Wandering Eyes

Representatives Paul Tonko and Andy Barr, co-chairs of the Congressional Horse Caucus, reintroduced H.R. 1754: the Horseracing Integrity Act today to establish a uniform national medication program, bringing the United States in line with international standards. “Horseracing thrives when we put the majestic equine athlete front and center” Tonko said. “Our legislation creates a set of nationwide rules that are clear, consistent, and conflict-free. This will make horseracing safer for our equine athletes and jockeys while increasing confidence in the sport among the trainers, owners, horseplayers, and horseracing fans alike. This sport of kings has long supported good jobs and delivers billions of dollars in economic impact every year in my home state of New York and throughout the country. I am grateful to Congressman Barr for partnering with me on this common-sense legislation and look forward to advancing our measure through the House.” “As the Representative for the Horse Capital of the World, I have the distinct honor of fighting for the future of this great American sport,” said Congressman Barr. “I continue to believe the prosperity of Kentucky’s signature horseracing industry depends on national uniform medication standards and testing procedures. I am proud to reintroduce this legislation with my friend and colleague, Congressman Tonko, and I look forward to building upon the great bipartisan work we secured last Congress, including more than 100 cosponsors, to ensure the safety and integrity of this sport is preserved for years to come.” The Horseracing Integrity Act: Establishes a conflict-free, self-regulatory organization responsible for creating and implementing an anti-doping program for the entire horseracing industry Develops standardized list of permitted and prohibited substances, treatments and methods for all covered races in the United States Requires full & fair information disclosure to breeding stock purchasers and the wagering public Bans the use of all medications within 24 hours of a race Provides for the increased safety and welfare of horses, jockeys and drivers “The Jockey Club is grateful to Representatives Barr and Tonko for their strong support of the Horseracing Integrity Act,” said Jim Gagliano, President and Chief Operating Officer of The Jockey Club, “this legislation is vital for the health and safety of our athletes and the integrity of the sport of horse racing.” This bill is supported by the Humane Society of the U.S., New York Racing Association, American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), Animal Welfare Institute, the Water Hay Oats Alliance, the Jockey Club, Animal Wellness Action, the Breeders’ Cup, Keeneland Association, the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association, the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association, and the Stronach Group. “This is a horse-first bill. This bill will help ensure a safer environment for horses and riders at all tracks,” said Shawn Smeallie, executive director of Coalition for Horse Racing Integrity. “Representatives Tonko and Barr, along with their respective staff members, have worked tirelessly on this legislation. Thanks to their efforts, this initiative has gained the support of key stakeholders across the industry and continues to gain momentum. We look forward to working with other racing industry organizations to ensure productive legislative activity this year.” View the full article

It’s been a fantastic week of racing so far, with Gavin Cromwell winning the Champion Hurdle and Emma taking the Stayers’ Hurdle with the very likeable Paisley Park. I really love the way he goes through his races and he could be at the top in that division for some years to come. The week […] The post Donald McCain Cheltenham 2019 Friday Preview appeared first on RaceBets Blog EN. View the full article

7th-TAM, $22.5K, Msw, 3yo/up, 1 1/16mT, 4:02 p.m. Shug McGaughey unveils yet another blue-blooded Phipps homebred in SEA GHOST (Ghostzapper). His second dam is champion Storm Flag Flying (Storm Cat) and his third dam is MGISW millionaire My Flag (Easy Goer). This is also the family of undefeated Hall of Famer Personal Ensign and Grade I winners Traditionally, Miner’s Mark and Mr Speaker. TJCIS PPs View the full article

Winx (Aus) (Street Cry {Ire}), the co-2018 Longines World’s Best Racehorse remains atop the first edition of the 2019 Longines World’s Best Racehorse Rankings at 125, a distinction she shares with Hong Kong wunderkind Beauty Generation (NZ) (Road to Rock {Aus}) and GI Pegasus World Cup hero City of Light (Quality Road). The pride of Australia is currently riding a 31-race winning streak and has added victories in the G1 Tab Chipping Norton S. and the G2 The Star Apollo S. already this term. Beauty Generation continues his dominance in Hong Kong, accumulating up wins in the G1 Stewards’ Cup and G1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup, while City of Light starred in the Jan. 26 Pegasus before stud duty beckoned. The veteran MG1SW Happy Clapper (Aus) (Teofilo {Ire}) is two points lower at 123, and has finished second to Winx in both of her aforementioned appearances this year. It is a five-way tie for fifth at 120, with G1 Centenary Sprint Cup winner Beat The Clock (Aus) (Hinchinbrook {Aus}) second to Beauty Generation in the Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup and fellow Hong Kong horse Exultant (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) landed the G1 Hong Kong Gold Cup and G3 Centenary Vase. Aussie duo Trapeze Artist (Aus) (Snitzel {Aus}), who won the G1 Canterbury League Club S. and G1 Newmarket H. fifth Santa Ana Lane (Aus) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) are joined by GII Palos Verdes S. victor Roy H (More Than Ready). For the full rankings list, go to www.ifhaonline.org. View the full article

