As the year draws to a close, the Paulick Report team usually compiles a list of the top 10 most popular articles from the past year on their website. Although this tradition will continue until December 31, the editorial team decided to take a different approach this year by highlighting the one 2025 story they are most proud of.
1. Jockey Jolie Skriver’s Story of Resilience: After being paralyzed in a 2023 horse racing accident, Skriver now works as a pony rider. Lillian Davis, a recent addition to the team, wrote this piece, emphasizing Skriver’s courage and vulnerability without portraying her paralysis as a weakness.
2. Maryland’s Final Hope: Paye Billy, a local favorite, represented a transitional moment as the iconic Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course faced demolition and reconstruction, capturing the involvement and emotions of many.
3. The Impact of Computer-Assisted Gambling: Publisher Ray Pawlich shed light on how these operations skew pari-mutuel betting, with large last-minute bets dramatically altering odds and payouts, challenging traditional understandings of the system.
4. Breaking the Mental Health Stigma: Editor-in-Chief Chelsea Hackbarth highlighted how rider Kylie Wellington sought help after being inspired by another rider’s openness about mental health, showing the power of sharing personal experiences to foster change.
5. Mohaymen’s Unique Stallion Career in Ontario: Bloodstock editor Joe Nevils followed the Kentucky Derby alum, originally expecting a typical update but gaining insights into innovative pasture breeding techniques.
6. Colorado-bred Collaborationist’s Legacy: Assistant News Editor Lillian Davis shared her personal connection to this consistent Arapahoe Park competitor, celebrating his memorable racing career.
7. The Controversial Case of Phil Serpe and Clenbuterol: Hackbarth explored the complexities of enforcing rules under HISA and HIWU, emphasizing the importance of trainers protecting themselves and acknowledging the challenges of regulatory fairness.
8. The 2025-26 All-Value Sire Team Series: Bloodstock editor Joe Nevils takes pride in this extensively researched and detailed series that highlights value sire prospects backed by rigorous data and clear reasoning.
9. Trainer Suspension Loopholes in West Virginia: Hackbarth raised concerns about trainers banned under national regulation still competing in certain states, especially when involving potent substances like clenbuterol, calling for closer scrutiny.
10. The Threat of Prediction Markets: Publisher Ray Paulik discussed how the rise of prediction markets poses new competition to horse racing amid an already crowded gambling landscape, urging the industry to prepare for these emerging challenges.
Fan Take: These stories highlight the evolving challenges and triumphs within horse racing, from personal resilience to regulatory battles and gambling innovations. For fans, understanding these dynamics is crucial as they shape the sport’s future, preserving its integrity and passion in an increasingly complex world.
