“It would unequivocally upend the industry, taking away tens of thousands of jobs and billions of dollars in economic impact,” says former Gulfstream Park owner
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.
Gulfstream Park has year-round racing, and it is proud to host premier racing events like the Florida Derby and the Pegasus World Cup. Aside from its world-class barns, racecourse and clubhouse, along with other state-of-the-art facilities, it features a bronze statue at its entrance. The statue, which is of a pegasus defeating a dragon, is over 110 feet tall and is one of the largest in the nation. The statue is grand in nature because it signifies my reverence for horses, who have given so much to us throughout history. It’s a homage to the spirit of the horse, as humanity would not exist without them. It stands at the entrance of Gulfstream Park, where horses, horsemen and those who love to watch the sport of horse racing all come together to partake in one of the oldest, and most loved, pastimes in America.
It is from this profound place, with my love of the horse racing industry, a great respect for the Thoroughbred industry and owners, and the continued and unwavering support of the Florida Thoroughbred Horsemen, that I feel compelled to encourage the Florida Legislature not to pass legislation that would jeopardize the future of horse racing in Florida. The legislation — Senate Bill 408 and House Bill 105 — would remove the requirement for horse tracks to run live racing to offer other gambling.
My heartfelt opposition to this legislation comes from my love of the industry, the respect for the men and women in this sport, and the deep concern in what this legislation would mean for the future of horse racing in the state. To put it simply, it would end horse racing in Florida. This would not only be felt by the patrons in Florida who have long enjoyed the sport of horse racing, but it would unequivocally upend the industry, taking away tens of thousands of jobs and billions of dollars in economic impact.
I know that not everyone will feel the same passion for this industry that I do, but I do think we can all understand economic impacts. This legislation will mean that Florida will lose a lot, especially rural and agricultural areas of the state that contribute significantly to horses that are bred, raised and trained.
I respect those who are pushing this legislation, and I respect my former colleagues at Gulfstream Park for their business interests that have led to this move, but I would say to them that this endeavor is not right. It’s not right for the industry; it’s not right for those who love horse racing; and it’s not right for Florida.
Frank Stronach is a businessman who purchased Gulfstream Park in 1999 and founded The Stronach Group in 2011 with his daughter, before she took over in 2020.