Wandering Eyes

Saratoga War Horse (SWH) recently celebrated the milestone of serving 1000 veterans in its program where off-track Thoroughbreds help veterans overcome the effects of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In 2018, SWH resumed regular programs in New York through its new partnership with the Rerun Thoroughbred Adoption farm in East Greenbush. SWH now operates in three states: New York, Maryland and South Carolina. In the first half of our look at Saratoga War Horse, we interviewed Executive Director Allison Cherkosly. She described the nuts and bolts of the three-day program which finishes with each veteran, alone in the round pen with a Thoroughbred, seeking to have the horse connect with him or her. “We are looking for the chemical reaction that happens in the connection between the veteran and the horse in the round pen,” said Cherkosly. “The Thoroughbred acts as the catalyst… The situation of being in the round pen with the horse is one that will trigger the anxiety and stress responses associated with PTSD. Unless the veteran can take down their energy level and make it through the situation with the tools we give them, they won’t connect with the horse.” For this article, we interviewed two veterans who recently went through the program. Donna Marie Hartley enlisted and served in the late seventies and early eighties. She was sexually assaulted during her service. Some forty years later, triggered by the victims’ recounts of sexual assault during the birth of the #metoo movement, her PTSD took control of her life. “Military Sexual Trauma was not a thing in 1980,” said Hartley. “There was no reporting system in place like there is today. Military Sexual Trauma is caused by many different difficult situations which men and women find themselves in through no fault of their own. The shame prevents most victims from coming forward with their stories. In my case, for 40 years. With no way out and no voice to be heard, symptoms of stress go untreated and multiply. “The trauma I experienced that caused my PTSD happened in 1980 but was not addressed until the #metoo movement media coverage caused me to have a tsunami of flashbacks. I began trashing my house and all of my belongings and I became suicidal. “I was fortunate to have my childhood friend listening over the phone to my daily struggle. She suggested I try equine therapy and mentioned Saratoga Warhorse. I asked the doctor treating me at the VA Hospital her opinion and with her recommendation, I signed up and arrived in Aiken, SC on Mar. 19, 2019.” It is common to hear that veterans feel safe at SWH, the structure of the program being that all of their housing, food and transportation are provided. The novelty of being at a stable and discussing the nature of horses also adds to the experience. “To be with fellow veterans in a non-sterile environment for therapy was refreshing and restorative,” said Hartley. “At breakfast on the second day every participant said that they had not slept the night before in anticipation of something so foreign to us. “I recall sitting on the bench waiting my turn to go in the ring with my horse and the tears were pouring out of my eyes. I started pacing and could not be still. I realized at that moment, based on the instructions we had been given, I was going to bond with my horse. For most of my adult life, I had not wanted to bond with anything or anyone because avoidance is a major symptom of PTSD.” “My turn came and without a word I took the lead of John Barleycorn and he followed me into the ring. When the gate closed, I felt my head rise. My chest followed. Then I felt my feet firmly plant each step I took as if I belonged there. Blood ran through my veins in a way that said ‘I got this.’ I was in control of which direction I wanted him to go and when I wanted him to stop. Without speaking a word, I had the power to control this massive animal. “After 10 minutes in the ring, I felt a joy and pride that only comes from great accomplishments. I came out with a glow of satisfaction that I was able to bond and be my best self. I came out of that ring with something I have been lacking too long, self-respect, which can go a very long way in coping with PTSD symptoms. I keep a photo of myself and John Barleycorn close by to remind myself that I felt really good that day which gave me hope for better days. “After a year and a half of medication, cognitive behavior therapy, dialectic behavior therapy, prolonged exposure treatments and one-on-one therapy with no positive results I tried equine therapy with the Saratoga Warhorse Program. It was life changing for me and continues to have a positive impact on my life today.” According to the United States National Guard, Guard and Reserve Units made up 45% of the deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. Jaime Hierro enlisted in the Army and served from 1980-84. He stayed active in the National Guard and served 18 months in Iraq. He returned and worked full-time for New York Transit. “I struggled every day with my PTSD,” said Hierro. “But, I never felt I could stop work to get help. I had a family to feed.” After retiring, Jaime joined group counseling in Anger Management at the VA Hospital. Through the V.F.W. he learned about SWH. He and four other group members attended the SWH program last month and it affected him deeply. “I always considered myself a city slicker. I never left the city. I certainly was never near horses,” said Hierro. “I was expecting to find a place with horses in bad condition but it was so much different. The horses were big, healthy and we learned that they are like us in many ways. “The whole situation, out of the city and around animals was really foreign to me and I found it very difficult,” said Hierro. “I had trouble learning how to use the rope. I wanted the connection to happen but I was afraid I couldn’t do it. “When my horse connected with me, I was overwhelmed. I learned how through honest and open communication and hard work I could make things better. “I have had other difficulties in my life. My brother has cancer and that is very hard on me. I can’t fix that, but now I can learn how to deal with it better… I am happy to talk about my experience if it can open the door for my veterans to attend.” To learn more about Saratoga War Horse, go to www.saratogawarhorse.org or email Allison@saratogawarhorse.org. Diana Pikulski is the editor of the Thoroughbred Adoption Network. The post On Aftercare: Saratoga War Horse, Part 2 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) announced today that Acacia Courtney will join the Saratoga Live broadcast team for the 2019 summer meet at historic Saratoga Race Course. View the full article

