William Hill is the new sponsor for the G1 Futurity Trophy Stakes, the bookmaker announced on Thursday. The race will now be known as the William Hill Futurity Trophy Stakes, which will take place a Doncaster on Oct. 26. Previously sponsored by the bookmaker in 1976, the race headlines the two-day meeting, where eight additional races will also bear the William Hill name. There have also been five Classic winners produced from the previous seven renewals of the Futurity Trophy, and trainer Aidan O'Brien is currently after his 12th edition of the race. The current ante-post favourite, The Lion In Winter (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), is trained by O'Brien. Racing sponsorship manager for William Hill, Mark Walton, said, “We're delighted to become the sponsors of the G1 William Hill Futurity Trophy Stakes, strengthening our relationship with Arena Racing Company as the curtain falls on the 2024 Flat season. “It's fantastic to once again be associated with such a prestigious event, the final Group 1 of the British Flat campaign, made more special by the fact that William Hill were the sponsors of the race when it became the Futurity back in 1976. I'm tremendously excited to see which 2-year-old emerges as racing's next big star.” The post William Hill Returns As Futurity Trophy Sponsor appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sacred Spirit (Ire) (Kingman {GB}), a winner of the Listed Grand Prix de Lyon, anchors a quintet of wildcards that were added to Arqana's Arc Sale on Thursday. Consigned as lot 15, the gelding was second in the G3 Prix de Reux and third in the G2 Grand Prix de Deauville and is rated 106. Joining the Andre Fabre-trained son of listed winner and Group 1 producer Sahrawi (Ger) (Pivotal {GB}) is lot 29, listed scorer Rosa Salvaje (Ire) (Maximum Security); multiple group-placed and 109-rated Supercooled (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) (lot 42); Listed Prix des Jouvenceaux et Jouvencelles heroine La Guapisima (Fr) (City Light {Fr}) (lot 43); and G3 Prix de Lutece runner-up Chartwell (Fr) (Churchill {Ire}) (lot 49). The sale will take place at Saint-Cloud on Saturday, Oct. 5. For the full catalogue, please visit the Arqana website. The post Listed Winner Sacred Spirit Leads Wildcards For Arqana’s Arc Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Monmouth Park sits on 310 acres of land in Oceanport, NJ, but, as is the case with most tracks in a modern era where on-track crowds have dwindled, much of the property includes empty stands and parking lots. But that is about to change as real estate developer and horse owner Morris Bailey has unveiled plans to develop 80 acres of the property that will be used to for a 298-unit residential building, a 200-room hotel, a youth sports center and, perhaps, a concert venue. Dennis Drazin said it has yet to be determined when construction will begin, but there have been reports that it will start in the fall of 2025. “We are embarking on the next phase of a journey that began over a decade ago when we developed plans to reimagine and reinvent the Monmouth Park experience that has brought so much joy to generations of horse racing enthusiasts,” Bailey said. “We have always been staunch advocates for returning the area to its rightful place as the premier destination for horse racing and family entertainment while including important components that serve the community at large. After an intensive, complex and lengthy process, our plans will create a vibrant lifestyle destination for future generations and will put the racetrack on a trajectory for enormous growth.” The project actually began to take shape in 2012 when Bailey, the owner of Resorts Casino Hotel in Atlantic City, sought to buy Monmouth when the state of New Jersey put it up for sale. Ultimately, he could not work out a deal and the plans were put on hold as the New Jersey Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association took control of the track. Dennis Drazin, whose company, Darby Development, has assumed full custody of the property under a new 85-year lease agreement, said that Bailey had waited for the real estate market to change before launching the project. “At that point in time the economics just weren't there,” Drazin said. “But the real estate market has changed so much over the past several years. It has just exploded here in Monmouth County. The prices are unbelievable. If you would have told me 20 years ago that there were going to be multi-million-dollar condos in Long Branch, I never would have believed it. But that's the reality.” Dennis Drazin | EquiPhoto Darby Development and Bailey have worked out a revenue sharing agreement which equates to more purse money and the ability to address other racing-related expenses. The guarantee is that racing at Monmouth Park remains a viable business for years to come. “Monmouth Park Racetrack is an iconic New Jersey attraction,” Governor Phil Murphy said. “We are thrilled to see this project move forward, which will bolster the local economy and ensure that the area is a popular destination for years to come. Through this important development, the history and legacy of this racetrack will not only be solidified but expanded and enhanced so that more New Jerseyans can experience its excitement.” While Drazin has said that several additional projects, including the concert venue, are still being considered, the hotel and the residential building are seen as the most important facets on the project. The residential building will be built on the large parking lot across the street from the track, which, on most days, sits empty. Drazin said it will be 55-and-over residence so as not to overwhelm the local schools. It has yet to be decided where the hotel will be built. Drazin said that the concert venue and other “entertainment type projects” will also be considered. With Monmouth not receiving anything in the way of revenue from slot machines or casino gaming, Drazin and his team are always on the lookout for new sources of revenue. The state gives the track an annual subsidy of $10 million to