Houston businessman and longtime Thoroughbred owner and breeder Jim McIngvale is exiting the horse racing industry, selling his last horse, the stallion Runhappy, a 2015 Breeders’ Cup Sprint winner and champion male sprinter. McIngvale, who has been involved since 1995, cited the industry’s lack of integrity and widespread use of performance-enhancing drugs as reasons for his departure, emphasizing his commitment to competing without injections or drugs. Despite his success, including nearly $10 million in earnings from his horses and breeding four black-type stakes winners, McIngvale expressed frustration with the sport’s decline and the uphill battle faced by those who refuse to use drugs.

Throughout his career, McIngvale was known for innovative race sponsorships and significant philanthropic support for racing-related causes, including the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance and the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund. He also advocated for transparency and reform in the sport, urging for bigger fields and grass racing to revitalize interest. Despite losing an estimated $30 million in the industry, McIngvale remained a passionate figure until recently deciding to sell off his entire stable and breeding stock, marking the end of his involvement in Thoroughbred racing.