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A new U.S. startup called Horse Racing League says it plans to launch a team-based Thoroughbred competition in 2027, with Santa Anita listed as one of the possible venues for its first two events.
According to _Coliseum_, the league is being led by former Formula 1 chief Greg Maffei and Danny Epstien. The format calls for 10 teams, with each franchise selecting eight horses in a November draft from a pool of 80 horses purchased by the league. Epstien said the teams would then buy and own the horses they draft.
That ownership-and-draft model is one of the clearest distinctions from earlier racing league concepts. Epstien told the publication the goal is to create “parity” and “strategy,” rather than having teams simply enter horses they already own.
The league also says it wants to package race days more like major sports events, with upgraded hospitality, food and beverage offerings, and live entertainment. Each event is planned to include four league races — two on dirt and two on turf — staged on an existing race day at a host track.
For California racing followers, the most notable detail is the venue shortlist. The first two 2027 events are planned for either Santa Anita or Gulfstream Park, while the third is slated for Keeneland in Lexington in April. The initial three-event schedule is set for February, March and April 2027.
Several groups have already committed to join, including WinStar Farms, Godolphin, and a partnership involving Gary Barber, Vinnie Viola and Chris Pucillo, according to the report.
Some key details are still unresolved. The league has not disclosed the franchise join fee, its total budget for horse purchases, or the rating system that would govern replacement horses if a drafted runner becomes unavailable.
If the concept gains traction, Horse Racing League says it hopes to expand to six events a year by 2029. For now, the main items to watch are whether Santa Anita is confirmed as a host site and when the league finalizes its team ownership and operating details.
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Source: As reported by coliseum-online.com.
