Wandering Eyes

Since the launch of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act's (HISA) drug testing program over a year ago, metformin has sucked up an awful lot of oxygen. Under HISA, there have been seven resolved cases and four pending cases involving metformin—perhaps not an especially large number on its own, until framed against the number of metformin cases adjudicated before the program went into effect. An Association of Racing Commissioners International's (ARCI) review of their database “going back decades” found five metformin cases for Thoroughbreds. All were from 2017 onwards. The resolved metformin cases under HISA include a two-year suspension, an 18-month suspension and a 75-day suspension. Four cases have been resolved with no sanctions to the trainer, though in one case, that was because the B sample had insufficient volume for analysis. Another trainer passed away before a formal hearing. Until recently, if a metformin-related B sample returns positive–or is waived altogether–the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit (HIWU) had the ability to impose an interim suspension until the case was formally heard, with the potential to drastically shake up someone's life and livelihood. Earlier this month, HISA announced that it was deferring all interim suspensions involving metformin until the Racing Medication and Testing Consortium's (RMTC) Scientific Advisory Committee had conducted a review of the available science relating to metformin. The RMTC's review is expected to take months. The thing is, the RMTC will find scant scientific information available regarding the substance's effect and relevant pharmacokinetics in horses. Nor is it easy to extrapolate the findings from human research to horses, or that from other animals. Indeed, several respected independent experts in the drug testing field declined when asked to comment for this story because of this information desert. “All of the questions you've posed are certainly worthy, although current research may not provide answers to them,” wrote one. “Based on the limited information about this drug's behavior in horses, I am not sure I would be of much help,” wrote another. Until more concrete evidence comes to light, therefore, this drug appears to sit in the crosshairs of a more philosophical debate. Given racing's tenuous public standing, is a hardline stance on drugs a necessity for the survival of the sport—even if that approach sometimes results in collateral damage? Or should every effort be made to give the sport's participants discretion in the face of doubt—even if sometimes, a cheat slips through the cracks? Pre-HISA The ARCI classes the drug a category 2 penalty B substance, which comes with a 15-day suspension (or 60-days with aggravating circumstances) for a first-time offense. According to the ARCI, of the sanctions meted out for the metformin cases pre-HISA, the most severe was a 15-day suspension (and $2,000 fine) handed to Wesley Ward last year, along with a separate $5,000 fine (and 5-day suspension) handed to Ward in 2022. HISA, on the other hand, makes it a banned substance that comes with a maximum two-year suspension and $25,000 fine for a first offense–sanctions meted out to trainer Jonathon Wong. “There is no generally accepted use for metformin in the racehorse, and one of the [Anti-Doping and Medication Control] Program's goals is to protect equine welfare,” a HIWU spokesperson wrote. The agency claims, too, that it has received whistleblower information that the drug is being administered purposefully to racehorses to enhance performance. When asked for specifics about these whistleblower complaints—including whether any of the accusations have been substantiated—a spokesperson responded that it “cannot comment on ongoing investigations.” While HIWU officials have stressed that regulators are often looking at more than just the detected levels of a substance when adjudicating cases, this still leads to another wrinkle in the debate: What are permissible levels of this drug? Listed in this recent paper, the highest blood metformin level detected in Ward's two cases was 4.2 nanograms per milliliter (ng/ml). With just the information provided in the same paper, the highest blood level detected under HISA is at 630 picograms per milliliter (pg/ml), found in Wong's case. One nanogram is 1000-times larger than one picogram. Trainer Guadalupe Munoz Elizondo's case was dismissed after HIWU established harmonized testing specifications for metformin, as was the metformin case against trainer Javier Morzan. Levels of metformin at 162 pg/ml had been detected in the blood of Munoz trainee, Quinton's Corner, before the case was dropped. After a review of the current literature on metformin (which is primarily on humans), the same paper recommends an interim Screening Limit of Detection for metformin of 5 ng/ml in the blood, calling that amount an “irrelevant trace level.” That level would clear Wong. The methodology used to determine that level was for therapeutic use as opposed to prohibited substances. When asked for her thoughts on this recommended threshold, former RMTC executive director and COO and current 1ST Racing chief veterinary officer, Dionne Benson, said that she didn't think “setting the levels just above the concentrations that have been found is the right approach.” She advocated, however, for more research into the matter. “I think that's something worth investigating,” said Benson. “With the information we have right now, it's easy to say we don't know. And I think that should go into the consideration that HISA is taking into these suspensions. But a year from now, we might find out that you have to administer it to get these concentrations, and I would be wrong.” Pathways of Exposure Metformin is primarily prescribed in humans to help those who suffer type 2 diabetes more readily use the insulin produced in their bodies in order to better regulate blood glucose levels. Though the drug has been available as a diabetes treatment for decades, researchers are still figuring out its other benefits, including as a possible defense against strokes, dementia and other age-related diseases. “We're still learning about all the different things that metformin does to the body,” explained Joseph Bertino, a human clinical pharmacologist. With no discernable use in racehorses, metformin's primary use for horses, explained Benson, is to help ponies and older horses suffering insulin resistance, who are susceptible to foundering. One key difference between humans and horses is that the drug is excreted much quicker and in larger quantities in horses than in humans. In other words, humans readily absorb a significantly greater amount of the drug than horses do. It's also a chemically stable drug excreted by humans largely unchanged into the environment. Among the various experts consulted for the story, all said the likeliest route of possible environmental contamination is through a horse eating hay or straw soaked with the urine of someone who takes the drug. HISA and HIWU have made public efforts to warn horsemen and women how best to protect themselves from inadvertent cross-contamination, including maintaining a strict policy against urination in the stables. At the same time, stakeholders argue that's sometimes easier said than done given the poor and sometimes sparse bathroom amenities at certain backstretches and the fast pace of morning training. A key detail in this particular argument is just how much straw a racehorse would need to consume to trigger the sorts of levels that have prompted regulatory action under HISA. “With the low bioavailability in horses, that's going to be challenging, especially with a human dose,” said Benson. “I would love to do a calculation to figure out exactly how much straw they would have to actually eat that is covered in urine in order to actually create a dose that would significantly show up an hour after,” Benson added. Another commonly-floated pathway of exposure is the transference of the drug from human to horse–a metformin-using groom, for example, whose hands are coated with the drug. In a February TDN letter to the editor, Bertino poured cold water on this argument, arguing that the polymer coating around many of these typically long-acting pills makes such an occurrence unlikely. Are all metformin pills film coated in this way? “I could not find metformin that was not film coated, and it's no surprise because generic companies have to be bioequivalent to an approved metformin tablet in order for the FDA to approve their tablets for use and sale,” Bertino wrote on an email. “There are immediate release metformin