go toward purses, but more money is needed for Monmouth to be able to improve its racing product and solidify its future. The new projects will help. “There's a requirement in the lease, basically a 50-50 split on the revenue,” Drazin said. “Thirty five percent of the total revenue will get spent on racetrack related expenses and 20 percent of that will go into the purse account. It's all positive. Morris has always had racing foremost in his vision.” Drazin said that the global sports and event architecture firm Populous has signed on to handle the project. Populous is the same firm that is behind the rebuilding of Belmont Park and Pimlico. “They are a top-flight, really great company,” Drazin said. “They created the vision.” Drazin said that the construction will not create any problems for on-track fans other than that Monmouth will need to find additional parking space for the late crowd that shows up each year for the running of the GI Haskell Stakes. The post With Plans To Build A Hotel, Residences And More, A New Look For Monmouth Park appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Andy Makiv has been appointed as Godolphin Australia's new managing director, it was announced on Thursday. Makiv joined Godolphin Australia in 2008 and was based in Victoria, first as nominations manager and then as general manager which saw him oversee the Carbine Lodge racing stable and Northwood Park. In 2021, he was appointed head of sales. The managing director role was vacated by Vin Cox, who moved over to run Yulong Stud at the end of last year. “I'm honoured to be part of such a dynamic organisation,” said Makiv. “I'm excited to continue working with our great people, elite bloodstock and world-class facilities as we pursue further success both on the track and with our stallion roster. “We have a great team at Godolphin. We have very experienced and dedicated stud managers, an experienced bloodstock manager and head trainer, as well as a great corporate team. A lot of our key senior people have been here a long time. It was essentially business as usual even without someone in that lead role.” He added, “Our business is the racing and stallion business and the team's success is shown through having colts like Traffic Warden and Broadsiding heading to Group 1 races this spring. “We also have a fantastic line up of stallions with Street Boss and Harry Angel having amazing springs, the first of the Bivouac progeny set to hit the racetrack, the first foals by Anamoe arriving, and Newmarket winner Cylinder new at stud in Victoria.” The post Andy Makiv Named as Managing Director of Godolphin Australia appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Applications are now open for the 2024 Keith and Faith Taylor Equine Scholarship, which supports the future of New Zealand’s breeders in travelling to Ireland and completing the world-renowned Irish National Stud Diploma Course. This scholarship offers an invaluable opportunity to undertake the internationally-recognised National Stud Diploma in Ireland with an all-expenses paid trip, open to any individual 30 years or under with an interest in furthering their career in the thoroughbred breeding industry. Initially funded by the Wellington branch of the New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders Association, the scholarship has been funded since 2006 by the K.I.A Charitable Trust and Trelawney Stud’s Taylor family, being renamed the Keith and Faith Taylor Family Equine Scholarship. Attendees of this course have gone on to careers in the breeding realm, and well as training in New Zealand, dating back to the first recipients of the scholarship, Grant Hunt and Russell Rogers. The successful candidate will be provided with a return economy airfare, fees for the National Stud Diploma course, accommodation and a cash advance to cover some personal expenses. The Process: Applicants must include a covering email and attached CV, to be emailed to nztba@nzthoroughbred.co.nz. Applications Close: Friday 11th October 2024 at 5.00pm View the full article

Suspended jockey, Jamie Kah. (Photo by Ross Holburt/Racing Photos) Jamie Kah will miss the Caulfield Guineas and Caulfield Cup meetings after being found guilty by the Victorian Racing Tribunal of not permitting Let’sfacethemusic every opportunity for a best placing in last month’s Group 3 McNeil Stakes at Caulfield. Racing Victoria stewards on Thursday called for the champion rider to be suspended for a period of not less than six weeks, but the VRT determined the breach of ARR 129 (2) was worthy of a three-week suspension. Kah’s ban begins from midnight on September 28 and goes through until Sunday, October 20, which is the day after Caulfield Cup Day. She had pleaded not guilty to the charge of not permitting Let’sfacethemusic every opportunity of a best placing in the McNeil Stakes after failing to take runs between the 175-metre mark and 100-metre mark and again near the 75-metre mark. VRT deputy chairperson Kathryn Kings handed down the verdict just before 3pm on Thursday, where she said the tribunal was satisfied Kah had not taken all permissible measures to obtain the best placing in the field. After a short break following penalty submissions, Kings said: “We are satisfied that between the 175-metre and 100-metre mark, there was a sufficient gap and opportunity for you to be able to ride your mount with sufficient vigour or purpose to improve your position. “We are satisfied that this ride did not involve a mere error of judgement on your part but when viewed objectively, the failure to take the run, which presented itself and was available to be taken for approximately eight strides, represented a breach of rule 129 (2) and was a departure from the standard of racing to be expected of a rider of your standing. “We acknowledge that the horse raced keenly at the early stages but during the relevant period the horse raced tractably. “Further, in relation to your ride in the last 75 metres of the race, we are satisfied you failed to ride out your mount with sufficient vigour when it was reasonable and permissible to do so. “While