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Doug O’Neill Fined $5,000 In Settlement Agreement With CHRB

Trainer Doug O'Neill has been issued a $5,000 fine by the California Horse Racing Board pursuant to a settlement agreement, according to a stewards' ruling dated Dec. 31, 2021. The fine was issued for failing to post five “detention stall signs” at Los Alamitos on July 5, 2021, and is listed is a violation of CHRB Rule #1845 (c)(2)(A) (Authorized Bleeder Medication).

The original complaint was filed on Oct. 22, stating that investigators received a tip that a horse from O'Neill's barn that had already been entered in a race may have received illegal medication. Investigators at Los Alamitos inspected the barn on July 5 and discovered the unidentified horse did not have a sign on its stall door indicating it was running within the next 24 hours.

Assistant trainer Sabas Rivera told investigators he had treated the horse the previous day with oral pastes called Bleeder Shield and Un-Lock, which meant they had been treated within 24 hours of race time.

Un-Lock is marketed as a supplement containing amino acids and electrolytes to reduce muscle fatigue and prevent tying up. Bleeder Shield purports to contain the Chinese herb Yunnan Baiyao to prevent exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage. Neither product is approved by the Food and Drug Administration because the FDA does not inspect or approve dietary supplements for horses or humans. California rules do allow the administration of oral pastes like these, but not within 24 hours of a race.

In 2013, O'Neill appeared before California stewards after a barn foreman administered an amino acid paste to runner Cinco de Mario, who was entered to run within 24 hours. Cinco de Mario was subsequently scratched from the race. At the time, O'Neill said the foreman made a mistake and was meant to give the paste to a horse in the next stall who was more than 24 hours out from a race. At the time, the trainer also said he would time the administration of oral supplements like that one 25 to 30 hours out from a horse's race, because he believed they could still be effective in that window without violating the rules. He received a $1,500 fine in that case.

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Economic Indicators: U.S. Wagering Tops $12 Billion In 2021 For Highest Total Handle Since 2009

Equibase, North American racing's official database, on Wednesday released its 2021 statistics for the industry's economic indicators, including field size, wagering, and other data, along with 2019 and 2020 comparables. The 2019 data is included as a pre-COVID-19 comparison.

Total handle on U.S. races in 2021 topped $12 billion, reaching the highest figure since 2009. That number represents an 11.86 percent increase over wagering in 2020 ($10.9B), and an increase of 10.74 percent compared to 2019 ($11B).

By comparison, the 2009 wagering total of $12.3 billion came from a total of 49,368 races. The 2021 wagering totals were from 33,567 races, a 32 percent decline in the number of races.

“Against an extraordinarily difficult backdrop, the resiliency of Thoroughbred racing was on full display in 2021 as we concluded the year with significant growth in purses and total handle of more than $12 billion, the highest since 2009,” said Tom Rooney, president and chief executive officer of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association. “We thank our customers for their ongoing support as their wagering dollars continue to fuel our industry. As we turn the page to 2022, we look forward to the beginning of a new era for U.S. Thoroughbred racing with the launch of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) and an even greater focus on equine safety and welfare and the integrity of America's oldest sport.”

Race days and starts both increased over 2020, which is expected after the pandemic shut down much of the U.S.'s live racing last year, but average field size showed a decline of 7.2 percent from 2020 to 2021. Over the same period, despite an increase of 10 percent in average purses per race day, average wagering per race day showed a 9.29 percent decline.

As compared to the pre-pandemic year of 2019, however, average wagering per race day showed an over 20 percent increase in 2021 as the number of race days fell by 7.98 percent. That's despite the average field size dropping from 7.53 in 2019 to 7.37 in 2021.

Total purses showed the largest percentage increase from 2020 to 2021, up 35.77 percent and 10.09 percent per race day.

Overall, the numbers suggest the horse racing industry is recovering from the pandemic, but also that it is struggling to retain field size as foal crops have declined in numbers.

YTD 2021 vs. YTD 2020
Indicator	YTD 2021	YTD 2020	% Change
Wagering on U.S. Races*	$12,218,407,637	$10,922,936,290	+11.86%
U.S. Purses	$1,180,853,677	$869,771,206	+35.77%
U.S. Race Days	4,072	3,302	+23.32%
U.S. Races	33,567	27,700	+21.18%
U.S. Starts	247,416	220,006	+12.46%
Average Field Size	7.37	7.94	-7.20%
Average Wagering Per Race Day	$3,000,591	$3,307,976	-9.29%
Average Purses Per Race Day	$289,994	$263,407	+10.09%

1st Half 2021 vs. 1st Half 2020
Indicator	1st Half 2021	1st Half 2020	% Change
Wagering on U.S. Races*	$6,279,039,094	$5,054,526,907	+24.23%
U.S. Purses	$515,151,692	$324,168,648	+58.91%
U.S. Race Days	1,881	1,301	+44.58%
U.S. Races	15,792	10,906	+44.80%
U.S. Starts	117,303	88,074	+33.19%
Average Field Size	7.43	8.08	-8.02%
Average Wagering Per Race Day	$3,338,139	$3,885,109	-14.08%
Average Purses Per Race Day	$273,871	$249,169	+9.91%

