National Thoroughbred League

Edited Press Release The New York Knights seek a repeat victory in Maryland as the National Thoroughbred League (NTL) kicks off its 2026 season at Laurel Park on Saturday afternoon. Now in its fourth season, the NTL is a first-of-its-kind racing league that reimagines America's oldest spectator sport in a team-based professional format. By prioritizing industry participation, equine safety, and consistent, high-level competition, NTL gives fans the opportunity to follow and support celebrated horses and jockeys month after month and year after year. Beyond the track, NTL delivers a modern...

The 2026 National Thoroughbred League season in Maryland with a Kentucky Derby weekend event at Laurel Park on Saturday, May 2, hosted by Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson. The Laurel Park program is part of a two-day NTL Derby weekend celebration, which will begin Friday, May 1 at The Horse You Came In On Saloon before shifting to Laurel for Saturday's live racing event. The NTL operates as a team-based, season-long competition featuring city-affiliated teams that earn points based on race results at events held across the country. Horses compete...

The National Thoroughbred League (NTL) has appointed Mike Monroe as its new CEO, the organization said via a Friday release. The company which is focused on providing an entertainment experience for fans went with Monroe because of his business background. The new NTL head served as the chief marketing officer for Penske Media Corporation and chief marketing officer of Sundance Institute/Sundance Film Festival. Monroe's career also includes senior leadership roles at Forbes, The Atlantic and Condé Nast.

St. Louis native and multi-diamond, award winning artist Nelly has taken a significant ownership role in a National Thoroughbred League (NTL) team that will move to St. Louis from its original Seattle base, the group announced Monday. Renamed as the "Nellies" in honor of its newest owner, the team is an expansion of the rapper's involvement after having been an early investor in the venture. Nelly will also serve as host of the NTL's Nelly Cup at Fairmount Park Saturday, July 19 for the track's centennial celebration. There will be...

A Father's Day event hosted by The National Thoroughbred League (NTL) at Parx drew over 6000 fans, an NTL record, and generating a $1.55 million handle—a 65% increase over last year's Father's Day card at Parx, according to a NTL release Wednesday. The event was hosted by the Philadelphia Stallions, which is co-owned by retired basketball star Julius "Dr. J" Erving. The California Shamrocks won the Philadelphia Cup with the top four teams finishing within 2 points of each other. The New York Knights remain in first place overall at...

The National Thoroughbred League (NTL) season kicked off at Pimlico with the New York Knights claiming the Pimlico Cup Saturday afternoon. The Knights won the first heat of the three-race competition when Addy's Laddy TNT (Golden Lad) won the sixth race over Remembering Wilbur (Golden Lad), who was competing for Team Nashville Dreams. Minister for Magic (Malibu Moon), part of the Phoenix Mustangs roster, finished third. The Dream would turn the tables in the seventh race when King's River (Irish War Cry) rallied late to win with the Knights finishing...

The National Thoroughbred League (NTL), which is looking to bring the team concept to horse racing, has had more than its fair share of growing pains since it started in 2023. The series starts up again on May 10 at Pimlico and league organizers are confident the 2025 version of the NTL will be the biggest and most successful so far. "We definitely have momentum on our side and we're offering good purses," said NTL co-founder Randall Lane. "It's a win-win. The horses will be  running for good purses and...

The National Thoroughbred League (NTL) has revealed the schedule for the 2025 season with races throughout the summer including Preakness Week festivities and during the lucrative Kentucky Downs meet, the group announced Monday morning. The four dates are May 10 at Pimlico for 'The Baltimore Cup'; June 15 at Parx for 'The Philadelphia Cup'; July 19 at Fairmont Park for 'The St. Louis Cup'; and Aug. 31 at Kentucky Downs for 'The Nashville Cup'. Dozens of Thoroughbreds have been nominated to compete for the 10 NTL teams across the year,...

The National Thoroughbred League (NTL) and Leaf Trading Cards have struck a deal for an exclusive license, which will create a range of the first-ever horse racing trading cards next spring, according to a press release from the league on Wednesday. Through the partnership, the cards will depict horses, jockeys, owners and their uniform swatches just like collectibles do in other sports. "We are excited to partner with the National Thoroughbred League," said CJ Breen, director of marketing and licensing at Leaf Trading Cards. "This exclusive partnership allows us to...

The Philadelphia Cup, the second event in a three-part National Thoroughbred League NTL Cup series, attracted a crowd of 4,260 to Parx Racing--doubling original estimates--and wagering of $1.6 million, 50% higher than originally forecast. Julius 'Dr. J.' Erving is a partner of the league and owner of its Philadelphia Stallions and was on hand for an exclusive meet-and-greet with more than a dozen Philadelphia sports legends. "This past weekend epitomizes why we formed the National Thoroughbred League," said Randall Lane, co-founder of the NTL. "Many of us grew up mesmerized...

The National Thoroughbred League (NTL), a new series of races meant to bring the team concept to the sport and to attract new fans, will put on its second 2024 event Saturday at Parx. It is called Oktober-Fast and is hosted by NBA Hall of Famer and Philadelphia icon Julius (Dr. J) Erving. When the NTL was in the planning stages last year the focus was on purchasing horses and then having them divvied up between the teams. There are currently 10 teams in the league and they would own...

After an objection and lengthy look by the stewards, it was 2-year-old colt Chasing Liberty (Constitution--Peaceful, Declaration of War) who was awarded the top prize when Under Whose Radar (Violence) was disqualified for impeding his progress late in the race and placed second in the $1 million National Thoroughbred League Juvenile Sprint at Kentucky Downs on Sunday. Under Whose Radar led out of the gate and continued to make the pace into the lane. As favorite Black Forza (Complexity) tried to overcome a tough beginning, Chasing Liberty flashed his speed...