thoroughbred racing. Although I know people think that it isn't good for the horses welfare, I don't believe it is as bad as people make it out too be. Yes, some thoroughbreds do brake down on the track,but horses can brake down in any horse sport. Racing is what thoroughbreds were born to do. You never see people complain about crosscountry, when I personally have seen more horses break down in that sport then in racing. (Note I am not against crosscountry, that was just an example). Those horses deserve a chance to run.
jockey girl! says:
August 17, 2011 at 9:03 am
Horse racing is my lifes study and i think its a great beautiful sport! And one of my greatest fears is what if this sport ended! that would break my heart:( Soo thank you jockeyclub for making these improvements!! AND PEOPLE HORSE RACING IS NOT!!! CRUELTY!!!
pat says:
August 17, 2011 at 6:27 pm
I didn't see "improved horse care and responsible breeding practices" anywhere??????
TRAIL RIDER says:
August 17, 2011 at 9:05 pm
EXCELLENT POINT PAT! IMPROVED HORSE CARE AND RESPONSIBLE BREEDING PRACTICES SHOULD HAVE BEEN ON THE TOP OF THAT "TO-DO" LIST!!
Galadriel says:
August 17, 2011 at 10:31 pm
I would hope that not only the perception of the sport will change but that there will be actual improvement for the welfare of horses and horse people too.