A new year is on the way, and on February 17, 2026, the Chinese Zodiac calendar leaves the Year of the Snake behind and ushers in the exciting Year of the Fire Horse. Freedom, success, hard work and vitality are among the traits that come to the fore in a year of the horse. And 2026 is, more specifically, the Year of the Fire Horse, which only comes around every 60 years. Those traits are fast, action-driven, and intense.
People born in a year of the horse, e.g. 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014, and 2026, are born in a time that highlights bold decisions, adventure, and ambitious goals, inspiring people to take initiative, embrace change and trust their instincts.
Horse racing throughout the world has done a good job in going ‘all in’ towards horse care, during and after the horse’s racing career. In Ontario, there is a strong focus on Thoroughbred and Standardbred aftercare with two notable adoption organizations (LongRun Thoroughbred Retirement Society and Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society) and plenty of coverage on the success of retired horses from Woodbine Entertainment and other tracks.
There is always room for improvement, as some owners, trainers, and fans have noted that some areas of the sport have ‘lost the plot’, meaning the focus on promoting the beautiful sport has strayed far away from its main player – the horse.
“Racing seems to be getting away from having it’s focus on the horse, especially in the winner’s circle,” said one trainer. “It’s as if the winner’s circle has become a place where there are people drawing attention to themselves with costumes, hand signals, funny waves or dance moves. This isn’t about them, it is about the horse.”
Another horseperson noted, “sometimes people will stand in front of the horse in the winner’s circle, to the point you can’t even see the horse.”
“It’s the space that honours the horse and his effort. And his people who care for him gather around to celebrate him.”
(Canadian Thoroughbred elected to keep the horsepeople’s names anonymous)
Most horsepeople agree that the story of how that horse gets from foal to racehorse, to a racetrack barn, and to the winner’s circle, is the best way to promote the sport.
American trainer SCOTT LAKE has won 6,400 races, and in response to the Thoroughbred Daily News’ series ‘Racing in 2036’ said all aspects of horse activities and the people who care for them should be out in front to educate fans.
“We as an industry do nothing to promote, educate or bring young fans to our sport. There is so much more we could do. Breakfast on the apron during training hours. Backside tours. Handicapping seminars. Meet the jockeys, trainers, grooms, owners. These are all things to make people see what we do day to day. Educate a young fan. I remember going to Canterbury Park for the Claiming Crown. Nat Wess and Randy Sampson asked me to do a ‘meet the trainers’ event. I couldn’t believe how many people showed up and asked questions. I specifically remembering saying, ‘you guys have no idea how lucky you are, because Canterbury does everything they can to support racing.’ That’s where our sport should be.”
Backstretch tours and seminars to meet personalities used to be a staple at racetracks, including Woodbine, which would have weekly handicapping and informative seminars as well as tours of the barn area. Perhaps it is time to re-focus on the equine athletes from the barn to race-day and share that with the public in 2026.
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