The Jockey Club, State Commissions and Owners Clubs

The Jockey Club, founded in 1894, is perhaps the most influential organization in the history of American horse racing. Established by prominent figures in the racing community, The Jockey Club aimed to bring order and regulation to the sport. The Jockey Club sought to standardize racing regulations, maintain pedigrees, and oversee the breeding and racing of thoroughbreds.One of the critical contributions of The Jockey Club was the establishment of the American Stud Book, which recorded the pedigrees of thoroughbred horses. This registry was crucial in ensuring the integrity of the breed. By maintaining comprehensive records, The Jockey Club helped to enhance the sport's credibility and attract a more extensive and dedicated following.

The early 20th century saw significant growth in horse racing's popularity, partly due to the influence of The Jockey Club, owners clubs, and the creation of race commissions by various states. Owners' clubs were formed in many states, playing a significant role in the development and promotion of horse racing. The state commissions and owners clubs worked closely with The Jockey Club to enforce rules, ensure fair play, and maintain the sport's integrity. The cooperative effort established a framework that allowed horse racing to flourish as a well-regulated and respected sport. Licensing was implemented for owners, trainers, and jockeys, ensuring that only qualified individuals participated in the sport. This period also saw the introduction of pari-mutuel betting, which offered a more reliable and fair betting system compared to previous bookmaking practices.

Recent History and Current in California

In 2020 Congress authorized the first national level authority to regulate aspects of horse racing, the “Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority” or HISA. HISA is responsible for drafting and enforcing national safety and integrity rules in thoroughbred racing in the U.S. All racing participants must register with HISA and as an owner this simple procedure will be your only interaction.

The California Horse Racing Board, or CHRB, was established by the California Legislature in 1933. The CHRB has regulatory authority over horse racing and pari-mutuel wagering at licensed racetracks throughout California. As noted in the CHRB’s mission statement, a key objective of the CHRB is to ensure the integrity, viability, and safety of the California horse racing industry. All race horse owners are licensed by the CHRB using the procedure we will explain next.

The “Thoroughbred Owners of California”, or TOC, is the owners club representing the interests of California Thoroughbred owners. All CHRB-licensed owners automatically become members of the TOC. There are no membership dues; and shortly after getting your owner’s license from the California Horse Racing Board you will receive a welcome packet from the TOC. As the State-recognized representative of owners, TOC serves as a voice for the broad interests of Thoroughbred owners and strives to improve and increase representation of horse owners in the day-to-day activities of racing. As a race horse owner you can decide the level of interaction you want to have with the TOC but attending one of their meetings or events is both fun and educational.