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When Ilkay Kantarmaci's younger brother, Mertkan, announced a hiatus from training in 2024, Ilkay took the reins of a 27-horse stable at Belmont Park, placing him in the leading role of a training career.View the full article

A total of 90 lots have been catalogued for the Tattersalls Online March Sale on March 18-19. The sale is headed by the 13-lot Point-to-Point & National Hunt Bumper Session. There are also 62 horses in- and out-of-training, five two-year-olds, three stores, two broodmares, two yearlings, a 1/50th share of Nando Parrado (lot 89) and a breeding right in Invincible Army (lot 90). Some of the highlights are Bon Bon Fizz (Pour Moi) (lot 10), who won a bumper by 15 lengths at Thurles; Aintree Grand National entry Harry Des Ongrais (Crillon) (lot 16), Who's On First (Time Test) (lot 49), a winner of two of his last three starts; five- and six-furlong winner Trouble Man (Profitable) (lot 43); and the three-time listed-placed hurdler Ottizzini (Sea Moon) (lot 30). Among the broodmares is G2 Scottish Champion Hurdle heroine Anna Bunina (Poet's Voice) (lot 88), who was runner-up in the G1 Annie Power Mares Champion Hurdle. The post National Hunt Prospects Star As Tattersalls Online March Sale Revealed appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

When the details of Donald Trump's “One Big Beautiful Bill” were introduced, there was a welcome surprise for horseplayers as well as all gamblers. It included a provision whereby gamblers could only deduct 90% of their losses from their winnings. For example, if a gambler collected $100,000 in winning bets during a year while also losing $100,000, he or she would have to pay taxes on $10,000, even though no profit was actually made. The new law went into effect on Jan. 1. Unless something changes, when gamblers file their 2026 tax returns next year they will not be allowed to deduct 100% of their losses. Rep. Dina Titus, a Democratic Congresswoman from the gambling mecca of Nevada, sprung to action and introduced the FAIR BET Act, which would restore a gambler's right to deduct 100% of his or her losses from gambling winnings. Titus has called the policy change a “tax increase on Americans who gamble.” She introduced her bill in July, but, despite partisan support, it has yet to pass. In the most recent development, The FAIR BET Act was officially rejected as an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) by the GOP-controlled House Rules Committee. To get the latest on the FAIR BET Act and insights into whether or not it will eventually pass, the TDN reached out to Titus's office with a list of questions. They were answered by her communications director Dick Cooper. TDN: You introduced the Fair Bet Act on July 7, 2025. Can you please bring us up to speed regarding what has happened to the bill since you introduced it and where things currently stand? DC: Since the bill was introduced, we have garnered 24 bipartisan co-sponsors. Representative Titus recently sent a letter to Ways & Means Chair Jason Smith and Ranking Member Richard Neal urging them to take up a legislative fix to restore the gambling loss deduction to 100% at their next markup. She also filed the FAIR BET Act as a discharge petition, to bypass committee inaction and bring the bill directly to the floor for a vote. While taxpayers will first feel the effects of the 90% gambling loss deduction when they file next year, many, in anticipation of potentially onerous tax liabilities, have already begun stopping or scaling back their gambling activity. This fix needs to get done sooner rather than later, and we have a broad coalition of support. The bill has picked up widespread industry support including: the American Gaming Association, MGM, DraftKings, FanDuel, Caesars, Wynn, the Nevada Resort Association and the National Thoroughbred Racing Association. Several outside groups have also expressed their support for the restoration of full deductibility including Americans for Tax Reform, The Tax Foundation, and The American Institute of CPAs.    TDN: What now is the best way forward to get the bill passed? DC: The next step is continuing to pursue multiple legislative vehicles–inclusion in a broader tax package, committee action in Ways & Means, or attachment to a must-pass vehicle like appropriations or a CR (Continuing Resolution). There is concern that if you fix this mistake from the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” that will open the floodgates for other members to want to fix other issues they had with the bill which was Trump's landmark piece of legislation. It is for that reason that attaching this provision to a must-pass vehicle remains the most likely option.    TDN: Horse racing is a vital industry in Kentucky. Have you received support from your colleagues there? Kentucky Congressman Andy Barr has always been viewed as being very pro-horse racing. Has he weighed in with you regarding your bill? Have any other lawmakers from Kentucky offered their support? DC: Yes, Congresswoman Titus and Congressman Barr are both cosponsors of each other's bills. Representative Morgan McGarvey (D-KY) is also a cosponsor of both bills.    