TRI

“Ocala is my world.” That’s Mark Casse, a Thoroughbred racing Hall of Famer in both America and Canada. In this interview with Alicia Hughes shot at the Casse Racing training center in Ocala, Casse speaks out about the devastating consequences for a labor-intensive industry if decoupling legislation passes.

Fourteen years ago, I, along with my daughter, founded The Stronach Group, a horse racing, entertainment and pari-mutuel wagering technology company. Our most noted contributions to the horse racing industry include world-class courses like Santa Anita Park in California and Pimlico Race Course in Maryland, as well as Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach.

Ocala-based Niall Brennan — who came to America with $10 in his pocket and evolved into one of the world’s pre-eminent developers and consignors of 2-year-olds — discusses what is so unique about Ocala and what is at stake with the anti-horse racing decoupling bills filed in the Florida Legislature. “… the industry, the farms, the land — we’re so fortunate in Marion County to have the best soil in Florida for raising stock — it’s all here. But we have to protect that, and the culture, and the economics of it. You have to be passionate about it, and you have to present that and educate the people in Tallahassee about that, and about the overreaching effects of this legislation.”

Thanks to OBS’ PR director Alicia Hughes for the interview & video! This video is available for any legitimate media use as part of the Thoroughbred Racing Initiative and the National HBPA’s advocacy campaign to protect live horse racing.

Tony Granitz, who spends the winter racing at Tampa Bay Downs and the rest of the year at Horseshoe Indianapolis, has six employees for his 15 horses in Florida. He jokes that he’ll have to become an Uber driver or Walmart greeter if Florida passes “decoupling” legislation that would let Gulfstream Park retain its gaming licenses while ceasing the current requirement to have horse racing.
Of decoupling bills HB 105/SB 408, Granitz says, “I think it’s horrible…. It’s going to crush the breeders, because who’s going to want to buy a Florida-bred when there’s maybe only one track left to race? It will have a domino effect on the whole industry here in Florida.”
” … If we didn’t love the animals we wouldn’t do it, because it’s seven days a week,” says Granitz, who has been in horse racing for 47 years. “We take care of them like family. The workers who work for me, my assistant has been with me for 33 years; my foreman has been with me 23 years. That’s what you call loyalty, and that’s how we are with the horses.”

The Florida bloodstock industry is currently facing significant challenges during the 2025 breeding and auction season, primarily due to legislative changes and economic pressures. A major concern is the state’s decoupling legislation, which allows gambling establishments to operate without being required to offer live horse racing. This shift threatens the traditional revenue streams that have historically supported the Thoroughbred industry in Florida.

The Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association (TOBA) fully supports the Florida owners, breeders, and horsemen’s stand against the decoupling of live horseracing

Real people. Real jobs. Kathleen O’Connell, Tampa Bay Downs’ meet-leading trainer, employees 40 people for her stable of about 50-55 race horses.

Mike Dini is a thoroughbred owner, trainer and breeder who also serves as president of the Tampa Bay Downs HBPA. He employs 23 people for his stable of 40 horses.

Florida’s thoroughbred horse industry plays a crucial role in the state’s rural economy, supporting 33,500 jobs and generating $3.24 billion in economic impact.

The Florida Thoroughbred breeding and racing industry provides one of the state’s most robust agri-businesses, with 33,500 jobs and $3.24 billion in annual economic impact. To put that in perspective: All collegiate athletics in the state account for a $3.1 billion contribution.