Fans are the backbone of any sport. Without a healthy fan base the sport cannot support itself. Horse racing is going through a time of deep reflection in these days of tough competition from the introduction of hundreds of new casinos across the country.
But racing has been here before, and through consolidation, survived. With the increase of greyhound tracks in the 70’s and 80’s attendance at horse tracks took a major downturn, and in response, many smaller thoroughbred race tracks closed it’s barn doors. Some closed up shop but kept a few rooms open to simulcast from other tracks. How sad it is to sit in a closed track clubhouse, place bets across the country and gaze out over an empty grandstand. Horse racing needs to get it’s priorities straight.
In my opinion, jockeys and horses should come first. No new fans are going to come to a sport where the scene of life threatening injuries are laid out on the track to view. Fans come second. The industry needs to sell the sizzle and the feel of the experience of a day at the track. Chris McCarron speaking from Santa Anita in California stated, “This industry has failed miserably at trying to encourage people to enjoy the social aspect of horse racing,” McCarron said. “To enjoy a beautiful afternoon gazing out at the San Gabriel Mountains and watching a bunch of incredibly talented athletes run by every 30 minutes.”
As pictured above, the Kentucky Derby brings out the best of racing along with The Preakness, The Belmont Stakes and The Breeder’s Cup. These are the sport’s time to shine and shine they do. But that’s only 4 days of the year. The movers and shakers of the racing industry need to get to work on the other 300 some days that races are being held.