tablets but from what I can tell, they are also film coated to mask the bad taste of the drug.” Bertino said that Latin American countries may manufacture non-film coated drugs. “But I can tell you that in many countries throughout the world, the metformin is film coated,” he added. Robert Holland is an expert in respiratory and infectious diseases and is one of the authors on the paper recommending an interim screening limit of detection for metformin. He also sits on HISA's lasix advisory committee. In highlighting a general hygiene component to the issue, Holland explained how some tracks are equipped with portable toilets with no ready hand-washing facilities. “You can see where even when you're thinking you're okay, you may not be,” Holland said, and pointed to a study from a few decades ago that found trace levels of urea on the handles of scoops used for children's confectionary. Given how prodigiously metformin is prescribed, it is a widely found, near ubiquitous presence in rivers, lakes, and wastewater effluent across the country. It's even found in tap water. This includes the racetrack where two of the violations were found, according to the HBPA. When asked about this phenomenon, Benson said how, given all horses stabled at a track drink from the same source, “I would think that if you had that as a true source of contamination causing positives, we would have so many it would overwhelm the system.” Holland, however, suggested the answer is more complicated thanks to variables like the levels of metformin in the water over a period of time and the amount of water consumed by individual horses. “Could that be constantly going at a low level and then trip a test? I don't know the answer to that,” he said. “I don't have dose.” A few years ago, researchers conducted tests of Charles Town's ship-in stalls, to determine any presence in the environment of common substances. Metformin was detected in 2 of the 21 stalls swabbed, along with a host of other substances commonly detected in racehorse samples. Which leads to a common gripe among horsemen and women: That receiving barns across the country are often contaminated with the remains of prior horses, and that they are in the sort of poor physical shape that makes thoroughly disinfecting them difficult. The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has four pages of strict requirements for the cleanliness of racetrack stables, including the removal of all bedding, “steam cleaning or pressure hosing all surfaces,” and chemical disinfectant before a new horse can enter the stable. Tracks in the UK face possible sanctions for not adhering to the rules. HISA's regulations on the same topic are scant in comparison, with HISA's safety officers given a broad set of vaguely-written tasks, which includes requiring them to “monitor” common areas such as the receiving barns for cleanliness. When asked, a HISA spokesperson wrote that no tracks have been officially sanctioned for receiving barn violations. However, “should the accreditation team identify deficiencies, the racetrack's accreditation could be impacted,” the spokesperson added. HIWU is silent on how many metformin positives are from ship-in runners, writing that “HIWU does not track this data.” Only one published decision discloses this info—for Wong, whose horse had shipped into Horseshoe Indianapolis. All of which leads to another possible feature of the environmental contamination argument: The accumulative effects from multiple exposures. In other words, could the combined exposure to metformin-using grooms who haven't washed their hands, to dirty ship-in stalls and to drinking water laced with metformin all combined result in a positive test? “To me, if you look at these multiple stream arguments, most of those, with the exception of drinking water, you can control,” said Benson. She added that metformin is one of many commonly prescribed drugs that are found in U.S. waterways, and is one of several common substances detected in receiving barns. She suggested that in using this argument, it would be fair to expect an array of common substances appearing more ubiquitously in tests. Holland was more cautious when asked about this possibility. He said that metformin behaved differently to many other substances commonly found in the environment, and added how intentional illicit administration of a drug would often result in a rash of positives within the same barn. “People recognize that we come into contact with different sources, and sometimes we just don't know all the sources,” said Holland. “We think that [people urinating in the stalls] is the likely source, but we just don't know. And at the same time, if you read our peer review paper, at those levels [which prompt regulatory action], it wouldn't have a biologic effect on the horse at all.” Performance Enhancer? The research into the possible performance enhancing effects of the drug is centered around metformin's impacts on humans. This recent blog post–shared on social media and forwarded to the TDN by a HISA executive during the reporting of this story–lists some of the key studies showing how it might impact human athletic performance. In summarizing the study findings, the author makes the following claim: “Metformin may enhance exercise performance during short-high-intensity exercise, similar to what thoroughbred racing demands. However, metformin may also inhibit fitness gains if taken continually in the long term.” (Note: The TDN reached out to the author of the blog multiple times for a name and their credentials but received no response). Does the scientific literature, however, support such a claim? HIWU declined to “speak to metformin as a performance-enhancing substance in racehorses.” The authors of the paper advocating for a metformin screening limit of detection are more circumspect. “The scientific literature is mixed on whether Metformin has an effect on athletic performance on any species at any plasma concentration,” they write, before adding: “A meta-analysis evaluating this group of scientific papers concludes that, overall, these studies failed to show any effect of Metformin on indices of athletic performance, other than an increased rating of perceived exertion.” When asked the same question, Benson was similarly cautious. “We have a lot of mixed and unknown information,” she said, before raising the idea that trying to confirm one way or the other metformin's possible performance enhancing properties might be the wrong question to ask. “We almost look at every drug the wrong way, at least on the regulatory side. It is difficult if not impossible to prove effect. What I mean is, I don't know that we can show even if a horse won by 30 lengths–so that's what, six seconds?–that there was a statistically significant effect of a drug,” said Benson. “The problem we have is that horse races are won or lost by inches, not 30 lengths, and I don't know that I would be able to ever definitely prove what improved a horse a length or two,” she said. Lab Variability Towards the end of last year, metformin proved central to a key obstacle as HISA works towards drug testing uniformity—the issue of laboratory variability. Internal reviews of the (at the time) six HIWU-contracted laboratories uncovered different limits of detection in blood for metformin. Indeed, all metformin positives up to that point originated from just the one lab. The laboratory-related issues that HISA has faced in properly policing the drug were grandfathered in. Pre-HISA, every lab had different drug-testing sensitives, and a lot of discretion was given by the state regulators in how they approached enforcement, said Benson. “There was an inherent inconsistency because the labs had different levels and the commissions potentially had the option to decide whether they wanted to pursue a finding,” said Benson. At the end of last year, HIWU announced that it had harmonized “testing sensitivity” across its contracted labs, to ensure they were screening for metformin at the same levels in blood and urine. A HIWU spokesperson wrote that since then, “more than one laboratory has reported the presence of metformin in an A Sample,” though added they could not disclose which ones, other than Industrial Laboratories in Colorado. In the same vein, have any metformin positives been kept from public disclosure or dismissed before any regulatory action was taken? “HIWU cannot comment on cases or findings that have not been publicly disclosed in accordance with the ADMC Program rules,” the agency spokesperson wrote. The Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI) lists metformin a “Prohibited Substance-Controlled