Racing's Future: Acacia Courtney

"Racing’s Future" is a Q&A series in which I aspire to help everyone in the industry. In addition to shining a spotlight on youth who plan to have a career in horse racing, I hope that the opinions expressed in their responses will offer industry leaders insight into what a younger audience believes the sport should improve upon.

Meet Acacia Courtney

Originally from Connecticut, 23-year-old Acacia Courtney currently lives in New York City. Although she only recently became involved in horse racing, she is a lifelong horse lover, having grown up riding and being trained in hunter/jumper and dressage disciplines. While her family has always watched the Kentucky Derby for as long as she can remember, it was when she started working with off-track Thoroughbreds (OTTBs) that she became hooked on the sport. Acacia is the founder and president of the 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization Racing for Home Inc., which is dedicated to re-purposing OTTBs for new careers after the racetrack. Trips to the Suffolk Downs backside led to a full-fledged passion for racing and an enhanced love and appreciation for equine athletes, and about two and a half years ago, Acacia dove in to the industry headfirst. She has been blogging for America’s Best Racing for a year, and recently joined the Horse Racing Radio Network team full-time as an analyst after working as the paddock/winner’s circle commentator and interviewer for the Derby, Saratoga stakes races, and Breeders’ Cup. She is the co-host of the Xpressbet Radio shows, covering live racing from multiple tracks with with Anthony “The Big A” Stabile. Aside from her involvement in racing, Acacia was Miss Connecticut 2014 and a top-15 semifinalist in that year’s Miss America pageant, and graduated from Fordham University with a major in Communications (Journalism concentration) in December 2015. 

How did you become interested in horse racing?

I’d always been fascinated by racing but didn’t know much about it while growing up. After watching races on the Suffolk Downs backside, I realized around the time I started college how much I was mesmerized by it. I taught myself how to read the Racing Form, dove in head-first, and asked a ton of questions along the way. 

What do you love about horse racing?

It’s hard to pinpoint one or a few things, because I love so many things about horse racing. I have so much appreciation for the Thoroughbred. The people I’ve met in racing and the relationships I’ve formed are some of the best, and the sport always challenges and excites me.

What career are you pursuing in the horse racing industry?

Since I decided to work in racing I’ve wanted to be an on-air analyst. I love what I do now on HRRN, and feel so lucky to have a position I really love. I’d like to do more on-camera and am always open to new options and opportunities.

Why have you chosen to pursue that career?

If something makes you happy, challenges you, and makes you feel fulfilled, then I think that’s worth pursuing.

How are you currently pursuing that career?

By trying to be better and better every day at what I do, and never settling. The HRRN family has adopted me and it’s been a great place to learn and to find my own voice.

Who are some of the people you admire in the industry and why?

I have too many to list! I’ve really lucked out with the people I’ve worked with who have taught me so much.

What aspects of horse racing do you wish you knew more about?

Everything, really. I don’t think you’re ever done learning. Currently I’m trying to educate myself more on breeding operations.

What racetracks have you been to?

Aqueduct, Belmont, Saratoga, Gulfstream, Hialeah, Santa Anita, Monmouth, Keeneland, Churchill Downs, Pimlico, Suffolk Downs, Sha Tin and Happy Valley in Hong Kong.

What is your favorite racetrack? Why?

Saratoga. There’s something magical about it. The whole town feels like you’ve stepped back in time. The “health, history, horses” motto is so fitting and yet it has so much more than that. I’m always happy in Saratoga and have some of the best memories from there. I’m counting down the days until the start of the next Saratoga meet.

Of the racetracks you have not been to, which one do you want to visit most?

In the U.S., I really want to get to Arlington. “Clean” is always the first word I hear associated with it! Internationally, Ascot is logically at the top of the list.

What are your favorite moments in your “horse racing life” thus far?

This [past year] was the first year that I had been to all three Triple Crown races, and I certainly picked a good year to do it. I also got to cover the Haskell, the Travers, and the Breeders’ Cup. Being able to watch American Pharoah run all those times and seeing the fans come out were some of my favorite moments.

I was also able to go to Hong Kong recently for the Hong Kong International Races as part of the social media team. That, hands down, was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had, not just in racing, but in my life so far.

Who are your favorite racehorses of your lifetime? Before your lifetime?

In my lifetime, Zenyatta, Shackleford, and Goldencents. Before my lifetime, Seabiscuit, Cigar, Ruffian.

If you could change something about the industry, what would you change?

How horse racing is presented to non-fans or potential fans. It’s hard for someone to come to a racetrack if they’ve never been before and don’t know what they’re doing or how things work. I do think that the industry still feels like a bubble, although we are taking steps in the right direction.

What do you think is preventing horse racing from being a more popular sport?

Again, it often doesn’t feel approachable. If you don’t know the ins-and-outs and don’t have a friend to walk you through things every time, it can be really intimidating.

What do you think is the most common misconception about horse racing?

That racing only goes on during the Triple Crown. So many people I’ve talked to don’t realize that there’s horse racing all year long, and around the world.

How would you convince someone who is not an avid follower of horse racing to begin following the sport?

Going to the track with good people and some background knowledge on betting, training, and the race conditions makes a big difference. My recommendation is always to do your research and then spend a day at the track and try it out. Days with exciting stakes races are always a good place to start.

How are you currently contributing to the horse racing industry?

Working for HRRN and ABR has made it possible for horse racing to not only be my passion, but my career. I’m doing something that has to do with racing every single day (or so it seems). While I was Miss Connecticut, I shared a lot of the things that I was doing in racing and tried to bring the sport to new audiences. I always still try to do that and I think sharing what you’re passionate about with others is sometimes the best way to promote it.

What is one thing you aspire to personally accomplish someday in the horse racing industry?

Racing is so different around the world, and it’s my goal to experience as many different tracks and places as possible. I believe that educating yourself on what happens internationally, as opposed to just what you see in your backyard, gives you a heightened perspective. You’re able to see things at home through different lenses, and that is an unbelievable learning tool for improvement.