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Some may argue that Thoroughbred racing is a contact sport. Twelve-hundred-pound athletes running at 40 mph around an oval and navigating through holes as tight as the eye of a needle might support that reasoning. Our racing stewards are there to guard against the worst from happening and protecting the integrity and safety of the sport of Thoroughbred racing. With the eyes of a hawk, they are doing their job well from their perch atop the clubhouse. All are accredited with experience and must be commended for what they do. For example, in just 18 days of the 2023 Saratoga meeting, five jockeys have been censured for careless riding. All but one, Tyler Gaffalione, was suspended. Gaffalione appealed and had his suspension stayed.

It becomes less effective when their on-track decision making fails to be communicated to fans and players. In each of the incidents above, stewards were silent to racing constituents about why they made their decision. The reports on the New York Gaming Commission site refer to careless riding. Without the details, damage occurs. With the lack of information, the rumor germinates in social media. Thousands of fans conveniently grow their own explanations without facts and embellish the rumor. Soon the stream flows to enemies of racing and we are under attack. The last thing racing needs is the unnecessary promotion of more racing haters. Like brushfires, lies about racing and the unethical that run it and the cruel that participate in it will saturate social media. Not necessary; there are solutions.

First, each track that runs a Thoroughbred racing meet could host a symposium, virtual or live, before a meet begins where the track's stewards explain the rules that apply and how they might adjudicate an inquiry. Vignettes, real or fictional, could be used to underscore the points made. Fans and players could interact and raise questions. Such a forum would be educational. When an inquiry sign appears fans and players would better understand the stewards' thought processes as they evaluate the incident. The emotions of the pending decision would be less fueled by the loss of a wager or placement of a horse.

Second, when an inquiry is decided the stewards might immediately appear on the tote board and video feed explaining how and why in this specific case they arrived at their decision. The current approach of a flashing inquiry or objection sign followed by minutes of silence and selected replays and then the public address officer announcing, there would be “no change in the finish position” doesn't serve racing well. This model frustrates fans and players and fosters conspiracy theories and fictional explanations by anyone dissatisfied with the outcome. If there is a legitimate reason to withhold an explanation it could be offered by the stewards or their spokesperson. Fans understand the litigiousness in gambling and would accept the explanation without blame.

Finally, racing would do well to recognize the value of the millions of racing fans and players across the country. Inviting them to participate on committees or workgroups that advise racing/gaming commissions or for that matter HISA would be an initiative-taking move. In this time where transparency is a buzz word for ethical behavior more would be gained than lost by such a move.

The call to action from fans of Thoroughbred racing is “keep us in the loop.” Many of us come to this sport from professions that would benefit racing if included. Fans, if their voice is recognized and matured, could be racing's best cheerleaders.

Michael Amo

ThoroFan

Editor's Note: The Stewards' Corner section of the NYRA website has now been updated with explanations of recent decisions at Saratoga Race Course, including last Saturday's GII Jim Dandy S.

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Named a top new artist at last year's Billboard Music Awards, Harlow's popularity has skyrocketed this year after the release of his album Come Home The Kids Miss You, which includes his No. 1 hit 'First Class.'

The 'Churchill Downs' music video was released on June 1 and instantly became a viral sensation. Performing from a glass enclosure in the infield, Harlow is joined by fellow rapper and pop culture figure Drake, who is featured in the song.

Racing fans will recognize several key moments from Derby Day throughout the video: the turn into the stretch in the GI La Troienne S. with Pauline's Pearl (Tapit) flying on the outside, Jack Christopher (Munnings) taking the lead in the GII Pat Day Mile S., and of course Rich Strike (Keen Ice) squeezing past horses in the GI Kentucky Derby.

Now less than two weeks after its release, the video has over 10.5 million views and is currently one of the top 10 trending music videos on YouTube.

Samantha Bussanich is the co-founder of Nexus Racing Club, a current Godolphin Flying Start trainee, and a big Jack Harlow fan. She has been anticipating the release of this music video since Harlow hinted at its filming during his interview with NBC Sports at the Kentucky Derby.

