The final day of the University of Arizona's Race Track Industry Program Global Symposium on Racing held perhaps one of the most important sessions over the three-day event.
The Dec. 6 panel—From Data to Dollars: Understanding Horse Racing's Economic Impact as Racing's Future is Questioned—sought to dispatch how the industry can effectively educate and communicate to state legislators the importance of horse racing and how it is imperative that the sport continues to exist.
In a time when there is a complex and changing legislative environment, intense competition from casinos, the state lottery and expanding sports betting, and, most importantly, constant scrutiny to defend the health and welfare of the sport's animals, finding ways to defend the industry is at a critical stage.
Alan Foreman—the panel moderator, ombudsman for the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority, and chairman and CEO for the Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association—had opening remarks that got right to what he feels is the sport's most significant challenge.
"It's not about having a foal crop. It's not about field size. It's not about whether we have a good product. The single biggest issue right now is to ensure that our state legislatures continue to support our business in the wake of the fatalities in Maryland, Churchill, and Saratoga this year," Foreman said.
Happening now at the #RacingSymposium: Understanding Horse Racing’s Economic Impact As Racing’s Future is Questioned.
— U of A Race Track Industry Program (@UA_RTIP) December 6, 2023
Panelists are Alan Foreman, Julie Broadway, Tom Rooney, Lonny Powell and Najja Thompson. pic.twitter.com/5FnpotG3tx
Julie Broadway, president of the American Horse Council, began the session by emphasizing the need to educate legislators and state key decision makers, the need to dispel the myths and inaccuracies that frequently surround the sport, and how to make racing's success stories both relatable and personal.
Although the council's most recent equestrian survey and study will not be made public until January—and some of that data was still being finalized—Broadway reiterated there are roughly 38 million households in the United States that contain a horse enthusiast and less than 5% of that number own a horse or participate in the industry.
"We need to get across to people at all levels of our legislature and sometimes in the regulatory agencies, how big our voice is, and how powerful we can be," she added.
Tom Rooney, president and CEO of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, emphasized the importance of the American Horse Council's surveys and how they effectively use that data to relay to state officials how vital the industry is on so many different levels.
"It's getting more and more difficult, but I'm happy to say there are some very serious members of Congress in the Senate who are strong advocates for our sport. We do our best to work with them to get our message across. It's imperative to build long-lasting relationships and industry allies," Rooney said.
When advocating to state legislators why the industry is so essential, Rooney added, "I try to articulate that it's not only about the industry jobs but also the heritage and tradition of the sport."
Lonny Powell, CEO and executive vice president of the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders' and Owners' Association, shared the success of the equine industry in his state and the importance of noting the impact of the equine industry with the public and legislators.
"You got to be able to tell somebody what the consequences are if your industry goes away. And how can you do it if you don't have an economic index?" he said. "And there's a lot of good stories. We're excited in Florida. It hasn't been easy. We've got a lot of challenges still ahead, but we've had many successful milestones, and because of hard work and political leadership, we're in a good place."
If there is one platform for industry-related success, look no further than what officials in New York have done, including Najja Thompson, executive director for New York Thoroughbred Breeders, to support the ongoing reconstruction of New York's Belmont Park.
Thompson estimated the project would bring $1 billion of construction-related economic impact to the Long Island region in the New York City.
"Those are just huge numbers, and any legislator is going to take in and see the impact of what the new Belmont Park will bring, and that's how we get that project," he said.
Non-racing activities with the new Belmont Park are expected to generate $155 million in annual economic output. Thompson also added that they are working towards a commitment to having the Breeders' Cup World Championships return to Belmont Park at the new facility, and estimations are it would bring around $100 million in economic activity for that two-day event.
In closing, Foreman offered this statement: "It's critical to demonstrate that we are doing everything that we can to help the welfare of our horses, but we've also got to hammer the socio-economic impact because that's ultimately what registers with legislators."
