BY MELISSA CAMPBELL
Thoroughbreds are considered one of the most athletic horse breeds in the world. Their physique, including a deep chest and those long legs, makes them versatile for both speed and stamina running. Their mental capacity contributes to their ability to learn a wide variety of skills. And lastly, their heart, with that drive to work, gives you the optimal competitor.
It’s no surprise that they have historically stolen the spotlight in the world of horse racing, as well as other disciplines. But, I can’t be the only one to notice the decline in their numbers lately. Both at the racetrack and the nearby equestrian venue, is anyone else asking themselves: Where did all the Thoroughbreds go?
Goodbye Chicago Racing
It’s no secret that the state of horse racing across the country has been trending downhill. Between scrutiny from humane groups and the modern cost-benefit ratio, horse racing is not the sport it once was.
In my home state of Illinois, there used to be year-round Chicago horse racing. Horse trainers could run horses at Sportsman’s Park in the spring, Arlington Park Racetrack in the summer, and close out the season at Hawthorne Racetrack in the fall and winter months. Unfortunately, Sportsman’s closed in 2002 after a failed business venture. Everyone knows the demise and demolition, literally, of Arlington Park Racetrack after their last 2021 season.
And, Hawthorne? Well, they are hanging on by a thread. They’ve had to reduce their number of racing days to two a week. Most days, they can only fill seven races, but just barely. You used to be able to watch a competitive field of ten to twelve horses; now you’re lucky to see six in each race. Not to mention, Hawthorne just filed Chapter 11. For those like me who don’t speak government, this essentially means that the owners went bankrupt and had to obtain a loan to even host the 2026 summer racing season. If someone doesn’t offer to buy that racetrack and keep it a racetrack before mid-July, they will close the doors for good, and you can say goodbye to Chicago Horse Racing.
The state of Illinois will be down to the last man standing, Fairmount Park. Their race card, however, is looking just as dismal as Hawthorne’s. Not to mention the distance and time to get down there. Fairmount Park is essentially across the river from St. Louis, Missouri. I guess if you enjoy the Arch, you could make a weekend out of it.
As these Chicago tracks started to close, Illinois breeding numbers decreased, and quickly. According to The Jockey Club’s 2026 Illinois Fact Book (The Jockey Club, 2026), Illinois produced 973 foals in 2004. Just twenty years later, only 75 registered Thoroughbreds were born in the state. Why would someone breed an Illinois-bred horse if there’s no Illinois horse racing?
All I Want is a Warmblood
Thoroughbreds off the track are fairly inexpensive. Most of them, however, do require time to recover either physically or mentally and will potentially have limitations in terms of a second career.
I know. I have three Thoroughbreds in my backyard. Only one came off the track without injury. The second broke her knee, and the third bowed his tendon. This means they both required a decent amount of time rehabilitating after the track, as well as restrictions on what they will be physically able to do.
And, this doesn’t include the time it takes to retrain them. My eleven-year-old OTTB, Exprompt, raced for nine years. That’s a long time on the track. He made it so long because he knew what his job was, he was decently good at it, and he really, really liked it. Taking a horse like that and trying to convince him that there is another way to move takes time. He has to learn that he doesn’t have to go from zero to forty miles per hour with someone on his back. His body can bend around in a circle and not just step sideways in an awkward, rigid line. And, no, he’s not in charge. All of that cannot be taught overnight.
The serious rider, or the serious parent with the eager young rider, does not always want to invest that time or money into the OTTB’s retraining process. They want a solid horse that they can take to the Hunter/Jumper or Dressage show next month, not next year. They want the horse that will be safe and competitive. Cue your Warmbloods and crossbreds.
Many programs, like the TAKE2 Second Career Thoroughbred Program, are trying to incentivize the inclusion of Thoroughbreds in these second-career disciplines. Despite their efforts and increasing prize money, there just aren’t as many Thoroughbreds being entered as in previous years. I recently visited a hunter/jumper show in my area. After reviewing their completed entry list, I realized that on one day of the event, only three Thoroughbreds competed. Out of 217 total horse and rider combinations. Did I mention that they didn’t have any entries to fill the TAKE2 Thoroughbred classes?
I’m not saying Thoroughbreds are for everyone. They definitely come with some baggage, and that’s not for some people. I just hope that we don’t lose sight of the horse breed that gave us the great athletes like Secretariat and Zenyatta. Plus, you never know; you might just find the next Bold Venture on the backside of the racetrack.
Yes, my OTTB’s are restricted physically and will take extra time to retrain. But, when my 16.1, 1200 pound ex-allowance racehorse walks at a polite pace for me, the more amateur rider, and then ten minutes later knows he can get extra happy and goof off when my husband, the ex-jockey, hops on? That’s enough intelligence, loyalty, and care to convince me over and over again to put my time, money, and trust in Thoroughbreds.
Just because Illinois racing may disappear doesn’t mean the Thoroughbred breed should too. I hope more people can see the true heart and soul of a Thoroughbred and give them a chance. I have, and I can’t imagine my life without those three faces, all looking to me to lead them in the next best race of their lives.
Melissa Campbell is a teacher of the visually impaired in the state of Illinois, as well as a newly published author of her horse memoir, When Lilies Turn Gray. Her and her husband, Joel, live with their three OTTB’s and greyhound in the Chicago suburbs.
The Jockey Club. (2026). 2026 Illinois Fact Book: A statistical guide to the Thoroughbred industry in Illinois. https://www.jockeyclub.com/factbook/StateFactBook/Illinois.pdf. https://jockeyclub.com/factbook/StateFactBook/Illinois.pdf
