Tables lined the Capital's rotunda this week in celebration of the Texas horse-racing industry. The Texas Thoroughbred Association hosted the exhibit in honor of its 50th anniversary.
Tables featured photos, news clippings and history on various parts of the industry. One table highlighted covers from The Texas Thoroughbred monthly magazine. Another showed a grooming education program, Groom Elite, and explained how the program helps Texas horse racing.
Though the rotunda had no visitors Thursday afternoon, Texas Thoroughbred Association Executive Director Dave Hooper and other TTA members were high spirited about celebrating the anniversary and sharing it with Capitol passersby.
"It's really a part of Texas heritage," Hooper said.
Wearing a navy-blue tie covered with horses, Hooper explained the history of horse racing in Texas and how it has evolved. He said that the TTA was founded 1955, when the state did not allow gambling on horse racing.
People were first allowed to gamble on horse racing in 1933, but this law was repealed by the Legislature in 1937. It wasn't until 50 years later that gambling was brought back. Since then, Texas has built its three big tracks - Sam Houston Race Park in Houston, Retama Park in San Antonio and Lone Star Park in Grand Prairie. The TTA now has 2,000 members and is the largest state breeding organization in North America, Hooper said.
"Most high-profile owners are native Texans," he said.
TTA Business Manager Mary Ruyle said the 50th anniversary is a milestone for the industry as well as the organization.
"It's a great landmark for us," Ruyle said. "Not many Texas businesses have been around that long."
While the history of horse racing is being celebrated, the current status of the industry in Texas is dwindling, Hooper said. More money is being generated in the horse-racing industries in New Mexico and Louisiana, which have laws more favorable to gambling. This competition has hurt Texas racetracks.
"Racing and breeding is in a declining period," Hooper said. "But we're raising better horses."
He is confident that horse racing can get back on track if Texas tracks can increase revenue. He said he is hopeful about the passage of legislation that would put more money into the industry.
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