There is a beautiful, protected inner circle in Thoroughbred racing—a space that is gilded, powerful, and meticulously insulated. To those within it, the walls feel like a fortress of tradition and prestige. But to those on the outside, those walls look increasingly like a barrier to the very progress required for the sport’s survival.
Within this circle, a dangerous sentiment has taken root: a belief in being untouchable. It is in this vacuum of accountability that cruelty, falling handle, decreased fan bases, shrinking foal crops, self promotion, poor optics and perception, all of it—whether through negligence, antiquated practices, or a refusal to modernize—is allowed to survive. When you believe you are the sole custodians of a legacy, you stop listening to the people who actually sustain it.
Shaking the Bars
While the inner circle remains quiet, the perimeter is louder than ever. Those on the outside—the fans, the bettors, and the independent voices—can see the cracks. They can feel the stagnation. And lately, they have begun to shake the bars.
We are seeing a rare alignment of forces. Whether it is the high-decibel advocacy of Mike Repole, the calculated efforts of Pat Cummings, the principled stances of Westlake Stable, or even the relentless analysis we try and provide here at Past the Wire, the message is becoming unified: The status quo is no longer a sanctuary.
The Meeting Behind Closed Doors
Tomorrow, members of The Jockey Club will gather in the quiet of that “members only” environment, where the air is usually thick with self-assurance. However, one has to imagine that some if not all of the names mentioned above will be part of the conversation—even if spoken in hushed tones.
There is a certain irony in a “members only” meeting deciding the fate of a sport that relies on the public’s trust and the bettor’s dollar. Jon Stettin
When the “untouchables” meet, do they discuss the optics of their insulation? Or do they simply double down on the gatekeeping that got us here?
The End of the Untouchable Era
The “Inner Circle” must realize that the gilded bars don’t just keep people out; they trap the occupants in a dying reality.
- Cruelty and gravy trains survive in the dark, but the “outside” is now shining a stadium-grade spotlight on every facet of the game.
- Power is transient if it isn’t backed by the consent of the governed—in this case, the horsemen, gamblers, and the fans.
- Accountability isn’t an attack; it’s a requirement for a future.
Whether the TJC acknowledges it tomorrow or not, the voices at the gates aren’t going away. We aren’t just shaking the bars to be heard; we’re shaking them because the house inside is on fire, and the people in the inner circle are the only ones who can’t smell the smoke.
THIS IS A PRIVATE ROOM:
