INDUSTRY RESOURCES

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INDUSTRY RESOURCES 〰️

INDUSTRY RESOURCES
BEGINNER GUIDE

This list is a starting point to help you learn some of the most common names and lingo that you'll hear mentioned in racing circles. This includes some of the most prominent Thoroughbred racetracks and the companies that operate them, national industry organizations, and commonly read racing publications in North America. Please note, some national bodies have state affiliates, and not all state organizations are listed below.

TIPS FOR USING THE GUIDE

  1. Read through the guide and click additional links to better understand how one organization might be related to others. 

  2. Download the American Racing Manual and read pages 901-905 to learn if there is a racetrack or training center in your state or province. Then search Equibase for racetrack entries. 

  3. Most states with racing will have their own horsemens group to represent the interests of owners and trainers, and breeders group to promote horses bred within the state. Research your state and region for these types of organizations. Some might have meetings, sales, or events that are open to the public. 

  4. Watch racing, read about the Thoroughbred industry and follow our calendar of events to learn about the industry’s most prominent events.

  • To learn more about Thoroughbred sales and how they work, visit our Learn page! The three most prominent Thoroughbred Sales companies in North America are as follows:

    Fasig-Tipton Co.: North America’s oldest Thoroughbred auction company. Headquartered in Lexington, Fasig-Tipton holds sales throughout the year in Kentucky, New York, Maryland, and California, along with digital sales.

    Keeneland: Located in Lexington, Kentucky, Keeneland is the world’s largest Thoroughbred auction house, and hosts four sales annually in January, April, September, and November. Keeneland also hosts racing twice annually during its boutique spring and fall meetings.

    Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company (OBS): OBS is based in Ocala, Florida, the hub of pre-training for young Thoroughbreds, so it makes sense that this sales company specializes in 2-year-olds in training sales. These sales take part in the early part of the year, generally March-June.

  • Breeders’ Cup – A year-end culminating championship for Thoroughbred horse racing. Held at a different North American racetrack each year, this series of races can be likened to a track and field competition, with races at varying distances and surfaces and for horses of different ages. Learn more about how it works.

    Eclipse Awards – Established in 1971, the Eclipse Awards are bestowed upon horses and individuals whose outstanding achievements in North America have earned them the title of Champion in their respective categories. Those awards are voted by NTRA, Daily Racing Form and the National Turf Writers and Broadcasters (NTWAB). An Eclipse Award also is presented to the winner of the National Horseplayers Championship. Awards also are given to recognize members of the media for outstanding coverage of Thoroughbred racing.

    Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) – Oversees national, uniform integrity and safety rules for Thoroughbred racing in the U.S.. Put into effect in 2022, HISA was created to implement, for the first time, a national, uniform set of integrity and safety rules that are applied consistently to every Thoroughbred racing participant and racetrack facility. Check out HISA’s educational materials to learn more about its implementation.

    Horseracing Integrity & Welfare Unit (HIWU) – HIWU was established in 2022 by Drug Free Sport International (DFSI) to administer the rules and enforcement mechanisms of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority’s (HISA) Anti-Doping and Medication Control (ADMC) Program. Drug Free Sport International contracted with HISA to build an enforcement agency to administer HISA’s ADMC Program. That enforcement agency is HIWU. Learn more through HIWU’s education and resources page.

    National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) – The NTRA is a broad-based coalition charged with increasing the popularity, welfare, and integrity of Thoroughbred racing through consensus-based leadership, legislative advocacy, safety and integrity initiatives, fan engagement, and corporate partner development.

    National Turf Writers and Broadcasters (NTWAB) – The NTWAB represents individuals who professionally write about or provide television coverage of the horse racing industry (turf writers and broadcasters). It encourages closer relationships among members, seeks to improve working conditions, fosters understanding about the governing powers of Thoroughbred racing, and develops understanding and appreciation of Thoroughbred racing and breeding.

    Sovereign Awards – The Sovereign Awards celebrates the outstanding human and equine achievements in Canadian Thoroughbred racing and breeding each year.

    The Jockey Club (TJC) – The Jockey Club’s primary responsibility is to serve as the registry of Thoroughbred horses in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico. It oversees the maintenance of The American Stud Book in a manner that ensures integrity of the Thoroughbred breed in those regions. But it also does more than that:

    TJC oversees a variety of data and research resources including The Jockey Club Rule Book, registration services, news releases, Fact Book, State Fact Books, On the Lead newsletter, and The Jockey Club Round Table Conference.

    TJC is involved in advocacy and promotion through several supported initiatives, Thoroughbred aftercare, conferences and education, industry collaboration, integrity and safety, and more.

    TCJ companies include The Jockey Club Information Systems, the leading research and production source of North American Thoroughbred sales catalog pedigrees; InCompass Solutions, a software system for racetracks and simulcast facilities throughout North America; The Jockey Club Technology Services, which provides technology solutions from software development to technology consulting, and hosting and managed services; Equibase Company, a partnership between subsidiaries of The Jockey Club and the Thoroughbred Racing Associations of North America that serves as the Thoroughbred industry’s official database; TrackMaster, a provider of electronic data to high-end handicappers; TJC Media Ventures, a commercial subsidiary of The Jockey Club that oversees new-fan development activities, primarily under the “America’s Best Racing” (ABR) brand; Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation, a leading source of equine research funding; The Jockey Club Safety Net Foundation, a charitable trust that provides, on a confidential basis, financial relief and assistance to members of the Thoroughbred industry and their families; and BloodHorse magazine.

    Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association (TOBA) – TOBA is a national trade organization for Thoroughbred owners and breeders. Programs managed by TOBA include the American Graded Stakes Committee, the Claiming Crown, ownership seminars, and breeding, pedigree & conformation clinics. It oversees OwnerView In collaboration with The Jockey Club to provide information to new, prospective and current Thoroughbred owners. The organization also has a charitable arm through Thoroughbred Charities of America (TCA). Check out this cool resource about Thoroughbred ownership!

  • There are two primary horsemen’s organizations in North America that represent the interests of Thoroughbred owners, trainers, and backstretch personnel. These are the National Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association (NHBPA) and affiliates, and the Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association and its own affiliates. While these organizations might differ slightly through the stances they take on certain industry topics, they serve similar purposes through their missions, which include supporting the best interest of their members, legislative advocacy, dissemination of information, advancing safety of horses and humans, and promoting the sport of Thoroughbred racing.

    Most states with Thoroughbred racing align with one organization or the other, although there are some anomalies. In California, trainers are represented by California Thoroughbred Trainers (CTT) and owners are represented by Thoroughbred Owners of California (TOC).

  • The Thoroughbred industry is fast-paced–and we’re not just talking about the racing! From breeding season to yearling sales, Triple Crown season to the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series and beyond, the Thoroughbred industry is churning out news stories and information every single day. The best way to stay on top of it is to read popular industry publications consistently, watch racing, and research your favorite horses.

    Horse Racing Media

    There are many Thoroughbred industry publications, but this short list is a good starting point:

    America’s Best Racing
    BloodHorse
    Daily Racing Form
    The Paulick Report
    Thoroughbred Daily News

    Several racing publications and media agencies have their own mobile apps and podcasts, which are convenient ways to follow racing news when you’re on the go.

    Racing on Television

    There is no singular platform to watch racing at every racetrack in North America. Graded stakes races on popular festival days such as the Kentucky Derby and Breeders’ Cup are televised live on national networks. Keeneland, 1/ST, and NYRA, among others, stream their tracks’ races live from their website or YouTube channel.

    If you’re old enough to wager (18+), betting apps offer their members free, live simulcast feeds of racetracks around the world. Even if you choose not to bet, you can sign up for a betting app and utilize this feature to watch and follow racing live.

    Racetrack Television Network (RTN) offers subscription packages that horse racing fans can pay for to access every live simulcast from North America and limited International tracks and unlimited replays on your TV, PC, mobile devices, and Roku.

    Researching Horses

    Equibase is a uniform, industry-owned database of racing information and statistics, It offers a comprehensive menu of handicapping products, statistical information and video race replays in support of the North American Thoroughbred racing industry. This website is where you can go to view entries at racetracks across the country, search for a specific racehorse, follow trainer and jockey standings, and more.

    If researching Thoroughbred pedigrees, sales results, and breeder statics interest you, Equineline is the place to go. While the website does charge to run certain searches and access some features, there is a tab offering a number of free research services.

  • The following racetracks or operating entities are a few of the most prominent names you will hear as you get involved in the Thoroughbred industry. Amplify tip: One of the best ways to learn the history of a particular track and its biggest races is to search for its media guide. Most racetrack media guides are available on each track’s website in PDF form and can be downloaded!

    Churchill Downs Incorporated: A publicly traded company that operates Churchill Downs Race Track, home of the Kentucky Derby, along with Turfway Park and Ellis Park in Kentucky, Fair Grounds Race Course in Louisiana, Colonial Downs in Virginia and Presque Isle Downs in Pennsylvania.

    Del Mar Thoroughbred Club: Located in the City of Del Mar, California, the racetrack is on the 340-acre Del Mar Fairgrounds 20 miles north of San Diego and 100 miles south of Los Angeles. Famous for its proximity to the Pacific Ocean.

    Keeneland: This pristine track is located in Lexington, Kentucky in the heart of Thoroughbred country. Opened in October 1936, Keeneland is unique as a world-class racing venue and sales company.

    New York Racing Association (NYRA): Founded in 1955, NYRA is franchised to run Thoroughbred racing at New York's three major tracks: Aqueduct Racetrack, Belmont Park, and Saratoga Race Course. NYRA tracks are the cornerstone of New York State's Thoroughbred industry, which contributes more than $2 billion annually to its urban, suburban and rural economy.

    1/ST Racing/The Stronach Group: The Stronach Group is a technology, entertainment, and real estate development company with Thoroughbred racing and pari-mutuel wagering at the core. The Stronach Group is the holding and investment company that encompasses The Stronach Group’s 1/ST business, which operates The Maryland Jockey Club at Laurel Park, Gulfstream Park in Florida, Santa Anita Park in California, Pimlico (home of the Preakness Stakes) in Baltimore, Maryland,

    Woodbine Racetrack: One of the most prominent Thoroughbred racetracks in Canada, located in Toronto; home of Canada’s biggest race, the King’s Plate.

  • American Racing Manual: Provides comprehensive statistics, insights, list of North American racetracks, histories, and commentary on Thoroughbred racing. The Jockey Club offers a free PDF version online that can be found here.

    Glossary of Industry Terms: Coming soon!

*This list was curated by the Amplify Horse Racing team and tailored for newcomers to begin researching the Thoroughbred industry. It is not meant to be a comprehensive list of all racing resources. If you have a resource that you’d like to share, please contact us about advertising.

HELP YOUTH FIND THEIR STRIDE!