What Was the Winner's Circle?
Cady Coulardot Cady Coulardot

What Was the Winner's Circle?

The concept of the winner's circle in Thoroughbred racing has evolved over time, but its origin dates back to the 19th century when horse racing began to formalize in a way that would make it the structured sport we recognize today.


Initially, the idea of a "winner's circle" was more figurative than literal. In the early days of racing, horses would race on open fields, and after a race, the winner might be publicly acknowledged, but the moment of recognition was less formalized than it is now. There wasn't a dedicated area for the winning horse and connections to gather immediately after the race.


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Press Release: Amplify Horse Racing Selected for National CareerViewXR Grant to Showcase Thoroughbred Industry Careers
Cady Coulardot Cady Coulardot

Press Release: Amplify Horse Racing Selected for National CareerViewXR Grant to Showcase Thoroughbred Industry Careers

Amplify Horse Racing has been named one of three top

national awardees of the 2025 CareerViewXR Production Grant, a program developed by

CareerViewXR, a division of Be More Colorful. This grant will support the creation of an

immersive virtual field trip that introduces students across the U.S. to careers in the

Thoroughbred racing industry—bringing the world of horse racing directly into classrooms and

youth programs nationwide.

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Everyday Expressions with Horse Racing Roots
Cady Coulardot Cady Coulardot

Everyday Expressions with Horse Racing Roots

Did you know that many horse racing terms are commonly used in everyday speech and pop culture to describe competition and outcomes?! You might have been speaking the language of horse racing without even realizing it!

Here are 11 racing terms that you’ve probably heard used in daily conversations:

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Balancing Passion and Profit in the Horse Industry: A Q&A with Laurie Mays
Cady Coulardot Cady Coulardot

Balancing Passion and Profit in the Horse Industry: A Q&A with Laurie Mays

How do you balance passion and financial sustainability in a career with horses? We spoke with Laurie Mays, Senior Workforce Development Project Manager at the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Foundation, who provided valuable insights into the industry's diverse career opportunities, essential skills, and specialized trades. With decades of experience in the equine sector, Laurie offered an educational perspective on how young aspiring professionals can build rewarding careers that align their love for horses with long-term financial stability.

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Understanding Racetrack Measurements - Poles 
Cady Coulardot Cady Coulardot

Understanding Racetrack Measurements - Poles 

When you visit a racetrack or watch a race on television, you’ll notice colorful poles lining the inner rail. These aren’t just for decoration—they serve as crucial markers that measure race time and distance. Jockeys rely on them to plan their moves, deciding when to accelerate or conserve energy, while viewers use them to gauge how much distance remains in the race.

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End of Year Letter from Executive Director Annise Montplaisir
Annise Montplaisir Annise Montplaisir

End of Year Letter from Executive Director Annise Montplaisir

When Amplify Horse Racing was founded as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in 2020, our goal was to engage youth with the Thoroughbred industry. As 2024 draws to a close, I reflect with immense pride on how Amplify isn’t just engaging youth with the Thoroughbred industry—we have become the national youth arm of the U.S. industry.

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