Commitment Makes Kentucky A Leader In Thoroughbred Racing

BusinessSportsMoneyCommitment Makes Kentucky A Leader In Thoroughbred RacingByDanny Brewer,Contributor.Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Danny Brewer has been covering Thoroughbred/horse racing since 2006.Follow AuthorMay 28, 2026, 09:20pm EDT--:-- / --:--This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.Golden Tempo became the 118th Kentucky-bred horse to win the Kentucky Derby on May 2, 2026Coady photography The Kentucky Derby and the Triple Crown races shine the spotlight on Thoroughbred racing every Spring. Of course, there is way more to the sport than these three races. A deeper look into the commitment to horse racing within the State of Kentucky speaks volumes as to why the Commonwealth is leading the race for the sport of kings in the 21st century. Thoroughbred Breeding Industry The Backbone For Success In Kentucky.Thoroughbred breeding in the state of Kentucky has always ranked among the highest in the world in both quality and quantity. In the rolling hills of the Commonwealth are some of the finest horse farms known to man. On these farms, champions are born and raised. The Kentucky Derby normally plays host to the best three-year-old horses in the world and as an example, of the 152 winners, 117 of them were bred within the state. In 2025, 69% of all grade 1 race winners in North America were Kentucky born. Currently the leading exporter of Thoroughbreds in the world, Kentucky has long been dedicated to producing the finest race horses on earth. “We have always had a focus on breeding,” says Chauncey Morris, executive director of the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association. “Kentucky has always been a breeding state and we have maintained a focus on that aspect. A very strong emphasis on our broodmare (mother) population has allowed us to produce winners all over the world. The races run throughout the year for the females within the state are very important as we deve...