Medication,” for use in the treatment of equine metabolic syndrome. There are no withdrawal guidelines, however. The FEI did not respond to multiple attempts for an interview on this story. International efforts are underway to “harmonize” a regulatory approach to the drug, according to a renowned animal sports medication and doping control expert, who asked to remain anonymous. “Obviously, the aim within Europe and North America is to achieve a harmonized approach at both a national and international level. Metformin, however, presents several challenges. Neither screening limits or international thresholds in the strictest sense of their definitions are appropriate applications and so the likes of harmonized, scientifically based reporting limits come more into consideration,” the expert wrote in an email. All of which leaves this final question: Is there another way of testing for metformin to determine whether it was administered intentionally to a racehorse at a high dose? According to Holland, hair testing offers that possibility. “If we are still learning about potential sources and if we are unsure, hair testing would be an avenue that would help us,” said Holland. “If you're seeing a horse that's getting a lot of a drug, you'll see it in the hair.” The post Regulating Metformin: More Questions Than Answers appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

HISA landed a legal victory June 24 when the U.S. Supreme Court denied a request to review an appeals court ruling in favor of racing's new regulatory approach overseeing the sport's anti-doping and medication policies as well as its safety issues.View the full article

7th-Parx Racing, $52,480, Msw, 6-24, 2yo, 4 1/2f, :54.18, ft, 4 lengths. BABY DUKES (c, 2, Maximus Mischief–Flatter's Secret, by Flatter), a $130,000 Fasig-Tipton Midlantic yearling, was hammered into 2-5 while debuting for the same connections that raced this GII Remsen Stakes-winning sire. Under a hustling ride from Mychel Sanchez from the bell, the Pennysylvania-bred dueled outside a rival into the turn, was asked for his best on the swing for home and was just being shown the whip through the final sixteenth of a mile en route to a four-length graduation. The winner's dam was most recently covered by Wicked Strong. Sales history: $130,000 Ylg '23 EASOCT. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $35,280. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. O-Cash is King LLC & LC Racing; B-William E Riddle (PA); T-Robert E Reid Jr. #4 BABY DUKES was confidently handled throughout and rolled to win Race 7 at Parx under Mychel Sanchez. He is a son of @SpendthriftFarm Maximus Mischief. pic.twitter.com/FOw9NuuoTD — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) June 24, 2024 2 yr old Baby Dukes breaks his maiden in style in with jockey Mychel Sanchez riding for trainer Butch Reid, Jr., owners Cash is King LLC & LC Racing LLC in Monday's 7th race at Parx Racing – 6/24/24 @SanchezMychel pic.twitter.com/rBRpprC4Ek — Let's Go Racing Parx (@letsgoracingpa) June 24, 2024 The post Maximus Mischief’s Baby Dukes Runs To The Money at Parx appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Zozos won the Hanshin Stakes when hosted at Ellis Park one year ago. Now he attempts a second victory in the $300,000 race held at a distance he is 3-for-4 over, but will face plenty of competition.View the full article

A unanimous voice vote Monday by the New York State Gaming Commission (NYSGC) restructured some of the time frames related to Thoroughbred claiming rules in the state. The measures had been developed in consultation with the managements of New York's Thoroughbred racetracks and horsemen's organizations in the state. The overall slate of changes had been in the works since last August, and the package was originally scheduled to be voted upon last month. But during the May 20 meeting, commissioner John Crotty raised concerns about whether it was in the best interest of equine safety to reduce by 10 the number of days that a claimed horse is restricted from running back for a claiming tag less than 25% greater than the price at which it was claimed. So the vote was tabled until June 24 for the purpose of allowing Scott Palmer, VMD, who is the NYSGC's equine medical director, to express his opinion on changing the post-claim run-back time frame from 30 to 20 days. Palmer opened his remarks on Monday by explaining that, “It's important to understand that this is a subject that is under constant revision and consideration…. We know that horses that are in claiming races are at increased risk for catastrophic injury.” Palmer then pointed out that published equine safety research has shown that horses are indeed at an increased risk for injury within 30 days of being claimed. But Palmer added, “during that period of time, it's a matter of getting acquainted with the horse; evaluating the horse to make sure it's okay to race again.” Palmer then said, “And so I think that any change to rules that allows a claimed horse to race back [in] less than 30 days, potentially, could increase the risk for injury if that horse was not well-evaluated in that period of time before he's raced again. “I'm not saying it couldn't happen-it certainly could happen within 20 days,” Palmer continued. “But I think it's important that we emphasize that period of time be used constructively and aggressively to examine and make sure that [any claimed horse] is fit to race again before they enter the horse.” After hearing this line of reasoning, the NYSGC voted in the entire claiming rules package without discussion. Crotty-who had both made the original motion to consider the rules changes last August and also raised concerns about the run-back time on May 20-was not in attendance for the June 24 vote. But NYSGC executive director Robert Williams made sure it got put into the record that he had spoken to Crotty before the meeting, and that Crotty had indicated to Williams that he would have voted affirmatively to pass the measure if he had been able to make the meeting. Last Aug. 3, a brief written by NYSGC general counsel Edmund Burns outlined the following rationale for the run-back time portion of the rule change: “A review of recent data…indicates that horses generally run on a 28-day schedule and condition books generally schedule a value class every 28 days. Under current regulations, a claimant who wants to start a horse again in the same class may be effectively forced to wait 56 days from the date of the claim. The position has been advanced that such period is unnecessarily long and causes issues for owners, trainers and the racetrack, which seeks to fill competitive races… “By reducing the requisite waiting period, owners will have a greater opportunity to start a horse for the price at which the horse had been claimed, given that the owners would be able to gain access to races that had already been written in the track's condition book 28 days in advance,” Burns wrote. Other aspects of the rules package that passed on June 24 included: Allowing claimants who have raced on a circuit within 120 days, which would increase the number of owners qualified to make claims. Allowing 30 additional days for holders of a certificate of eligibility who have lost a “shake” for a claimed horse, providing an owner with an opportunity to claim when the owner has not been successful in claiming a horse within the first 30 days of a race meeting. Beyond the 20-day restriction against running a claimed horse again for a claiming price less than 25% greater than the claiming price, the establishment of a further 10-day period in which a claimed horse may start for a price equal to the claiming price. Extending from 30 to 60 days the prohibition against running a claimed horse outside of New York State, with an exception for horses claimed at Finger Lakes, in which case the horse may run elsewhere after 30 days from the end of a Finger Lakes racing season. The post NY Claim Rule Changes Voted In By Gaming Commission appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

