Hong Kong News

If anyone understands the talent and versatility of the Thoroughbred it is Anne Kursinski. A five-time member of the U.S. Olympic team and two-time Olympic (team) silver medalist, Kursinski has amassed a resume that would make most equine professionals blush. In addition to her Olympic efforts, the California native was also a member of 47 Nations Cup teams, and three World Equestrian Games teams. “I started on Thoroughbreds,” explained Kursinski of her longstanding relationship to the breed. “I am originally from Pasadena, California. Most of the horses when I was a little girl were Thoroughbreds. The Warmbloods hadn't really come over at that point. The horses came from Santa Anita, Del Mar, Hollywood Park or [Agua] Caliente in Mexico-so mostly Thoroughbreds. I grew up on them and just loved them. I really liked the sensitivity, intelligence and their bravery.” Kursinski was carried to her second team silver by the Australian-bred ex-racehorse Eros in the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta. She also won the team silver aboard Starman in Seoul in 1988. “He's was just an amazing character,” she recalled of the fiery red chestnut. “He had that sensitivity I loved and could jump anything. He was like a bird or a gazelle. He had that lightness and fluidity that Thoroughbreds often have. He was powerful but with a lighter feeling.” Winner of the 1994 American Gold Cup (Pennsylvania), Eros also annexed the 1998 $450,000 Pulsar Crown Grand Prix, the richest grand prix at the time, giving Kursinski the first victory for an American and a woman in the event. A member of the Nations Cup team for wins at Rome and St. Gallen in Switzerland, Eros won two legs of the Pulsar Triple Crown–the predecessor to the current Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping-before finishing second in the final leg in Aachen, Germany. In 2007, the chestnut was retired to Kursinski's Market Street facility in Frenchtown, New Jersey, where he lived out the remainder of his life before passing at the age of 33. While Kursinski admits the flashy gelding wasn't always the most straightforward horse to ride, the immense talent he possessed more than made up for any challenges. “He had his quirks-his head was up, but he knew right where the jumps were and he knew where his legs were. Since I grew up riding Thoroughbreds, his quirkiness was no problem for me. I just let him do his thing.” She continued, “He might not have suited just any rider because of his sensitive way of going, but it became a balancing act between asking him and letting him do what he wanted to do. It was about meeting him halfway.  But that's the essence of the Thoroughbred.” In 1991, the U.S. Olympic Committee voted Kursinski Female Equestrian Athlete of the Year. She won individual and team gold medals in the Caracas, Venezuela Pan-American Games. In 1988 and 1992, she was named AHSA Horsewoman of the Year and in 1995 she was Equestrian of the Year. In 2017 she was inducted into the Show Jumping Hall of Fame. A USHJA clinician, she is a member of the USHJA and USET Executive Committees and USEF Board of Directors. The horsewoman is also the Chef d'Equipe for the U.S. Show Jumping Development program and was a selector for the 2014 WEG bronze medal winning U.S. team in Normandy, France and the 2016 Rio Olympics' silver medal winning U.S. team. Kursinski, who has since added the title of author to her long list of accomplishments with her book: 'Riding and Jumping Clinic: A Step-by-Step Course for Winning in the Hunter and Jumper Rings', spends much of her time now in the role of trainer and mentor to subsequent generations of riders. And according to Kursinski, it was through her students that she was introduced to the TAKE2 program, which supports and promotes Thoroughbreds in their second careers after racing. “I had several students who came to me with their Thoroughbreds and told me about TAKE2 originally,” she explained. So when the off-the-track Thoroughbred Acta Non Verba, a.k.a. 'Bobby Socks' came to her attention via grand prix rider Mary Chapot–wife of Olympic silver medalist Frank Chapot– Kursinski felt he would be a good fit for the program. “I wish I could get more horses like Bobby Socks to develop,” she admitted. “He's really been fun to work with. He's intelligent and I think he has the potential to go far. There are Thoroughbreds like him out there to suit whatever it is you're looking for.” The son of Honor Code made one career start at Delaware finishing eighth for trainer Richard Henricks. The $300,000 Keeneland September yearling purchase is the most expensive auction horse out of Oneofacat (Deputy Minister), a daughter of stakes-placed Beware of the Cat (Caveat), who is the dam of European champion juvenile Hold That Tiger and Belmont Stakes hero Editor's Note. “I think the program is just great for the Thoroughbred,” she said of TAKE2. “It's really wonderful for them to get a chance at a second career. They are promoting them and showing people that they really are great athletes and giving them a platform to show people what they can do. I think it is also helping change that perception of Thoroughbreds.” Despite all the inherent qualities that make the Thoroughbred an ideal candidate for retraining for a second career, Kursinski explains that the breed doesn't always get a fair shake. “Thoroughbreds are not all hot and crazy-that's a misconception,” she affirmed.”Yes, they are a little more sensitive. But they also teach you to be a better rider because you have to have more feeling, as a rule, because of their sensitivity.” She continued, “As a teacher, to have the sensitivity and to learn about that, I think a Thoroughbred teaches you that more than most Warmbloods, largely because of the instant feedback you get when working with them.” Underscoring some of the prime qualities that make the Thoroughbred a natural athlete, no matter the discipline, she said, “Thoroughbreds will do whatever you ask and are typically confident whereas the Warmbloods can spook, for example, at the water jumps. But with Thoroughbreds, if you ask them to jump it, by God they are getting you to the other side. They have a big heart and are very eager to do their job.” She added, “When I look for an athlete, I look for something that is confident and brave and not too hot. These qualities are bred into Thoroughbreds. But I also think it's a benefit to really understand what makes them tick. If you can invite them to relax and be themselves, you can get the most out of them.” When asked why would one consider the Thoroughbred rather than just sticking with the other more conventionally-sought after sporting breeds, Kursinski didn't mince words. “The athleticism and versatility of the Thoroughbred speaks to the fact that they can go on to a second career in jumping or other athletic endeavors. You don't really see that with the other breeds,” she said. “There is nothing like a Thoroughbred.” The post Thoroughbreds and Olympian Anne Kursinski: A Match Made in Heaven appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

