The early 20th century, known as the Second Industrial Revolution, was a period of rapid technological advancements that greatly impacted various industries, including horse racing. Innovations in technology allowed the sport to evolve in new ways, making it more accessible, exciting, and efficient. Key technological developments allowed horse racing events, like the Kentucky Derby, to reach a broader audience, attracting new fans and making the sport more mainstream. These developments also brought horse racing to a global audience, providing real-time access to races, expert analysis, and betting opportunities, further transforming the sport into a multimillion-dollar global industry. Use this timeline to track how horse racing adapted to changes in technology over the 20th century. 

The first Kentucky Derby, the most prestigious American horse race, is broadcast on the radio. 

Pictured: Churchill Downs (Credit: B.A. and H.A. "Jimmy" Jones Collection)

Kentucky Derby on the Radio

The Go Baby Go campaign was introduced by NTRA (National Thoroughbred Racing Association) to energize and engage viewers with the excitement of horse racing. Featuring high-energy advertisements and focusing on the thrill of the races, the campaign helped to humanize the sport by highlighting the personalities of jockeys, horses, and trainers, while also showcasing the dynamic nature of racing. These efforts combined to boost the visibility and popularity of the sport, increasing its accessibility to a broader audience and elevating horse racing as an entertainment and betting medium.

Pictured: “Go Baby Go” campaign logo (Courtesy of NTRA)

Go Baby Go Campaign

The first Kentucky Derby is televised. This groundbreaking event was broadcast by NBC, and it introduced the charm and pageantry of the Derby to a wider audience, beyond the lucky few who could attend in person. Televising the Kentucky Derby helped solidify its status as the most prestigious horse race in the United States, drawing even more attention to the sport of horse racing. 

Pictured: Ponder in the Kentucky Derby winner’s circle 1949 (Credit: B.A. and H.A. "Jimmy" Jones Collection)

Kentucky Derby is Televised

The first sporting event to be broadcast on the radio took place in 1921, marking a monumental moment in the history of both sports and broadcasting. The event was a boxing match between Johnny Ray and Johnny Dundee, two prominent fighters of the time, which took place at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The radio broadcast was a groundbreaking moment, as it allowed listeners from across the country to follow the action of the fight in real-time, making the sport of boxing more accessible to a wider audience. 

Pictured: Radio in barbershop (Credit: Library of Congress)  

Sports on the Radio

Marshall Cassidy revolutionized horse racing by beginning to film races at Hollywood Park in California. Cassidy, a notable racing executive, recognized the potential of capturing live races on film for the purpose of providing a more detailed and lasting record of the events. His efforts helped bring greater visibility to the sport by allowing race enthusiasts to review the action after the race had concluded, particularly in instances where the results were too close to call. This innovation not only provided racegoers and betters with an accurate historical record but also laid the foundation for the future of race replays and analysis. 

Pictured: Strip of Telefilm, 1945 (Credit: Carroll Photo Service)

Horse Races are Filmed

The Del Mar Fairgrounds made history by becoming the first racetrack to use Lorenzo Del Riccio’s photo finish camera to capture a photo finish. This technological innovation was designed to accurately determine the winner of a race in situations where the horses finished so closely that the naked eye could not discern the victor. The camera was a sophisticated device that took a series of high-speed photographs of the finish line, allowing officials to analyze the images and identify the precise moment each horse meets the finish line. The use of this camera at Del Mar was a game-changer for horse racing, providing an objective and reliable way to settle close finishes and eliminating the potential for disputes over race outcomes. This technology revolutionized the sport, and its success at Del Mar led to its widespread adoption at racetracks around the world, ensuring fairness and accuracy in determining winners for years to come. 

Pictured: Long lens and photo-finish camera (Credit: Gift: D & S Photo Finish, Inc)

Photo Finish Is Introduced

The first-ever American sporting event was televised: a college baseball game between Princeton University and Columbia University. This historic broadcast marked a significant turning point in the way Americans consumed sports, as it introduced the power of television as a medium for sharing live events with a broader audience. The game was aired by NBC, and although the technology was still in its early stages, it sparked a new era in sports broadcasting. Viewers who were unable to attend the game in person could now experience the excitement of live sports from the comfort of their homes, opening the door for future televised sports events across the country. 

Pictured: First televised sporting event (Credit: NBC Sports)

Sports on TV

A historic match race between the horses Zev and Papyrus became the first horse race ever broadcast on the radio, marking a significant milestone in the intersection of horse racing and mass media. The race, held at Belmont Park in New York, was highly anticipated, as it pitted the American horse Zev, winner of the Kentucky Derby, against the British contender Papyrus. The only difference from previous match races, was now fans across America could listen to the race in real time. 

Pictured: Finish of the Zev-Papyrus Match Race, Belmont Park (Museum Collection)


Horse Racing on the Radio

The Television Games Network, or TVG, was launched and became the first channel exclusively devoted to horse racing, providing 24/7 coverage of races from tracks across the country and around the world. By creating a centralized platform for racing enthusiasts, TVG revolutionized how the sport was broadcasted, allowing fans to easily access live races, interviews, and expert analysis. The channel not only served as a hub for existing fans but also played a key role in attracting a new, younger audience by introducing innovative advertising strategies.

Pictured: TVG logo used from 1999-2022 (Credit: TVG)

TVG Launches

Syndicates, partnerships with shared ownership of horses, became popular in the 1960s and 70s. Prior to this, owning a racehorse was a privilege largely reserved for wealthy individuals or aristocrats, as the cost of purchasing and maintaining a horse for racing was prohibitively expensive. Syndicates allowed multiple investors to pool their resources to purchase a horse, making it possible for more people to become involved in the sport. This democratization of ownership not only broadened the fan base of horse racing but also brought fresh energy and innovation to the industry. With syndicates, smaller owners could share the financial burden, enjoy the thrill of racing, and have a stake in the success of their horses, making the sport more accessible and inclusive. The most notable horse to be involved in a syndicate was Hall of Fame horse Secretariat in 1973.

Pictured: “Triple Threat: Secretariat  and Owner Tweedy,” Sports Illustrated, June 11, 1973 (Credit: Museum Collection)

Syndicates are Popularized

Videotape is used to replay a horse race for the first time, a Kentucky Derby won by Tim Tam. The ability to replay an entire race using videotape provided a much more accurate and accessible means of reviewing race outcomes, especially in close finishes where the winner might be difficult to determine by the naked eye. This technological advancement not only improved the integrity of the sport by allowing for more precise adjudication of results but also enhanced the viewing experience for fans at home, offering them the chance to rewatch key moments and analyze the race in greater detail. 

Pictured: Tim Tam, Ismael Valenzuela up, in the winner’s circle following their Kentucky Derby win May 6, 1958 (Credit: Skeets Meadors) 

Standards for Milestones in Sports Broadcasting: From Radio to Television

College, Career, and Civic Life (C3) Framework