3rd-Parx Racing, $45,760, Msw, 6-24, 2yo, f, 4 1/2f, :55.65, ft, neck. HOLLYWOOD BEAUTY (f, 2, Honor A. P.–America's Friend {SW, $284,244}, by Unusual Heat) became the second debut winner and third overall for her freshman sire (by Honor Code) with a determined effort in the season's first baby race in suburban Philly. Off at odds of 10-1, the bay was void of early speed despite being asked for it and raced in fifth of the six runners into the turn. Improving her position inside approaching the quarter pole, Hollywood Beauty continued to gain, was shifted to the inside of the well-backed Mischief Maxey (Maximus Mischief) with time ticking away and was along late to score narrowly. A half-sister to America's Tale (Gio Ponti), GSW, $405,853, Hollywood Beauty is the seventh winner out of a stakes-winning full-sister to Bel Air Sizzle, a two-time stakes winner in Cal-bred company and runner-up in the 2008 GI Del Mar Oaks. America's Friend is also a sister to GSP Starspangled Heat. Hollywood Beauty is the second winner over the past few days produced by Unusual Heat mares, joining Warming (Global Campaign), who graduated at first asking on the turf at Aqueduct June 21. America's Friend is the dam of a yearling filly by Independence Hall and was most recently bred to Mandaloun. Sales history: $30,000 Wlg '22 KEENOV; $8,000 Ylg '23 FTKOCT. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $25,200. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. O-Albert R Lupcho Jr; B-M Auerbach LLC & Catherine Parke (KY); T-Jacinto Solis. #5 HOLLYWOOD BEAUTY gets up on the rail to win a maiden special weight event for juvenile fillies in Race 3 at Parx. She is a daughter of @lanesendfarms stallion Honor A. P. out of stakes winner America's Friend (@UnusualHeat). pic.twitter.com/4icMtZQSAW — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) June 24, 2024 The post Honor A.P. Filly Hollywood Beauty Graduates At First Asking at Parx appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

After lighting up Royal Ascot, a tilt at the Melbourne Cup could be on the cards for Crystal Black (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}), with Ireland's reigning champion jockey Colin Keane explaining how the gelding has provided his father “with a new lease of life” after a horror fall in 2021 almost left the trainer paralysed. The celebrations that followed Crystal Black's victory in the Duke Of Edinburgh Stakes at Ascot went unrivalled as the Wear A Pink Ribbon Syndicate who own the former Dermot Weld-trained inmate burst into song in the winner's enclosure shortly after the success. Such scenes are now likely to be reenacted Down Under, with the father and son duo agreeing that Crystal Black could develop into a genuine contender for the Melbourne Cup. Gerry said, “The boys are talking big-they're talking about the Melbourne Cup and everything. The Ebor has been mentioned as well but we'll have to see what the handicapper does. He has to be a black-type horse now anyway.” He added, “I don't know whether we start thinking about travelling with him or thinking about stakes races here. He can go either way with the trip-I think he can go up or down. There are loads of options with him so we will let him freshen up this week and have a chat together in a few days but Melbourne could be an option.” Colin agrees. “He definitely could be a Melbourne Cup horse,” the rider said. “Every time we step him up in trip it seems to bring about more improvement in him. The only slight worry I had for him heading to Ascot was the ground. I wasn't sure how he'd handle the quick ground. But riding him out in the mornings before the race, he was like a ballerina on the surface.” Not only did Ireland's five-time champion jockey deliver another top-notch performance in the saddle to notch his second Royal Ascot success, but he can also be credited for sourcing his father's stable star on behalf of the owners, for whom he built up a good relationship with through the Willie Mullins-trained globetrotter True Self some years previously. That's how this whole fairytale started. Gerry explained, “I have to credit Colin for finding the horse. He had ridden True Self for the lads a couple of years before this and they asked him to keep an eye out for a horse. When Alan Fleming gave up training, they sent me a filly called Baby Bubbles but she had bits and pieces of problems and wasn't much good. “We sent her home and I actually didn't think we'd hear from them again after that. But when this horse came up, Colin rang Neville [Edgar, the syndicate leader] to tell them that he thought Crystal Black might suit them. Neville said to go and get him bought so that's how it all came about. They went and bought another one off Dermot Weld last year as well. Genuine Article is his name. He's a nice horse–he just wants an ease in the ground.” He added, “We're used to fighting it out in 0-65s. I thought I'd never have a better horse than Laughifuwant but now this lad has come along. Small trainers don't normally get horses like this. “It's all about the horse. No trainer will get a bad horse to win but most fellas will train a good one. It is a good feeling to know that, now that I have a good horse, I've done the right thing and brought him along the right way. It gives you a bit of confidence.” The emergence of Crystal Black as a flagbearer for the Keane stable comes just three years after the 68-year-old suffered a horrific fall at home on the gallops. The trainer still wears the scars of that morning and can't get around without using a walking stick but there were genuine fears of a much worse outcome at the time. “I've had a rough couple of years,” Gerry admitted. “I had a very bad fall and I still walk with a limp but I'm lucky not to be in a wheelchair from it. It was one of those stupid falls, where a horse ducked off the gallop, but I landed on my back and ended up bruising my spinal cord. If I had fractured it, I was gone. “'I'm 68 years of age now and, I'd say if I wasn't as fit as I was when it happened, it would have been a lot worse. I'm very lucky because the family kept the place going when I was out of action. I used to ride out four or five lots every morning but, between James Hyland, Frankie Duffy, obviously Colin and the rest of my family, they kept it going.” According to Colin, a good horse can prove a perfect tonic, and in Crystal Black, Gerry has plenty to look forward to. He said, “I thought he was a lovely horse when we bought him but I didn't think he'd end up being a Royal Ascot winner for us. I know it was only a handicap that he won last week but Royal Ascot is one of the hardest places in the world to win a race. The lads involved in Crystal Black are such lucky people, and are extremely down to earth as well. I don't know if that has anything to do with it but the horse has just transformed for them.” Colin added, “It was very hard when Dad got the fall. It was very hard for everyone because nobody really knew what was happening. It was a simple fall. I wasn't there the morning of the fall but I can only imagine the fright he got. We got an awful fright when we heard about it so I can only imagine what was running through his head. “He's been a great horse for Dad. He still complains about how bad he is after the fall but it could have been a lot worse! This horse has given him a new lease of life. To have a horse like Crystal Black in the yard, even getting up to go out and see him in the yard every day. It's definitely been a big help.” The post ‘It’s Given Dad A New Lease Of Life’ – How Crystal Black Has Provided Gerry Keane With Boost After Horror Fall appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

HISA landed a legal victory June 24 when the U.S. Supreme Court denied a request to review an appeals' court ruling in favor of racing's new regulatory approach overseeing the sport's anti-doping and medication policies as well as its safety issues.View the full article

Nicky Henderson and Henry de Bromhead have spoken out against the rumoured changes to the National Hunt programme in Britain that would see Grade 1 winners not being qualified to run in the Mares' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival. Dual Champion Hurdle winner Honeysuckle signed off on her glittering career for de Bromhead by notching a 13th Grade 1 and a second Mares' Hurdle success in what many people describe as one of the greatest moments in Cheltenham Festival history back in 2023. Henderson has trained a galaxy of star mares himself and took the Champion Hurdle in 2020 with Epatante as well as scooping the Mares' Hurdle in 2022 with Marie's Rock. Both trainers agree that the potential tweaks-that would see any Grade 1 winner within the past 13 months of the meeting being denied a run in the Mares' Hurdle-has the potential to undo years of progress within the sector. Speaking on Monday afternoon, Henderson said, “Peter Molony [of Rathmore Stud] was the first person to alert me to these potential changes last Friday and I thought to myself, 'Christ, what's going on?' I made a few calls over the weekend and, while nobody had been aware of it, they were pretty horrified by the thoughts of what might be coming. I haven't met anybody who thinks this is a good idea.” He added, “A hell of a lot of work