Several of the key issues facing the industry–owner retention, the foal crop, the marketing of horse racing to new and existing fans, and the importance of regional markets like Maryland, highlighted the 2026 Jockey Club Round Table on Matters Pertaining to Racing, but the issue of fan development took center stage. The annual event was [...]

The 2027 GI Preakness Stakes will be run 22 days after the GI Kentucky Derby, Sunday, May 23, with the GII Black Eyed Susan being held Saturday, May 22, said Maryland Governor Wes Moore in a press conference Wednesday afternoon where he extolled the virtues of the Triple Crown and the importance of the Preakness [...]

By any standard of measure, 2025 was a career-defining year for Francis Graffard; in fact, over entire careers, many top trainers won't accomplish what Graffard did in that one year alone. He set a record for Group 1 wins by a French-based trainer with 14. He finished on top of the French trainers' list for [...]

The charges against Parx trainer Felissa Dunn brought when Pennyslvania State Horse Racing Commission investigators claimed to have found syringes in her barn has been dropped after an internal investigation revealed that one or more of the investigators made material misstatements of fact, according to a ruling posted on the HIWU website. “While obviously we [...]

Early Friday morning, the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee passed a surface transportation reauthorization bill that includes a bipartisan ban on transporting horses for slaughter, according to Chris Heyde, who runs the governmental affairs firm Blue Marble Strategy, and who has long worked on the ban, and Patrick Cummings of the National Thoroughbred Alliance. [...]

Vinnie Viola, the co-owner of this year's Kentucky Derby winner Golden Tempo (Curlin), was honored Tuesday at West Point as a recipient of the 2026 Distinguished Graduate Award. The annual award, one of the most prestigious the school offers, is given to alumni whose character, distinguished service, and stature reflect the Academy's motto, “Duty, Honor, [...]

The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has raised concerns about the winning Preakness ride by Paco Lopez on Napoleon Solo, suggesting that Lopez raised his whip above his helmet on three different occasions before striking his horse, in violation of HISA regulations. HISA announced Monday night that they were investigating the concerns. [...]

A story in the Thursday edition of USA Today alleges that the ties to cockfighting for Jose and Irad Ortiz go beyond the social media video which surfaced in January showing them taking bets at an undated cockfight, documenting photos and social media posts which suggest a deeper participation in the sport. In January, the [...]

President Trump's 10 percent tariffs–instituted to replace his initial slate of tariffs which were struck down by the Supreme Court in February–are also illegal, a federal trade court ruled on Thursday, according to the New York Times.  Owners of European-bred horses purchased abroad are now in the process of applying for refunds for tariffs paid [...]

Curlin, at 22 one of the most influential stallions in modern history, will not cover any more mares during the 2026 breeding season after a brief illness, said Hill 'n' Dale at Xalapa owner John Sikura Wednesday afternoon. “Curlin, about 10 days ago, exhibited some discomfort,” said Sikura. “Dr. (Nathan) Slovis from Hagyard examined him [...]

As anecdotal sightings of tent caterpillars in central Kentucky give rise to concerns that this might be a bumper crop for the region, entomologists at the University of Kentucky have weighed in with guidelines to control the pests. Dr. Jonathan Larson, an entomologist at the UK's Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, said that [...]

After numerous sightings of the nests of Eastern Tent caterpillar nest on his farm, Frank Taylor said that he has been vigilant this season about spraying to destroy the nests. As the weather warms up, and the caterpillars are leaving the nests and making their way elsewhere, this is the time of year when they [...]