“In our generation, Jack Harlow is really the next big thing,” she said. “Especially with him being from Kentucky, it's a really big deal to have a superstar like that. All my friends that I went to school with were asking how they can go to the races and maybe see Jack Harlow.”

Bussanich took to social media to share her excitement, but received a surprising stream of backlash from many who disagreed with her belief that a social influencer like Jack Harlow can be positive marketing for racing.

One common argument was that people in their early to mid-20's should not be racing's target market because young people don't have the time and, more importantly, the money to contribute to the industry in a meaningful way.

Busssanich, who recently spent a stint in Australia during her Godolphin Flying Start training, explained that the Australian racing industry is an example of effective marketing that targets an array of race-goer demographics.

“If you're involved in racing at any level, you know that Australian racing is doing it the best,” she said. “Owners, bettors and young people all have a good time. A lot of people get defensive about who is racing's target market. I think that there are multiple target markets and everyone is vital to the success of the industry.”

She pointed out a club in New Zealand called Boy's Get Paid, which was founded 10 years ago by a dozen young men in their mid-20's. According to their website, they were founded as “a group of lads who loved to back a winner.” Their numbers grew over time and today, Boy's Get Paid has over 18,500 members. At the 2020 Karaka Million, their group of 450 people bet $250,000.

“People on social media talk about how the college kid betting $15 or $20 isn't that important, but if you multiply that by 50 or 100, they become vital for the game,” Bussanich explained. “With Jack Harlow's video, even though it might not seem like the biggest deal, it's still getting exposure for the racing industry. If you connect it with something like the Boy's Get Paid club, maybe young people here in the U.S. could become interested in racing and form a club. Those 10 kids could turn into 100 and maybe someday they could buy a horse. It's really about long-term gain.”

Another argument Bussanich encountered was that Harlow's time at Churchill Downs is not the first instance of a famous person stopping by the track. What makes Harlow's Kentucky Derby visit any different?

Bussanich explained that while racing can easily get high-profile names on big race days, the industry often falls short in taking the next step.

“We can't just have a music video and expect people to fall in love with the sport,” she admitted. “We need racetracks and the industry to educate people. The next part of that is about how we grasp people and educate them further from beyond thinking that the track is a fun place to get a drink.”

Again, Bussanich referenced Australian racing as a model worth following.

“In Australia, every trainer has a way for people to get involved,” she said. “If you look on [Hall of Fame Australian trainer] Chris Waller's website, it shows different ways to own horses. There's education there.”

So, can Jack Harlow's music video, and future headlines of pop culture figures at the racetrack, help attract fans who will stick around after the social influencers have come and gone? According to Bussanich, it all depends on how the industry responds.

“Not every day is Kentucky Derby Day, but there are some really awesome events at tracks across the U.S. where young people are bound to have a good time,” she said. “If we can get them to the track and grasp their attention, we need to figure out where to go from there. The education part needs a lot of work. What do we do after we get them to the races? This music video is really great exposure for horse racing and it looks at the highs of the sport in video concept, but now it's about taking that video and seeing what can come from it.”

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Like the author, I relate deeply to that experience of the first time at the track and getting “hooked.” As a sports fanatic kid growing up in Melbourne in the 1980s and 1990s, I was ambiently aware of racing, but it wasn't until I experienced the roar of the crowd at the 1999 Caulfield Guineas and an epic battle between the champion colts Redoute's Choice and Testa Rossa that I was transformed forever. Or as the author puts it, “spiritually fed.”

Sadly, nothing about the author's recent experiences and decision to get out of the game entirely surprised me.