TDN: How frustrating is it to you that have been working on this for about six months and your bill still seems to be hanging in limbo? Do you still remain confident that you will eventually find a way to get the FAIR BET Act passed? DC: Of course, it can be frustrating when something that has broad bipartisan support doesn't move as quickly as we would like. Legislative timing, however, is often driven by process and available vehicles, not the merits of the policy. The Congresswoman remains confident that this will ultimately get fixed. The goal is to ensure it is resolved before taxpayers begin feeling the full impact when they file.    TDN: The National Thoroughbred Racing Association has come out in support of your bill. But has that been enough? Could the horse racing industry be doing more to help your cause? DC: The racing industry has been a strong partner on this issue. The most important thing is education and engagement. Reach out to your members of Congress and explain how this issue affects you personally. Emphasize that this is about fair taxation, not special treatment. Lawmakers respond when they hear directly from constituents that a policy has real-world consequences. Continued engagement from industry stakeholders and bettors themselves is important because lawmakers respond when they hear directly from the people affected. TDN: We have been told by many serious horseplayers that they will be forced to stop betting on the sport if they can no longer deduct 100% of their losses. This could be catastrophic for horse racing. Do you believe the industry is fully cognizant of what this could mean for its overall health? DC: That is a very real concern. It unfairly burdens professional gamblers and casual players alike and will inevitably drive players toward offshore and unregulated markets where consumer protections are nonexistent, thereby undermining responsible gaming efforts nationwide. Recently, the Congresswoman spoke with one of the most accomplished and respected players in the history of professional poker, Erik Seidel, who explained how this tax change will put him in semi-retirement. Conversations like that reinforce why this matters for players and the broader gaming ecosystem. TDN: To all horseplayers, this obviously seems extremely unfair. What do you hear from the elected officials on the other side of the issue regarding their support of these new tax/gambling rules? What, possibly, could be their justification for supporting what seems to be nothing more than an unfair tax on gamblers? DC: In many cases, the issue stems from misunderstanding the policy. Some assume this only affects professional gamblers, but in reality, it impacts casual bettors and everyday players as well. Others are simply just anti-gaming.    TDN: When it comes to racing, as well as other forms of gambling, could this force bettors to start doing business with unregulated offshore betting sites. DC: That is certainly a risk. If legal, regulated wagering becomes tax-disadvantaged, bettors will look for alternatives in unregulated offshore markets. That would undermine consumer protections and divert activity away from regulated U.S. operators and jobs. The post The Latest on the FAIR BET Act: A Q & A With Congressional Aide Dick Cooper appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Every week, the TDN posts a roundup of the relevant Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) related rulings from around the country. The following rulings were reported on HISA's “rulings” portal and through the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit's (HIWU) “pending” and “resolved” cases portals. Among this week's rulings, trainer Angel Sanchez-Pinero has been banned a combined four years and fined a combined $50,000 for two out-of-competition positive tests involving banned substances. Sanchez-Pinero is already serving a combined 10-year ban for a series of medication violations stemming from 2024 onwards. That cumulative ban started on July 24 last year. This additional four-year ban begins Nov. 25, 2035. On Apr. 24 last year, HIWU personnel took out-of-competition hair samples from Miss Hard to Get and Surprise Boss when they were stabled at Westampton Farm in Westampton Township, New Jersey. Subsequent testing detected the presence of Clenbuterol, a banned substance, in the hair sample taken from Miss Hard to Get, and the presence of Albuterol, a banned bronchodilator, in the hair sample taken from Surprise Boss. Though classed a banned substance, Albuterol is permitted only if given as an inhaled bronchodilator, and only if prescribed by a licensed veterinarian in the context of a valid veterinarian-patient-client relationship, according to HISA rules. Similarly, clenbuterol is classified by HISA as a banned substance, but it is permitted for use for a maximum 30 days (within a six-month period) if accompanied with a valid veterinary prescription. Following administration, the horse in question is placed on the vets' list and unable to work or race