we acknowledge the evidence of the historical racing manners of each horse, we are satisfied that you did not use sufficient vigour or purpose, therefore not giving your horse every opportunity to obtain the best possible place in the field.” The hearing was adjourned for lunch at around 1:40pm after both RV stewards and Kah’s representative Matthew Stirling had completed submissions on the charge and when it returned, Kah was found guilty. Let’sfacethemusic ($8.50) ultimately finished fifth in the race, some 4.5 lengths from the winner. Corie Waller, who was acting chief steward on the day at Caulfield, told the tribunal that Kah’s ride was a culpable one under the rule as she did not give her horse every chance to obtain its best placing after failing to take the run in the home straight between Band Of Brothers and Stay Focussed. RV stewards last week issued Kah one charge under AR 129(2), which reads as follows: AR 129(2): A rider must take all reasonable and permissible measures throughout the race to ensure that the rider’s horse is given full opportunity to win or to obtain the best possible place in the field. Kah told the tribunal that although the vision of the race shows there appears to be a gap for her to take, she said she did not feel safe in doing so. “Out there, I didn’t feel like the gap was open,” she said. She said Let’sfacethemusic had proven difficult to ride and earlier in the race had locked its jaw, which meant she lost control for a short period. She conceded that her opinion that Let’sfacethemusic was a dangerous horse may have contributed to her not taking the run in question on the day. Waller said stewards believed Let’sfacethemusic had more to give in the race and said that despite Kah’s evidence, there was no sign in the replay of the race that the colt was difficult to ride and appeared ‘responsive to the actions of its rider’. He said stewards had estimated it was reasonable and safe for Kah to take the gap between the two leaders for a total of eight strides from about the 175-metre mark. Tthe eight strides amounted to about 56 metres or 15 per cent of the home straight at Caulfield, where stewards argued it was reasonable for Kah to take the run. Stirling said given the unruly manners of Let’sfacethemusic, the jockey simply did not feel confident to take the run given its racing manners and the strong wind at Caulfield on the day. According to Stirling, the horse was ‘literally dangerous’ in his racing manners and so it required due caution from Kah when considering taking the run. Kah told stewards that Let’sfacethemusic had locked its jaw during the race and had done so five days earlier when she rode the colt for the first time in a track gallop. She said a rider loses control over a horse that locks its jaw. Stirling said Kah had intimate knowledge of the ramifications of riding a horse that locks its jaw as that it what happened when she took a near-fatal fall at Flemington in 2023, which left her in a coma for six days and unable to ride again for six months. Stirling said an extremely windy day can have an effect on racehorses, who ‘hate’ such conditions, but it can also dull the hearing of jockeys. He said if any of the three horses involved had shifted a ‘quarter of a horse or half a horse, the jockey’s finished. They are in the ambulance’. “Who are the stewards to criticise Kah for that ride?” he said. “She was the one that spent a week in in ICU last year because of a horse locking its jaw. I think she knows the risks of riding a horse with those traits a little better than the stewards and, with respect, a little better than (the trainer) Mr Price.” Horse racing news View the full article

Goliath (Ger) (Adlerflug {Ger}) has been ruled out of Sunday's G1 Preis von Europa at Cologne due to a minor setback, it was announced on Thursday. Trained by Francis-Henri Graffard, Goliath has been off the track since his shock 25-1 victory in the G1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot in July, with prominent American owner John Stewart subsequently purchasing a majority share in the four-year-old from Philip Baron von Ullmann. Goliath had been set for a rematch with King George third Rebel's Romance (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) in Cologne, but his connections will now have to consider other options as they plot a path to the G1 Japan Cup at Tokyo on Sunday, November 24. Von Ullmann told www.galopponline.de, “This morning I received a call from trainer Francis-Henri Graffard, who told me that Goliath had developed a small foot abscess after his final work. “It's nothing long-term, but safety comes first and we don't think it's right to let him run in Cologne if he's not at 100 per cent and is causing the horse additional discomfort. Animal welfare is always our top priority. “John and I were really looking forward to running in Cologne and he was planning to fly from America to Cologne, but that's horse racing. We're still aiming for the Japan Cup, but we'll have to see what the exact plan is now.” Graffard still hopes to give Goliath a prep run before his planned trip to Japan. “He has a foot abscess and was not 100 per cent, so we won't take any risks any with him,” said the trainer. “I'll have to look at the programme book and see. Hopefully, we'll have one run before he can go to Japan.” Graffard was able to provide a more positive update on star three-year-old Calandagan (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}), who is on course for a heavyweight clash with Economics (GB) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) in the G1 Champion Stakes at Ascot on Saturday, October 19. He was last seen filling the runner-up spot behind City Of Troy (Justify) in the G1 Juddmonte International at York. “Calandagan is in top form and training to go to Ascot,” Graffard added. The post Minor Setback Forces Goliath to Miss Sunday’s Preis von Europa appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Caspar Fownes, Jack Wong and Mark McNamara offer their unique perspectives on the most successful galloper Hong Kong has seen.View the full article