has been done by the TBA and the ITBA to promote National Hunt fillies and it has worked. The allowance was the first big step forward but then the introduction of these mares' races has helped enormously. You've got breeders' premiums on top of all of that so there is such an incentive to put a National Hunt filly in training right now. It's marvellous.” De Bromhead explained the healthy demand for owners wanting to get involved in National Hunt fillies, largely down to the host of opportunities that have been put in place for such horses. To limit such opportunities would be a step in the wrong direction, according to the trainer. He explained, “The mares need championship races. Look what it has done for the whole mare population. It's incredible. Since we have started to give these National Hunt mares such opportunities, the interest has soared. “But they need a championship race and you want the best mares having the opportunity to take each other on. If someone is happy to go and try their hand in one of the other Grade 1 races, like the Champion Hurdle, that's great. But they have to have the opportunity to take each other on, like Honeysuckle and Benie Des Dieux did in their first encounter in the 2020 Mares' Hurdle. That was an incredible race. As was Honeysuckle's swansong in the race a couple of years ago. We need a championship race for the mares and I can't understand why anyone would go making changes to the race.” As it stands, the top four mares in the ante-post market for next year's Mares' Hurdle-last year's runaway winner Lossiemouth, Brighterdaysahead, Jade De Grugy and Kargese–would not be qualified to run in the 2025 edition of the race. As well as weakening the Mares' Hurdle, Henderson thinks that the changes being discussed by Cheltenham and the Jockey Club have the potential to weaken the top-flight races in the build-up to the Festival. He explained, “There are two points I'd like to make as to why this simply cannot happen. We need to get as many runners as we possibly can in the Grade 1 races but, if you put a restriction on Grade 1-winning mares running in the Mares' Hurdle at Cheltenham, they won't be running in a Grade 1 race before Cheltenham. Straight away, you weaken races like the Royal Bond Novice Hurdle etc etc. It's not very fair at all.” Henderson added, “The second point is that you simply cannot put a restriction on a Grade 1 race. It's rather like saying no filly can run in the Oaks if they have won a Group 1 previously. So, all previous Group 1 winners, you've got to run in the Derby. It doesn't make any sense.” It is understood that a number of potential Cheltenham Festival tweaks, including that of the Mares' Hurdle, were up for discussion at board level on Monday afternoon. Providing a comment to The Irish Field's Mark Boylan on Saturday, a Jockey Club spokesperson said, “It has been in the public domain for some time that we are looking at a wide number of aspects of the Cheltenham Festival following this year's fixture. “Some possible tweaks to the race programme form one element of what is being considered, and we're currently seeking the views of a variety of stakeholders as we weigh up our options. “We have a set process for how these discussions are conducted and our objective will always be to listen to the wide variety of views on offer and make a decision which is in the best overall interests of the Festival and the sport of jump racing. We should stress that we are only discussing some initial options at present and remain some way from making any final decisions.” While Henderson agrees that changes are required to heighten competitiveness at the flagship jumps meeting, he says altering the Mares' Hurdle would be “wrong”. He concluded, “I believe that there is a meeting taking place today to discuss these measures. The Mares' Hurdle is not the only subject on the agenda. It's quite right that they review the programme every year. That is sound judgement. But sometimes I think they tweak things for the wrong reasons. “Everybody has got their views but I don't think this is a very good idea. It's basically them saying, 'Lossiemouth, you cannot run in the Mares' Hurdle next year.' Such a decision would have a knock-on effect on the entire programme and it's wrong.” The post Henderson And De Bromhead Blast Potential Changes To Mares’ Hurdle At Cheltenham appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Coolmore stallion Tale Of The Cat died Monday from “the infirmities of old age” according to an announcement released through the Coolmore website. The announcement in its entirety reads: It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Ashford's elder Statesman – Tale Of The Cat at the age of 30, due to the infirmities of old age. The winner of the 1997 Gr.2 Kings Bishop Stakes when partnered by Julie Krone for John Forbes & Phantom House, Tale Of The Cat was bred in Kentucky by Indian Creek, Philip Freedman & Hugo Lascelles Farm. Enjoying an illustrious stud career, he was responsible for over 100 Stakes winners worldwide including three-time Eclipse Award winner Gio Ponti. “Tale Of The Cat was a brilliant servant, he was a wonderful stallion and has turned into a very good broodmare sire, he was a great horse to get a young mare off to a good start,” said Dermot Ryan. “Tale Of The Cat has been at Ashford for 25 years, so was very much part of the family, he was a great character who was loved by all and I would like to thank Richard Barry and all of his staff past and present who cared for him over the years both during his stud career and during his retirement.” Tale Of The Cat (1994 – 2024). It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Ashford's elder Statesman – Tale Of The Cat at the age of 30, due to the infirmities of old age… https://t.co/PaQdXUQ0mN pic.twitter.com/QCc1be7uKV — Coolmore America (@coolmoreamerica) June 24, 2024 The post Coolmore Stallion Tale Of The Cat Dies At 30 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Supreme Court will not hear a challenge to the Horse Racing Safety and Integrity Act filed by Oklahoma, Louisiana and West Virginia after the Sixth Court Circuit's Court of Appeals found that HISA is constitutional, according to an announcement from the Supreme Court Monday. “Certiorari denied,” was the only statement coming from the court regarding the ruling. A writ of certiorari is the primary means to petition the Supreme Court for a review of a lower court's ruling. Six weeks after the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit upheld HISA's constitutionality, the losing plantiffs–led by Oklahoma, West Virginia and Louisiana–asked for an en banc hearing, where all 28 judges would need to rule on the matter. They were denied, and now the highest court in the land has said they will not hear the challenge. HISA Chairman of the Board Charles Scheeler praised the court's decision. “We are pleased the Supreme Court has decided to let the Sixth Circuit Court's ruling affirming HISA's constitutionality stand,” he said. “As evidenced by the 38 percent decline in equine fatalities recorded for the first quarter of this year, HISA's uniform standards are having a material, positive impact on the health and well-being of horses. It is long past time for opponents of HISA to drop their outstanding lawsuits. In light of this decision, continued litigation only serves to take time and valuable resources away from our core mission of improving the safety and integrity of Thoroughbred racing.” Tom Rooney, the President and CEO of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, also pronounced himself pleased with the deicision. “Today's Supreme Court ruling affirming the constitutionality of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) represents a significant step forward in ensuring the safety and integrity of Thoroughbred racing,” said Rooney in a written statement. “This decision will allow HISA to continue its work to protect the health and safety of equine athletes, thereby fostering greater confidence and integrity in the sport of Thoroughbred racing. The impact of HISA's regulations is already evident. During the first quarter of 2024, racetracks operating under HISA reported a substantial 38% reduction year over year in racing-related equine fatalities. These positive improvements demonstrate the efficacy of HISA's centralized approach in enhancing the welfare of racehorses and promoting a safer racing environment. It is time for all parties to stop their internal fighting and support HISA as the law of the land.” The post Supreme Court Won’t Hear HISA Constitutionality Challenge to Sixth Circuit Ruling appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) will