2nd Half 2021 vs. 2nd Half 2020
Indicator	2nd Half 2021	2nd Half 2020	% Change
Wagering on U.S. Races*	$5,939,368,543	$5,868,409,383	+1.21%
U.S. Purses	$665,701,985	$545,602,558	+22.01%
U.S. Race Days	2,191	2,001	+9.50%
U.S. Races	17,775	16,794	+5.84%
U.S. Starts	130,113	131,932	-1.38%
Average Field Size	7.32	7.86	-6.82%
Average Wagering Per Race Day	$2,710,803	$2,932,738	-7.57%
Average Purses Per Race Day	$303,835	$272,665	+11.43%

4th QTR 2021 vs. 4th QTR 2020
Indicator	4th QTR 2021	4th QTR 2020	% Change
Wagering on U.S. Races*	$2,720,738,901	$2,576,392,869	+5.60%
U.S. Purses	$300,299,698	$240,534,957	+24.85%
U.S. Race Days	870	793	+9.71%
U.S. Races	7,339	6,805	+7.85%
U.S. Starts	56,789	55,530	+2.27%
Average Field Size	7.74	8.16	-5.17%
Average Wagering Per Race Day	$3,127,286	$3,248,919	-3.74%
Average Purses Per Race Day	$345,172	$303,323	+13.80%

December 2021 vs. December 2020
Indicator	December 2021	December 2020	% Change
Wagering on U.S. Races*	$808,907,627	$751,783,126	+7.60%
U.S. Purses	$74,777,035	$57,534,410	+29.97%
U.S. Race Days	251	229	+9.61%
U.S. Races	2,151	2,008	+7.12%
U.S. Starts	17,257	16,884	+2.21%
Average Field Size	8.02	8.41	-4.59%
Average Wagering Per Race Day	$3,222,740	$3,282,896	-1.83%
Average Purses Per Race Day	$297,916	$251,242	+18.58%

2019 Comparisons:

YTD 2021 vs. YTD 2019
Indicator	YTD 2021	YTD 2019	% Change
Wagering on U.S. Races*	$12,218,407,637	$11,033,824,363	+10.74%
U.S. Purses	$1,180,853,677	$1,167,920,667	+1.11%
U.S. Race Days	4,072	4,425	-7.98%
U.S. Races	33,567	36,207	-7.29%
U.S. Starts	247,416	272,553	-9.22%
Average Field Size	7.37	7.53	-2.08%
Average Wagering Per Race Day	$3,000,591	$2,493,520	+20.34%
Average Purses Per Race Day	$289,994	$263,937	+9.87%

1st Half 2021 vs. 1st Half 2019
Indicator	1st Half 2021	1st Half 2019	% Change
Wagering on U.S. Races*	$6,279,039,094	$5,672,774,271	+10.69%
U.S. Purses	$515,151,692	$544,002,132	-5.30%
U.S. Race Days	1,881	2,104	-10.60%
U.S. Races	15,792	17,457	-9.54%
U.S. Starts	117,303	130,239	-9.93%
Average Field Size	7.43	7.46	-0.44%
Average Wagering Per Race Day	$3,338,139	$2,696,185	+23.81%
Average Purses Per Race Day	$273,871	$258,556	+5.92%

2nd Half 2021 vs. 2nd Half 2019
Indicator	2nd Half 2021	2nd Half 2019	% Change
Wagering on U.S. Races*	$5,939,368,543	$5,361,050,092	+10.79%
U.S. Purses	$665,701,985	$623,918,535	+6.70%
U.S. Race Days	2,191	2,321	-5.60%
U.S. Races	17,775	18,750	-5.20%
U.S. Starts	130,113	142,314	-8.57%
Average Field Size	7.32	7.59	-3.56%
Average Wagering Per Race Day	$2,710,803	$2,309,802	+17.36%
Average Purses Per Race Day	$303,835	$268,815	+13.03%

4th QTR 2021 vs. 4th QTR 2019
Indicator	4th QTR 2021	4th QTR 2019	% Change
Wagering on U.S. Races*	$2,720,738,901	$2,439,642,344	+11.52%
U.S. Purses	$300,299,698	$274,053,649	+9.58%
U.S. Race Days	870	910	-4.40%
U.S. Races	7,339	7,653	-4.10%
U.S. Starts	56,789	61,576	-7.77%
Average Field Size	7.74	8.05	-3.83%
Average Wagering Per Race Day	$3,127,286	$2,680,926	+16.65%
Average Purses Per Race Day	$345,172	$301,158	+14.61%

December 2021 vs. December 2019
Indicator	December 2021	December 2019	% Change
Wagering on U.S. Races*	$808,907,627	$707,728,171	+14.30%
U.S. Purses	$74,777,035	$66,315,581	+12.76%
U.S. Race Days	251	252	-0.40%
U.S. Races	2,151	2,169	-0.83%
U.S. Starts	17,257	17,561	-1.73%
Average Field Size	8.02	8.10	-0.91%
Average Wagering Per Race Day	$3,222,740	$2,808,445	+14.75%
Average Purses Per Race Day	$297,916	$263,157	+13.21%

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Applications Open For The Jockey Club’s Summer Internship Program

Applications are now open for The Jockey Club's summer internship program for college students and recent college graduates. The formal program, which was launched last summer, will accommodate up to three interns.

