Daily Racing Form DRF.com Sold

Historical business report: July 25, 2017. This article covers Z Capital’s acquisition announcement at that time. The transaction and forecasts below should not be read as a current ownership or subscription statement.

Horse racing’s most heralded publication has been sold in a private deal to Z Capital Partners. Sports Information Group, DRF’s parent company at the time, was the subject of the acquisition announced on July 25, 2017. The specific terms of the deal were not revealed by either side, and an undisclosed deal value should not be presented as an established amount. The buyer’s dated acquisition release identifies the transaction and its stated digital strategy.

Legendary Horse Racing Newspaper

The Daily Racing Form has been published in the United States since 1894. Its long history makes it an important American racing publication; “most respected” is a judgment, not a measurable worldwide ranking. Throughout the years the paper has evolved from a source of news and information into a valuable handicapping tool that is used each day by bettors throughout the United States.

Each racing day DRF publishes region specific editions of the newspaper which include past performances for each race card conducted at tracks in that region. There are also stories which are relevant involving jockeys, trainers, and horses competing on all major racing circuits in the United States.

Beyer Speed Figures became part of DRF past performances in 1992, following their 1991 appearance in The Racing Times. The publisher’s own Beyer explanation describes that history and the figure methodology; it should not be reduced to an unsupported account of purchasing rights. The speed figures elevated the usefulness of DRF and have now been joined by exclusive pace figures and par speed times for race tracks.

Online Racebook Influence

The sale of DRF was at least partly inspired by the growing popularity of online racebooks and online casinos. In an interview to discuss the move, the CEO of Z Capital Group referenced online gaming as a motivation for the purchase. James Zenni stated that Z Capital Group had been quietly observing the Daily Racing Form for the past four years.

Zenni also stated that efforts would be made to bolster the paper’s digital footprint. It is expected that more digital access and a revamped online platform will follow in the wake of the sale. Those who use online racebooks exclusively to make their horse racing bets need a more user-friendly platform which would permit them to incorporate DRF into their handicapping.

The 2017 ownership change also raised questions about investment in tools such as Formulator. Formulator allows individual bettors to purchase past performances supplied by the Daily Racing Form and export them to a software program which gives enhanced statistics. Bettors can also make notes in the software and customize which stats and features they would like to include. This is useful for those who like to play specific racing angles.

John Hartig, CEO of Sports Information Group, stated in an interview that the sale would lead to an expansion of DRF’s digital platform. The earlier article speculated about possible integration with TwinSpires and BetAmerica; that was not an announced agreement. Data bundles and figure sources differ by product and offer. Do not assume that an account provides both Brisnet past performances and Equibase ratings without checking the package. That possible commercial appeal was a forecast. Confirm a specific distribution agreement before treating it as an implemented feature.

How DRF’s Evolution Affects Bettors Today

The Daily Racing Form’s ownership changes and digital transformation over the past decade reflect broader disruptions in the media landscape that have affected all traditional publishing businesses. For horse racing bettors, the practical implications of DRF’s evolution are primarily about the continued availability and quality of the data and analytical tools that have made it an essential resource for serious handicappers for over a century. The transition from primarily print-based to digital-first has expanded access to DRF’s content while also introducing subscription models that affect how bettors access past performance data and analytical features.

DRF’s Formulator and digital past performances should be assessed through the actual package offered. Check included figures, chart and replay access, filters, note tools and subscription conditions instead of assuming that an ownership announcement establishes present product quality. The competitive landscape for racing data services has intensified with multiple alternatives now available, and historical coverage needs to be verified for the selected product. A publisher’s archive, a horse’s lifetime figure report and a purchased race card are different resources; they need not provide identical depth or export rights. For more on the best analytical resources available to bettors, our articles on handicapping tools where to get them for free and horse racing handicapping apps cover the full range of options alongside DRF.

Z Capital and the Casino Industry

At the time of the 2017 DRF acquisition, Z Capital’s casino interests were part of the business context. The article’s references to Affinity Gaming’s acquisition, casino count and transaction valuation belong to that period; they do not establish its present portfolio or the value of the separate DRF deal.

The 2017 acquisition was presented as an opportunity to take further advantage of gambling combinations that mix casino and racing operations. Many racetracks have incorporated slot machines into their facilities to help generate racing purses. It is not a stretch to envision online racebooks which also offer slot machines, blackjack, or other table games as online gambling becomes legal in more U.S. jurisdictions.

Use the ownership story as background when researching online horse-betting services, but compare current race coverage and tools directly. A wagering account and a data subscription are separate purchases or agreements. A platform’s included past performances may be tied to eligible wagering, a particular card or a limited promotional period.

Read welcome-offer terms separately from the data package. Our Bovada, TwinSpires and BetAmerica reviews supply product or historical context. Confirm current service status and authorization for your location rather than assuming every reviewed operator remains available everywhere.

To compare costs fairly, count the cards or subscription months you expect to use and any required wagering to obtain a discount. A free-data headline may still involve conditions. The best package for your workflow is the one whose coverage and tools you will actually use, not automatically the most expensive product or the one associated with a familiar brand.

More Topics:

• Horse Racing Betting at FanDuel

Separate the 2017 sale from current ownership

The announcement discussed here belongs to July 2017. The parent company and product lineup of a data publisher can change again, so a decade-old sale should not be presented as a current ownership statement. For today’s DRF products, check the publisher’s own company and subscription pages rather than extrapolating from this transaction.

When choosing past performances, compare the figures and data included in the actual product: speed and pace ratings, workouts, charts, replays, track coverage and subscription terms. A publication’s long history does not make every figure interchangeable with another provider’s scale. If a race analysis cites a Beyer figure or another proprietary rating, identify its source and date. That makes this ownership story useful background without turning it into an endorsement of any present package.

DRF publishing and DRF Bets are different businesses

A later DRF announcement dated June 10, 2025 reported the sale of the DRF Bets wagering platform to 1/ST Technology and its transition to 1/ST BET PRO. That wagering-platform transaction should not be confused with the 2017 purchase of Sports Information Group or described as a sale of every DRF publishing product.