During the recent Florida Legislative Session, claims were made that the state’s Thoroughbred industry was in decline, but evidence from the Ocala Breeders’ Sales (OBS) October Yearling Sale strongly contradicts this. The two-day event sold 309 horses for over $7.2 million, with several horses fetching prices above $100,000, including a top filly sold post-sale for $275,000. In 2025 alone, OBS has sold 2,100 horses totaling over $183 million, underscoring the industry’s robust health and economic significance.

The decline in Florida’s foal crop is attributed mainly to breeder caution amid uncertainties about Gulfstream Park’s future, not a weakening industry. Ocala, known as the “Horse Capital of the World,” is a global hub for Thoroughbred breeding and training, supporting thousands of jobs and contributing significant tax revenue. Beyond its scenic beauty, the Thoroughbred industry in Florida remains vibrant, vital, and a key economic driver for the state.