A few observations:

Racetrack Experience – American racetracks, even the bigger ones, are generally decrepit. While there may be little motivation to invest given the sport is played for TV and online wagering, it's a stark contrast to the magnificence of a Flemington or Royal Randwick on a clear day. Not to mention the hundreds of picturesque racecourses that make up Provincial/Country fixtures. Where my father lives in Kyneton, about an hour's drive from Melbourne hosts a brilliant “Country Cup” day each year with entertainment and great food options. In other words, a way to get people who aren't necessarily racing fans to enjoy a day out and perhaps also place a few wagers.

Wagering Experience/Bet Types – The user interfaces for American parimutuel betting are, in my view, very poor and don't reflect what younger generations would regard as a good user experience. While wagering types are mostly common between North America and Australia, the existence of “Flexi” betting options whereby a bettor can invest wagers of their choosing in return for a calculated % of the dividend are far more enticing than the rigid unit options available here. Additionally, many young people don't grasp parimutuel totalizator concepts. The option for “Fixed Odds” betting in Australia attracts a different type of player.

Integrity & National Regulations – I am not suggesting that Australia doesn't have its own issues with integrity, animal welfare, and scandals. To suggest otherwise would be untrue. But as recent examples show, public outrage against exposed corruption and animal cruelty has led to swift and decisive action by regulators. The bad guys do get disqualified for extended periods. While there may be minor state differences, on the whole, there are national rules of racing for medication and horse ratings/classification systems that promote certainty for participants and the wagering public.

Mainstream Interest / Media Platforms – Finally, while racing remains niche in Australia, engagement in some form is much more common there, particularly amongst younger generations. While only a handful of my friends follow racing daily, a large cohort will get together with their mates for the occasional “weekend quaddie” (a Pick 4 equivalent) as a social activity at pubs and sports venues across the country. A lot of this has to do with the prevalence of excellent media and digital platforms like Racing.com.

— David Salter
Owner, fan, and horseplayer

Want to sound off about something you've seen in the Paulick Report? Send us a letter at info at paulickreport.com. Please include your contact info so our editorial staff can reach you if they have questions.

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Would create lots of controversy if I had written this in the former comments boxes you had, but the fall of Arlington Park (sorry I was never there) followed the only business rule under profit-oriented capitalism, which is always to endeavor to make the highest rate of profit you can get. It's America's real national religion.

Racing has declined to the point at which the large land areas, which most big tracks possess, is worth more if sold to real estate or developer interests. I fully expect downstate New York racing to go the same way one day. I always thought Aqueduct would go first, but I'm beginning to think Belmont might also be either shrunk dramatically or sold in total to developers. They certainly have declined horribly, both in terms of track accommodations and attendance. Back in the day, tracks were owned by sportsmen and women could never have foreseen this day — but unfortunately, it's here.

–Michael Castellano
Racing fan since the 1960s

Hi Ray, Just wanted to say thank you for your piece about the bitter fall of Arlington.

(If you missed it, it's available here.)

I, too, fell in love with racing there in the 1970s. Over the years, I got to see Secretariat, John Henry, and local legend Rossi Gold, and my cousin and I were present for the “Miracle Million.” I am absolutely heartsick about what has happened. It feels as if COVID-19 has stolen the present and the future, and now, even the past is being taken away.

–Lori Barron
Racing Fan

Hi Ray, Been a long time reader and appreciate the work you do! Just read your Arlington Park story “The Bitter End.” I live close by so it's my home track. What you wrote is so perfect and spot on. When I first heard of this being the last year, my only thought was I need to go one last time. I've been asked a few times by friends but I can't do it. It's not only the bad management as you stated or Churchill Downs greed, it's just to hard to see that beautiful place one last time knowing it's coming down. My wife, my son, my friends have so many great memories and just wish we could continue them at Arlington. I know there are other great and fun tracks but there not close to me like Arlington. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and listening to mine.

–Tom Horak
Racing Fan

I'm not sure what your coverage has been about Arlington but I would suggest looking into the political side of the story based on the state refusing to allow slots for so many years I just believe CD got fed up and walked away. I wanted to blame CD at first glance, however “after further review“ I lay the blame on the crooked politicians of Chicago and the state.

