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Thursday's prediction-markets panel. From left: Michele Fischer, Peter "Holt" Gardiner, Dave Basler and Jason Johnston. (Denis Blake/National HBPA) Who will be the Republican and Democratic nominees for the 2028 U.S. presidential election? Who will win Best Picture at the Oscars? The Fed decision on interest rates? Gas prices this month? How much snow [...]
Horse racing should not fear the advent of artificial intelligence, but rather embrace it as a valuable tool to assist with creating condition books and providing new ways to market the sport. That was the conclusion of a discussion titled “Artificial Intelligence (AI) on the Track: Smart Tech for Racing’s Next Frontier” on Wednesday, the [...]
Everett Dobson Video: Watch Jockey Club chair Everett Dobson's keynote address Wednesday to the National HBPA Conference at Oaklawn Park New Jockey Club chair Everett Dobson gave every sign that his leadership of North America’s powerful Thoroughbred breed registrar will be built on a strategy of inclusion and thinking big. In delivering the [...]
The HISA Board faces a consequential choice: pursue reform grounded in science — or pursue symbolism that may ultimately harm the very horses they seek to protect. The following letter was signed by trainers W.I. Mott, Chad Brown, Mark Casse, Jena Antonucci and Ron Moquett and Eric Hamelback, CEO of the National Horsemen's Benevolent & [...]
Horseshoe Indianapolis photo of the new Heaven and Horseshoes community center The newly unveiled Heaven and Horseshoes worship and community center by the Horseshoe Indianapolis backstretch exemplifies what can happen when horsemen, track leadership and regulators work together. Upon its grand opening Feb. 6, Heaven and Horseshoes became the benchmark for a [...]
(Trainer Jinks Fires saddling a horse at Churchill Downs. Coady Media) Some 30 years ago, Arkansas businessman Bob Yagos asked around about finding a horse trainer after getting into racehorse ownership. The answer over and over: William “Jinks” Fires. “I knew nothing about horse racing,” said Yagos, who in 2011 would team with [...]
A race at Horsemen's Park, the Omaha track owned by the Nebraska horsemen. Photo courtesy Horsemen's Park Artificial intelligence on the track and the emerging threats of prediction markets and wagering are among the salient topics to be discussed at the National HBPA Conference March 3-7 in Hot Springs, Ark., at Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort. [...]
Surprsinglyperfect winning last April 23 at Turf Paradise under Kevin Krigger. (Photo by Coady Media/Shawn Coady) Making his 13th start of the year and 100th of his career, the 11-year-old gelding Surprsinglyperfect has been named the National HBPA’s 2025 National Claiming Horse of the Year. Based at trainer-co-owner Justin Evans’ main bases of [...]
Racing at Gulfstream Park. (Andie Biancone/Coglianese Photography) Feasibility study’s executive summary The Thoroughbred Racing Initiative (TRI) has taken its first big step toward determining the best way to preserve and strengthen Florida’s thoroughbred racing and breeding industry. And if a feasibility study doesn’t sound glamorous or provide immediate answers, it’s the crucial underpinning [...]
The interactive, electronic version of The Horsemen’s Journal’s Winter 2025 issue is now available online. It is an enhanced version of the printed magazine, which is currently being mailed. To view it, click here. Features in the issue include: Firm Footing Perfect weather, big fields and close finishes contribute to a successful 27th Claiming Crown. [...]