Jessica Harrington and her team continue to be a force among the upper echelons of the Irish training ranks and judging by some of the juvenile talent that Commonstown Stables has unleashed so far this season, Harrington looks poised to be strongly represented in some of the major 2-year-old races later in the season. The TDN’s Daithí Harvey got the low down from Harrington on plans for some of the high profile members of the squad. TDN: You had an amazing time last summer with the Niarchos family’s homebred Alpha Centauri (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}). It looks like you have unearthed a potential replacement through the same owner’s Albigna (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}). You must be thrilled with what she has done in her two outings so far? JH: She has been brilliant-but not good for my health in the Airlie Stud S. when it took her so long to kick into top gear! It will be almost impossible to follow in the footsteps of Alpha Centauri but she is a lovely laid back filly and gives the impression that she will continue to improve with time. The Niarchos family deserve great credit for nurturing so many great families through their breeding operation and its brilliant to have such a nice filly for them. TDN: She has shown great determination as well as ability and she looks like she will appreciate an extra furlong. Will it be the Moyglare next for her? JH: What impressed me most in the Curragh was her ability to get her head in front even though she looks like she will really relish a step up. She wont run over six furlongs again and we will gradually step her up in trip as we go. She looks like she will stay well and has that class that allowed her to win over six so all options are open. TDN: Even though Albigna won a Group 2 there was just as much to like about the debut maiden success of Windracer (Ire) (Showcasing {GB}). Her win must have given you confidence that she can also take a high rank in stakes company? JH: We seem to have a nice bunch of 2-year-old fillies this year. Windracer pleased us throughout the spring and the way she broke from the outside stall and beat Aidan’s filly [Love {Ire}] in the Curragh, both pulling a long way clear of the third suggests they are both nice fillies. I think the time was slightly quicker than the colts maiden so it looked a very smart debut from her. Like Albigna, she is very relaxed at home and only goes through the motions until you ask her to do more but I would hope she will be well capable of a step up into stakes company. TDN: If she progresses as you hope, could Windracer also target the Moyglare and would you have any issues with them taking each other on? JH: It’s a long way away and so much can happen in the meantime. We will see how they progress through the summer and it would be a great problem to have if they both end up having the Moyglare as an option when we get to September. TDN: Windracer was also a first winner in Ireland for Stonestreet Stables LLC. How did the association with Barbara Banke come about? JH: My son in law, Richie Galway and Ben McElroy are great pals and when Ben was over at the Goffs Orby sale last year, he bought Windracer. Barbara took a chance on having a filly with us and thankfully its worked out well so far. We are delighted to have the colours in the yard and hope we can continue to be lucky for them. TDN: Physically Windracer looks an impressive individual, with plenty of size and scope You must be excited about how she might progress as a 3-year-old? JH: I really am excited by her – as I said earlier, she is a big scopey filly and is very straightforward. She has a fantastic temperament and nothing stresses her. All our racing in Ireland is so competitive so every step up is a big step on the ladder but I would be hopeful that we have some fillies that will progress to stakes company and Windracer is definitely one we have high hopes for. TDN: Windracer is not the only impressive 2-year-old winner you have had this season for a US-based owner. You have also unleashed both Cayenne Pepper (Ire) (Australia {GB}) and Invincible Diva (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) for Jon Kelly. What are the plans for these pair of winners? JH: Both run in Tipperary on Thursday. Again, they have been really good so far. Cayenne Pepper was impressive in Leopardstown and usually when one of mine wins first time out, it suggests that they are above average. Invincible Diva is a pocket rocket and loves fast ground – she is very genuine and we will hope to get some black type for her pedigree. Again, its fantastic to have some nice horses for Jon and Sarah Kelly who have supported us so well in the last couple of years. *Cayenne Pepper maintained her unbeaten record when winning at Tipperary on Thursday evening. TDN: Have you been actively trying to recruit overseas owners in recent seasons or have you found increased international success has just started to attract more high profile owners from around the world? JH: Flat racing is a global sport and we are keen to have as many owners from all over the world involved with us. We have actively tried to improve our communication with owners to involve them as much as possible no matter where they are in the world. We regularly send work videos and updates to owners so we hope they feel fully informed and have recently partnered with a new and exciting service called Racing Manager that we feel will further enhance and improve our communication with owners. We have also actively promoted syndication with the introduction of the Alpha Racing Syndicate this year. That group of 18 people have 8 horses running for them through the summer [originally 9 but Liar Liar (Ire) (Dream Ahead) was sold after his first run] and the interaction with the number of horses seems to be a nice formula that people enjoy. TDN: Ha’penny Bridge (Ire) (Tamayuz {GB}) got the It’s All About The Girls syndicate back in the winners’ enclosure recently and looks another shrewd yearling purchase by Patrick Cooper. JH: Patrick has done a fantastic job for the girls and after last years exploits we were worried we had used up all our luck. Ha’penny Bridge was very good in Limerick and we will step her up in grade through the summer and see how she progresses. She is a nice filly, as is Ya Ya Baby (Ire) (Hallowed Crown {Aus}) who had a nice first run in the Curragh last weekend and we have another filly for the girls called Mutiny (Ire) (Sepoy {Aus}) that is a little off a run but is progressing nicely. Again, it’s a brilliant initiative managed by Legs Lawlor and the girls are having a ball along the way. TDN: You took a number of your 2-year-olds to a barrier trial at Naas recently, including Windracer who won her heat. What are your thoughts on this initiative and would you like to see more of them? JH: I thought the trials in Naas were excellent and were really well organized by all involved. The experience undoubtedly benefits horses before they have a run and it was really beneficial to get experience on grass when the ground was just perfect good flat ground. From the draw she had in the Curragh, I am not sure Windracer would have been able to win without that learning day in Naas so it has really worked out well for us. TDN: Finally, could you give TDN readers an unraced 2-year-old to keep an eye for in the coming weeks? JH: We have some nice horses still to run and our colts just seem to be coming to themselves. I like a colt called Ocean Monarch (Ire) (Bungle Inthejungle {GB}) owned by the Alpha Racing Syndicate. He is a little while off a run but goes nicely at home. The post Harrington Juveniles Firing On All Cylinders appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Another weekend and we have yet another Group 1 to look forward to and for many, this will be one of the most exciting races of the season thus far as it sees the return of the wondermare Enable. John Gosden’s star will be looking to make history by winning a third Arc this season […] The post Weekend Preview – Enable To Eclipse Her Rivals appeared first on RaceBets Blog EN. View the full article

