Breeders and horsemen aiming to fight Florida’s decoupling bills launched the Thoroughbred Racing Initiative (TRI) Tuesday, billed as “an industry collaboration created to fight for live horse racing in Florida and elsewhere in the United States,” according to a release from the new organization. Thayer Communications & Consulting’s Damon Thayer, a 22-year veteran of the Kentucky State Senate and Majority Floor Leader for 12 years, has been picked as senior adviser of the group.

Decoupling has been an issue at the forefront of the sport for the past month, when representatives of The Stronach Group (TSG) stunned the industry in a closed-door meeting, saying TSG could guarantee racing at Gulfstream Park only through 2028 if a proposed bill to decouple Thoroughbred horseracing from casino licenses passes the state legislature.

“Thoroughbred racing in Florida is under attack,” said TRI president and Ocala Stud general manager David O’Farrell. “The bills filed in the Florida legislature threaten the future of live racing, breeding, and our 33,500 jobs and $3.24 billion economic impact. This isn’t just a Florida issue; the ripple effects will impact racing and breeding nationwide. For decades, Florida legislators have protected the Thoroughbred industry, but this bill prioritizes corporate interests over horsemen, breeders, and our industry’s huge agri-business and tourism contributions. We must take a stand now to ensure Thoroughbred racing has a future.”

The TRI stated an immediate mission of bringing the Thoroughbred industry together, providing funding and other resources to defeat anti-racing and breeding legislation in the Florida House of Representatives (HB 105) and Senate (SB 408). Those bills would allow Gulfstream Park to keep its gaming licenses without the current mandate that it also conduct live racing. HB 105 was amended to let Tampa Bay Downs maintain its card club without live racing, although Tampa Bay issued a statement stressing its commitment to horse racing and saying it did not initiate the bill amendment.

Founded by O’Farrell, TRI vice president and owner-breeder Jon Green of DJ Stable, and Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse, the TRI already has a website, which can be found at thoroughbredracinginitiative.com.

Dr. Barry Eisaman of Eisaman Equine also is a founding member, while Aron Wellman of Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners has also joined the board. The TRI also is collaborating with the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Co. (OBS); Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association (FTBOA); the National Horsemen’s Benevolent & Protective Association (NHBPA), representing about 30,000 Thoroughbred owners and trainers throughout North America; its Tampa Bay HBPA affiliate; and the Florida Thoroughbred Horsemen, representing owners and trainers at Gulfstream Park. The FTBOA, which has battled Florida decoupling measures over the years, began aggressively lobbying against HB 105/SB 408 since the bills were filed. That includes working closely with the National HBPA, which views decoupling as a national issue.

“When done right, every dollar that a state invests in an industry such as Thoroughbred racing and breeding’s agri-business is repaid many times over,” said Thayer. “The Florida legislature has understood that and been a terrific steward of its horse industry. TRI’s core mission is to keep it that way. We cannot afford to lose Florida’s storied Thoroughbred industry.

“We’re not asking lawmakers for subsidies. We’re asking for legislatures to understand that investing in the Thoroughbred industry is no different than investing to keep and grow other labor-intensive industries that return so much in jobs and economic impact benefitting the entire state. This is similar to the situation we faced in Kentucky less than five years ago, and I am happy to assist my Florida friends in this effort.”

O’Farrell said TRI will make sure legislators and the public hear the Florida horse industry’s story.

“While Florida is our immediate focus, TRI could get involved in other states where live racing is under siege,” said O’Farrell. “Thoroughbred racing and breeding throughout North America is an ecosystem. While Florida is a linchpin, we need the other jurisdictions of all sizes for the industry to prosper. We are going to do our part to fight for the industry and sport we all love, and we invite every stakeholder to join us.”

FTBOA CEO Lonny Powell added, “FTBOA is pleased and excited to see our friends with the TRI come on board to join our fight to oppose decoupling while continuing live Thoroughbred racing in Florida. They are colleagues who have a deep passion for the Industry as well as having skin in the game.

“They now join a team that includes the official horsemen’s groups for both Gulfstream Park and Tampa Bay Downs, plus OBS and the National HBPA along with ourselves. We welcome their support and participation.”

The TRI’s motto is “Protecting Racing. Preserving Tradition. Securing the Future.” To sign up for updates or to donate, click here.