Billionaire Mike Repole Seeks to Protect Racehorses Through Industry Lawsuit
Posted on: January 20, 2026, 08:11h.
Last updated on: January 20, 2026, 09:27h.
- Mike Repole says his efforts to improve the welfare of racehorses have been unfruitful
- As a result, he claims he’s left with no other choice but to bring legal action against the industry
Billionaire Mike Repole has had enough of the current state of the US horse racing industry. Citing a lack of a united front and an industry largely controlled by an “old boys club” where new, outside views on how to improve the business are unwelcome, Repole is taking matters into his own hands and using his deep pockets to spend whatever it takes to force change.
Repole, who made his billions by founding Glaceau, the maker of Vitaminwater and Smartwater, and Bodyarmor sports drinks, shared on X that he’s prepping a far-reaching lawsuit against horse racing’s most powerful entities.
After years of controversy, marked by doping scandals, horse injuries and deaths, and even allegations that the sport’s parimutuel wagering is rigged to benefit a select few, Repole says he’s been left with no choice but to sue.
“I’ve spent the last four years trying to unite and strategically align the power stakeholders in Thoroughbred racing. Four years in, we still can’t solve aftercare. That tells you everything. I’m convinced there is only one path left to force real change and save this industry outside of Kentucky and a few surviving states. A national lawsuit. With national media coverage,” Repole said.
Horse Safety
Repole has notified the various defendants to be named in his lawsuit, including the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association, The Jockey Club, and the Breeders’ Cup. In response, they told Repole to be prepared for a stringent defense and possible countersuit.
Repole’s goal “isn’t about tearing the sport down” but “saving the tracks, the people, the small owners and breeders, the fans, and most importantly, protecting the Thoroughbred.”
Repole, 56, is among horse racing’s wealthiest players. A fan of the sport since his teens, Repole founded Repole Stable soon after selling Glaceau to Coca-Cola in 2007 for $4.1 billion.
His most famous horse to date, Uncle Mo, sired Nyquist, the 2016 Kentucky Derby winner. Repole Stable’s Vino Rosso won the 2019 Breeders’ Cup and the Gold Cup at Santa Anita Stakes.
Repole says that while the 200 or so horses that die at tracks annually garner the headlines, there are thousands more each year who aren’t properly cared for after their racing days are over.
What about the 2,000 that don’t have aftercare homes or get shipped to Mexico for slaughter?” Repole asked.
The billionaire says he has the financial resources to take the fight “to the end.”
Repole’s Skeptics
Repole has clashed with horse racing’s elite since his introduction as an owner two decades ago. Known for being a vocal critic of the sport’s governance, he’s made plenty of foes over the years for stressing that horse racing needs a unified governing body with a commissioner.
Enlighten us, Mike, on what this lawsuit means. Because I, for one, don’t trust you. We certainly do need change (a lot of it), but I think many of us feel that you’re not the guy,” said Steve Josepher in response to Repole’s X post.
LSU Stables’ Randy Sarf told Repole he’s “too late.”
“Just enjoy what you have, and if you’re not enjoying it, jump ship,” said Sarf.
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