Acacia Courtney has been added to the Saratoga Live broadcast team for the 2019 meet, the New York Racing Association announced. Launched in 2016, Saratoga Live has been expanded for 2019 and will feature live daily coverage of almost every race of the meet on Fox Sports’s FS2. Saratoga Live will also be available through regional sports networks including MSG, FOX Sports Prime Ticket, Fox Sports San Diego and Altitude Sports. “I’m very excited to be joining the program,” said Courtney, who currently serves as a host and reporter with The Stronach Group, mostly focusing on Gulfstream Park. “I grew up in Connecticut and always watched the racing at Saratoga, so to get the chance to join the team this summer is a dream come true. I’ve been around horses my entire life and they’ve truly given me everything. I’m grateful for this opportunity and I am looking forward to a great meet.” To access the full 2019 Saratoga Live broadcast schedule, visit www.NYRA.com/saratoga/racing/tv-schedule. The post Acacia Courtney Joins Saratoga Live Team appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

In this continuing series, Alan Carasso takes a look ahead at US-bred and/or conceived runners entered for the upcoming weekend at the tracks on the Japan Racing Association circuit, with a focus on pedigree and/or performance in the sales ring. Here are the horses of interest for this weekend running at Chukyo, Fukushima and Hakodate Racecourses: Saturday, July 6, 2019 5th-HAK, ¥13,400,000 ($124k), Newcomers, 2yo, 1200mT PRIMEVERE (f, 2, Pioneerof the Nile–R Heat Lightning, by Trippi) debuts at the same track and distance as her year-older half-brother Aster Pegasus (Giant’s Causeway), who used that first-out victory as springboard to a next-out success in Group 3 company. A $375K Keeneland September yearling purchase by the Maeda family’s North Hills Co., the March foal is the latest produce from the 2010 GI Spinaway S. winner and GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies runner-up who cost $1.3 million in foal to Bernardini at KEENOV in 2013. B-Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings LLC (KY) Sunday, July 7, 2019 5th-FUK, ¥13,400,000 ($124k), Newcomers, 2yo, 2000mT JASPER JAGUAR (c, 2, Declaration of War–Flatbow, by Broken Vow), the first foal from a winning half-sister to multiple turf GSP Lime Rickey (Lemon Drop Kid), made just $3K as a KEENOV weanling in 2017, but improved markedly to fetch $70K at the same auction house’s September sale 10 months later. Third dam Classy Cathy (Private Account) was a 3-year-old of note, winning the GI Alabama S., GI Ashland S. and GI Gazelle H. for the late Ed Cox, Jr. in 1986. Owner Kazuo Kato sent out Jasper Jack (Declaration of War) to a debut win over 1800m last September. B-Relentless Racing (KY) 9th-CKO, ¥28,600,000 ($265k), Allowance, 3yo/up, 1200m MONT PERDU (f, 3, Cairo Prince–Spanish Post, by Flatter) posted a pair of romping victories to begin her career at Kyoto, including an eased-down score Jan. 13 (see below, gate 13), and most recently atoned for a sub-par effort to finish a close third over 1400m Apr. 28. A $115K Fasig-Tipton NY-Bred Sale grad and $325K FTFMAR breezer, she cuts back to the distance of her two wins and has leading rider Yuga Kawada in the irons. B-Bluewater Sales LLC & Three Diamonds Farm (NY) 11th-CKO, Procyon S.-G3, ¥68m ($631k), 3yo/up, 1400m MATERA SKY (h, 5, Speightstown–Mostaqeleh, by Rahy) is back to defend his title in this event which he dominated by four lengths 12 months ago (see below, gate 13). A six-time winner from his 24 career starts, the $140K KEENOV weanling turned $350K KEESEP yearling earned the biggest payday of his career in his latest appearance, a bold pace-pressing runner-up effort in the G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen Mar. 30 in which he split US-breds X Y Jet (Kantharos) and Imperial Hint (Imperialism) (video, gate 9). B-Lynch Bages Ltd (KY) The post Notable US-Bred Runners in Japan: July 6 & 7, 2019 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Friday evening’s GIII Iowa Oaks marks the return of Phoenix Thoroughbred III and KatieRich Stables’ Lady Apple (Curlin). A buzz horse at Churchill during the week leading up to the GI Kentucky Oaks, she completed a trifecta that paid a whopping $14,043.60 behind Serengeti Empress (Alternation) in that May 3 contest. The Steve Asmussen-trained filly had rattled off three consecutive wins at Oaklawn Park, most notably a determined score in the Apr. 12 GIII Fantasy Oaks S. Lady Apple will be the 121-pound high weight in the seven-horse field. Ulele (Candy Ride {Arg}) figures to be a prominent contender in the Iowa Oaks after a narrow second behind Point of Honor (Curlin) in the May 17 GII Black-Eyed Susan S. at Pimilco. Picked up by Cheyenne Stables for $300,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga sale as a yearling, the Brad Cox trainee was awarded a career best 89 Beyer Speed Figure for