Racing In 2036: Najja Thompson

[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

NAJJA THOMPSON, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE NEW YORK THOROUGHBRED BREEDERS, INC.

By 2036, I envision a Thoroughbred breeding and racing industry that has emerged stronger and more sustainable after confronting–and resolving–many of the structural challenges we face today.

While the continued retraction of operating racetracks is likely unavoidable over the next decade, the remaining venues will be more strategically aligned with year-round circuits, major population centers, and integrated gaming or entertainment models. Flagship venues and well-supported regional circuits will continue to anchor our sport in the future.

Within the next ten years, the industry will have reached a definitive resolution regarding the constitutionality, governance, and long-term oversight of HISA and HIWU. Whether these organizations remain in their current form or adopt a revised framework, preserving national uniformity in safety standards, medication control, and enforcement will be essential to maintaining our sport's credibility. Expanded participation by states such as Louisiana, Texas, and West Virginia would reduce redundancy, improve consistency, and lower overall compliance costs across North America. The specific structure matters less than maintaining uniformity, transparency, and confidence in the system.

Advancements in tote technology and wagering regulation will be central to modernizing our betting ecosystem. Improved safeguards and transparency must narrow the divide between computer-assisted wagering teams and retail bettors, including better timing controls and regulatory clarity to restore wagering confidence. At the same time, expanded wagering opportunities–such as fixed-odds wagering tied to pari-mutual pools, prop bets, and cross-sport parlays–combined with prime-time broadcasting of marquee events and a reconfigured racing calendar that avoids direct competition with major sports such as football, will help grow and diversify our wagering audience.

The foal crop should experience a modest but meaningful rebound over the next ten years, supported by favorable tax depreciation policies and stronger coordination among regional breeding and racing programs. Increased collaboration across jurisdictions should foster more stable, year-round racing circuits throughout the East, Midwest, South, and West Coast, anchored by nationally supported breed-to-race incentive programs. These efforts would encourage long-term investment from breeders and ownership groups in addition to the sales market.

Additionally, shared investment in commercial air transportation solutions would alleviate many of the logistical and financial burdens associated with domestic and international shipping. Even incremental improvements in transportation efficiency would be transformative. Expanding international participation in top North American races–and our participation abroad beyond events such as the Breeders' Cup, Dubai World Cup, and Royal Ascot–will be critical to growing global relevance, strengthening our television audience, increasing handle, and carding deeper, more competitive races throughout the year.

One area where I am particularly confident the industry will continue to make significant progress is in regard to aftercare. Maintaining our social license with the broader public requires implementing a sustainable and mandatory aftercare system that supports our equine athletes throughout their lives. By 2036, I believe this system must and should be firmly established through shared responsibility among owners, breeders, racetracks, and industry stakeholders.

Having built my career within this industry, I do not view this future as aspirational alone. I intend to help lead Thoroughbred breeding and racing toward this vision–one that is safer, more transparent, more economically sustainable, and more globally relevant by 2036.

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