It is undeniable that horse racing brings people together ‒ both figuratively, emotionally and physically. Landon Jones and Dawson Guhle discovered this in 2018 when they met through a syndicate and the seeds were planted to help more people get involved in this exciting industry. The result was Agri/Gate, a revolutionary app and web-based platform designed to simplify communication between stakeholders while educating new fans and owners.
Company CEO Landon Jones of Edmonton, Alberta, explained, “I got my start in racing in 2018 through a syndicate that Dawson put together. This was an eye-opening experience for me, and as a result I wanted to learn as much as I could about the industry. Dawson’s lifelong passion for the industry as a whole lured me right in!”
Fellow Albertan and Agri/Gate COO Dawson Guhle added, “We met through a small syndicate, a great group of guys, who really just all wanted to have some fun. A couple of wins at the right time really brought us to chat more about the industry and created the vision for Agri/Gate.”
The pair began discussing the project in 2020. “First and foremost, it started with a love for the horse,” said Jones. “We just wanted to contribute to an industry we are so passionate about. Bringing new stakeholders, specifically owners, to the game is something I love to do. Modernizing a few processes along the way, I feel we can help contribute to the sustainability of the industry while working with existing stakeholders. Increasing user engagement, increasing capital expenditure into the industry, and making information more accessible to fans and owners alike, are the main factors behind the creation of Agri-Gate.”
The app has been in development for a year and a half. “Similar to the sport of horse racing, patience has been a major virtue that we’ve had to endure!” said Jones. It features a streamlined flow of data, media, to facilitate better communication between trainers and owners. “We have a lofty vision for some value-added features that we are currently mapping out and believe will help contribute in a major way to helping the industry in the near future.”
Via Agri/Gate, trainers will be able to communicate directly with owners, providing updates on their horses and sharing notes and media on training, expenses, data points, etc. Users will be able to source data on any registered horse thanks to its integration with Equibase, and will even be able to trace a horse once it is no longer at the track to ensure successful second careers and improved welfare for OTTBs.
Guhle said, “We’re in the process of collaborating with various industry professionals to further develop and enrich our app’s capabilities. Our goal is to create a comprehensive tool that supports all aspects of racing operations, making the management and engagement processes more seamless for everyone involved.”
Since being introduced to the sport, both men have quickly became immersed in the industry. Guhle said, “I’ve always loved the racetrack atmosphere, something about going to the track with my family when I was young and watching our family friends’ horses run. It’s always been a special part of my life. My deeper involvement in racing started in 2012. That’s when my parents, myself, and my cousin decided to buy a couple of mares. We’ve been running a small breeding operation since then.”
Jones currently has seven Thoroughbreds in training as part various partnerships. “I am excited about a City of Light colt that has shown some promise early in his career, as part of Centennial Farms partnership.” He purchased his first broodmare from the Keeneland November sale in 2022. “The pedigree research and breadth of information pertaining to breeding is exciting and has broadened my passion for the industry overall.”
So what exactly sets this particular app apart from other similar ones already on the market?
“We believe that any tools that are built to help the racing industry as a whole should be welcomed and embraced”, remarked Jones. “The amount of time and money that goes into technology development is mind-blowing! I applaud other platforms out there and their founders for wanting to help make a difference in the industry. Our stance is that if it helps contribute to the industry in a positive way, we support the other products that exist out there and future initiatives!”
Guhle added, “While there are a few competitors in a similar space, our philosophy takes a holistic approach to addressing the needs of the racing industry. We recognize the vast opportunity for technology to enhance the sport and are committed to exploring innovative solutions and encouraging others, really our goal is to see racing hold its tradition but adapt enough to remain sustainable. Our focus is not just on communication, but also expanding the app’s features to cover broader aspects of racing. We believe that our dedication to understanding and addressing the unique challenges of the industry on all sides will make our app a valuable tool for everyone involved.”
At the moment, the pair’s primary focus is finalizing a capital raise. “Our preference is to raise investment from industry stakeholders that align with our long-term vision and see the potential of the industry,” said Jones. “The platform is 90% built out, but we want to get it absolutely right before we roll it out. Depending on the timeline of a few key events, we are hoping to get the product into the market mid-2024.”
Guhle concluded, “This timeline reflects our commitment to thorough testing and collaboration with industry experts, ensuring that our app not only meets, but exceeds, the expectations of our users.”
For more information about Agri/Gate, click here.
