Stronach Group
Stronach Group is a North American entertainment, real-estate, horse-racing and pari-mutuel wagering company whose consumer-facing operations are branded primarily as 1/ST.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
Stronach Group is a privately held North American entertainment and real-estate company centered on thoroughbred horse racing, racetrack operations and pari-mutuel wagering. Its activities are rooted in the assets and operating businesses assembled through Magna Entertainment Corporation, a former publicly traded subsidiary created by Magna International for its non-automotive interests. After Magna Entertainment entered Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, Stronach Group acquired many of the company’s former racing and wagering assets from MI Developments and developed them under a privately controlled corporate structure. The company’s principal business is the ownership, operation or management of horse-racing venues and associated betting infrastructure. Its portfolio has included major American tracks such as Santa Anita Park in California and Gulfstream Park in Florida, as well as Maryland racing properties and Rosecroft Raceway. Depending on the property and period, the group’s activities have included live racing, simulcasting, off-track betting, account wagering, hospitality, food and beverage, training facilities and casino or gaming operations. Its digital wagering business, Xpressbet, provides account-based pari-mutuel betting by internet and telephone on racing from numerous tracks. Stronach Group has also operated or owned businesses serving the broader racing ecosystem. AmTote International supplies totalisator and wagering technology used by racing organizations. The group has owned thoroughbred training centers, including Palm Meadows in Florida, and has held interests in real estate associated with racetracks and entertainment districts. A smaller industrial activity is StreuFex, which manufactures pelletized straw bedding for horses. The group owns or has owned important horse-racing intellectual property. This includes the Preakness Stakes, one of the three races in the United States Triple Crown, and the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes, traditionally held during the Preakness-weekend program. Its media activities have included HRTV and the later XBTV service, which evolved into 1/ST TV in 2025 and provides live and on-demand racing and workout coverage. In January 2020, Stronach Group announced that its consumer-facing racing, wagering, media and entertainment operations would be brought together under the 1/ST banner, pronounced “first.” The rebranding was intended to present the group as an integrated racing and wagering platform rather than simply a collection of racetracks. The corporate group nevertheless continues to be commonly identified as Stronach Group in ownership, legal and industry contexts. The company’s portfolio has changed substantially over time. It has disposed of or transferred numerous tracks and related businesses, including properties in Oregon, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Texas, Oklahoma, California and Maryland. Golden Gate Fields closed in 2024, while Pimlico Race Course was transferred to Maryland’s public racing authority that year. Management of Laurel Park moved to the Maryland Thoroughbred Racetrack Operating Authority in 2025, with Stronach Group retaining ownership of the property at that time. The group therefore combines continuing racing and wagering operations with an evolving real-estate and asset-management portfolio.
History
Stronach Group’s modern business is largely the result of the consolidation and restructuring of racing assets first assembled by Magna Entertainment Corporation. Magna International created Magna Entertainment in 1999 to hold non-automotive businesses and investments. The new company’s interests included horse-racing venues, gaming, wagering and related real estate. In March 2000, Magna International distributed shares in the division to its shareholders, establishing Magna Entertainment as a separate public company. Magna Entertainment expanded through acquisitions of racetracks and racing-related businesses in the United States and Canada. Its portfolio included Santa Anita Park, Gulfstream Park, Maryland Jockey Club properties, Remington Park, Lone Star Park, Thistledown, The Meadows, Portland Meadows and other venues. It also developed ancillary businesses such as Xpressbet, HRTV, AmTote International, training centers and catering operations. Some projects involved proposed or developing racetracks and large real-estate holdings, while others combined racing with casino gaming, simulcasting or retail development. The expansion proved difficult to sustain. Magna Entertainment filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, after which its assets were subject to a broad reorganization. Stronach Group entered the racing sector by purchasing former Magna Entertainment holdings from MI Developments. The transaction gave the new group a substantial position in American thoroughbred racing while separating those activities from