that effort, which followed a wire-to-wire Keeneland optional claimer tally Apr. 4. A true “horse for the course” in the race is Mark Norman and Norman Stables’s Taylor’s Spirit (Algorithms). The $80,000 OBSAPR buy boasts a perfect four-for-four record over the Prairie Meadows oval, including a sweeping victory in the June 6 local prep for the Oaks, the Panthers S. The post Lady Apple Returns in Iowa Oaks appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association and the National Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association issued a joint statement Thursday regarding The Stronach Group’s ban of trainer Jerry Hollendorfer. TSG announced June 22 that it was banning the Hall of Famer from its tracks as it continued to deal with a high equine fatality rate at its Santa Anita meeting. Four of the 30 horses who suffered fatal injuries during the meeting were trained by Hollendorfer. The New York Racing Association announced Saturday it would not take entries from the trainer and Hollendorfer’s status at the upcoming Del Mar meeting remains up in the air. In Thursday’s statement, the THA and HBPA decried a lack of due process and transparency in the ban. The complete statement from the THA and HBPA follows. Due process is a fundamental and accepted constitutional right in our country. In a government sanctioned and regulated industry, it is required. Every person in our industry who holds a license to participate is given a right to due process when their livelihood is threatened. We are an industry that operates according to rules and regulations, standards are clear, violations have consequences and we are transparent. The situation which occurred recently at Santa Anita from The Stronach Group regarding Jerry Hollendorfer has clearly sidestepped those rights and exemplifies our concerns. By this action, every licensee in racing is on notice of potential arbitrary career-ending actions by racetracks without rules, standards, the right to due process, fundamental fairness and accountability. As horsemen, we know that our primary responsibility is the health, welfare and safety of the horse, the integrity of our sport, and the fairness of competition.There is no place in our sport for individuals who cannot accept this commitment. In this regard, racetracks, regulators and horsemen must constantly work together to find solutions to the challenges we face, with honest discussion and transparent decision-making. When decisions are made behind closed doors and without open communication, we create conflict and turmoil at a time when we need to be collectively focused on the betterment of horse racing. The HBPA and THA are in lockstep on this issue. We do not intend to stand idly by and let reputations be destroyed, and careers ruined. There must be a fair process that gives our horsemen a right to confront allegations of wrongdoing. In those states where horsemen are not accorded due process by racetracks, we will seek agreements to protect their rights or statutory protections. Our intent is to ensure a fair process. The time we take to do what is right and fair will be an invaluable investment in our industry. The post THA/HBPA Issue Statement on Hollendorfer Ban appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Chad Brown trainee Royal Charlotte (Cairo Prince) seeks her fourth victory from as many tries but first at the graded level in Friday’s GIII Victory Ride S. at Belmont Park. The First Row Partners representative took a key heat by four lengths at Gulfstream Mar. 16 before beating a decisive next-out Belmont allowance winner in the Keeneland mud Apr. 19. The grey earned her first black-type victory after uncorking a sweeping turn move in Monmouth’s Hystericalady S. May 27. New York-bred Sue’s Fortune (Jump Start), winner of last summer’s GII Adirondack S., finished far back in the GI Frizette S. going a mile here last fall but returned a winner in state-bred allowance company May 18. She earned a stand-out 97 Beyer Speed Figure when finishing second to the streaking, five-for-five GSW Break Even (Country Day) in the local Jersey Girl S. June 9. ‘TDN Rising Star‘ Brill (Medaglia d’Oro) is an intriguing entrant. Having been transferred from the embattled Jerry Hollendorfer to Don Chatlos since her last start, OXO Equine’s $1-million Fasig-Tipton July purchase finished off her juvenile campaign last term with a distant third to Bellafina (Quality Road) in the GI Chandelier S. at Santa Anita Sept. 29. She checked in runner-up first off the bench in her most recent sprint at Oaklawn Mar. 22, and was a close third in the GIII Fantasy S. behind Lady Apple (Curlin). The bay was fourth in the nine-panel GII Black-Eyed Susan S. at Pimlico May 19, and gets first-time blinkers with two very fast bullets over Big Sandy on display leading up to this. The post Cairo Prince Filly Seeks First Graded Score in Victory Ride appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

