A study of the status of the management of horse racing in Illinois

The purpose of this study was to determine the current status of the management and regulatory policies and actions by leaders of the horse racing industry in Illinois. A review of the related literature provided the development of a profile to detail the heritage and growth of horse racing. The recent increase in popularity has lead to the creation of breeding and racing incentive programs by the General Assembly of Illinois.;The results analyzed in depth the management responsibilities of horse breeding and racing in Illinois as related to: (a) fiscal management, (b) registration processes, (c) scheduling of major races, and public relations. These four responsibilities are some of the areas of the many job responsibilities of the Administrator of Horse Racing of the Illinois Department of Agriculture. The researcher has managed the two Illinois breeding-racing government-sports businesses simultaneously since 1980. This study attempted to make a significant, professional contribution to the area of sports management.;The information presented in this study provides a description of the current status of breeding and racing in Illinois. It needs to be emphasized that this study can serve as a basis for future inquiry into other management areas, as well as serve as a basis for an operations manual.