Magna International’s automotive-supply business. The post-bankruptcy portfolio continued to change through sales, closures, transfers and management agreements. Several former Magna properties were sold to gaming companies, racing operators, tribal entities or other owners. AmTote became part of the group’s technology and wagering infrastructure after Magna acquired an initial minority interest in 2003 and the remaining interest in 2006. Xpressbet remained an important account-wagering service, allowing customers to bet on racing from many tracks through online and telephone channels. The group also pursued racetrack gaming where state law permitted it. Oklahoma voters approved legislation in 2004 that enabled slot-machine gaming at Remington Park, and the track opened a casino-style gaming area with Class II machines in 2005. Gulfstream Park added slot machines and poker in 2006 after Florida gaming rules allowed the expansion. These developments reflected the broader industry model in which racing venues sought additional gaming, hospitality and entertainment revenues. Stronach Group’s asset base included racing properties, training centers, wagering technology, media, catering, bedding manufacturing and real estate. Palm Meadows Thoroughbred Training Center in Florida became one of the group’s notable training investments. The company also held an interest in the Village at Gulfstream Park, a retail and dining development adjoining Gulfstream Park. In media, HRTV carried racing programming from Stronach Group tracks and other participating venues. After HRTV was sold in 2015, the group launched XBTV, an online service focused on live and on-demand race and workout coverage; this was later rebranded as 1/ST TV in 2025. In January 2020, the company announced the 1/ST brand for consumer-facing operations. The identity covered racing, wagering and media activities and was intended to make the different parts of the business appear as a connected platform. The corporate name remained Stronach Group, while 1/ST became the principal public-facing identity for many services. Recent changes have concentrated the portfolio and altered the group’s role in Maryland racing. Golden Gate Fields closed in June 2024. Pimlico Race Course was transferred to Maryland’s public racing authority in July 2024, and management of Laurel Park moved to the Maryland Thoroughbred Racetrack Operating Authority in January 2025, with Stronach Group retaining ownership of Laurel at that time. Laurel was identified as a future host venue for the Preakness Stakes during renovations and redevelopment planning for Pimlico. These developments illustrate the company’s continuing shift from a broad collection of racing properties toward a more selective combination of racetrack, wagering, media, intellectual-property and real-estate interests.
- 2025
1/ST TV replaces XBTV
[1]The group rebrands its online racing media service as 1/ST TV.
- 2024
Golden Gate Fields closes
[1]The California racetrack ceases operations under Stronach Group ownership.
- 2024
Pimlico transfers to Maryland’s racing authority
[1]Pimlico Race Course is transferred to the Maryland Thoroughbred Racetrack Operating Authority.
- 2020
Consumer operations adopt the 1/ST identity
[1]Stronach Group announces 1/ST as the umbrella consumer brand for its racing, wagering, media and entertainment operations.
- 2015
XBTV launches
[1]The group launches XBTV as an online horse-racing video service after the earlier HRTV network leaves the group’s portfolio.
- 2006
AmTote acquisition is completed
[1]Magna Entertainment acquires the remaining interest in AmTote International, strengthening its position in racing totalisator and wagering technology.
- 2005
Remington Park casino opens
[1]Remington Park opens a gaming facility featuring Class II machines.
- 2004
Oklahoma approves expanded gaming at Remington Park
[1]Voters approve legislation enabling the addition of slot-machine gaming at Remington Park.
- 2002
Palm Meadows training center opens
[1]The Palm Meadows Thoroughbred Training Center opens in Florida as a major training facility associated with the group’s racing network.
- 2000
Magna Entertainment becomes a separate public company
[1]Magna International distributes shares in the new division to its shareholders, separating Magna Entertainment from the parent’s automotive operations.
Products and positioning
An integrated North American horse-racing and wagering platform combining racetracks, betting technology, digital wagering, media, hospitality and related real estate.
Consumer racing and wagering platform · 2020
1/ST
1/ST is the principal consumer-facing identity adopted by Stronach Group in 2020. It brings together racing venues, wagering, media and related entertainment activities under a common brand architecture. The identity is used across services and properties connected with the group’s North American racing operations.
Account wagering · 2002
Xpressbet
Xpressbet is a licensed U.S. pari-mutuel account-wagering service. It enables customers to place bets through digital and telephone channels on thoroughbred, harness and quarter-horse racing from a broad network of tracks.
