What Are The Odds?

About a week or so ago, Dan Farley, former editor of the Thoroughbred Record posted a commentary on Bloodhorse.com that caught my eye. He noted that six women were among the top 30 finishers in a recent million dollar handicapping contest in Las Vegas sponsored by the Thoroughbred Racing Association. According to Farley, of the approximately 278 people who participated in this event, 25 were women.

That sounds about right to me and that is the point of Farley's piece: that thoroughbred racing, a sport that should be bending over backwards to include anyone and everyone, is doing little to appeal to women. He goes on to mention the stereotypical "smoke-filled" betting parlors that unfortunately still exist and how "no self-respecting woman would be caught dead in many of these places."

All of which is so ironic when you consider the appeal that horses have always held for the female sex. What little girl didn't want a pony? And how many of those little girls grow up to be show riders, perhaps exercise riders, hot-walkers and even jockeys. I don't have any figures on this but I would say that even on the backside of a race track, where females are hardly invisible, they are still a minority. Yet consider that the incoming veterinary school class at the University of Pennsylvania is at least 75% female.

I don't think it is the gambling or the "Guys and Dolls" stigma that turns women away from racing. I have been to the races in Ireland where the racing meet is the highlight of the social season for men and women from all walks of life. It is a fashion show every night, regardless of the weather, and everyone bets, drinks, eats and has a wonderful time. Of course, this is Europe where horses and jockey are treated like national heroes. In Japan, according to Farley, the track is the "in" place to be for men and women.

When I witness the affection that the Fans of Barbaro, predominantly female, displayed for the 2006 Kentucky Derby winner, I know that horses continue to inspire women. It is when the sport does not respect the horse as the source of that inspiration that women lose interest.

Yes, I think, as Farley suggests, that racing could go farther than it has in making the sport attractive to women but it's not all about pretty paddocks or pink and green ladies rooms, although those things are nice. I think it has to do with honesty, integrity and doing the right thing for the right reason because it is the right thing to do.

Gee, kind of like Gretchen Jackson? If thoroughbred racing is serious about attracting women, they are overlooking their chief ambassador.