hold a pair of educational webinars ahead of upcoming rule changes that will go into effect July 8. The first, aimed towards trainers, will take place Monday, July 1 at 2 p.m. and will cover the impact of the modified rules along with a Q&A on the changes. To register and/or submit questions, click here. The HISA Town Hall series will continue with a one-hour webinar Monday, July 8 at 2 p.m. and will also include an overview on the major rule changes along with a Q&A. This event is open to all racing participants and the general public. Speakers will include HISA CEO Lisa Lazarus, HISA Director of Equine Safety & Welfare Dr. Jennifer Durenberger, HISA Director of Stewarding & State Racing Commission Relations Marc Guilfoil and HISA Director of Racetrack Safety Ann McGovern. “We look forward to having an insightful session on the updates to the Racetrack Safety Rules,” said Lazarus. “Protecting the health and wellbeing of every horse and jockey is paramount to our mission at HISA, and these updates continue our collective journey towards a safer sport. We thank the many stakeholders whose constructive feedback helped us develop these rule modifications and greatly appreciate the industry's continued support and collaboration.” Participants can register for the July 8 webinar by clicking here. The post HISA To Host Pair Of Educational Webinars Ahead Of Upcoming Rule Changes appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Deira Mile (Ire), last seen finishing fourth in the G1 Derby at Epsom, will not run in this weekend's Irish equivalent at the Curragh, trainer Owen Burrows confirmed on Monday. The son of Camelot (GB) was beaten a total of seven and a half lengths behind City Of Troy (Justify) at Epsom, proving well suited by the step up to a mile and a half as he ran on strongly from the rear of the field to be nearest at the finish. All roads now lead to the G1 St Leger at Doncaster on Saturday, September 14, according to Burrows, who is favouring a patient approach rather than pitching Deira Mile in at the top level again on Sunday. “I've spoken to the owner Ahmad [Al Shaikh] this morning and we're just going to give him a little bit more time,” Burrows said of the decision to miss the Irish Derby. “We feel that the Leger really is his race and he's got one or two other entries abroad later on. He's not going to get confirmed tomorrow and we'll be swerving Ireland.” Burrows saddled only five runners at Royal Ascot, with Alflaila (GB) (Dark Angel {Ire}) faring best of his Group 1 horses when returning from 284 days off the track with a creditable fourth-place finish in the Prince of Wales's Stakes. “I was pleased with him,” Burrows said of Alflaila's performance. “I thought it was a solid run after 280 odd days off. It wasn't helpful he got slightly hampered late on, but I'm not making excuses and I'm not sure it would have made too much difference anyway. “He seems fine coming out of it and we'll see where we'll go next–we're not 100% certain yet.” The trainer also saddled Alyanaabi (Ire) to finish fifth in the G1 St James's Palace Stakes on the opening day of the meeting. A step up in trip is now being considered for the talented son of Too Darn Hot (GB), who was also fifth to Notable Speech (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) on his first start of the campaign in the G1 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket. “He's probably run to a similar level to what he did in the Guineas,” Burrows summed up. “It's a very strong year for the three-year-olds over a mile and Jim [Crowley, jockey] just felt that we probably want to be going a little bit further next time. “He's not quite able over a mile but when we do step him up to 10 [furlongs] he can improve a bit. “It's early days yet so we'll see how he's come out of it but he seems fine. He's run a tidy enough race but we'll go a little bit further with him.” Cox Sets Eclipse Goal for Ghostwriter One place ahead of Alyanaabi in the 2,000 Guineas was the Clive Cox-trained Ghostwriter (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}), who forfeited his unbeaten record at Newmarket having won his three starts as a two-year-old, including the G2 Royal Lodge Stakes. Last seen finishing fourth in the G1 Prix du Jockey Club at Chantilly, Ghostwriter was a notable absentee at Royal Ascot but is due to return at Sandown on Saturday, July 6 when he could take on his elders for the first time in the G1 Coral-Eclipse. “Ghostwriter is in great form and worked really well on Saturday morning,” Cox said. “As long as we don't have soft ground for Sandown in a couple of weeks, then at the moment we are hopefully heading to the Eclipse. “The Guineas form keeps getting franked day by day and I do feel that his performance on the slightly easier ground in France would lead us to being quite excited about returning to a quicker surface over a mile and a quarter. “It could be a very deep race but we are looking forward to it.” The post No Irish Derby Bid for Deira Mile appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Obataye forged to the front in a four-horse battle June 23 to win the 1 1/2-mile Grande Premio Brasil (G1) by 1 1/4 lengths at Hipodromo Da Gavea. The winner earned an automatic starting position, and fees paid, into the Breeders' Cup Turf (G1T).View the full article

Daily tips will no longer be a feature of BBC Radio 4's Today programme, it was announced on Monday. The tips, which were read out during the sports bulletin each morning, had been a feature for over 40 years. Presenter Amol Rajan said, “There's no racing tips today because we have decided to break the tradition and reserve the tips for the biggest days on the racing calendar. “We will very much continue to cover horse racing, as we do so many other sports, not least through interviews with leading lights in the racing world. And we will sometimes continue to broadcast from the big ticket events like the Grand National or Cheltenham Gold Cup week.” A statement from the BBC added, “After careful consideration, we have decided to focus racing tips on the big races across the year. “The Today programme remains committed to covering racing news and this will continue on the programme's sports bulletins.” The post Daily Racing Tips Dropped by BBC Radio 4 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Jockey Club Safety Net Foundation will host its annual Fashionable Fillies Luncheon honoring their former Executive Director, the late Nancy Kelly who, over the course of her 32-year career, helped thousands of individuals in need in addition to organizing fundraising events and creating the inaugural Fashionable Fillies Luncheon. The event will be held in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., at Saratoga National Golf Club Monday, August 5. The theme of this year's luncheon is 'All Things Nancy!'. The event will feature shopping for handbags from Kent Stetson and Lisi Lerch, shoes from Violet's of Saratoga, hats by Christine A. Moore, Patty Tobin Jewelry, and teaser spa and salon services, including HydraFacials, from Complexions Spa for Beauty and Wellness. There will be an Italian menu chosen by Angelo Mazzone's team and Jackson Family wines. “This event is an important fundraiser for The Jockey Club Safety Net Foundation, whose mission is to assist those in need in the racing industry,” said Executive Director of The Jockey Club Safety Net Foundation Shannon Kelly. “Common colds, broken bones, disease, family emergencies, the need for suitable clothing, holiday celebrations, and warm meals are all within the scope. This cause was near and dear to Nancy's heart. She immersed herself in every case and was a nurturing and calming force for many who sought us out. Her smile was captivating, and her thoughtfulness and love were present in all that she did. For Nancy, it was personal. She grew our foundation into what it is today, and she will be forever missed.” Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are available here. The post 2024 Fashionable Fillies Luncheon To Honor The Late Nancy Kelly appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Ellis Park will host 'Breakfast with the Works', a family-friendly behind-the-scenes look at morning training ahead of the upcoming race meet. The free event, held Saturday, June 29 from 7-9:30 a.m., will include complimentary coffee and donuts while allowing guests an up-close look at horses during the morning training session. Guests will also be able to speak with local trainers who will be on site and register to win a signed Ellis Park saddle towel. The post Ellis Park To Host Family-Friendly ‘Breakfast With The Works’ appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