One of the many positives about Godolphin Flying Start-the two-year international Thoroughbred industry training program devised by Sheikh Mohammed-is that it offers a way into the business for talented young people without pre-existing family or industry connections. If, indeed, that is an unstated goal of the project, it showed that it had hit the mark again with the 2019 graduating class with the revelation that Philip Antonacci, an Ivy League graduate with deep roots in the Standardbred–but not Thoroughbred–industry, had been hired by Dave Reid at Preferred Equine to fill the role of Director of Sales for its Thoroughbred division. That job is a newly created post for Antonacci, who finishes the course this week. “It’s an amazing program, especially for people from relatively outside the industry,” said Antonacci. “I think it accomplishes all the goals Sheikh Mohammed set out and it gives young people like me the opportunity to go from being a history major at Penn to launching a career in global bloodstock.” Preferred Equine was formed by Reid and his late partner, Geoff Stein, over 30 years ago. The largest consignor in the Standardbred industry, they have sold over 20,000 horses at auction. They also operate a series of Standardbred auctions, syndicate stallions, and conduct private transactions for their clients. In 2013, they made their Thoroughbred consigning debut, offering two yearlings at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga New York-bred Yearling Sale, and they have continued to expand that consignment, as well as offer a consignment for clients at the Saratoga Fall Mixed Sale. But even before that time, they were dipping their toes into the Thoroughbred waters, starting Ice Wine Stable in 2009 and campaigning No Nay Never, among others, in partnership with Coolmore. Two of the Ice Wine principals were Philip’s father Frank Antonacci and his brother Jerry; their father, Sonny, had raced Standardbreds for years, and who established Lindy Farms in Somers, Connecticut in 1972, a comprehensive nursery and training center. He went on to breed more winners of the Hambletonian than any other individual breeder. The Antonaccis were longtime clients of Preferred’s, and had enlisted Stein and Reid to run the Tattersalls sales business that came along with their purchase of Lexington’s Red Mile Standardbred track in 2000. Philip Antonacci grew up on the farm, riding and driving horses and serving as a sort of assistant trainer to his brother, the farm’s head trainer. They traveled together in the summers to races, and Antonacci had vague ambitions of becoming a trainer himself. But with more and more exposure to the Thoroughbred business, he started to feel the lure of that breed. He was a second-year history major at the University of Pennsylvania when he met Gai Waterhouse at a party his father and Dave Reid were throwing at Saratoga. “She asked me what I wanted to do, and I told her I really liked Thoroughbreds,” Antonacci recalled. “She said, `Why don’t you go to the Flying Start program?’ I had heard of it because of all the people who have come out of it; you meet some of the most successful people in the industry and they’re Flying Start graduates. But she said, `if you’re going to go on the course, first you’re going to have to come work for me.’ She does such a good job training people and I credit her with getting me to a level that Clodagh and Joe Osborne would expect.” Antonacci graduated from Penn in May, 2017, was accepted to Flying Start, and spent the next two years traveling the world and learning the business. He did placements with Todd Pletcher, Boomer Bloodstock, Doug Watson and Mark Johnston, and while he briefly toyed with training, in the end, it was bloodstock that called to him. “I want to have a handle on everything. There’s no part of the industry I like or dislike more than an another,” said Antonacci, a well-spoken, well-read 24-year-old with a serious and steady demeanor. “I’m open to everything, but for me, the bloodstock made the most sense. I think I’ll always have a bit of a training bug, and I don’t know if it’s something that might surface again or not. The bloodstock business fascinates me. I love action, I love the deals-what’s going on behind the scenes. It’s a good opportunity for someone with a business mindset, and so it seemed like a logical route for me.” At Preferred, he’ll pretty much be carving a new path for himself. “Dave and Preferred Equine is the largest agent in the Standardbred industry,” said Antonacci. “He has a level of professionalism and a reputation that few people have in the industry and in the bloodstock business have. He has international experience in the Thoroughbred industry in the short time that he’s been involved, 10 years now or so, and he’s made significant progress. I’m really looking to assist him in building on opportunities.” Clodagh Kavanagh, Flying Start’s General Manager, said she expected Antonacci to put what he learned to good use. “Coming from a highly successful Standardbred racing and breeding family, Phil had a great grounding in horsemanship and business before he joined Godolphin Flying Start,” she said. “He was able to take in all of the opportunities that Flying Start offered to learn, experience and develop himself and his network in the thoroughbred industry and I have no doubt that he will apply those learnings, and build his network and expertise over the coming years. David Reid and Preferred Equine look like the perfect fit for Phil as his first role following his graduation. I wish him the best of luck in his career as an alumnus of the program.” While Antonacci will look to create new pathways in the Thoroughbred business, he can rely on Preferred’s existing back end staffing and systems to give him a leg up on others starting from scratch. “We’ll start with consigning horses for some clients at the New York-bred sale at Saratoga,” he said. “We’ll try to work some private deals, represent some clients at yearling sales. I really do think it’s going to be the perfect kind of relationship. He has the auction experience, experience managing bloodstock and livestock, as well as systems set up in his back office and employees working for him that are some of the best in the world. With Flying Start, it builds contacts and a level of global knowledge, and I think if you pair that with Dave’s experience, his reputation and what he’s started to build over the past few years, it’s a really exciting opportunity.” Reid has long been a believer in cross-breed ownership, and the addition of Antonacci to his team should smooth the transition of some of his Standardbred contacts to Thoroughbred, and vice versa, he said. “I’ve been a very strong advocate for dual-breed ownership and participation, and even in light of the current challenges within the Thoroughbred industry, I still feel as strongly as ever that the dual-breed participation and adding that Thoroughbred aspect to a portfolio is important,” he said. “Part of the reason for bringing Phil on is to accelerate that process.” Reid said he has also been impressed with the professionalism and knowledge of the Flying Start graduates with whom he has done business in the industry, such as GBRI’s Amanda Bossom, Melissa Jordan at Tattersalls, SF Bloodstock’s Caroline Walsh and the TDN’s own Gary King. Reid has been on his own at the helm of Preferred for the past seven years. He operated the company with Geoff Stein for almost a quarter-century, until Stein, a seemingly healthy and fit 58-year-old, collapsed and died in March, 2012 after his morning run. “When Geoff died, it was very shocking and unexpected,” said Reid. “He was the only business partner I had had in my adult life. The only thing you can really do at that time, and we said it upon his death, was continue the values we had had together into the future. As years have gone by, people would say, `why didn’t you take on a new partner?’ But it was one of those things where you had a perfect marriage and it wasn’t going to be replaced. “But now it’s seven years removed, and it’s probably the perfect time.” “Dave is an unbelievable person,” said Antonacci. “Nobody has ever said a bad word about him, and I think this is a big opportunity to grow his business. I’m just privileged for Dave to allow me to use the knowledge I’ve gained over the last two years, and the relationship we already had, that he trusts me to take the thoroughbred business and run with it.” The post Antonacci Gets a Flying Start with Preferred Equine appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

