A new team-based Thoroughbred racing league–with planned stops in Santa Anita, Gulfstream Park, and Keeneland–is being launched by Greg Maffei and Danny Epstien and is expected to debut next February, according to a Thursday morning press release. Maffei is the former CEO of Liberty Media, parent company of Formula 1, and he oversaw the motorsport's transformation into one of the world's most valuable sports properties. Epstien is the founder of the incubation and investment firm Skylark.“Formula 1 demonstrated what can happen when you bring fans to a historic sport in a modern way through storytelling and social media,” Maffei said. “Horse racing has all the thrilling elements: exciting competition, heritage, drama, glamour, and star power,” said Maffei. “The Horse Racing League brings the excitement of teams to follow, dramatic rivalries, high-stakes betting, and a championship that builds race by race.”The Horse Racing League is expected to launch with 10 teams, which will include some of the sports leading owners, Godolphin, WinStar, Vinnie Viola, and Gary Barber, according to the press release. Also expected to participate, according to the release, are “top-tier celebrities spanning sports, music, and entertainment brands–a combination designed to preserve the sport's legacy while ushering in a new generation of fans.”“Horse racing already commands one of the largest single-day audiences in American sports,” said Viola. “Investing in a team-based concept designed to carry that momentum across a full season is what makes the HRL so exciting for us.”Barber added, “This is a rare opportunity to be a part of something from the ground up in a sport that I am incredibly passionate about.”The 10 teams will compete in a points-driven, season-long championship across three cities: Los Angeles, Miami, and Lexington. Points will be awarded based on finishing position in each race and accumulate throughout the season to determine the winning team. With a 10-horse field for every race and more than $10 million in purses and end-of-season prizes on the line each year, the HRL offers the structure to deliver consistent, high-stakes horse racing competition that fans can engage with all year long.The HRL will host a live draft event in November 2026 where each team will select eight horses to form their rosters. The draft is designed to create competitive parity across the league while delivering a marquee offseason moment for fans, media, and partners.“We're excited to see a new concept come to life in our sport, and we know this is the right leadership group to make it a success,” said Everett Dobson, Chair of The Jockey Club. “We have a common goal to attract new fans and give longtime enthusiasts more exciting experiences. It's a win for everyone in the industry, from the tracks to the horsemen who make race day happen.”Additional details on the HRL's schedule, broadcast partners, and teams is expected to be announced in the coming months.The post Greg Maffei, Danny Epstien Launch Horse Racing League appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.