Racing In 2036: T. K. Kuegler and Price Bell

[Wandering Eyes]

What will racing look like in 10 years? We asked some of racing's best and brightest to give us their predictions. Want to submit an answer? Email suefinley@thetdn.com

T.K. KUEGLER, WASABI STABLES

I have optimism and think there are real chances for positive change to the game. My thoughts are therefore reflective of that perspective:

 

– You will see the Mid-Atlantic come into focus as one of the anchor areas of the game. Over the next decade, the regional states will learn that they can become a dominant force by working together and building towards that.

 

– Overall foal crops will stabilize for the first part of the next decade and then will recover. This will happen because of overall corrections in the game. Purses will continue to increase and the economic possibilities for breeders will follow.

 

– The industry will look at places where the sport is thriving and will understand that shorter, more event-focused racing should be embraced.

 

– The gambling aspect of the game is going to go through a huge revolution. It is going to embrace free data, transparency, and simplicity in its offerings. Fixed-odds betting, cross-sports parlays, and individual sports bettor friendliness will be the norm.

PRICE BELL, MILL RIDGE FARM

Keeneland will celebrate its centennial in 2036, and it will be a remarkable moment for our sport. The celebration will be bustling with energy, drawing people together in appreciation of both the horse and the Lexington community. The incorporation of Manchester Farm will be fully activated, allowing Keeneland to be even more interwoven into daily life–not just as a racing venue, but as a living, breathing part of the region's culture.

Kansas will emerge as a model for how states can thoughtfully invest in horse racing. Georgia will follow, and Texas will experience a meaningful renewal. New racing infrastructure will look less like grandstands and more like parks–beautiful, open spaces modeled after places such as Keeneland and Belmont, designed to invite people in whether racing is on or not. While the initial draw will be the beauty and accessibility of these spaces, what will keep people coming back is access to the horse itself. Transparency in how horses are cared for and true accountability for their welfare will be the cornerstones of a sustainable future for the sport.

Wagering will continue to evolve through education and ease of access. As more people are drawn to the track experience, they will remain engaged through wagering on their devices, extending their connection to racing beyond race day. Just as important, they will want to participate as owners–often through racing clubs and partnerships. This broader participation will drive larger field sizes and create a more compelling betting product for everyone.

Through celebration, connection, and genuine care for the horse, our sport can be positioned not merely to survive, but to flourish for another hundred years.

The past few decades have not inspired such hope, nor have they necessarily set the scene for the rosy future many of us can envision. The decline of racing is not inevitable–it is self-inflicted. Egos, complacency, and a fear of change have pushed the industry toward irrelevance far faster than any outside force ever could. If we cannot admit that many of our long-standing practices no longer serve the horse, the fan, or the future, then we deserve the outcome. Progress begins only when we remember what a privilege it is to work with the Thoroughbred and have the courage to change how we operate in service of that privilege.

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