Tradition, modernisation must meet reality

The United States has been making rapid changes to its horse-racing landscape, primarily to woo new participants at every level, from bettors to owners, rocking the core of an industry, which, worldwide, takes pride in being steeped in tradition.

Understanding the commercial value of television and online activities, especially for sporting events, the United States has literally dissected horse racing, identifying inhibitors to the sport such as a Triple Crown Series, which, in recent times, lost its appeal because owners and trainers of horses simply stopped chasing the feat of putting their bound-for-stud classic through 31-and-a-half-furlongs in five weeks.

Starting with Churchill Down’s 10-furlong Kentucky Derby, run the first Saturday in May, the United States Triple Crown is completed by Maryland’s Preakness Stakes at nine-and-a-half furlongs, two weeks after the derby, and the Belmont Stakes in New York competed at 12 furlongs 21 days after the Preakness.