TOBA

The Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association will host a New Owners Seminar to be held Saturday, July 11 at Horseshoe Indianapolis in Shelbyville, Indiana, the group announced Tuesday. The event, held from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. in conjunction with Indiana Derby Day, will aim to provide prospective and new Thoroughbred owners with an educational introduction to racehorse ownership while offering participants an opportunity to learn from industry professionals while experiencing one of Indiana's premier racing events. Designed for individuals interested in becoming involved in Thoroughbred ownership, the seminar will cover...

The Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association presented its sold-out 2026 Breeding Clinic while hosting 40 attendees from across the country for a hands-on educational experience. "This year's breeding clinic continues to demonstrate the value of TOBA's educational programs," said Lauren Biddle, Director of Marketing and Education for TOBA. "This marks our fifth consecutive sold-out clinic, and the demand within the industry continues to grow. There is no other organization that provides the level of close-up, in-depth education that TOBA offers." Day one of the clinic began at Hinkle Farms, where...

Nominations for the 2026 Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards in North America opened Wednesday, principal partner Godolphin announced. The program will accept nominations through midnight on Monday, July 13. Lee Hall, CEO of Dedication to Breeding Award sponsor Hallway Feeds, commented, "We are both proud and honored to be a sponsor of these important awards. It's such a magnificent way to recognize and honor the hard-working people in our business. But first, they have to be nominated. It's quick and easy at tiea.org, so take a few minutes and nominate today."...

Last week's news that FanDuel TV is gradually winding down its product through 2027 has ripped through the industry like a tornado. In response, some, like the National Turf Writers and Broadcasters, have urged the company to reverse course. "Should there be a viable path to reconsider this decision, we urge FanDuel and Flutter Entertainment leadership to explore it. We also encourage consideration of a sale of the network to an entity willing to continue regular operations. The infrastructure, audience, and brand equity built over decades represent valuable assets," the...

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 first installment in the 2026 OwnerView webinar series was held Mar. 17 and featured a discussion of the benefits and challenges of breeding Thoroughbreds to race, the conference series said via a Thursday press release. Guests included Carrie Brogden, Machmer Hall Farm; Kate Galvin, Godolphin; Len Green, D.J. Stable; and Walker Hancock, Claiborne Farm. The event, hosted by The Jockey Club of America and the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association, was presented by Bessemer Trust, Keeneland and Dean Dorton Equine. Panel sponsors included the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association and Airdrie...

Outspoken owner Mike Repole announced Monday on his feed on the social media platform X that he has taken the first steps toward launching what he called a "national lawsuit" that he hopes will bring what he feels are vital changes to the horse racing industry. Repole compared his lawsuit to Michael Jordan vs. NASCAR. That case refers to the recent antitrust lawsuit filed by Jordan's 23XI Racing against NASCAR, accusing the organization of monopolistic practices, which culminated in a mid-trial settlement in December 2025. Among the issues brought up...

The Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association (TOBA) released its full 2026 schedule in addition to the opening of registration for the 2026 Pedigree & Conformation Clinic, sponsored by the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders' and Owners' Association which takes place Mar. 9-10, 2026, at Ocala Breeders' Sales (OBS) in Ocala, Florida. Registration is now open on the TOBA website, and to view the full clinic schedule, click here. The 2026 clinic will feature Mark Casse, a Hall of Fame trainer, who will be presenting during the clinic and sharing his expertise on...

California racing just got dealt another brutal blow. In a year when this sport should be doing everything possible to stabilize a fragile circuit, the loss of Grade I status for the Frank E. Kilroe Mile and multiple downgrades at Santa Anita and Del Mar is very concerning. When you strip premier events in the middle of a wagering and field-size crisis, you're not "protecting the integrity of the pattern," you're accelerating the decline of one of the game's few remaining flagship jurisdictions. This outcome might look neat on a...

The American Graded Stakes Committee of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association presented its listing of U.S. Graded and Listed Stakes Races for calendar year 2026, the results of its annual grading session conducted Dec. 17 and 18. The committee reviewed 942 U.S. stakes races with a purse of at least $75,000, and assigned Graded status to 410 of them, five fewer than were graded in 2025, and Listed status to 211 races. Eleven Graded races were upgraded; one new Grade I and 10 new Grade II races were named;...

The Jockey Club and the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association (TOBA) hosted a regional breeders workshop at Churchill Downs on Wednesday, Nov. 12, to identify best practices and areas of growth for the industry, the organizations said in a joint press release on Friday. Racing executive Doug Reed presented on his work in Iowa and New Mexico featuring the feasibility of regional programs. Other panels focused on Maryland, New York, and Virginia, and the mare reimbursement practices in California, Indiana, Maryland, and Ontario. In addition, Corey Johnsen, a Thoroughbred breeder,...

For some who breed and race Thoroughbreds, the decreasing foal crop is regarded as a bellwether for a business in decline. Yet, a clear-eyed look that goes beyond numbers--and the efforts to turn them around--offers an important reminder: North American Thoroughbred breeding and racing still has real strengths. But to ensure its future we need strategic, collective action to strengthen the sport and keep it vibrant for generations to come. Industry collaboration is the only path to revitalizing Thoroughbred production.   Understanding the Foal Crop Decline In 1950, arguably the...