Kentucky’s horse racing industry leads competing states in virtually every metric thanks, in large part, to the success of historical horse racing (HHR) over the past decade.

Five racetracks across the state currently feature HHR venues with two additional locations planning to open in 2021. In addition to attracting new audiences to the sport of horse racing and enhancing racetrack facilities, HHR has injected new revenue and life into Kentucky’s signature industry.

As a result, Kentucky has built a strong racing circuit offering competitive purses year-round and incentives to breed and race more horses in the commonwealth.

Since 2000, my horse racing operation has won 2,215 races and employs over 40 people. On September 1 alone, we had a choice to race in over 30 racetracks in the U.S. hosting live racing, including Saratoga Racetrack in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.

However, my top horses were not racing at Saratoga or any of the other tracks around the country that day. They were at Kentucky Downs in Franklin, Ky.

HHR has allowed Kentucky racetracks to offer the best purses in the country, if not the hemisphere. That’s why more and more owners and trainers are choosing to race in Kentucky rather than in New York and California.

As Kentucky’s racing circuit has grown stronger, we’ve been able to keep more horses, trainers, breeders, and industry activity here at home, while drawing new activity to our state at the same time. That’s good for our economy and good for Kentucky.

Kenneth Ramsey
Ramsey Farm
Nicholasville, Ky.