Racing technology
AmTote International
AmTote International provides totalisator and wagering systems for the horse-racing industry. The business became part of Magna Entertainment’s portfolio through a staged acquisition and remains associated with Stronach Group’s technology and pari-mutuel infrastructure activities.
Racing media · 2025
1/ST TV
1/ST TV is an online horse-racing network offering live and video-on-demand coverage of races and workouts, particularly from tracks connected with Stronach Group. It evolved from XBTV and adopted the 1/ST TV name in 2025.
Thoroughbred horse race
Preakness Stakes
The Preakness Stakes is a major American thoroughbred race and one of the three events in the United States Triple Crown. Stronach Group has owned the race’s intellectual property and has been associated with its presentation through the Maryland racing portfolio.
Thoroughbred racetrack
Santa Anita Park
Santa Anita Park is a major thoroughbred racetrack in Arcadia, California. It is one of the best-known properties in Stronach Group’s racing portfolio and hosts live racing, wagering, simulcasting and related hospitality activities.
Racetrack and gaming venue
Gulfstream Park
Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Florida, combines thoroughbred racing with wagering, simulcasting, hospitality, retail and gaming-related activities. The property has also been linked with the Village at Gulfstream Park retail and dining development.
Equine bedding
STREUfex
STREUfex manufactures bedding for horses using pelletized straw. The business is a supporting industrial activity outside the group’s core racetrack and wagering operations.
Marketing campaigns
- 20201/ST brand launch
United States · Canada
Stronach Group introduced 1/ST as the consumer-facing umbrella for its racing, wagering, media and entertainment activities.
Outcome. The 1/ST identity became the principal public-facing brand for much of the group’s operating portfolio.
Brand decisions
2025
Move Laurel Park management to Maryland’s racing authorityStrategyBackground
Maryland’s racing-redevelopment plans required changes to the operating structure for its principal tracks.
Action taken
Management of Laurel Park moved to the Maryland Thoroughbred Racetrack Operating Authority, while Stronach Group retained ownership of the property at that time.
Aftermath
Laurel was planned as a future Preakness host venue during Pimlico renovations and was expected to undergo further redevelopment planning.
2025
Rebrand XBTV as 1/ST TVOtherBackground
The group’s digital racing-video service was part of the broader 1/ST brand architecture.
Action taken
XBTV was renamed 1/ST TV in February 2025.
Aftermath
The change aligned the online media service with the group’s wider consumer brand.
2024
Close Golden Gate FieldsStrategyBackground
Stronach Group reviewed its racing portfolio and discontinued operations at the California venue.
Action taken
Golden Gate Fields ceased live racing operations in June 2024.
Aftermath
The closure reduced the group’s active racetrack footprint in California.
2024
Transfer Pimlico Race Course to Maryland’s public racing authorityM&ABackground
Maryland planned to modernize and consolidate its thoroughbred racing infrastructure, including redevelopment of Pimlico.
Action taken
Pimlico Race Course was transferred to the Maryland Thoroughbred Racetrack Operating Authority in July 2024.
Aftermath
The transfer placed Pimlico’s future redevelopment under public authority while reshaping Stronach Group’s role in Maryland racing.
2020
Unify consumer operations under 1/STStrategyBackground
The group operated a diverse collection of racetracks, wagering services, media activities and entertainment assets under different names.
Action taken
Stronach Group announced 1/ST as the common consumer-facing banner for these activities.
Aftermath
The rebrand positioned the company as an integrated racing and wagering platform while the corporate entity continued to be known as Stronach Group.
Recent events
Reported
1/ST partners with Equine MediRecord for Pegasus World Cup[2]
1/ST announced a partnership with Equine MediRecord to digitize veterinary records for the 2022 Pegasus World Cup.
Reported
The Stronach Group sues activists over Golden Gate Fields protest[3]
The Stronach Group filed a lawsuit against animal rights activists over a protest that disrupted horse racing at Golden Gate Fields. The suit seeks monetary damages, attorneys’ fees and a permanent injunction.
Sources3 sources
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