Racing’s success stories, drug enforcement by the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit, sports marketing strategies, and Thoroughbred aftercare were spotlighted during morning sessions Dec. 11 at the Global Symposium on Racing in Tucson, Ariz.
The morning panels of the symposium, hosted by the University of Arizona’s Race Track Industry Program, began positively with “Racing’s Success Stories—The Year in Review.” Four speakers joined RTIP chair Robert Hartman to spotlight recent successes and innovations within the equine industry.
Brien Bouyea, communications director for the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame, discussed modernization and renovation that began there in 2020, including interactive exhibits. Information on its members of the Hall of Fame, some of whom remain active, has benefited from new technology and graphics. “We can update this all the time and keep everything cutting edge,” he told the audience.
Tom Cassidy, industry relations senior manager for FanDuel, followed him on stage and reflected on FanDuel’s integration of racing within their sportsbook wagering app. He noted that more than one million sports customers have bet racing via the app, 200,000 of whom bet racing for the first time on the Kentucky Derby (G1).
Annise Montplaisir, executive director of Amplify Horse Racing, shared their impact with engagement with national mentorship programs, educational tours, networking opportunities, and virtual outreach.
“This year alone, Amplify Horse Racing directly reached over 28,000 individuals. That’s 28,000 potential future fans, owners, breeders and employees. So more importantly, it is 28,000 reasons why the future of the industry looks brighter than ever,” she said in her opening remarks.
Michael Behrens, founder and CEO of MyRacehorse, closed out the panel, noting the fractional horse ownership partnership has facilitated the sale of 750,000 shares to 80,000 people.
In addition to having a horse compete in Australia’s Melbourne Cup (G1) this year, the partnership was represented in 2024 in the United States by Straight No Chaser capturing the Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) and Seize the Grey winning the Preakness Stakes (G1). Following the latter’s victory in the second leg of the Triple Crown, “The publicity was ridiculous,” Behrens said.
Fueled by fans watching at home who saw the success of MyRacehorse owners in the Preakness, Behrens said the group quickly added “6,000 people who’ve never owned a racehorse before, as a result of people watching it on TV, coming to the platform, seeing a horse available, and getting their dream started on racehorse ownership.”
Panels titled “The HIWU Testing Strategy: A Peek Behind the Curtain,” “Unlocking the Winning Playbook: Driving Innovative Sports Marketing Strategies, and “Securing the Future of America’s Retired Racehorses: Strategies, Success Stories, and Sustainable Solutions” followed before the midday lunch break.
Publisher Ray Paulick of Paulick Report referenced a survey and presentation from RTIP student Aldo Zamora during a morning capstone presentation that showed a majority of surveyed horsemen were dissatisfied with anti-doping and medication control under HIWU and Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority rules. He asked HIWU representatives to comment on the perception that HIWU is catching therapeutic medication violations but not catching cheaters.
2024 Global Symposium on Racing
HIWU Testing Strategy
(L-R): Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit representatives Kate Mittelstadt, Shaun Richards, Dr. Mary Scollay, and moderator Dr. Jeff Blea at the Global Symposium on Racing
Shaun Richards, HIWU’s director of intelligence and strategy, and Dr. Mary Scollay, its chief of science, both replied that it takes time to investigate leads and to develop necessary testing when dealing with a novel substance.
Scollay, other HISA officials, and Dr. Jeff Blea, equine medical director for the California Horse Racing Board, encouraged collaboration with HIWU to benefit rule changes and enforcement.
“At the end of the day, this is a partnership,” Scollay said. “We all want this sport to succeed. We want it to flourish.”