As we say in the Midwest “everything in Chicago is fixed except the roads.”

–Thom Albright
Former owner and racing fan

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It's hard to convey to Americans quite how the launch and overnight collapse of the European Super League saturated not just the airwaves, but ordinary conversation wherever and however it can happen these days–from families round their kitchen tables, to friends shivering in pub gardens, to colleagues on Zoom calls. Pandemic, what pandemic? Hadn't you heard, the 12 richest clubs in Europe were going to start a breakaway franchise?

If you were taken aback by the uproar, then so were the owners of “the Dirty Dozen.” They knew to expect a furious, panicked reaction from UEFA and FIFA, whose tawdry supervision of the established set-up was doubtless assumed to have so alienated fans as to disable its defense. But they were clearly not expecting to see lifelong obsessives–whose tribal loyalty is so feverish that the Italian word tifosi traces to the word for typhus–burning replica shirts outside the stadiums to which they have been longing to return. In Britain the entire political spectrum, from government to opposition, united in immediately exploring a legislative response to challenge the viability of the project. Club legends, former players and managers, gave vociferous vent to their rage and disgust; and there were even some among those lucratively contracted to serve the present squads who had the moral courage to express alarm or distaste over their employers' plans.

The key to all this, and it turns out the key to fan engagement, was jeopardy. In principle, if you marshal adequate resources on and off the field, the present structure permits a team to play its way from the bottom of the pyramid to the apex. And, critically, you can also make the reverse journey. That makes business planning difficult, but also gives meaning to what happens when you send your players, hired at staggering expense on the back of fans' television subscriptions, over those white lines.

Three of the six English Premier League clubs who formed the core of the rebellion have American owners, long familiar with franchises where membership is secured. In European leagues, however, the system is meritocratic: underperform sufficiently, and you will be replaced by those who have earned promotion. Of course, the wealth of Manchester United or Liverpool makes their squads invulnerable to relegation; but only the top four league finishers qualify for the European Champions' League, the world's most glamorous and lucrative club competition. The Super League would have relieved them of this tiresome hurdle.

So this became a vivid public exercise in how capitalism functions. The fans stood up for the free market against cartels and rentier exploitation. Whether they now sit up and take notice of the equivalent processes in the global economy, similarly built on debt and megabrands buying out all competition, must be doubted. But for those of us who had bleakly assumed that the cynical agendas of globalisation were now inexorable, it was as edifying as it was astonishing to see how quickly the whole thing was unravelled by sheer grass-roots passion.

Yes, the 12 clubs and their fundraisers and analysts (take a bow, J.P. Morgan) made a valuable contribution in their scarcely credible ineptitude, and amply deserve the damage they have done to their own brands. But I do think their crass example has done our own world an inadvertent service.

Fan engagement and passion–in many forms–are key | Horsephotos

Because we have been reminded that we are nothing without the fans. And that the day we take their engagement and passion for granted is also the day when the lifeblood of our business begins to harden in the arteries of commercialism.

“Now, wait a minute,” you might say. “That's nuts. You can't compare us with these avaricious tycoons who can already rely on fans in Thailand to keep uncertainty within manageable bounds. All we have, all day every day, is jeopardy. We're just trying to squeeze some kind of living out of the most unpredictable investment vehicle in all sport. And everything we stake depends, if ultimately on luck, first and foremost on our own skill.”

All true. Nonetheless all of us who depend on the Thoroughbred for a living must never forget the only reason we have an industry at all; must never forget that all we are doing, every day, is commercializing the passion of the fans.

There were 1,200 juveniles catalogued at OBS this week. Yes, each one represents a precarious, flesh-and-blood project. But that doesn't alter the fact that every crop is processed on an industrial scale, so that a horse making his track debut may have changed hands four times already: sometimes in utero, and very often pinhooked twice over: weanling to yearling to breeze show.