“We were impressed by our first class of interns last summer and look forward to welcoming a new group of enthusiastic individuals this year,” said Matt Iuliano, executive vice president and executive director of The Jockey Club. “This program, as well as our scholarship offerings, serves as part of The Jockey Club's commitment to supporting the future workforce of our industry.”

Interns will gain exposure to all companies and departments within the organization, and they will have the opportunity to spend additional time in areas that they find to be of particular interest. The program will last eight weeks.

Subject to COVID-19 restrictions, the internships will take place in The Jockey Club's offices located in Lexington, Ky., and New York, N.Y. For more information and to view the application, interested candidates should visit jockeyclub.com/Default.asp?section=Initiatives&area=3. Applications are being accepted now through Feb. 11, 2022. Selected interns will be notified in early April 2022.

The Jockey Club, founded in 1894 and dedicated to the improvement of Thoroughbred breeding and racing, is the breed registry for North American Thoroughbreds. In fulfillment of its mission, The Jockey Club, directly or through subsidiaries, provides support and leadership on a wide range of important industry initiatives, and it serves the information and technology needs of owners, breeders, media, fans and farms. It founded America's Best Racing (americasbestracing.net), the broad-based fan development initiative for Thoroughbred racing, and in partnership with the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association, operates OwnerView (ownerview.com), the ownership resource. Additional information is available at jockeyclub.com.

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FOX Sports Acquires Belmont Stakes Media Rights Through 2030

FOX Sports and the New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) further cement their relationship today by announcing an historic deal in which FOX Sports acquires the exclusive media rights for the Belmont Stakes, the final jewel of Thoroughbred racing's Triple Crown series.

The eight-year agreement, which starts in 2023, is inclusive of the entire Belmont Stakes Racing Festival, the multi-day event preceding the Belmont Stakes comprised of dozens of elite Thoroughbred races.

Additionally, the new deal grants NYRA Bets the title sponsorship to the Belmont Stakes. With this deal, the NYRA Bets Belmont Stakes becomes the most prestigious American sports event to be sponsored by a gaming brand.

NYRA Bets is an advance deposit wagering business currently operating in more than 30 states, and majority-owned by NYRA with FOX Corp. holding a minority interest.

“From Secretariat to American Pharoah, the Belmont Stakes has been racing's greatest test of the champion, and we couldn't be prouder to bring it to FOX Sports,” said Michael Mulvihill, FOX Sports Executive Vice President, Head of Strategy and Analytics. “The Belmont enhances FOX's status as the industry leader in live events and is an important step in our evolution as a media and gaming brand.”

“FOX Sports has quickly become the year-round home of the finest thoroughbred racing in the country,” said Dave O'Rourke, NYRA President & CEO. “Their commitment to presenting innovative and informative coverage has had an enormous impact on reaching new fans and enhancing overall interest in the sport. That's why NYRA is so pleased to expand our partnership to now include the Belmont Stakes on FOX for many years to come.”

An American tradition inaugurated in 1867 at Jerome Park Racetrack and moved in 1905 to its now familiar home at Belmont Park, the Belmont Stakes has provided fans with some of the most exciting moments in sports history. From Secretariat's spellbinding 31-length victory in 1973 to American Pharoah successfully ending a 37-year Triple Crown drought in 2015, the Belmont Stakes is engrained in the consciousness of sports fans around the world.

NYRA and FOX Sports began their collaboration with Saratoga Live in 2016 at historic Saratoga Race Course. The critically acclaimed show, broadcast daily from the grounds of Saratoga, aired 80 hours of live coverage on FS2 and coincided with the national launch of NYRA Bets, NYRA's mobile wagering platform now available in more than 30 states. FOX Sports' total coverage of horse racing has grown every year since the partnership began, eclipsing 700 hours in 2020.

In 2019, FOX Sports became the national television home for Belmont Park, airing live coverage of nearly every race day throughout the fall and spring/summer racing seasons. That same year, the brand furthered its commitment to the sport by televising the Runhappy Travers to a national audience on the FOX broadcast network (FOX) for the first time in network history. Following its successful presentation, the Travers returned to FOX in 2020 and 2021.

In March of 2021, NYRA and FOX Sports expanded their partnership through a landmark media rights agreement. That agreement extended FOX Sports' television rights with NYRA through 2030 and further expanded exclusivity for daily racing at Belmont Park and Saratoga Race Course. It also ensured that the Travers will remain on FOX through 2030.

The agreement announced in March provides a FOX Sports subsidiary with a future opportunity to increase its current 25 percent equity interest in NYRA Bets. Driven by a dramatic expansion in live television coverage on FOX Sports, NYRA Bets generated $250 million in wagering handle in 2021 and $225 million in wagering handle in 2020, a more than 100 percent increase compared to 2019.

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