Published on: January 20, 2026, 08:11h.
Updated on: January 20, 2026, 08:11h.
- Mike Repole expresses frustration over the ineffectiveness of horse welfare initiatives.
- As a result, he claims he has no choice but to initiate legal proceedings against the industry.
Billionaire Mike Repole is disillusioned with the present condition of the U.S. horse racing sector. Pointing to a lack of cohesion and an industry dominated by an “old boys club” that resists fresh perspectives on improvement, Repole is determined to leverage his financial resources to enact change.
Repole, who amassed his fortune by founding Glaceau, the producer of Vitaminwater and Smartwater, along with Bodyarmor sports drinks, recently announced via X his intention to file a comprehensive lawsuit against leading entities in horse racing.
After years marred by controversy, including doping scandals, equine injuries and fatalities, along with allegations of the sport’s parimutuel betting being rigged for the advantage of a select few, Repole feels he has been left with no alternative but to initiate this lawsuit.
“I’ve dedicated the last four years to unifying and strategically aligning the key stakeholders in Thoroughbred racing. Four years later, we are still unable to address aftercare. That indicates everything. I’m convinced that the only way to instigate significant change and preserve this industry, aside from Kentucky and a handful of remaining states, is through a national lawsuit accompanied by extensive media coverage,” Repole stated.
Ensuring Horse Safety
Repole has informed potential defendants in his lawsuit, which includes the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association, The Jockey Club, and the Breeders’ Cup. They have warned Repole to brace for a rigorous defense and possible countersuit.
Repole’s intention “isn’t to dismantle the sport” but rather to “protect the tracks, the individuals involved, small owners and breeders, the fans, and most importantly, the Thoroughbreds themselves.”
At 56, Repole ranks among the wealthiest figures in horse racing. A lifelong fan of the sport, he established Repole Stable soon after selling Glaceau to Coca-Cola in 2007 for $4.1 billion.
His notable horse, Uncle Mo, is the sire of Nyquist, the 2016 Kentucky Derby champion. Additionally, Repole Stable’s Vino Rosso secured victory at the 2019 Breeders’ Cup and the Gold Cup at Santa Anita Stakes.
Repole points out that while the roughly 200 horses that perish annually at racetracks make headlines, there are thousands more each year who receive inadequate care post-racing.
“What about the 2,000 who lack aftercare homes or are sent to Mexico for slaughter?” Repole questioned.
The billionaire asserts that he possesses the financial capability to continue this fight “until the end.”
Critics of Repole
Repole has previously clashed with the elite of horse racing since he stepped into ownership two decades ago. Renowned for his vocal opposition to the sport’s governance, he has made numerous enemies over the years, emphasizing the need for a unified regulatory body with a commissioner.
“Educate us, Mike, on what this lawsuit entails. Because I, for one, don’t trust you. Change is essential (a lot of it), but I believe many feel you aren’t the answer,” remarked Steve Josepher on Repole’s post on X.
Randy Sarf from LSU Stables told Repole he’s “too late.”
“Just make the most of what you have, and if it doesn’t bring you joy, consider leaving the game,” Sarf advised.