Marion County has more horses than any county in America. Here is all of it, in one place.
World Equestrian Center, HITS, the Florida Horse Park, OBS sales, Live Oak, polo, rodeo — and now a Thoroughbred racetrack on the way. Until now, following it meant a dozen venue sites and a Facebook group’s scroll. This site is the front page for the whole of Ocala horse country: what’s on, what it costs to watch (usually nothing), what’s actually true about the racetrack, and what changed this week.
Latest in horse country
From the news desk — updated through the season.
300+ acres secured for the Marion County racetrack
FTBOA and Gilligan Racing announced October 28 that they have secured control of more than 300 acres for the new Thoroughbred track, under Florida’s only available racing permit. Dirt and turf courses, a grandstand, dining and year-round events are planned; the exact location is still to come.
OBS publishes its 2027 sale dates
The Ocala Breeders’ Sales calendar for 2027 is set: Winter Mixed Sale January 26, the March Two-Year-Olds in Training Sale March 9–11, and the Spring Sale April 13–16, with summer and October sales to follow.
This week at WEC: November Show Series II and a $75,000 Grand Prix
World Equestrian Center’s November Show Series II runs November 11–15 with November Dressage November 13–15, headlined by the $75,000 Hampton Green Farms National Grand Prix on Saturday night, November 14. Like most WEC shows, spectating and parking are free.
The season at a glance
The winter season is Marion County’s main event. Full dates, spectator costs, and sources on the calendar page.
| Venue / Series | Key dates | Watching |
|---|---|---|
| HITS Post Time Farm — Holiday Series | Nov 27 – Dec 20, 2026 | Free most days |
| World Equestrian Center — Winter Spectacular | Jan 6 – Apr 4, 2027 | Free; Grand Prix Saturday nights |
| HITS — Winter Circuit | Jan 20 – Mar 28, 2027 | Free except Sundays ($5) |
| OBS Sales | Jan 26 · Mar 9–11 · Apr 13–16, 2027 | Free, open to the public |
| Live Oak International | Mar 12–15, 2027 | Ticketed |
This Week in Horse Country — and the racetrack alerts
One weekly email in season: the week’s shows and sales, the top stories, and anything verified on the racetrack — starting with the site-location announcement. No filler, no rumor roundups.