Industry News

The National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) and Caesars Entertainment have entered into a multi-year agreement that will keep the Horseshoe Las Vegas as the host venue for the National Horseplayers Championship (NHC) through 2029. The dates for the upcoming NHC are: Mar. 5-7, 2027; Mar. 3-5, 2028; and Mar. 9-11, 2029. "We are thrilled to continue our partnership with Caesars Entertainment and Horseshoe Las Vegas," said NTRA President and CEO Tom Rooney. "Since moving to Horseshoe in 2020, the NHC has seen tremendous growth in player participation, sponsor involvement, and...

Breeders' Cup Charities, the official outreach program of the Breeders' Cup World Championships, will make more than $650,000 in charitable donations. A Thursday afternoon release by the organization said the funds were a result of a revitalized philanthropic effort launched in the second half of 2025. Breeders' Cup Limited makes a direct contribution of all royalties from merchandise sales, while 2025 Breeders' Cup Charities programs included an Annual Day of Giving, a "Champions Give Back" fundraising initiative, and a post-Breeders' Cup online auction of memorabilia and experiences. The initiative is...

Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance will be on-site at Sam Houston Race Park on Saturday, Mar. 21 for Texas Champions Day. Throughout the race day, Sam Houston will spotlight aftercare by featuring Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, which has three accredited organizations located in Texas: Lake Fork Stables, Lonestar Outreach to Place Ex-Racers (LOPE), and Remember Me Rescue. As part of the day's festivities, Sam Houston Race Park will honor Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance with a named race. "Sam Houston Race Park is pleased to recognize Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance during Texas Champions Day," said Bryan...

The New York Race Track Chaplaincy will honor Marc Holliday, a Thoroughbred owner, breeder and chairman of The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA), and his wife Sheree, an avid and competitive equestrian, with the John Hendrickson and Marylou Whitney Award for their generous support of the New York backstretch community at its 19th Annual Fundraising Brunch to be held on Wednesday, Aug. 12, at the Saratoga National Golf Club in Saratoga Springs, New York, the non-profit said in a release on Wednesday. Additional information, including tickets and sponsorships for...

Graded winner Tale of Silence (Tale of the Cat--Silence Beauty {Jpn}, by Sunday Silence), whose first 2-year-olds will race this year, is standing the 2026 season at Colebrook Stallion Station in Ontario. He previously stood at Darby Dan Farm in Kentucky. A homebred for Charles Fipke, Tale of Silence won the 2018 GIII Westchester Stakes at Belmont Park and placed in five other graded events. A full-brother to MGISW and sire Tale of Ekati and a grandson of MGISW Maplejinsky (Nijinsky II), he hails from a deep female family. Tale...

With an elite-level victory under his belt, jockey Diego Herrera will move his tack east to set up at Gulfstream Park in South Florida, the track announced Sunday afternoon. The 21-year-old Herrera was the pilot aboard British Isles (Justify) last Saturday when the gelding pulled the upset to take home the Big Cap. An Inglewood, CA native, he's also won the 2025 GIII Cecil B. DeMille on Unrivaled Time (Not This Time) and the 2024 GIII Autumn Miss Stakes with Watchtower (Demarchelier {GB}). His move comes after Herrera traveled to...

Wyoming and Kansas thoroughbred horsemen have officially joined the National HBPA, the organization announced Saturday. The Wyoming HBPA and Kansas HBPA were unanimously approved for full membership at Saturday's board meeting of the National Horsemen's Benevolent & Protective Association, which concluded the annual conference at Oaklawn Park. The Wyoming HBPA, which represents horsemen at Wyoming Downs in Evanston, is a new member while Kansas returned to the HBPA following a 17-year hiatus after live racing ceased in 2008 with the closure of The Woodlands. Made possible by legislation permitting historical...

The NTRA will match all horseplayer donations up to $5,000 to support Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance at the upcoming NTRA National Horseplayers Championship (NHC). The event will take place at the Horseshoe Las Vegas Hotel and Casino from March 13-15, 2026. "Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance plays a vital role in promoting responsible aftercare across our sport," said Tom Rooney, President & CEO, NTRA. "We're proud to feature their mission at the National Horseplayers Championship and to support initiatives that strengthen racing's long-term integrity."

Ticket and hospitality on-sale dates for the 2026 summer meet at Saratoga Race Course, which will open on Friday, July 3, and continue through Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 7, were announced by the New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) Wednesday. Season tickets will go on sale on Thursday, Mar. 12, for the 46-day summer meet and include reserved seating in the Clubhouse, Grandstand and Michelob Ultra Stretch. A season pass, which provides general admission for all 46 days, is available as a mobile ticket for $94 or a traditional physical...

The Belmont Child Care Association (BCCA) has kicked off its annual `Think Big for the BCCA' fundraising campaign, designed to increase awareness and raise critical funds to operate Belmont Park's Anna House and Saratoga's Faith House. The mission of the BCCA is to provide a safe, supportive, and academically inspiring environment for the children of parents working in the Thoroughbred racing backstretch area located at New York's Belmont Park, Aqueduct Racetrack, and Saratoga Race Course. They are committed to promoting early childhood education, molding young minds, and encouraging the fulfillment...

Registration is now open for the annual National Horseplayers Championship 'Last Chance/First Chance' Contest at the Horseshoe Las Vegas. The final chance to qualify for the 27th National Horseplayers Championship, the NHC-eve fixture will be held Mar. 12. The top five places at the 'Last Chance/First Chance' Contest are guaranteed to win a qualifying spot to #NHC2026 provided they are a current 2025 NHC Tour member. One additional qualifying spot to the NHC will be awarded for every 20 entries over the first 140 entries. The top 10 finishers will...

Millionaire Arzak (Not This Time--Delightful Melody, by Tapit) had his first two mares scanned in foal on Feb. 27. Arzak stands for $6,000 LFSN at Amsterdam Two Farm in Middleburgh, NY. The mares confirmed pregnant are Notmysteppingstone (Bustin Stones), a winning daughter of SW and GSP A True Pussycat and half-sister to MSW and GSP Daring Duchess. The other is Whisper to Mama (Medaglia d'Oro) out of stakes winner Whisper to Me and half-sister to MGSW Overheard. Notmysteppingstone is owned by Franklin Ave. Equine & Bridle Path Racing, while Whisper...