BY SARAH WELK BAYNUM

Darrell Solley has been an instrumental member of Marilyn Campbell's Stonehedge Thoroughbred enterprise with decades of dedication to nurturing exceptional horses. His journey in the Sunshine State began in 1978 when he transitioned from rodeo to Thoroughbreds, a path that would define his professional life.

MARCH 4, 2025-The Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association fully supports the Florida owners, breeders and horsemen's stand against the decoupling of live horse racing from the ability of a racetrack to conduct alternative gaming in Florida.

Thoroughbred racing and breeding support a far-reaching agricultural ecosystem and preserve greenspace. Beyond the Thoroughbred farms and training centers are tack and feed suppliers and the farms that grow the feed, equine services and products, professional services, hospitality, construction and farm equipment, and transportation businesses all supported by Thoroughbred breeding and racing. This agricultural ecosystem needs racetracks and live racing to exist and vice versa. Decoupling incentivizes racetrack operators to end live racing and break the relationship between farm and track thereby causing great harm to the agricultural economy.

A healthy Florida Thoroughbred breeding and racing industry is not only important to those owners, breeders, and horsemen in Florida, but nationwide. Any harm to the Florida Thoroughbred industry brought about by decoupling will be acutely felt throughout the U.S. Thoroughbred industry and therefore TOBA is opposed to decoupling.

OBS PRESS RELEASE

OCALA, FL-Ocala Breeders' Sales Company (OBS) announced Wednesday's Under Tack Show has been cancelled due to rain and high winds forecasted to hit the area March 5.

NATIONAL HBPA PRESS RELEASE

The horsemen's organization representing thoroughbred owners and trainers at Gulfstream Park is rejoining the National HBPA as an affiliate.

FTBOA CEO Lonny Powell describes the history of failed efforts to decouple live racing from gaming venues and underscores shifts in the 2025 initiative.

Decoupling: What You Need to Know