All eyes will be on Enable (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) on Saturday as she makes her eagerly awaited return to action in the G1 Coral Eclipse at Sandown. The John Gosden trained mare, who is unbeaten on her last nine starts, was last seen narrowly getting the better of Magical (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in the GI Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf at Churchill Downs last November and that Ballydoyle 4-year-old will renew rivalry with the dual Arc winner with six other rivals going to post on Saturday. Also in the line up in the ten furlong contest are Hughie Morrison’s G2 Dante S. winner but G1 Investec Derby disappointment Telecaster (GB) (New Approach {Ire}) and the progressive Regal Reality (GB) (Intello {Ger}), trained by Sir Michael Stoute for owner/breeders Cheveley Park Stud. Regal Reality’s stablemate and G1 Al Shaqab Lockinge. S. winner Mustashry (GB) (Tamayuz {GB}) steps back up in trip after failing to reach the placings in the G1 Queen Anne S. while G1 Prix d’Ispahan winner Zabeel Prince (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), trained by Roger Varian, is another one on a retrieval mission after finishing in rear at Royal Ascot. The David Menuisier trained Danceteria (Fr) (Redoute’s Choice {Aus}) and Ballydoyle’s Hunting Horn (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) complete the octet. The post Eight Declared For Eclipse 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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Tattersalls have added four wildcards to their July Sale which begins next Wednesday for three days. Heading the quartet is lot 177A At Last (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). The 3-year-old filly is a half-sister to the very promising young sire Zoustar (Aus) and will be offered by The Castlebridge Consignment. At Last has run three times for Aidan O’Brien and holds an entry in a fillies maiden at Roscommon on Monday. Gay Kelleway has added her 96-rated gelding Cosmelli (Ity) (Mr Vegas {Ire}) who was a close fifth in the Northumberland Plate at Newcastle last week and will be offered as lot 798A. The next horse into the ring lot 798B is also a wildcard and is the French trained Brian Ryan (GB) (Finjaan {GB}). The 4-year-old has been in terrific form for trainer Andrea Marcialis this season winning five of his last six starts including last time out in the G3 Grosser Preis der Landeshaupstadt Dresden in Germany last month. The final wildcard is lot 862A New Show (Ire) (New Approach {Ire}. The Michael Bell trained son of Group 1 winner Music Show (Ire) (Noverre) showed his wellbeing earlier this week when winning for the fourth time at Catterick on Monday. The post Four Wildcards Added To July Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

