Plans for a new racetrack in Florida progressing
As uncertainty continues to surround the long-term future of thoroughbred racing at Gulfstream Park, Gilligan Racing says it is moving ahead with plans to develop a new racing facility in Marion County, positioning the project as a potential cornerstone for Florida racing’s next chapter.
The group has announced that it has identified several potential track sites in Marion County and is actively evaluating locations as part of its development process.
Gilligan Racing also holds an exclusive agreement with Ocala Thoroughbred Racing (OTR), a division of the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association, tied to what it describes as Florida’s only available thoroughbred racing permit.
The announcement comes as industry stakeholders continue to debate the future of racing in South Florida and whether Gulfstream Park will remain the state’s primary Thoroughbred venue in the years ahead.
Gilligan Racing partner John Morgan said the group’s focus on Marion County predates recent discussions about Gulfstream’s future.
“When very few people believed a new racetrack could or should be built in Marion County, we did,” Morgan said. “We believed the Horse Capital of the World was exactly where the future of Florida racing belonged.” The project has drawn support from racing and development figures, including owner and breeder Ron Winchell and developer Marc Falcone.
