Below is the complete statement of Minnesota Racing Commission Chair Camille McArdle, DVM, read into the record at the MRC meeting earlier this evening. McArdle has served on the Commission since 1993 and was named Chair in July ‘21. Her term wasn’t scheduled to expire until 6/3/29.

Camille McArdle, DVM (Photo: Minn Racing Commission)

Statement to the Minnesota Racing Commission and The People of the State of Minnesota

November 20, 2025

Dr. Camille McArdle, MRC Chair

As many of you know, I was recruited from the south Florida race tracks in 1985 to serve as the first racing regulatory veterinarian in Minnesota, a position now held by my long-time colleague Dr Lynn Hovda.

I was given the opportunity to write emergency rules on medications and to create processes impacting the integrity of the system and the welfare of the horses. We insisted on race-day exams for every entered horse, a practice relatively unheard of at the time. We developed a chain-of-custody manual for drug testing to ensure that every sample was properly identified, from the horse to the testing lab. We createddigital medical records on the horses and tracked racing injuries, also relatively new. Back in the mid-80s things were somewhat haphazard at racetracks but we set up something beautiful here in Minnesota and it has only become better with time. I am incredibly proud that the Minnesota system served as a template when federal control of racing was enacted.

Back in 1993, when racing here was suspended due to a track ownership change, I was first appointed to the Minnesota Racing Commission by Governor Arne Carlson. That was 32 years ago. I was reappointed by four other governors over the years.

Every other year the MRC prepares a report for the Governor as to its activities. For several decades the following mission statement has appeared prominently in the report:

“Our Mission

The Minnesota Racing Commission operates in the public interest to ensure the integrity of horse racing and card playing, oversee the proper distribution of funds back into the industry, and provide for the safety and welfare of the human and equine participants. Additionally, the Commission works to promote the horse racing and breeding industry in Minnesota in order to provide economic stimulus, offer residents and visitors an exciting entertainment option, and support agriculture and rural agribusiness.”

In 2017 the University of Minnesota completed a study of the economic impact of horse racing in our state. The study determined that in 2015 the racing industry contributed, either directly or indirectly, over $400 million dollars and 5600 jobs. The full report can be found on the MRC website.

Here we are ten years later, however, and things are looking grim. Purse money generated from wagering at the tracks has not kept up with costs to the tracks or to the horse owners and trainers. Breeders are giving up their farms and quitting. Innovations to increase purses, successful and legal in other racing states, have so far been held up or disallowed when passed by the MRC. A number of other states, recognizing the value of the industry, actually supplement purses to keep racing healthy. Here, though, no other support or help or recognition that this industry even matters has come forth from our state government. This neglect, even some hostility, on the part of the state pains me greatly. It has been extremely hard to watch. But earlier this month things got a lotworse.

During my 32 years on the Commission I have never been told that our mission statement was wrong. So imagine my reaction a couple of weeks ago when I was called to the Capitol to be chastised for “allowing” the Commission to approve a change in the card room floor plan for an existing card game (two years ago!) and to approve Historical Horse Racing (well over a year ago). Both of these upgrades were designed to ultimately help the race tracks increase purses. I was told that these actions on the part of the Commission were “embarrassing”. I was told that promotion and support of the racing industry should not be a priority. Our job was to regulate, period, and only do what the Executive Director told us was okay to do. Several other commissioners were apparently given the same message that week.

With every step as I walked from the Capitol building back to my car I became more and moreangry. I will not be a puppet. I cannot, and will not, abandon my support for an industry that has great people involved, contributes economically to the state, provides jobs for young people, presents clean and decent entertainment, and matters to so many. I am disgusted. Therefore, effective at the close of this meeting, I am resigning as a Minnesota Racing Commissioner.

Racing here will always have my support and I will promote it in any way that I can. This statement, in the public record, is my next step. I request that this statement be included in its totality in the minutes.