I just finished reading the Op/Ed by Kevin Blake on the issue of breeders being an unrecognized and underutilized asset to race track operators. Though he writes for the overseas edition of TDN it pertains just the same here in North America (and probably the rest of the Americas as well).
I am one of the small breeders, really small. One broodmare I own myself and one in partners with my friend and neighbor. I go to the track in Saratoga often because I live nearby, but I also take the occasional trip to Santa Anita, Gulfstream, the Kentucky tracks, Laurel, Woodbine etc. I love the track, love racetrack atmosphere and I like to bet.
All that being said, I get no recognition for being a breeder. Track operators are missing out on a great opportunity. Send out mailers to breeders offering special seating and ask us to bring friends. We like to tell our friends how our horses are doing and they like to hear it, breeding and racing is exotic to them (and expensive to us). There are countless low cost or no cost ways for the tracks to involve the breeders and get more handle, attendance and positive recognition. They need to be smart and take advantage of it.
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
