Vicky’s Notes
Bring on the Questions
Tomorrow, millions of people will tune in to watch the Kentucky Derby.
Some will be cheering. Some will be curious.
And some will have questions.
You might hear them from family. From old school friends. From someone on Instagram who saw a headline.
“Don’t they race them too young?”
“What happens after they retire?”
“Isn’t this cruel?”
It’s easy to feel defensive – but most of the time, those questions come from a place of not knowing, not from bad faith.
That’s our opportunity.
A well-placed fact. A thoughtful response. A behind-the-scenes story. These are the tools that build trust, one conversation at a time.
And when the questions come – and they will, don’t dodge them. Embrace them.
Because every question asked is a door cracked open and every honest answer helps open it a little wider.
If you see misinformation online or a moment that needs clarity, tag @LightUpRacing.
We’re here, ready to step in with context, facts and care.
If you’re not sure how to respond without getting defensive?
That’s exactly why we built the C.L.E.A.R. Framework – a simple guide to help you stay calm, confident, and constructive.
👇 Save this graphic. Use it. Share it. Let’s make every conversation count.
📠 Common Questions: Summary highlights
Here’s a quick myth-busting guide to help you respond to common concerns, with links to detailed explainers from Light Up Racing:
- Myth: “Racehorses are all doped up on drugs to make them run faster.”
Fact: Strict anti-doping rules and extensive testing ensure horses race free of performance-enhancing drugs. Therapeutic medications are used under veterinary supervision (much like in human sports) and must be stopped well before race day. Under nationwide rules (HISA), any illegal drug use is met with harsh penalties, and although there are cheats trying to beat the system, horses are tested to ensure they are not racing on illicit drugs. (Full explainer: Don’t horses race on drugs?)
- Myth: “Owning racehorses is just a get-rich-quick scheme for owners and trainers.”
Fact: For the vast majority of owners, racehorse ownership is a money-losing labor of love, not a profit venture. On average, owners only earn back about 40% of what they spend on training and care, meaning most operate at a loss. It’s passion for the sport and the horses that keeps them in the game, not easy riches. (Full explainer: Is Racehorse Ownership All About Money?)
- Myth: “Racehorses only run because they’re forced. It’s against their nature.”
Fact: Horses are literally born to run. As prey animals, running is a natural instinct and a source of enjoyment; in the wild, horses regularly gallop for play and race one another in social play, especially when young. Thoroughbreds have evolved as athletes with a strong desire to run in a herd, so a well-treated racehorse is doing what comes naturally. Jockeys guide and encourage the horse, but the competitive drive to run is inherently in the horse. (Full explainer: Are horses forced to run?)
- Myth: “Horses are always dying on the track.”
Fact: Fatal injuries in racing are very rare and have been trending downward thanks to improved safety measures. According to the Equine Injury Database, 99.9% of racing starts occur without a fatality. High-profile incidents do draw attention, but they are the exception; the industry continues to invest in making racing safer every year. (Full explainer: How Many Horses Die Racing?)
Strategy Insights
The Light Up Racing community: Built for moments that matter
The LUR community is a layered, fast-moving network designed to help racing speak clearly when it matters most.
When a crisis hits, we can’t afford to scramble. That’s why we’re getting organised before it’s needed. To track what’s being said. Correct what’s wrong. And get the right messages in front of the public.
Here’s how it all works – and where you could fit in 👇
1. Light Up Racing Public Channels
Public-facing audience (Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, X).
Our social channels are where we speak to the public, translating complex topics, horsemanship stories and important welfare messaging into clear, confident messages the public may never have seen before.
🎯 The goal here? Break the racing echo chamber and educate new audiences – before they form opinions based on headlines alone.
2. Light Up Racing Members
The grassroots network that is the foundation of everything we do.
Our member base is made up of people who care deeply about the future of horse racing. People who want to be part of something constructive. People who want to stay informed, speak confidently, and help shift the public conversation when it matters most.
When someone becomes a Light Up Racing member, they get:
- Our email updates with strategy, context and talking points
- Access to Inside Light Up Racing, our private Facebook group where we discuss key issues, test messaging, and share resources – visit this link to join
- Invitations to participate in training, campaigns, events and content creation
This community helps shape our strategy and make our content better. It’s where we listen, learn, and build shared language before it goes public.
👉 Become a member or invite someone who should be: lightupracing.org/join
3. Light Up Racing Community Group
The active players who roll up their sleeves and get stuck in!
This is the engine room of Light Up Racing.
- The WhatsApp group is our “eyes and ears” network: spotting misinformation, flagging trends, jumping on teachable moments in real time.
- Our content cohort trainees are developing content in their own voice, helping us shape messaging for new audiences.
- And creative volunteers (like Elinor Wolf in NYC 👋) help generate campaign assets and ideas that show racing’s real story.
This group is key when things go wrong. Eyes and ears in all locations allows us to:
- React immediately with facts and clarity
- Correct false narratives before they spread
- Guide public sentiment with authenticity and confidence
👉 Want to join? Just hit reply to this email with your request and we’ll send you a link to the WhatsApp Community Group.
🎧 On the pod: Paddock Pulse!
Leah Reddoch O’Meara & Leah Alessandroni have been trekking backside of Churchill Downs to bring content through their podcast channels. In their latest podcast, they discuss all things ownership.
📚 Book Spotlight: Death of a Racehorse Released May 6
The title is alarming – we know. But it’s already sparking conversation, and we want the Light Up Racing community to be ready.
Written by CNN reporter and former Godolphin Flying Start graduate Katie Bo Lillis, Death of a Racehorse takes an unflinching look at the top end of the racing industry. Lillis knows the sport from the inside, having worked with leading studs and stables around the world. This is a deeply informed investigation into the pressures, practices, and moral grey zones of modern racing.
Parts of it will be very hard to read. But many of the questions it raises are the same ones we’re already asking: How do we build an industry that’s not only successful, but sustainable? One that everyday Americans can feel comfortable supporting – because they trust what’s happening behind the scenes?
Unlike the New York Times hit pieces, Lillis has focused on presenting a full picture – she has a genuine love for horse racing and a desire for it to survive. Sometimes, confronting challenging truths is a direct path forward to achieving change.
Lillis lays out a hopeful path forward for one of America’s oldest and most treasured sports. It’s up to us to take it.
Know someone who loves horse racing but isn’t a member yet?
Invite them to join us here!
Together we can make a difference
LUR is an independent initiative powered by passionate people who believe in the future of racing. If you like what we’re doing and want to see more of it:
Donate now to help us expand content, resources, and reach.
Light Up Racing Directors
Price Bell
Dr. Jeff Berk
Christina Blacker
Roderick Wachman