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Facteur Cheval (Ire) (Ribchester {Ire}) will be given the chance to gain compensation for his “nightmare” run in the G1 Queen Anne Stakes when he makes his next intended appearance in the G1 Sussex Stakes at Goodwood, a race in which he filled the runner-up spot behind Paddington (GB) in 2023. Trainer Jerome Reynier was optimistic of a prominent showing at Royal Ascot from his stable star, who was having his first start since winning the G1 Dubai Turf at Meydan in March. In the event, however, Facteur Cheval never looked likely to double his top-level tally, ultimately passing the post over eight lengths behind the winner, Charyn (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), in sixth place. It's a performance which his trainer is keen to put a line through as he plots a return to Britain for the Goodwood highlight on Wednesday, July 31, with the way the race developed at Ascot going against his runner from an early stage. “The tactics of following Big Rock [did not work] as at the three-furlong pole he had to make his effort on his own, which was impossible,” Reynier explained. “He needs someone [another horse] to rely on and he was just on his own. He's a fighter and when he won the Dubai Turf he came between horses and when Namur came on his outside he kept battling hard. “He also lost a shoe, I think quite early in the race, so it was just a disaster and a nightmare. “The plan is to go back to Goodwood because he ran so well there last year. Obviously the ground was very heavy and I think he is better with a bit of cut in the ground.” Reynier enjoyed better luck at the meeting with his G1 Prince of Wales's Stakes runner-up Zarakem (Fr) (Zarak {Fr}), who is now being considered for a tilt at the G1 Juddmonte International following his career-best effort in defeat behind Auguste Rodin (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}). One place behind Zarakem in the Prince of Wales's was his compatriot Horizon Dore (Fr) (Dabirsim {Fr}), another for whom the York feature on Wednesday, August 21 has been identified as a potential target, having delighted his connections at Ascot. “We were very happy with our results during Royal Ascot week,” said Pauline Chehboub, racing manager for her family's Gousserie Racing operation who part-own the gelding. “Horizon Dore ran a great race, mentally he grew a lot. Next time we can ride him more positively, depending on the draw. We have to decide the plan but he will have an entry for the Juddmonte International at York in August.” The post Facteur Cheval and Horizon Dore Being Considered for Return Trips to Britain appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Arena Racing Company (ARC), Racecourse Media Group (RMG), Tabcorp and 1/ST CONTENT have announced a new strategic alliance which brings together four content leaders of the horse and greyhound racing world, creating a network of rights holders that will distribute content across multiple international markets. ARC is the largest racing group in the UK, operating a total of 16 racecourses and 5 greyhound stadia around the country, while RMG is a British-based media rights management company. In Australia, Tabcorp is the largest gambling company operating multichannel wagering, media and gaming services, while 1/ST CONTENT is a division of 1/ST, the premier racing company in the Americas. The new collaboration ensures that global and local operators will be able to choose from an array of bespoke 24/7 racing video, data and wagering solutions, including tote and managed trading services. Wagering customers will also have easier access to additional content and services. Brendan Parnell, managing director of Media and International at ARC, said, “Customers will be able to enjoy access to a complete service hub which will enable our betting partners to deliver a best-in-breed product to their consumers at any time of the day, every day. “The strength of our data and wagering technology, coupled with a depth of 24/7 broadcast and video streaming rights, places this newly-created alliance in the vanguard of driving growth and diversified revenues for the horse and greyhound racing sector.” Martin Stevenson, CEO of RMG, added, “This is an excellent illustration of different racing jurisdictions innovating together to create new products and services to grow access and interest in horse racing around the world.” The post New Alliance Announced Between ARC, RMG, Tabcorp and 1/ST CONTENT appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Almost three months since Hennu Stall dead-heated for second at Macau’s last-ever meeting, the Fabulous Fillies Syndicate is no closer to knowing when their four-year-old will run again.View the full article

Leaderboard winning during the Warrnambool May Carnival. Photo: Bruno Cannatelli Leaderboard has found a new avenue for success in a jumping role out of Te Akau Racing’s Cranbourne stable, and his latest victory on Sunday has set him up for a shot at three of Australia’s feature jumps races. A former victor in the Listed New Zealand St Leger (2600m) and Group 3 Wellington Cup (3200m), Leaderboard had been out of the winner’s circle since his win in the latter last January, but that all changed when he headed across the Tasman to further his career as a jumper. The son of Street Cry produced an exciting first for trainer Mark Walker when winning a maiden hurdle during the prestigious Warrnambool May Carnival, and lost no admirers when finishing second in the Australian Hurdle (3900m) to Port Guillaume earlier this month. Returning to Warrnambool to tackle his first steeplechase event on Sunday, Leaderboard was rated an overwhelming favourite at $1.90 and expat-Kiwi jockey Aaron Kuru controlled the race from the outset with a faultless showing in the 3450m contest, pulling away at the post for a 3.5-length victory. “It was a brilliant display of jumping and a lovely ride of Aaron’s,” Walker said. “He’s really taken to the jumping caper and absolutely loves it. He can jump off a short stride, a long stride, he’s very nimble, and really has huge potential. “It’s great for Fortuna Racing, John and Jessica Galvin and their owners, they have a great understanding of racing and it’s lovely to train Leaderboard in Australia, and for him to have now won his first steeplechase assignment.” The nine-year-old will have his opportunity to test that promise in the Thackeray Steeplechase (3450m) on July 7, before contesting both the Australian Grand National Hurdle (4200m) at Sandown and Australian Grand National Steeplechase (4500m) at Ballarat in August. “They are three really big assignments ahead of him, but we do think he is a top-class jumper,” Walker said. Leaderboard was purchased as a maiden winner in Europe out of the Tattersalls Horses in Training Sale, and he has earned majority of his $422,000 in prizemoney for the Fortuna Leaderboard Syndicate, managed by John Galvin. “I’ve been watching jumping races for most of my life and seen some pretty good jumpers in that time, but this boy is really showing to have the goods,” Galvin said. “We’ve had Leaderboard for six years and he’s probably only been a bit in and out with his form because he hasn’t been able to run in races that are long enough for him. “He showed us when winning the Wellington Cup and St Leger, and third in the New Zealand Cup, what he could do over ground, and now he’s excelling in the jumping game. “I’ll be there for his next start in the Thackery. It’s a bit of a mission, three and a half hours on the train to Warrnambool, but it’s a great venue and I heard the commentator say that the meeting in July is always a sell-out, as well.” Te Akau Racing stablemate Prismatic also put in a strong performance for second behind runaway leader Fabalot in the open hurdle over 3200m at Warrnambool, in the hands of Kuru. Horse racing news View the full article

