Light Up Racing

04/24/2025

Still waiting for my own Thorpedo Anna moment 😭

03/21/2025

Over 4,000 years of history, connection, and lessons with horses. Bing I. Bush Jr. explores how the bond between humans and horses shaped civilization and thrives today in thoroughbred racing, uniting people from all walks of life.

A must-watch! ⬇️

For the last 4,000 years, Horses have shaped human civilization and taught us valuable life lessons. Bing I. Bush Jr. shares how we all experienced a remarka...

03/18/2025

New Podcast Alert! 🎙️ Vicky Leonard joins Paddock Pulse Podcast cast Leah Reddoch O’Meara & Leah Alessandroni, both members of the first cohort for Light Up Racing, for their debut episode.

Vicky, founder of Light Up Racing, shares her journey challenging false narratives about the thoroughbred industry. They discuss the importance of data in debunking myths, improving racing safety, the future of our sport, and more.

Listen here ➡️ https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/paddock-pulse-behind-the-scenes-of/id1802745673?i=1000699578062

03/04/2025

You’ve likely seen The New York Times opinion piece, "Dead Athletes. Empty Stands."—and like us, you know it fails to tell the full story. To set the record straight, we’ve submitted a fact-based, progress-driven letter to the Editor (below), highlighting the real advancements in safety, integrity, and economic impact. We’re hopeful they’ll publish it to ensure a more balanced and accurate conversation about the future of racing.

Now’s the time to get loud!

With the Kentucky Derby fast approaching, our industry is under more scrutiny than ever. The progress in equine safety is historic—we need to be proud of it, and we need to make sure that progress is heard.

Here’s how you can help:

✅ Write a letter to your local newspaper—push the facts about racing’s real progress in safety, integrity, and economic impact. Keep it short, factual, and forward-looking.
✅ Talk about safety advancements on social media—the world needs to see how far racing has come.
✅ Encourage others in the industry to do the same—whether you’re an owner, trainer, breeder, or fan, your voice matters.

If we don’t drive this conversation, someone else will—and we know how that plays out. Let’s make sure the world hears the truth about where racing is today and where it’s going.

Thanks for standing up for the facts. Let’s turn up the volume.

To the Editor,

02/28/2025

Light Up Racing is pushing back against a New York Times article on horse racing with a message sent to its members Friday. The message reads in part: “A new New York Times article on horse racing has been published, and unfortunately, it follows a familiar pattern: misleading claims, outdated nar...

02/28/2025

Hey team,

The New York Times just put out another article full of misleading claims about racing.

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/28/opinion/horse-racing-government-subsidies.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare

We’ve pulled together a response doc with key facts to push back.

Would love your help:
• Jump into the comments and call out the misinformation.
• Keep an eye on social media and tag if you see discussions.
• Stick to facts—calm, clear, and confident.

With Derby coming up, this matters more than ever. Let’s make sure the real story gets heard.

📄 https://lightupracing.com/lur-response-to-new-york-times-article/

Appreciate you all.

Light Up Racing 💡

Let the sport of kings stand on its own.

02/21/2025

Arthur Hancock III's autobiography weaves a tale with candor and humor about dealing with adversity, facing his demons, and embracing the opportunities life has afforded him as an owner/breeder, songwriter, poet, and musician.

02/21/2025

From February 2024 to February 2025, Jockeys and Jeans raised a one-year record of $453,760. The total amount it has raised for PDJF since its founding in late 2014 is $3.85 Million: https://bit.ly/3EPavDy

02/21/2025

Snuggled up with mom💓

MGSW DREAM PAULINE welcomed her CURLIN c**t earlier this month✨

02/21/2025

02/21/2025

snow zoomies with this Oscar Performance filly❄️🐴💨

02/21/2025

🌟 Jerome Stakes winner CYCLONE STATE (McKinzie), pictured as a foal at Iowa State University Horse Barn, makes his next start Saturday in the $1.5-million G3 Saudi Derby on the Saudi Cup undercard at King Abdulaziz Racecourse.

Read about the Iowa-bred's early days: www.thoroughbreddailynews.com/the-pride-of-iowa-cyclone-state-steps-up-to-international-stage-in-saudi-derby/

Iowa Thoroughbred Breeders and Owners Association
Iowa State University

02/21/2025

Did You Know? After 21 years on turf, the Virginia Derby & Virginia Oaks are moving to dirt and are now part of the Road to the Kentucky Derby & Oaks! 🏇🌹

For the first time, Colonial Downs will host a three-day boutique race meet in March, featuring:
📅 Thursday, March 13
📅 Friday, March 14
📅 Saturday, March 15 – Virginia Derby Day

Both the Virginia Derby & Virginia Oaks will offer 50 qualifying points toward the Kentucky Derby & Kentucky Oaks, giving 3-year-olds an opportunity to earn their spot in the starting gate!
Photo by Cady Coulardot / Coady Media

02/20/2025

Bidding is now open for the Fasig-Tipton February Digital Sale, which includes among its 240 offerings a 'no guarantee' season to sire Street Sense with a portion of the proceeds going to recent Special Eclipse Award winner Stable Recovery, the auction company said via a release Thursday. The online...

02/20/2025

Progress to applaud, support, share, and ensure it continues!

For the first time in the United States since data has been recorded, the racing-related fatality rate at racetracks subject to the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority's (HISA) rules fell below 1.00 per 1,000 starts for a calendar year, the regulator said in a press release on Thursday mornin...

02/20/2025

Eight racehorses, seven trainers, and one jockey account for the 16 finalists that will comprise the National Museum of Racing’s 2025 Hall of Fame ballot: https://bit.ly/4hR5EAs

02/19/2025

We cannot say it enough: these horses are Born! To! RUN!

When you were born to run…⚡️

02/19/2025

The newly-formed Thoroughbred Racing Initiative's immediate mission is to bring the Thoroughbred industry together to provide funding and other resources to defeat anti-racing and breeding legislation in the Florida House of Representatives (HB 105) and Senate (SB 408): https://bit.ly/4b4VgSS