TEK Faculty Fellow Highlights the Transdisciplinary Nature of Kentucky’s Equine Economy on Freakonomics Radio
University of Kentucky faculty member and TEK Faculty Fellow, Dr. Jill Stowe, was recently featured on Freakonomics Radio, episode 652: “Inside the Horse-Industrial Complex.” The episode investigates the economic forces behind America’s thoroughbred industry and highlights why Kentucky remains the global center of equine production and racing. “I have been intrigued by Freakonomics since the original book came out in 2005 and I was in the early stages of my professional career”, said Stowe. “Accordingly, it was quite a privilege to be a guest in the podcast's three-part series, The Horse Is Us, which shines a light on some very interesting aspects of an industry I have studied for the past 15+ years."
Stowe, professor in the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment and Director of Undergraduate Studies for both the department of Agricultural Economics and the department of Equine Science and Management, has built a national reputation for her work in equine markets, behavioral economics, and game theory. Her blend of academic expertise and lifelong participation in the horse world made her a key voice in the episode’s exploration of how economics shapes the modern thoroughbred landscape.
In the podcast, Stowe offers insight into why Dr. Lori Garkovich, emeritus professor in UK’s department of Ag Equine Programs, describes Kentucky’s horse industry as an “economic cluster.” In Kentucky, breeding farms, veterinarians, farriers, transportation companies, and auction houses concentrate within a relatively small region – all with one shared focus: the horse. This geographic density, Stowe explains, is not accidental — it’s the product of market incentives, stringent regulations, and Kentucky’s long-established industry infrastructure. It is into this economic cluster where UK is sending many of its Ag Equine students and preparing them for a transdisciplinary industry is at the heart of the department’s mission.
Stowe – alongside other Kentucky horse industry experts - help listeners understand the scale and stakes of the industry. From high stud fees and bloodline valuation to the risks involved in buying young horses, the horse world is framed not as a romantic tradition but as a complex and interconnected economic system supporting thousands of jobs and generating billions in economic activity.
Stowe’s appearance on Freakonomics Radio underscores the University of Kentucky’s leadership in equine economics and showcases how UK faculty are shaping national conversations around the transdisciplinary industries central to the Commonwealth’s identity and economic health as the Horse Capitol of the World.
In Fall 2026, Dr. Stowe will be co-teaching a TEK course with colleague, Dr. Anastasia Curwood, professor and departmental chair of UK’s department of history. This course – Horses and Humanity in Time and Space – will explore how humans' relationships with horses have driven social and economic forces across the globe. The course is open to all undergraduate students and will fulfill the UK Core requirement for Humanities.
“Inside the Horse-Industrial Complex” is part of Freakonomics Radio’s two-episode series, The Horse Is Us, which examines the people, policies, and economics that define the U.S. horse industry.
To hear Dr. Stowe’s contribution and the full discussion, listen to Episode 652 of Freakonomics Radio.