Hold Your Horses: Mac Davis looks to change the Horse Racing Industry

The Merrian Webster's Dictionary defines Horse Racing as "the racing of horses as a sport." But for Mac Davis, horse racing is much more than that. For him, it's the sport where he found his love for horses, many new people, and his own company Mac Davis Thoroughbreds. So even though he is just 16 years of age, he has found his way through the racino world even though he can't even bet on the races!

Mac started his journey in Saint Petersburgh, Florida, on Gandy Boulevard, where he saw his first touch of the racing experience by visiting Derby Lane Dog Track, the oldest running greyhound track from 1925-2020. "I remember going to Derby Lane as a little kid with my grandmother one night. I don't remember much as I was very young but watching the greyhounds run around the track was incredible," said Mac when we spoke to him from Parx Casino in Bensalem, Pennsylvania. Mac visited Derby Lane a couple of times more when he was younger, but he didn't find his love for racinos and thoroughbred racing until he moved up to New York.

Following the covid 19 pandemic, Mac shifted gears and returned to the racino world as he watched the last greyhound racing from Florida. "I didn't follow much greyhound and horse racing until 2020 when Florida tracks had their final races for greyhounds," said Mac, "Watching the final race from Derby Lane, the track that helped fuel my love for racing, was one I'll never forget." However, now with greyhound racing being gone and no tracks near New York, Mac found his new love as he attended Meadowlands Racetrack, the birthplace of Mac's love for horse racing. "Watching the Meadowlands racing card on that cold February night was what started my passion for horse racing. It was incredible to see these beautiful animals run right past you."

Mac set out to follow all horse racing and landed a job as a reporter for it with Fantom Sports, a small sports new company. "For not knowing anything about horse racing until then, it was really nice of them to allow me the opportunity to report on my newfound love." Mac stayed with Fantom Sports building his connections throughout the industry but left as he set out to make his own company this time, not one reporting on horses; Mac decided to own them instead. "I loved reporting on horse racing, and I still do as a side gig, but ownership always intrigued me," he said while watching the post-parade for an upcoming race. "There was something about it. I don't know what it was, but it always looked fun to own a racehorse."

With his new goal of owning a racehorse, Mac set up his company Mac Davis Thoroughbreds where he started to buy and co-own racehorses. "I set up Mac Davis Thoroughbreds because I wanted to see more young people get into the sport, and my company has not only inspired younger people to attend races, but it also inspired young people to start watching and following the great sport of horse racing." However, Mac only gives himself some of the credit. He says that the fans deserve all of the glory. "There are no better sports fans than horse racing fans, and I've never met a more supportive and caring community than the horse racing one."

Sure, the Merrian Webster's Dictionary defines Horse Racing as "the racing of horses as a sport." but there is so much more to it than that in the heart of the youngest horse racing owner. So if you ever find yourself at the racetrack, you may see Mac enjoying another beautiful day at his favorite place.