Thoroughbreds Lead the way in iowa.

The Iowa racing industry saw a 34% increase in total economic output from 2019. This increase was driven largely by the Iowa Thoroughbreds, representing 68% of the industry’s $264.5 million dollar presence in the state’s economy. On top of $180 million in economic output, the Thoroughbreds accounted for $128.5 million in labor income, $152.2 million in value added, and 1,832 Iowans employed. Year over year, the Thoroughbreds and the racing industry overall show how integral they are to Iowa’s economy.

Stats from “The Influence of the Race horse Industry on Iowa’s Economy.” (Davis and Balazs, 2026).