until it tests clear. According to both written final decisions, these penalties were meted out by HIWU after Sanchez-Pinero had failed to respond to necessary procedural notifications for more than six months, leaving him in “default” in these two latest cases. Elsewhere this week, New Mexico and Texas based veterinarian Dr. Jason Scott has been banned 18-months and fined a total $30,000 (which includes $5,000 in arbitration costs) for possession of banned substances. His suspension began on Feb. 13 last year. Three HIWU investigators searched Scott's truck at Sunland Park on Feb. 13 last year and found two bottles of Pitcher Plant Extract (otherwise known as Sarapin) and two bottles of Adenosine Monophosphate (also known as AMP). Both are prohibited substances under HISA. Last July, Scott filed a federal lawsuit against both HISA and HIWU with a legal question that had yet to be litigated: What happens at a mixed meet where both Thoroughbreds and Quarter Horses race, and a veterinarian who is a HISA “covered person” is found in possession of medications that are prohibited for use in Thoroughbreds, but the vet claims those substances were solely intended for Quarter Horses, whose regulation is outside of HISA's jurisdiction? Indeed, in response to HIWU's official alleged violation notice, Scott wrote that he had not administered either substance to a “covered horse,” and that he possessed these drugs to treat “non-covered” Quarter Horses. At the arbitration hearing, Scott further elaborated by stating how he “gave Pitcher Plant and AMP to non-Covered Horses as part of a pre-race routine that involved giving Pitcher Plant two days before a race, and AMP one day before a race, as a prophylactic measure to prevent tying up,” according to the final ruling. In Hugh Hackney's (the arbitrator) case analysis, he also finds that Scott “followed the standard practices of the veterinarians in New Mexico at that time, and it was unclear, at best, if the [New Mexico Racing Commission] was following the rules set out for enforcement at HIWU. In fact, the commissioner of the NMRC was somewhat confused about what was covered before the investigation of Dr. Scott's truck.” As part of HIWU's argument, they found several inconsistencies in the billing records he filed pre-hearing to explain the use of these drugs in Quarter Horses in his care, including 47 horses who appeared to have been administered Sarapin and AMP twice on the same day with no apparent justification. These records also allegedly showed Scott had administered Phenylbutazone 17 times (on different dates and two different invoices) to Quarter Horses on the day before a race in violation of state rules. HIWU asserted that “the billing record did not contain any medical impressions, diagnoses, or treatment records, and Dr. Scott did not provide any additional medical records,” according to the final ruling. Scott blamed these inconsistencies on bookkeeping errors by his administrative staff. “The basic facts are not in dispute, but the basis for the selection of Dr. Scott's van by Investigator Bennett remains questionable,” wrote Hackney, before meting out the penalties to Scott with the qualifier that they are “based on everything previously discussed and presented in this matter.” The final ruling can be read here. Resolved ADMC Violations Dates: 03/10/2026 Licensee: Penny Rone, trainer Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Explainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Methocarbamol—a class C controlled substance—in a sample taken from Machico Madeira, who won at Mahoning Valley on 2/1/26. Dates: 03/10/2026 Licensee: Miguel Penaloza, trainer Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Dexamethasone—a class C controlled substance—in a sample taken from Maliblue, who won at Parx Racing on 1/14/26. Dates: 03/10/2026 Licensee: Daniel Hernandez, trainer Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); the following cases are treated as one violation as under 09/08/23 HISA Guidance. Final decision of HIWU. Explainer: Medication violations for the presence of Phenylbutazone—a class C controlled substance—in samples taken from Holy Bullet, who finished second at Sunland Park on 1/5/26 and again 1/18/26; and from Lovesunfair, who finished second at Sunland Park on 1/5/26 and sixth at Sunland Park on 1/19/26. Dates: 03/10/2026 Licensee: Daniel Hernandez, trainer Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Final decision of HIWU. Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Phenylbutazone—a class C controlled substance—in a sample taken from Julia's Promise, who won at Sunland Park on 1/4/26. Dates: 03/09/2026 Licensee: Carlos A. David, trainer Penalty: A written Reprimand; Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); imposition of 2 Penalty Points. Final decision of HIWU. Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Caffeine—a class B controlled substance—in a sample taken from One Sweet Girl, who won at Gulfstream Park on 11/23/25. Dates: 03/09/2026 Licensee: Dr. Jason Scott, veterinarian Penalty: 18-month period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on February 13, 2025; a fine of $25,000; payment of $5,000 in arbitration costs. Final decision of arbitral body. Explainer: Possession of Pitcher Plant Extract (Sarapin) and Adenosine Phosphate (AMP)—both banned substances—for an event dated 2/13/25. Dates: 03/05/2026 Licensee: Angel Sanchez-Pinero, trainer Penalty: Combined 4-year period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on November 25, 2035; 60-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Horses, beginning on April 24, 2025; a combined fine of $50,000 for the following two cases. Final decision of HIWU. Explainer: Out-of-competition medication violations for the presence of Clenbuterol—a banned substance—in a sample taken from Miss Hard to Get on 4/24/25; and for the presence of Albuterol—a banned substance—in a sample taken from Surprise Boss on 4/24/25. Dates: 03/05/2026 Licensee: William E. March, trainer Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Final decision of HIWU. Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Phenylbutazone—a class C controlled substance—in a sample taken from Protest, who won at Tampa Bay on 1/14/26. Dates: 03/04/2026 Licensee: Craig Lewis, trainer Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Final decision of internal adjudication panel. Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Methocarbamol—a class C controlled substance—in a sample taken from Kikuride, who won at Del Mar on 8/31/25. Pending ADMC Violations 03/10/2026, Joe Toye, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Phenylbutazone—a class C controlled substance—in a sample taken from Roll Dem Bones, who finished fifth at Turf Paradise on 2/4/26. 03/10/2026, Arturo Chavez, trainer: Pending vets' list medication violation for the presence of Albuterol (Salbutamol)—a banned substance—in a sample taken from She Mysterious on 12/9/25. 03/09/2026, Carla Gaines, trainer: Pending vets' list medication violation for the presence of Diclofenac—a class C controlled substance—in a sample taken from Royal Rumor on 2/8/26. 03/09/2026, Manuel Badilla, trainer: Pending vets' list medication violation for the presence of Phenylbutazone—a class C controlled substance—in a sample taken from Coolwind on 2/4/26. 03/06/2026, Isaiah L. Ortiz, trainer: Pending vets' list medication violation for the presence of Ketoprofen—a class C controlled substance—in a sample taken from Riding By on 2/4/26. 03/06/2026, Danny Gargan, trainer: Pending vets' list medication violation for the presence of Omeprazole—a class C controlled substance—in a sample taken from Wine Money on 2/4/26. 03/06/2026, A Ferris Allen III, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Phenylbutazone—a class C controlled substance—in a sample taken from Misty Boss, who finished second at Laurel Park on 1/23/25. 03/05/2026, Luis Diaz, trainer: Pending out-of-competition medication violation for the presence of Albuterol (Salbutamol)—a banned substance—in a sample taken from Game to Play on 12/27/25. Crop Violations Mahoning Valley Jason Simpson – violation date March 11; $1,500 fine, ten-day suspension Oaklawn Park Assael Espinoza – violation date March 8; $250 fine, one-day suspension Parx Racing Yedsit Hazlewood – violation date March 9; $500 fine, four-day suspension Sunland Park Keviin Carmona – violation date March 9; $500 fine, three-day suspension Tampa Bay Downs Israel Rodriguez – violation date March 8; $500 fine, two-day suspension Wesley G. Ho – violation date March 7; $500 fine, two-day suspension Turfway Park Orlando Bocachica – violation date March 7; $1,500 fine, nine-day suspension Juan Meza – violation date March 7; $250 fine, one-day suspension Yedsit Hazlewood – violation date March 7; $500 fine, one-day suspension Sammy Barnett – violation date March 7; $76 fine, horse disqualified (Barnett struck his mount 15 times), no other information available Juan Gabriel Lagunes – violation date March 7; $250 fine, one-day suspension. The post National Rulings Mar. 5-11: Sanchez-Pinero Banned Four Years, Vet Scott Banned 18 Months appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Rather interesting, Pornhub is the 5th most visited website for January in NZ way more visits than Stuff and The Herald, so based on those figures how many publicly condemning someone accessing it when most likely they are doing same is hypocritical, so regarding the so called RIB, how many others are tuning in. It's more about where you are accessing/watching, more than 90% of visits to the pornhub site is accessed  on smartphones, but accessing it on a work computer, that's where the issues, you would have to be a bit shortsighted to access a work computer, there is time and place for everything but passing judgement on some because they access porn, how many pass judgement on others when they are no different. Now I see said lawyer is barred from refereeing rugby this year, is this a rugby union ruling, all of these issues are a bi  product of the infiltration the internet has on every access of our lives, it's endemic, it's a different world, it ain't better but the genie is out of the bottle now.