Horse racing giant Mike Repole is one of those equine owners who is often engaged in all aspects of the sport. While 2024 had plenty of outstanding races, there were plenty of issues concerning safety standards in the sport. California, the US state that is one of the most popular ones in the horse racing industry, has seen many epic performances throughout the campaign, but the fatalities on the state’s track are hard to ignore.

However, equine fatalities aren’t the only issues surrounding California’s racecourses; there are a lot of other facts that are just worsening the situation. So, for a horse owner like Repole, who is also a big fan of the sport, it is just painful to watch its decline, as the American businessman has voiced his frustrations on his social media handle, mentioning many details that should concern the officials of the industry.

Words right from the heart of a horse racing fan

Mike Repole is from New York, but he has his horses racing all over the world, especially in the United States. Surely, there are plenty of states that host races all over the season, but there’s nothing as big and enthusiastic as the races in California. The US State doesn’t only have the right infrastructure but also an audience that supports the whole system and the sport just because of their enthusiasm for watching these majestic animals run for the money.

However, the horse racing scene in California has been declining, and it is something that has made Repole completely furious. “This industry is so f**ked up. Where do we start??? California racing is hanging by thread and really getting no industry support,” the 55-year-old stated his frustration over his official X profile. Repole was downright serious with his words. He mentioned how the trainers, once who were respected a lot, have lost their charm, making the sport dull. Furthermore, he called out “highly successful, wealthy, but non-vocal, soft owners.” Horse racing requires a ton of money. The process is surely a hassle of buying the right equine and providing it with all the facilities, and that too more if one is considering making their horse race on the courses. However, Repole wanted to convey that owners have to step in and be more strict with their decisions or even the words that they give out there.

The involvement of a “petrified media” is also mentioned by the 55-year-old, owing to the decline of the horse racing industry in California. Furthermore, he added that even if the state has a ton of enthusiasts out there, especially “passionate gamblers,” that keep the sport running, they are getting “screwed and robbed from the industry.” He also blamed the horse racing scene in California for not having a proper governing body, even if the California Horse Racing Board (CHRB) exists.

Since Mike Repole has been in the industry for a long time, he has seen the way the tracks are maintained, calling out businesses to be in “survival mode.” He stressed that novice owners are also responsible, as they just fly out to different places away from the US, especially Japan, to promote their business apart from contributing to fixing the scene they have in their own country. The American businessman also blamed the selfish stallion farms that have made many owners reconsider mating in the US and giving out their top mares to the rival horse racing scenes out there.

Apart from all the aforementioned issues, Repole pointed out the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA) to be “completely demoralizing,” as the non-profit organization based in Kentucky could only raise $4.1 million, which is almost nothing in a sport like horse racing, where a single equine costs a lot more than this amount. “We all say we care, and then 99% of us do nothing,” said a frustrated Repole. He is very serious with his concerns for California and also proposed a solution, stating, “We NEED a funding model across this multi-multi-multi billion dollar sport that not only meets the needs of these groups but ensures a brighter future too. “

Horse racing is expensive, and people like the American businessman are aware of it. However, while the issues are just piling up in the US state, he has to take action from his own side to step up and protect the reputation of the sport. This is also not the first time Repole was candid about his thoughts regarding the horse racing scene; after observing multiple deaths of equines in California in the 2024 season, he stepped up with a demand for better racing conditions and a stern message to the industry.

Mike Repole’s demand for a better racing scene

“You’re not a national sport if you’re not in California,” said Mike Repole when it came to backing the reputation and the history that the US state has in the sport. His simple message to the other businessmen in the same industry was that once the popularity of the sport declines, it won’t stop just affecting a single state, as it will spread and even kill the entirety of horse racing in the United States. 

Apart from a businessman’s perspective, Mike Repole demands a raise in the safety standards, as he is aware of the 23 deaths that have happened around the racecourse of Santa Anita Park and the Los Alamitos. Whoever is involved in the sport, the 55-year-old wants them to see the industry on a bigger spectrum; as if things get better in the state where the sport has the biggest fanbases out there, then overall it will be a big win for everyone related to it. Repole also stressed that this was an urgent call for help; as a horse racing fan, he wants the sport not to die in California.