Racing's Future: Eric DeCoster

“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 Eric DeCoster

Originally from Des Moines, Iowa, 13-year-old Eric DeCoster now resides in Phoenix, Arizona. A fan of racing from a very early age, he promotes horse racing through his Instagram – @mr_ed26 – and Twitter – @hawksnhorses.

How did you become interested in horse racing?

I first got into racing when I was 3 or 4 years old, when my dad showed me a horse race on ESPN. I instantly got hooked and have been a huge fan since.

What do you love about horse racing?

I love the fact that anything can happen in any race on any given day. You never know who the winner will be, which is different from most sports in the sense that you can usually determine a winner right away. It's also exciting to follow horses and see one like American Pharoah, who can make people who generally avoid the sport, watch it and then have them become fans of it.

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

I admire many people for what they do to make the sport better and more exciting for us all, but I mainly admire Matt Dinerman. If I ever have a question, I can ask Matt and he'll help me. I also admire him because of how young he was when he got the job as track announcer at Emerald Downs and showed me that maybe I can make a difference early in my life, as well.

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

It's a very cliché answer, but I wish I knew more about what happens behind the scenes.

What racetracks have you been to?

I have been to Santa Anita, Del Mar, Turf Paradise, Prairie Meadows, Arlington Park and Churchill Downs.

What is your favorite racetrack? Why?

I enjoy Santa Anita most because of the great competition and quality horses that run there every day. I also enjoy the scenery; the place always looks great in every aspect.

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

I would like to visit Meydan in Dubai. It is an extremely nice-looking racecourse with very nice racing action.

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

My favorite moments were attending the 2010 Kentucky Derby and the 2013 and 2014 Breeders’ Cups. I enjoyed the Derby because, you know, it's the Derby. I loved the Breeders’ Cups because of all the wonderful horses that I was able to see and the Classics had absolutely incredible endings that I will never forget.

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

My favorite horses are Bayern, Dortmund and Den's Legacy. I have an odd love connection with Den's Legacy that has caused me so much stress, but I've loved every moment of it. It's hard for me to really have liked any horses that raced before my lifetime, but I would've loved to have seen Bertrando, General Challenge and any D. Wayne Lukas horse from the 80s or 90s race in person.

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

This is very uncommon and certainly isn't the largest problem, but I would like to see no major racing on holidays. I know it brings in money for the tracks and connections of horses, but holidays such as Thanksgiving should be spent with family and friends, not at a racetrack.

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

I believe it is because it is somewhat challenging to be involved. When it comes to sports like football and baseball, you can compete in those as kids and fall in love with it. But in horse racing, you can't be super involved as a kid and it costs more than a little money to be involved as an adult.

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

I would just take them to the track. A perfect example of a "success story" is that last year I took two of my friends who didn't care for racing to Turf Paradise. The first race ended in a photo finish, they both said "Maybe this thing is cool after all," and if you ask them now, they'd say horse racing is great.

What career do you plan to pursue in the horse racing industry?

At first I wanted to be a jockey, but I shot up to 5'2 by fourth grade, so that went out the door (I couldn't be a jockey now at 5'9, 140 lbs.). I wanted to be a trainer up until this year when I found out I had a passion for race calling. I practice a lot and get help from Matt Dinerman, and hope I can find success in that occupation.

How are you currently contributing to the horse racing industry?

I have my twitter and Instagram, I take pictures when I go to the track, and I am also a part of a website called The Next Generation of Horse Racing. We are a group of 13-to-18-year-olds who all love horse racing and write about it.

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

I have my obvious dream of becoming a race caller, and I would love to someday call the Triple Crown and Breeders’ Cup races. But my main goal is to become a race caller on the New York or Southern California circuits, for all the greats have called at one of the tracks and my name being a part of that group would be amazing.