When you look toward horse racing, you might be thinking about these fascinating beasts that perform at their peak conditions on racecourses. The sport of horse racing is run by adrenaline and a ton of money, but like other sports, it has its own flaws. However, some have been accumulating for a long time, and this has just made someone like Mike Repole concerned.

Indeed, the American businessman, who is currently worth around $1.6 billion, has been in the sport as an owner of many reputed horses for many years. However, he has also watched the decline of the sport’s popularity due to various reasons. And with this, he has predicted a dark future for horse racing that might happen way sooner than you expect.

So, horse racing is dying? Is that what the 56-year-old had to say? Not an immediate death, but gradually, considering various circumstances. “As an active participant in the Thoroughbred industry, it has become abundantly clear that this will be the most important year for horse racing’s future. Without radical change, I have deep concerns about the sport’s survival,” said Mike Repole in his official X post.

You may not find an individual as passionate about horse racing as Repole. He has been in the industry for a long time and has owned several horses, who have even earned him a lot of fame. He also has a ton of fans, and many respect him for his opinions and caring nature not only for the business but also for the animals he owns and watch them compete at various racecourses.

So Repole is serious. He cares about the sport, and he is concerned about a lot of things. Continuing with his thoughts, he shared, “Unfortunately and sadly, I see a clear path where, by 2028, there could be no racing in both California and Florida. Racing today is like Blockbuster Video. Do we want to evolve like Netflix or have the same fate as Blockbuster???”

Now that’s not looking good for the sport. By giving a simple example to convey his feelings about horse racing’s future, Repole compared it to Blockbuster, which was an American multimedia brand that ceased its operations in 2014. Indeed, as per the American businessman, the sport might face the same fate if it doesn’t adapt. However, this isn’t the first time he has shared his concerns about the industry.

Mike Repole’s concerns around California

“You’re not a national sport if you’re not in California. It’s not like if California goes, ‘we get more (market) share.’ No, if California goes, you lose. You might win (more business) for another year or two, but long-term (there would be) less and less interest,” said Mike Repole during an interview. He has been on the scene for a long time, and he knows the importance of racing in California.

However, back in the 2024 season, there were 23 deaths surrounding two of the most popular racecourses in the region, which are Santa Anita Park and the Los Alamitos Race Course, and this has driven away many fans. Indeed, who will ever want to see a sport where there is little to no safety for the animals involved? It’s just absolutely cruel!

Repole is more than just a businessman, as he maintains connections with both the fans and the horses in the sport. Moreover, he opened up, stating, “What I’m trying to do is (create) a little more urgency, a call to action. I’ve made some good friends out of it, and I have some people who hate me more than ever. And I’m motivated by both. Because the goal is to try to help racing.”

The 56-year-old is trying to make a point that he isn’t competing with anyone or any other regions where horse racing is prominent. However, he wants everyone to know and understand the situation of the industry in California and wants them to see this as a wake-up call for fellow horse racing enthusiasts. The sport is great, but it has its challenges, and somebody like Repole isn’t afraid to face them with determination to change the landscape.