As result, we are candidly breeding for the sales ring rather than the track. As I've often said, that is ultimately the fault of those who direct the spending of the end-user: the agents and trainers complicit with mass breeding to new stallions, most of which will soon be standing somewhere like Peru or Oklahoma. If pinhookers knew that “racehorse” stallions would get due commercial recognition at ringside, then that's exactly where they would invest.

As it is, it's not just the breed that suffers when the commercial market recycles so much genetic junk every year. How can we expect affluent people to indulge themselves with a horse in training if we are flooding the market with mediocre stock with scarcely any premium on the things they would ideally want: a naturally sound, durable animal that will last the course, will keep giving you a day out, will keep finding in the stretch? Not, in other words, one whose job is done the moment the hammer comes down.

In fairness to the American breeder, many of these assets remain more commercial than in the home of soccer. Investors in the American Thoroughbred do still aspire, above anything else, to be involved at Churchill next Saturday; they just don't support enough of the proven stallions who would improve their chances of making it there. But here, too, it is often speed that drives spending–not least on bullet breezers at OBS this week.

The OBS grounds | Photos by Z

Professionals in Ocala may have been too busy meanwhile to notice a staggering juvenile sale on the other side of the ocean. The Goffs UK Sale at Doncaster on Thursday bounced back from an excruciating spring for the sector last year to register record-breaking returns across the board. But this amazing boost to morale measured two things that are not easy to reconcile. On the one hand, this is actually an auction that prizes exactly the kind of ostensibly “commercial” precocity that is killing off those European stallions that have most to offer the breed in the long term, and racehorse owners here and now. At the same time, however, you couldn't ask for better evidence of the validity of the overall product. This amazing evidence of pent-up demand suggests that people who have survived the economic carnage of the pandemic can't wait to get back onto the racetrack and, blessed by a renewed sense that life is for living, it seems they don't even mind if the odds of reward are steeper than ever in Britain.

The type of horses we breed is just one dimension, of course. It just happens to be most relevant to our line of work. But there is much else for the sport to think about, in terms of its priorities. Because the bottom line is that owners are just fans with money. If we think about what works best for owners, we will also come up with something that will work for the fans. The success of micro-syndication confirms the personal stake of the ordinary fan in horses. Virtually all of us, after all, even if born on a horse farm, started out as fans: hooked by a particular horse or two, developing a remote but ardent bond. Maybe a Secretariat or a Kelso, but it could just as well have been some prolific old gelding who gained a cult following in claimers at your local leaky-roof.

If you're a pinhooker, you too need those fans. Apart from anything else, one of them will just have bought a pizza oven, or rented a cabin to sell a couple of used automobiles, and in 15 years' time will be wealthy enough to roll up at Saratoga or Book 1 at Keeneland.

But more fundamental are the $1 pickers of six, and the narratives that sustain their passion. That's the lesson of the European Super League. It's not a question of how fast is the fastest buck we can make, but how we keep those turnstiles clicking. That's our real bank vault, the true foundation of our sport. If we only remember that, then everything else will fall into place.

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• In 2021, 39% of the population have an interest in horse racing versus 23% last year
• A total of 85% of racing fans are missing attending race meetings
• 19% of racing fans plan to attend more race meetings than previously
• 27% of 18-34 year-olds plan to attend more race meetings than previously
• 40% of the population would have some interest in joining a racing syndicate or racing club.

Brian Kavanagh, CEO of Horse Racing Ireland, said, “The results of the poll demonstrate that interest in horse racing has increased through the pandemic. While racing has been held behind closed doors since March of last year, it is heartening that such a large percentage of racing fans are eager for a return to the racecourse.

“The numbers of people getting involved in racehorse ownership continues to rise and the survey results reflect this increased appetite. Racehorse ownership is the key catalyst for growth at every level of the industry.”

Paul Dermody, CEO of HRI Racecourses and HRI's Director of Commercial & Marketing, added, “The figure of 60% for people who follow the sport on a weekly basis is well up on the 2020 equivalent of 47%. The feedback shows that HRI's 'On Your Terms' television ad campaign has performed very well among sports and racing fans.

