Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association chairman David O'Farrell, general manager of Ocala Stud, recently penned this letter to the Tallahassee Democrat outlining the industry's opposition to a decoupling bill being considered by state lawmakers.
Florida's Thoroughbred Legacy Under Attack
Proposed Florida legislation could decouple Thoroughbred racing from gaming venues, threatening the state's racing industry.
Proponents argue the move would benefit out-of-state gambling interests at the expense of Florida jobs and the state's Thoroughbred legacy.
For nearly 70 years, my family has poured everything into Florida's Thoroughbred racing industry—starting with my grandfather, who put Florida-bred horses on the national stage and proved that Kentucky wasn't the only place to raise champion runners. My father carried that legacy forward, and today, as the third generation at Ocala Stud Farm, I am fighting to protect everything my family and thousands of others have built from a misguided and misrepresented proposal in the legislature.
We've bred and trained Kentucky Derby (G1) and graded stakes champions, helped make Ocala the Horse Capital of the World, and turned Florida into a formidable national competitor in Thoroughbred breeding and racing. But now, the legislation Florida lawmakers are considering could tear it all down by selling out our industry to out-of-state gambling interests with no loyalty to Florida's racing tradition.
House Bill 105 and Senate Bill 408 threaten to "decouple" live horse racing from Thoroughbred gaming venues, stripping away the requirement that Thoroughbred racing permit holders conduct live races. This reckless legislation would allow Gulfstream Park's Canadian parent company to operate a stand-alone gaming facility without having to maintain its racing operation. The result? A painful dismantling of one of Florida's signature industries, leaving the livelihoods of thousands of workers and businesses in its wake.
Thoroughbred racing isn't just a beloved tradition, it's also an economic juggernaut. According to an independent study commissioned by the American Horse Council in 2023, the industry generates a $3.24 billion economy and supports 33,500 Florida jobs. How can the dismantlement of a key pillar of Florida's agribusiness even be open for discussion?
It appears the motive behind this bill is driven by corporate interests looking for a backdoor into Florida's casino market. Gulfstream Park's parent company has a history of abandoning racing venues, having closed or redeveloped multiple tracks in other states. Their new partnership with NASCAR as their "pari-mutuel gaming partner" is one more red flag about where their interests lie: on horsepower of any other kind. It's not about preserving Thoroughbred racing, it's about slot machines, sports betting, and a quick payday. They're gambling with Florida's economy, and we cannot take that bet.
A move like this ensures the devastating loss of our esteemed Thoroughbred legacy and thousands of jobs to rival states like Kentucky that have seen double-digit market gains due to fair regulations and supportive racetrack operators.
Florida is at a crossroads. Lawmakers must decide whether they stand with our hardworking horsemen, breeders, and individuals who have built our state's Thoroughbred racing and agricultural heritage—or with the foreign gambling giants looking to gut it for a quick payday. The choice, to me, is clear.
Florida leads. Florida wins. I urge every legislator to stand up, push back, and reject this blatant attack on our industry. The stakes have never been higher. Let's fight for Florida's future—and win.
David O'Farrell
TOBA chairman and Ocala Stud general manager
(This letter first appeared in the Tallahassee Democrat.)
