Industry News

Thoroughbred Charities of America (TCA) has received a generous grant from an anonymous donor to provide backpacks and school supplies for children of backstretch workers across the country, the non-profit said in a Thursday release. With more than 2,500 backpacks filled with essential school supplies, TCA plans to distribute the gift to 33 racetrack chaplaincies. Those organizations will deliver them directly to families over the summer so that kids can be ready for the school year. Click here to learn more.

The Horse Racing Women's Association (HRWA)'s annual conference will take place on Oct.12-13 at Harper Hall in Lexington, Kentucky. Additionally, FanDuel TV will return as the title sponsor for the HRWA's fifth renewal of the conference. Additional details on conference programming, speakers, and registration will be announced in the coming months. Prior to the annual conference in October, the HRWA plans to host multiple events across the country with the next event to be held Thursday, July 23 at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club in Del Mar, California. For more information...

The Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association (TOBA) will host its upcoming Thoroughbred Breeding Clinic on May 29-30. With only 40 spots available, the two-day clinic, sponsored by the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders' and Owners' Association, provides participants with access to leading industry professionals and breeding operations. Attendees will gain in-depth knowledge of breeding practices, including mating decisions, stallion selection, broodmare management, foaling, and early foal development, while experiencing real-world applications at top Central Kentucky equine operations. Designed for both newcomers and experienced participants, the clinic combines classroom-style learning with behind-the-scenes farm...

The Oaklawn Foundation received a $100,000 donation from FanDuel to support the foundation's programs and scholarships for Garland County students and senior citizens, according to an announcement from the organization Wednesday. "FanDuel is proud to support the Oaklawn Foundation as part of our commitment to making a positive impact in the communities in which we operate," said Keita Young, Vice President of Advocacy and Public Policy at FanDuel. "Local community development is one of the key pillars of our community impact work, and we look forward to amplifying the great...

The board of directors of Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation has authorized $1,835,879 to fund 13 new projects and 13 continuing projects at 16 universities as well as three career development awards, according to a release from the Jockey Club on Wednesday. The 2026 slate of research brings Grayson's totals since 1940 to more than $45.8 million to underwrite more than 466 projects at 50 universities. "Grayson remains deeply committed to research that supports every horse, no matter the breed or discipline," said Jamie Haydon, president of Grayson. "We're also thrilled...

The Keeneland Library's spring-summer programs will kick off with a handicapping event with racing analyst Tom Leach on Apr. 29 to discuss contenders for the Kentucky Derby and that weekend's supporting races. The event precedes the Library Lecture Series which will spotlight legendary racing announcer Tom Durkin; champion racehorses A.P. Indy, Cody's Wish and Holy Bull; and a memorable journey on a retired racehorse by an acclaimed author. "We are really excited about Keeneland Library's lineup of upcoming events and being able to feature expert handicapper Tom Leach and master...

Churchill Downs has unveiled its third annual Kentucky Derby Style Guide, according to an organization release on Tuesday. Style correspondent and Style Guide guest editor Zanna Roberts Rassi returned for her third consecutive year curating the official lookbook, which also includes illustrations from Kentucky Derby 152 artist Grayson Reynolds. "Derby fashion is about much more than the clothes you're wearing, it's about the creative process," Roberts Rassi said. "From playing with color and texture to drawing inspiration from the world around us and your mood within, Derby style empowers people...

Approximately 175 Stewart's Shops throughout the greater Capital Region will offer special Belmont Stakes Racing Festival three-day admission passes under a continuing partnership with New York Racing Association. The $99 pass--a 15% savings based on individual day pricing--includes general admission for three days of the final Belmont Stakes Racing Festival at Saratoga Race Course from June 4-6. "Our long-standing partnership with Stewart's Shops once again includes three-day passes for the final Belmont Stakes Racing Festival at Saratoga, providing fans with the opportunity to secure multi-day general admission at a discounted...

A dozen mares bred to recent California transplant Collected at the start of the 2026 breeding season have checked in foal to the son of City Zip, reported Rancho San Miguel Friday. The group is part of the stallion's inaugural book in the state, which comprises of 90 mares through mid-March--a reportedly higher number than any state-based stallion covered throughout the entire 2025 season. "We are thrilled with the overwhelmingly positive response that Collected has received so far from regional breeders," said Rancho San Miguel owner Tom Clark. "He is...

Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance will be on-site at Gulfstream Park for the GI Curlin Florida Derby on Saturday, Mar. 28. As part of Florida Derby Day, Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance will be recognized with a named race on the undercard. After the race, the winning connections will be presented with a Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance branded blanket and commemorative gift bag. A Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance representative will be on-site to host the winners of the "Off to the Races" VIP Experience online benefit auction. Donated by 1/ST RACING, the Florida Derby Day VIP...

During the 127th Warrenton Horse Show in Virginia the inaugural $7,500 William E. "Bill" Graves Memorial Thoroughbred Hunter Derby, sponsored by Gainesway Sales Company, will be held on Thursday, Sept. 3, according to a press release from the show on Monday. The event will be a two-round hunter derby class at the three foot height and is open to any Thoroughbred horse. Warrenton plans to continue to hold the Back From the Track hack, the Too Slow to Go hack, the Thoroughbred Hunter Division--2'6'" or 2'9", the $2,500 Take2 Thoroughbred...

The Ontario division of the Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society (CTHS-Ontario) has been approved as a member of Ontario Racing, effective immediately. The CTHS-Ontario will represent the province's Thoroughbred breeders at Ontario Racing, a not-for-profit group that serves as the voice of the province's horse racing industry. "We are pleased the CTHS will represent Ontario's Thoroughbred horse breeders at the Ontario Racing table," said Andrew Gaughan, the Ontario Racing Independent Chair. "Thoroughbred breeders not only have a substantial investment in the province's world-class horse racing industry, they also play a critical...