For Michael Calderone, returning to horse racing wasn’t part of the plan. Decades ago, he left the backstretch of the sport feeling defeated. At the time, horse racing was about one thing: the money. As a young man, Calderone saw horses as vehicles for betting and inside information , a means to chase the thrill of the win. But training horses couldn’t provide a sustainable living, so he walked away. For over 30 years, he built his life and career on the operational side of racing from the former CMO to a large multi-race track operator to the CEO of a racing simulation platform leaving the backstretch and its challenges behind.
But racehorse ownership had a way of pulling him back. On a whim, Calderone typed “freeracehorse.com” into a domain search one day while looking for a directional change in the industry . To his surprise, the name was available. “I had to check it five times,” he says. “It was a sign, better than finding a winning lottery ticket. I knew it meant something, but I didn’t know what yet.”
That moment became the seed of a vision—a way to bring horse racing back to its roots, to honor the horse, and to offer fans an opportunity they’d never had before: real, emotional ownership of a racehorse.
A Love Letter to the Horse
Throughout history, horses have carried humanity on their backs. They’ve been our partners in war, our transporters of mail, our workmates in the fields. Yet in the modern era, their significance has faded, and in the world of racing, they’ve often become secondary to the bet and dwindling purse money.
“When I reentered the sport as an owner/ trainer again , I realized it wasn’t just the industry that had declined—the horses were being overlooked and the romance of the business was gone ,” Calderone explains. “I knew I couldn’t just watch. I had to do something. These animals have given us so much. It’s time we give back to them.”
Freeracehorse.com scheduled to launch mid march 2025 is being built on this simple yet profound idea: the horse is the hero. Each horse on the platform becomes more than just a name in a race—they become a character, a star in their own story. Through live streams, short videos, and personal updates, fans can follow their horse’s journey from training to playing in the paddock to the winner’s circle and beyond.
“We give each horse a chance to show their personality, quirks and all,” Calderone says. “Whether it’s their goofy antics, their big-eyed stares, or their breathtaking athleticism, we want fans to see them for what they truly are: incredible, soulful beings.”
And thanks to innovative technology like AI-powered chats, fans can even “talk” to their horses, building a bond that’s unlike anything they’ve experienced before.
Ownership Without Barriers
What makes freeracehorse.com truly revolutionary is its model of free fractional ownership. For the first time, fans don’t need deep pockets, legal documents, complicated contracts or state and federal licenses to own a piece of the action. “It’s simple,” Calderone says. “You sign up, you pick your horse, and it’s yours—no strings attached.”
This barrier-free approach opens the door to mass adoption, creating a movement that’s as inclusive as it is exciting. “It’s not just about getting people to watch,” Calderone says. “It’s about getting them involved, giving them a stake in the journey.”
Ownership on freeracehorse.com isn’t just financial—it’s emotional. Fans aren’t just passive observers; they’re part of the horse’s life, from training to racing to retirement. It’s a rollercoaster of highs and lows, victories and setbacks, and every moment is shared with the community.
the Romance of Racing will win over the crowds
Horse racing once thrived because it was one of the only forms of gambling available. But today, with lotteries , casinos, online sports and other gambling platforms offering more opportunities to win, racing struggles to survive.
“What horse racing has that no other form of gambling has is the horse,” Calderone says. “The beauty, the soul of these magnificent animals are the foundation to the ultimate connection—you can’t replicate that with a slot machine or a sports bet.”
Freeracehorse.com shifts the focus from betting to engagement. By putting the horse at the center of the story, the platform rekindles the romance of the sport, creating a love affair between fans and the animals they own and from there everything else the sport has to offer will follow.
Transparency and Care
At its core, freeracehorse.com is committed to the well-being of its stars. Each horse receives the kind of care typically reserved for elite athletes, the same care you would find in a NFL locker room. From cold spa treatments and specialized therapies to constant health monitoring and special diets . Fans can watch it all unfold through live streams along with entertaining and educational videos,while building trust in a platform that prioritizes transparency and best of care .
“When the horse’s racing career is over, our promise doesn’t end,” Calderone says. “Every horse gets a home. They deserve nothing less and I believe the community will be the main adopters.
This focus on care isn’t just a feature—it’s the heart of the platform. “The horse isn’t just part of the sport—they are the sport,” Calderone says. “If we don’t protect them, the industry will continue to lose its soul and eventually its lifeline.”
The Future of Racing
Freeracehorse.com isn’t just about saving horse racing—it’s about reinventing it. The platform blends transparency, community, and gamified engagement to create a next-generation experience. Fans can vote on decisions, follow their horse’s progress, and share in every step of the journey.
“It’s like a game, but it’s real,” Calderone says. “You’re not just playing—you’re living it.” I want everyone to look at freeracehorse.com as an entertainment platform first and foremost and to be successful it has to drive deep emotional engagement and what is more engaging than owning a share of a racehorse with virtual unlimited access but also a say in his daily care and front row seat to his wins and loses . A platform that provides an up and down emotional rollercoaster that makes life fun and exciting .
For Calderone, this mission is deeply personal. “I left the backstretch as a trainer to make a good living in the front office . Now It’s about leading change. It’s about giving back to the horse, the sport, and to the people who love them.”
As freeracehorse.com prepares for its mid march launch, Calderone is focused on building a community of fans, advocates, and dreamers. “This isn’t just a platform—it’s a movement,” he says. “And it starts with the horse and hopefully helps racing find its soul.