Trainer Danny Crozier has lofty ambitions with Imptee next season following his debut win in the Bain McCall Memorial Two-Year-Old (1000m) at Riccarton on Saturday, however, overseas interest may curtail those plans. The son of Impending jumped well and was prominent throughout, showing his class in the concluding stages when running out a three-length victor over the Robbie Patterson-trained Read About, with a further 1-1/2 lengths back to Ten Shillings in third. Crozier was rapt to get the win, particularly for his predominantly harness racing focussed owners, including top trainer Chrissie Dalgety. “We have a special affinity with him, we broke him in and he is a lovely horse. He probably should have won his first start (when third), but he won well the other day,” Crozier said. “My partner, Rachel Deegan, works at Addington (Raceway) and she got together with Chrissie Dalgety, Angela Boyd and a few others. They are a great bunch of people and this is the first galloper they have ever had. They got a huge kick out of the win the other day.” Crozier said the exciting thing is that he believes the best is yet to come for the gelding who came on his radar as a younger horse in Australia. “The penny hasn’t even dropped with him yet,” he said. “What he is doing at the moment is on pure ability. He has got a brain and is a lovely horse. I think he has got the makings of a lovely three-year-old and hopefully he can be a Guineas horse later on.” While Crozier holds ambitions of targeting the Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton in November with Imptee, his future may lie offshore if a deal can be brokered with interested parties from Hong Kong. “I will give him two or three weeks in the paddock, he has been in work for a little while,” he said. “There have been a few nibbles for him from Hong Kong. There is a bit of water to go under the bridge, but the Guineas will be plan b if he doesn’t go (to Hong Kong).” Saturday’s victory was Crozier’s eighth of the season and his highest tally in eight seasons. “We only work 10 horses, it is a more hands-on stable,” he said. “We do our best.” View the full article

Leaderboard has found a new avenue for success in a jumping role out of Te Akau Racing’s Cranbourne stable, and his latest victory on Sunday has set him up for a shot at three of Australia’s feature jumps races. A former victor in the Listed New Zealand St Leger (2600m) and Gr.3 Wellington Cup (3200m), Leaderboard had been out of the winner’s circle since his win in the latter last January, but that all changed when he headed across the Tasman to further his career as a jumper. The son of Street Cry produced an exciting first for trainer Mark Walker when winning a maiden hurdle during the prestigious Warrnambool May Carnival, and lost no admirers when finishing second in the Australian Hurdle (3900m) to Port Guillaume earlier this month. Returning to Warrnambool to tackle his first steeplechase event on Sunday, Leaderboard was rated an overwhelming favourite at $1.90 and expat-Kiwi jockey Aaron Kuru controlled the race from the outset with a faultless showing in the 3450m contest, pulling away at the post for a 3-1/2 length victory. “It was a brilliant display of jumping and a lovely ride of Aaron’s,” Walker said. “He’s really taken to the jumping caper and absolutely loves it. He can jump off a short stride, a long stride, he’s very nimble, and really has huge potential. “It’s great for Fortuna Racing, John and Jessica Galvin and their owners, they have a great understanding of racing and it’s lovely to train Leaderboard in Australia, and for him to have now won his first steeplechase assignment.” The nine-year-old will have his opportunity to test that promise in the Thackeray Steeplechase (3450m) on July 7, before contesting both the Australian Grand National Hurdle (4200m) at Sandown and Australian Grand National Steeplechase (4500m) at Ballarat in August. “They are three really big assignments ahead of him, but we do think he is a top-class jumper,” Walker said. Leaderboard was purchased as a maiden winner in Europe out of the Tattersalls Horses in Training Sale, and he has earned majority of his $422,000 in prizemoney for the Fortuna Leaderboard Syndicate, managed by John Galvin. “I’ve been watching jumping races for most of my life and seen some pretty good jumpers in that time, but this boy is really showing to have the goods,” Galvin said. “We’ve had Leaderboard for six years and he’s probably only been a bit in and out with his form because he hasn’t been able to run in races that are long enough for him. “He showed us when winning the Wellington Cup and St Leger, and third in the New Zealand Cup, what he could do over ground, and now he’s excelling in the jumping game. “I’ll be there for his next start in the Thackery. It’s a bit of a mission, three and a half hours on the train to Warrnambool, but it’s a great venue and I heard the commentator say that the meeting in July is always a sell-out, as well.” Te Akau Racing stablemate Prismatic also put in a strong performance for second behind runaway leader Fabalot in the open hurdle over 3200m at Warrnambool, in the hands of Kuru. View the full article

Robbie Patterson has one final box to tick in a phenomenal season for his Taranaki stable, and the win of Catherinenz at Riccarton Park on Saturday brought him within touching distance. Patterson surpassed a prior personal best of 20 wins by some margin last term, picking up 50 wins and just shy of $950,000 in stakes earnings. His goal last August was to reach the million-dollar mark while replicating the half-century, and with $2.1million recorded and 48 winners with a month of the season left, he has more than reached expectations. “My goal was to get 50 winners for the season and break the million-dollar mark, and we’ve doubled that number and are a couple away from 50,” Patterson said. “I’ve got a few nice chances before the season’s end to reach that goal, so hopefully we can tick that box and it’ll be very pleasing.” The 48th success came in the form of exciting Shamexpress mare Catherinenz, who travelled south to Riccarton’s turf meeting last weekend to contest the Optimise Fertilizers & Equi-lise Rating 75 (1400m). Prior to the race, her recent record had been near-perfect with two wins in her last three appearances, and she started a $5.60 second-favourite as the main danger to Zacat ($5). Jockey Courtney Barnes was assertive early from barrier seven aboard Catherinenz, pushing forward to sit outside On Song, who dictated terms from the front. Moving into the straight, Catherinenz simply jogged up to take the lead and soon put an extending margin on Deep Beauty who fought valiantly for second, but Patterson’s mare was too strong and bolted in by 3-1/4 lengths. Patterson explained it hadn’t been all smooth sailing for Catherinenz since she entered his stable last year, but he was thrilled to see her performing at her peak in the testing conditions. “Getting her toe into the ground I think has helped her a little bit,” he said. “She won over a mile at Otaki in January, then she had to get an epiglottis entrapment operation done because she was having trouble breathing. That seems to have done the trick, and she has gone from winning a maiden to winning a 75 in three starts which isn’t a bad effort. “She’s only a four-year-old, so I’ll probably go to another 75 somewhere as she’ll still get in reasonably well at the weights. She’ll be an open handicapper after that, so we’ll probably try to get her to open grade then give her a break as she’s been up for a while. “She’s a very easy horse, not very big and doesn’t take much work.” Out of a Guillotine mare Grey Sapphire, Catherinenz was bred and is owned by Roger Blunt, and Patterson has a full-brother in the stable in Shameless Boy who has won two of his four starts. Juvenile stablemate Read About It also made his debut in the two-year-old 1000m event at Riccarton and was backed into $2.70 favouritism after three trial victories in the Central Districts. The Wrote gelding was one of the slower away from the gates and travelled among the backmarkers as the 12-strong field descended down the chute. Barnes had to navigate a fair amount of traffic on straightening in an inexperienced line-up, and Read About It was one of the few runners to make ground in the race closing strongly into second behind an impressive Imptee. “I was very happy with him, it was all about learning for him and there was no races up here in the North Island so I gave him this one to get him ready for the Ryder Stakes,” Patterson said. “He got back, had a few traffic problems and nothing was making ground from there all day so it was a really good effort. “He’s on the ferry now, he’ll be home later this afternoon and he will go have a week in the paddock before targeting that race.” The Listed Ryder Stakes (1200m) will be run at Otaki on July 27, and Patterson will be aiming for a seventh black-type success after picking up a quartet of Group Three’s, a Group Two and a Group One this season. “It’ll be a hard season to match again, that’s for sure,” Patterson said. “Obviously winning the Wellington Cup (Gr.3, 3200m) and the Thorndon Mile (Gr.1, 1600m) a few hours apart was very special, but I got a big thrill and a bit of a surprise out of winning the Coupland’s Mile (Gr.2, 1600m) being my old stomping ground down south.” View the full article