Mike Repole's Campaign Against 'Rabbits' Creates Stir for 2025 Breeders' Cup
As the Breeders' Cup approaches, Mike Repole's stance on eliminating 'rabbits' in races adds intrigue to the $7 million event.
Mike Repole’s Campaign Against ‘Rabbits’ Creates Stir for 2025 Breeders’ Cup
As the self-appointed “commissioner” of horse racing, Mike Repole has been vocal about his issues with the sport’s leadership. With the 2025 Breeders’ Cup approaching, he is determined to address the presence of “rabbits” in races, which are horses not entered to win but to ensure a faster pace for their stablemates.
This year, Repole’s horse, Fierceness, stands as the favorite for the $7 million Breeders’ Cup Classic, yet his feelings about rule changes regarding rabbits have caught the attention of the racing world. He has openly criticized the entry of Contrary Thinking—a horse known for its early speed—into the race alongside his potential champion, Sierra Leone.
Repole’s mission stems from the belief that including rabbits undermines fairness in races.
“We are all fortunate I have a big, booming, loud voice,” says Repole.
His advocacy may not have changed the situation this time, but it has certainly heightened the drama surrounding the Classic.
Fierceness