This week is a recap of the 1988 Dwyer Stakes (G1) won by Seeking the Gold. The recap, which ran in the July 9, 1988, magazine, written by Karen Johnson Downey, carried the headline: "Seeking The Dwyer." View the full article

Despite his unblemished record and his impressive performance in the G2 Gain Railway S. connections of Siskin (First Defence) are not getting carried away regarding the horse’s future plans. It is very much a race by race approach and Ger Lyons and the Juddmonte team are keen for the colt to come through his G1 Keeneland Phoenix S. test before committing to future targets. Reflecting on his defeat of ‘TDN Rising Star‘ Monarch Of Egypt (American Pharoah) at The Curragh last weekend, Teddy Beckett, Khalid Abdullah’s racing manager said, “It was just a five-horse race so he still has a fair amount more to prove, I would say, but he did it very nicely and obviously we have to be pleased with that. It’s very exciting to have such a nice horse with Ger so early in our relationship with him.” Speculating over Siskin’s prospects of getting a mile and thus possibly developing into a Guineas candidate next year Beckett added, “It’s reasonable to think he could get up to a mile. His father was a seven furlong horse and so was his mother [Bird Flown], actually. There is stamina going back, but it’s by no means a staying family. He’s out of a mare by Oasis Dream, so there are going to be some stamina limitations. We’ll just see, hopefully we’ll go to the Phoenix S. next [Aug. 9] and then make a plan from there.” The post Race By Race Approach For Siskin appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Addressing your thoughts, questions and statements about Hong Kong racing. Have something to say? Send a tweet to @SCMPRacingPostIf I was John Moore I would be telling the HKJC if I can’t train here I will return to Australia and take my champs with me – @AtCroydonNowNext season will be master trainer John Moore’s last with the Jockey Club confirming they will adhere to their hard-and-fast retirement rule – even if he was to snatch the trainers’ championship at the eleventh hour.While Moore –… View the full article