“It is such a positive that there has been an increased number of racemeetings broadcast live on terrestrial television and this has been very well received. We are grateful to both RTÉ and TG4 for their increased commitment to Irish Racing.

“Indeed, the new broadcasting deal with RTÉ for live coverage of Irish horse racing for the next three years will deliver a record number of free-to-air live racing days in Ireland.”

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The industry struggles with recruitment and retention of workforce, and I repeatedly hear sentiments that today's youth can no longer relate to this 'way of life'. Countering that notion, I believe in maintaining a positive growth mindset, and in the transformative power of education. I also believe we already have a template for recruiting and developing people in the way we develop racehorses.

We begin working with horses at a young age, through lots of human contact and handling with foals, ground work with weanlings, and starting yearlings under saddle.

When working with a young horse, it is rewarding to see and feel the learning cogs starting to turn – the softening into your hands, ears intent on a human teacher rather than calling out for equine friends, head lowering and stretching out from poll to tail. Early training facilitates progression, establishes trust, and builds confidence.

We do not expect horses to succeed without a proper foundation, so why would we expect that of humans?

To find future racehorses, we go to sales and select prospects. When it comes to finding people for the workforce, the process should not be much different. Many of the under-30s I know who are working in the equine industry stumbled upon it by chance. Their stories range from turning on the television and catching a big race, going on a class tour to a farm, or introduction through a family friend or relative who was a casual fan. This process could be improved through intentional, strategic recruitment. Connecting with schools, integrating equine into existing curriculums, and demonstrating how horses can improve educational attainment are all ways to get kids thinking about careers with horses.

Even when we have our prospective racehorses, they are not loaded onto the horse van and shipped directly to the racetrack. They spend ample time at training centers, learning with other youngsters about how to gallop in company and on their own.

The Thoroughbred industry values experience in its employees, and I can't count the number of times I've heard the phrase, “Young people need to pay their dues.” However, I have never had someone define to me exactly what this means. We cannot expect people to just figure out how to find a mentor, which technical training or university programs they should apply for, and where to locate internships. We must formulate a training plan, and outline the pathways required for gaining experience and upward mobility in jobs. This sets people up for positive experiences and success.

Finally, when we have our horses fit and ready for the track, we don't expect them to win races without daily training. In addition to that training, they also receive time off and rehab to keep them mentally and physically healthy. No matter someone's age, knowledge level or job title, continuing education should never be overlooked. There is no ceiling blocking anyone from being a more diligent employee, involved team member, compassionate manager, and devoted steward of the horse.

It comes down to this: the better we educate the industry's workforce, the better the horses will be cared for. Hands guided by knowledge and experience are developed through a strong foundation – and maintained through continued training.

Annise Montplaisir is the equine education coordinator for the Kentucky Equine Education Project (KEEP) and is a graduate of the Godolphin Flying Start program.

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A BHA update released on Friday evening read, “Following the publication on Monday, Feb. 22 of the UK Government's plan to ease lockdown restrictions in England, the industry Covid-19 group has carefully studied the implications for racing in England. Any changes to racing protocols will move in parallel with the steps set out in the road map and are therefore dependent on the Government's timetable.

“Since the plan was published on Monday, Feb. 22, the BHA and senior racing executives have engaged with Government to agree how racing can unwind its own restrictions. At this stage [Mar. 29], racecourses will not be able to provide hospitality, and strict attendance rules will remain in place, including a health screening process. Further enhancements to the owner experience will be permitted from Step Two, which comes into force from Monday, Apr. 12 at the earliest. In line with the resumption of outdoor hospitality on that date, our goal is for racecourses to be able to re-introduce outdoor hospitality for owners, in line with Government guidance.”

The BHA is working on racecourses being able to host up to 10,000 fans under spectators arena guidelines, rather than 4,000 for outdoor events, when Step Three comes into play on May 17.

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