USA Sports and The Horse Racing League (HRL), the premier team-based, horse racing league, today announced a partnership to air all three inaugural HRL race days live on USA Network in 2027.
HRL's three race days will include multiple dirt and turf races live on USA Network. The events will take place at the sport's most storied venues: Gulfstream Park in Miami on March 13, Keeneland in Lexington, Ky., on April 18, and Santa Anita Park in Los Angeles on May 15.
HRL, launching in 2027, is designed to bring season-long continuity to thoroughbred racing through compelling storytelling, premium live events, celebrity and brand-led teams, a first-of-its-kind draft selection process, and championship rivalries with $10 million of prizes.
"We're excited to partner with HRL to present its inaugural season to viewers nationwide live on USA Network," said Celia Kohl, SVP of Strategy and Business Development for Versant and USA Sports. "HRL's innovative new format, including action from some of horse racing's most iconic tracks, will offer a fresh and invigorating way for fans to experience thoroughbred racing."
"USA Sports is the ideal partner for HRL as we focus on broadening fan interest in our league and attracting new and younger demographic to horse racing," said Greg Maffei, Executive Chairman of HRL. "Our vision of bringing more storytelling, deeper connections with teams, personalities and our equine athletes that run these races is going to become a reality based in part on USA Network's ability to reach people not just on television but on other social media platforms."
Added Danny Epstien, CEO of HRL, "USA Sports understands the value of our content and the need to leverage that in unique and different ways. We are thrilled to have them as our partner as we launch HRL."
Last week, HRL announced the appointments of Renee Wilm as Chief Business Officer, J-T Ladt as Chief Marketing Officer and Clifford Lidell as Chief Brand Officer, and named Elevate, the award-winning global sports and entertainment agency, as its exclusive partner for ticketing, hospitality and sponsorship sales.
HRL joins USA Sports' robust portfolio of premium sports rights, which includes the WNBA, NASCAR Cup Series, Premier League, WWE, the PGA Tour, LPGA Tour, Pac-12 football and basketball, LOVB (League One Volleyball), and more.
