After seven years of photo shoots, training students and running the track at Roy Stewart Stadium, rumors have emerged that Vegas Impulse, Murray State’s current Racer One horse, is nearing retirement.
Shea Porr, associate dean of the Hutson School of Agriculture and department chair of animal and equine science, said the rumors are unfounded.
“No, we are not talking about retiring Vegas,” Porr said. “I’m hoping he’ll stick it out and surpass Violet Cactus for the longest running Racer One horse.”
Violet Cactus was the first Racer One, serving for eight years. Vegas will tie with Violet next year, and Porr said she hopes he’ll run again in 2027 to beat the record. On top of potentially beating that record, Vegas is the first Racer One to be born and bred at Murray State.
“While it doesn’t take a lot for a horse to do photo opportunities, it’s harder to find one that can handle all the stress at a football game,” Porr said. “Vegas does a very good job at both of these things. That being said, we’re very aware that we only have one horse that can do the job right now, so we take very good care of Vegas and are keeping our eyes open for a backup.”
Outside of football games, Vegas also works with students on the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association Hunt Team, preparing them for competitions where they must lead their horse in jumps over fences. Students are judged based on their riding position and control of their horse.
“He enjoys jumping, but I think he likes running around the track more,” Porr said. “He’s a smart horse. He knows the difference between working in the arena with the Hunt Team and being on the track for a football game.”
The Racer One Program isn’t only about the horse, however. Public relations, event coordination, time management and public speaking are all crucial to Vegas’ connection with the community. Since horses aren’t the best at public communications, those responsibilities fall to the jockey.
Breece Mohon, the current Racer One jockey, is a junior marketing major from Mayfield, Kentucky. She’s also on the IHSA Hunt Team and a member of Alpha Omicron Pi.
“I definitely have a full plate, but I feel like I’m able to manage it well,” Mohon said. “A lot of people think that all you do is run around the track, and that’s definitely not the case.”
Mohon said Racer One events can be anywhere around campus and be anything from photoshoots to recruitment events. She said she’s hoping to visit elementary schools and nursing homes during her time as a jockey.
“It does take a lot of my time, but it’s something that I love,” Mohon said. “I love being out in the community and meeting so many people.”
Racer One’s presence in the community is a campus tradition that’s been upheld for almost 50 years.
“This is a special tradition, and one I hope we never lose,” Porr said.