GI Kentucky Derby hero Mystik Dan (Goldencents) and GISW Power Squeeze (Union Rags) went through their preparations Saturday morning at Gulfstream Park for the GI Pegasus World Cup Invitational. The Ken McPeek trainee was out to breeze five furlongs Saturday morning, covering the distance in a bullet move of :59.48 (1/35). Depending on how he does during the week, and after one more work next week, the conditioner says a decision will be made at that point as to whether or not Mystik Dan will be entered in Gulfstream's marquee invitational. “We wanted a nice, solid breeze out of him so he got something out of it,” said McPeek. “It was a good next step. We'll go over him this afternoon and this morning to make sure he's OK. One more work next week, either Friday or Saturday, I haven't decided, and then we'll make a decision whether we're going to go or not.” Also on the track Saturday morning was the lone filly expected to make a start in the Pegasus Invitational, Power Squeeze. She too worked five panels, clocked in 1:01.66 (18/35), and has emerged from the move in good shape. “She went very nice,” said trainer Jorge Delgado. “She breezed really strong and the gallop out was what we expected. She did it really easy.” “She goes [the Pegasus 1 1/8 mile] distance really well. The last race [Listed Rampart Stakes], there was a slow pace in the race and the small field didn't help her, but it sets her up for this race. She loves the distance, she loves the surface, she knows how to win. If there's a good pace she'll run a good race.” Other possible Pegasus entries worked at Payson Park as well, including Brad Cox runner GISW Saudi Crown (Always Dreaming), another for the World Cup, and Fluffy Socks (Slumber {GB}), likely one of the favorites in the GI Pegasus Filly & Mare Turf, went out for Chad Brown. The former worked four furlongs in :50 flat and the latter went a half-mile in :49.40. Entries for Pegasus World Cup Day will be taken Sunday, Jan. 26 with the post-position draw, along with the odds, taking place in the Carousel Club at Gulfstream Park. The post Mystik Dan Drills for Pegasus World Cup, Lone Filly Power Squeeze On Track appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

3rd-GP, 94K, Msw, 3yo, 6f, 1:18 p.m. POP ART (Medaglia d'Oro) sold to Glen Hill Farm for $750,000 as a Keeneland September yearling last year. She is the first foal out of GSW Painting (Distorted Humor) while second dam Handpainted is a full-sister to Canadian champion older mare Serenading. This is also the family of GI Toyota Blue Grass Stakes winner Brilliant Speed (Dynaformer) and MSW/GI Arkansas runner up Conquest Mo Money (Uncle Mo). TJCIS PPS 6th-GP, 94K, Msw, 3yo, 1m, 2:49 p.m. A $700,000 OBS April buy for 30 Year Farm, Madam Opus (Practical Joke) worked her eight in :10 and is a daughter of the Pulpit mare Choir who has produced four winners from four to race. The result was a marked increase from the $70,000 she brought as a yearling just seven months earlier at Keeneland September. TJCIS PPS The post Sunday Insights: Gulfstream Maidens Heat Up Sunday Racing appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

An early local watering hole for 3-year-old colts on the funnel to the GII Tampa Bay Derby, it was Naughty Rascal (Rogueish–Baby Doll, by Smarty Jones) who was elevated to the top of the podium after the stewards disqualified Owen Almighty (Speightstown) in the Pasco Stakes at the northern Florida track on Saturday afternoon. As the heavy favorite, Owen Almighty and Rookie Card (Adios Charlie) engaged in a speed duel from the bell. Tabbed at 3-1, Naughty Rascal tracked closely from the second flight. Before the far turn, Rookie Card appeared to stumble and was forced to drop back. Entering the lane, Owen Almighty and Naughty Rascal traded blows with the former getting the better of his rival. After an inquiry, the winner was taken down and placed the last out of five, while Naughty Rascal was declared the winner. The final running time was 1:22.50. Lifetime Record: 6-4-1-1. Sales History: OBSWIN '23 $22,000; OBSMAR '24 $39,000. O-Mr Pug LLC and J.P.G. 2 LLC; B-Edward Seltzer, Beverly Anderson, Helen Barbazon & Joseph Barbazon (FL); T-Gerald S. Bennett. The post Naughty Rascal Elevated To Pasco Stakes Win After Owen Almighty DQ At Tampa appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Mystik Dan continued his preparation for the $3.015 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes (G1) by breezing five furlongs in :59.48 at Gulfstream Park Jan. 11.View the full article