Classic Unicorn couldn’t have been more impressive in his debut win but trainer Chris So Wai-yin is wary of his former boss as he looks to go back-to-back on Sunday in the Class Three Members Cup (1,000m) at Sha Tin.The raw three-year-old was far too good for his rivals on June 2, leading all the way under the guidance of Zac Purton and now jumps up in grade after earning an 11-point ratings boost.Classic Unicorn did plenty wrong in his first start, but the ability is clearly there for all to… View the full article

Premier Brisbane trainer Tony Gollan will have a large number of runners at Doomben on Saturday but much interest in his team will centre of the debut of two-year-old Knight Mariner (NZ) (Tavistock). The colt, who will be having his first start in the Madam Wu Two Year Old (1350m), has impressed in a recent trial. Knight Mariner was picked out of Riverrock Farm’s 2018 NZB Ready To Run Sale draft for $240,000 by Gollan's bloodstock adviser John Foote, as a possible future stayer. He is bred to ... View the full article

Staff at the Hong Kong Jockey Club’s landmark Conghua training facility in mainland China have returned to work, one day after walking off the job due to a pay dispute.Some stable assistants downed tools on Wednesday over perceived concerns the Jockey Club was attempting to change their rest-day arrangements. Demands were also made for a pay increase of 40 per cent.Jockey Club officials have denied they were planning any such changes to their existing rest day agreements.The strike did not… View the full article

The darling of the New Zealand turf is nearing a return to the track after a favourable winter preparation. Melody Belle, who is all but assured of taking home the title of New Zealand Horse of the Year after winning five Group One races this season, has pleased trainer Jamie Richards with her work and he said she will likely trial at Te Rapa in the coming weeks. “We are looking forward to next season with her,” he said. “She has done well through the winter and she will trial in about ten... View the full article

Cambridge trainer Tony Pike has experienced a successful Queensland winter campaign, headlined by The Bostonian’s Group One double, and he is hoping to cap it off in style at Doomben on Saturday. Stable runner Cyber Attack will contest the QTIS Three-Year-Old Handicap (1350m) after two previous unplaced runs in Australia this preparation and Pike expects a better result on Saturday with the gelding. "If he brings his best form, he should go close," he said. "He was a bit tardy out of the barr... View the full article

Lisa Latta is poised to become a $20 million woman this weekend. The Palmerston North trainer has 12 horses entered for Awapuni on Saturday and with several strong chances engaged, she looks likely to bank the $22,000 she needs to break $20 million in New Zealand stakes earnings, according to NZTR figures. It is believed she will become the first woman to reach the mark. "I hadn't realised I was getting close to $20 million and it's not something you ever think about but it's always nice to hit ... View the full article

Riccarton-based owner-trainer Taylor Burnett couldn’t be happier with his $2,500 gavelhouse.com purchase Gifted. Having bought the Alamosa mare in May 2018, the now five-year-old took her earnings to almost $46,000 since her move to the South with a gritty victory at Ashburton yesterday. Off the back of a win less than a fortnight ago at Riccarton Park, Gifted proved once again just how tough she really is, leading the entire 1600m trip to beat her rivals home by a long neck. “It was a grea... View the full article

Te Awamutu horseman Stephen Ralph has experienced one of his biggest seasons-to-date and he can now call himself a Group One-winning trainer after the deeds of Santa Monica in the Railway (1200m) at Ellerslie on New Year’s Day. It was a career highlight for Ralph who later in the season picked up his second stakes win of the term when Speedy Meady dead-heated the Gr.3 Cambridge Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) at Te Rapa with Vigor Winner. “It has been enormous (this season),” Ralph said. “The... View the full article

Rain can dampen anyone's Fourth of July holiday, but in particular, the connections of the 3-year-old filly Concrete Rose are hoping that forecasts calling for scattered thunderstorms July 6 in Elmont, N.Y., do not amount to much ado at all. View the full article