In recent years, the Hoosier State has bucked a downward national trend with its on-the-rise Thoroughbred industry. Whereas other regional racing and breeding centers struggle for any number of reasons, Indiana flourishes. Why? The passage of legislation in 2007 legalizing on-track gaming and the subsequent advent of casinos at the state’s two racetracks has infused vital lifeblood into a once anemic business. Industry interests have since benefited to the tune of more than $500 million and counting, with big bucks pouring annually into purses and incentives for breed development. The result has been more racing and significantly higher purse money, logically followed by increased enthusiasm on the part of breeders. In 1997, annual Thoroughbred purses in the state topped out at $8.7 million; 20 years later, more than $25 million was disbursed, a 187 percent increase. Compare this to the 55 percent decline in purses during the same time frame in neighboring Illinois. The difference can be summed up in two words: casino revenue. With enviable monetary incentives, Indiana’s breeding industry has attracted more and better stallions every year. In fact, the top four sires by 2018 progeny earnings each arrived in the state during the past two breeding seasons, among them a Grade 1 winner (Victor’s Cry) and a multiple graded stakes-winning millionaire (Fort Prado). Leading sire in the state in 2018 was Ready’s Image, who stood his first Hoosier season last year at Midwest Equine and Veterinary Hospital, formerly home to three-time leading sire Strong Hope (2011-2013). The 14-year-old More Than Ready horse had been an outstanding North American juvenile for trainer Todd Pletcher before retiring to Walmac Farm in Kentucky, shuttling four seasons to Australia, then returning to serve three seasons at historic Calumet Farm. His Kentucky-generated offspring banked nearly $1.5 million last year, spearheaded by triple stakes winner Galactic Princess, and he was represented as well by foreign Group 1 winner Ready to Rock (Aus). Swifty Farms has been a dominant force in Indiana’s Thoroughbred industry since its founding in 1972 by the late Don Myers Sr. The farm, which remains today in the Myers family, has been home through the years to a number of top stallions, including all-time leading state sire Crown Ambassador. With the acquisition of millionaire Fort Prado two years ago, Swifty looked to have another star in the barn. Indeed, the son of El Prado (IRE) finished 2018 in first place by winners (41), ranked second by overall progeny earnings ($1.3 million), and was the only Indiana-based sire with a graded stakes winner (Prado’s Sweet Ride) to his credit. His long-term impact, however, may be negligible, as he is listed as pensioned. Notional – Indiana’s 2017 leader – closed out this past year third by earnings with just over $1 million. The Grade 2 winner by In Excess (IRE) finished second to Scat Daddy in the 2007 Florida Derby before retiring to Spendthrift Farm in Kentucky. Notional later stood two Oklahoma seasons before relocating in 2017 to Swifty Farms, then on to Haffner Farm for 2019. Heartbreak hit the state last Aug.6 when Noble’s Promise, Indiana’s reigning leader among juvenile sires, was euthanized at age 11 due to kidney failure. A Grade 1-winning millionaire with seemingly endless potential, Noble’s Promise had been third on the 2009 Experimental Free Handicap and deemed good enough the following spring to run in the 2010 Kentucky Derby (finishing fifth of 20). He spent his entire five-season stud career at Scott and Janice Jordan’s Breakway Farm near Dillsboro, and took Indiana’s 2016 freshman sire title. Noble’s Promise topped last year’s standings by 2-year-old earnings, with both of his winners scoring in stakes company. Breakway’s stallion roster is not depleted with the passing of Noble’s Promise, as the farm stands 2018 leading second-crop sire Turbo Compressor, top-10 sire Greeley’s Conquest, and 2015 leading freshman sire Skylord among its eight stallions. Stallions with impressive credentials continue to arrive in the state. Joining the Indiana ranks in 2019 will be millionaire graded stakes winner Neck ‘n Neck (Breakway); American Derby hero One Mean Man (Swifty); Shadwell-bred Shagaf, once a hot classics prospect (Indiana Stallion Station); and beautifully pedigreed Forever d’Oro, by Medaglia d’Oro, out of 2017 Broodmare of the Year Lemons Forever, thus a half-brother to champion Forever Unbridled. According to Jockey Club data, since 1991 Indiana has moved from 36th by number of mares bred comfortably into the nation’s top 10, with 57 stallions covering 506 mares in 2018. The busiest progenitors included 2016-2017 leading second- and third-crop sire Victor’s Cry (Holden Farm), with 29, followed by Ready’s Image (28), and $2.2 million earner Prayer for Relief (R Star Stallions) and Harry’s Holiday (Southern Indiana Equine) with 26 each.