THE final day of the Cheltenham Festival is the biggest one of all with the Cheltenham Gold Cup taking place. It’s going to be a fantastic race this year with last year’s winner Native River taking on Presenting Percy, Clan Des Obeaux and four runners for Willie Mullins. I can’t wait for it. I’ve got […] The post Gavin Sheehan Cheltenham Festival Day Four Preview appeared first on RaceBets Blog EN. View the full article

Whether its International racing or Uk and Irish action you are after we cover it all and have Daily Horse Racing offers available for you to get involved in. Check out today’s Horse Racing Offers below. UK Horse Racing Offer – Money Back All Losers if the Favourite Wins! On one race every day we […] The post Daily Horse Racing Offers – Thursday 14th March appeared first on RaceBets Blog EN. View the full article

This week is a recap of the April 11, 2014 victory by Close Hatches in the Apple Blossom Stakes (G1) at Oaklawn Park. The recap ran in the April 19, 2014 magazine and carried the headline: "Hatching Another Grade 1." View the full article

Addressing your thoughts, questions and statements about Hong Kong racing. Have something to say? Send a tweet to @SCMPRacingPost.Stylish stuff from Neil Callan, who threads Jolly Convergence through a gap on the inside to land race two at Happy Valley – @HongKong_RacingThe Irishman produced a peach of a ride to prevail aboard the 28-1 chance – it was the difference between winning and losing – and he celebrated in style, standing tall in the irons and saluting after crossing the line.It has… View the full article

He spoiled the party of a pair of more fancied horses last time out at Happy Valley and trainer Ricky Yiu Poon-fai is confident Flat Heaven can carry his form to Sha Tin for Sunday’s Class Two Ambitious Dragon Handicap (1,200m).After upstaging smart youngsters Country Star and Music Addition – both of whom were chasing a hat-trick of wins – to win at $48, Flat Heaven meets another star on the rise this weekend in the John Size-trained Full Of Beauty.“He went really well when he won his last… View the full article

BMW Hong Kong Derby favourite Waikuku has been given the tick of approval by Jockey Club vets after galloping for the first time in almost two weeks, easing concerns he will miss the big race through injury.But the John Size-trained gelding will be forced to do it the hard way in Sunday’s HK$18 million feature after drawing the outside gate of 14 at Thursday’s barrier draw.The race was thrown curveball on Wednesday afternoon when it was revealed Waikuku had been battling a sore left front foot… View the full article

With the racing at Santa Anita Park suspended and the influential San Felipe Stakes (G2) canceled, Oaklawn Park's Rebel Stakes (G2) March 16 emerged as California's backup plan on the road to the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1). View the full article

Be Bee to relish 1400m better View the full article

Duric knows his Ginger recipes for success View the full article

Changes to initiatives for Singapore racing View the full article

Early scratching March 15 View the full article

OCALA, FL–The Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company’s two-day March Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training concluded Wednesday with dips in average and median but a significantly improved RNA rate that hinted at increased strength in the middle market and further adjustments made by both buyers in sellers since the auction was opened up and expanded in 2015. Wednesday’s session–topped by a $900,000 son of Medaglia d’Oro purchased by D.J. Stable and Cash Is King from King’s Equine–saw 147 juveniles change hands for gross receipts of $21,291,000 at an average of $144,837 and $95,000 median. The RNA rate was 25.4%. The cumulative gross was $44,422,500 on 309 sold versus a gross of $42,275,000 on 257 transactions in 2018. “I think there was activity at all levels,” said OBS Director of Sales Tod Wojciechowski. “We sold more horses than we sold last year, and while the average and median both dipped a little bit, with us selling about 50 more horses than we did last year, 30 of those horses were less than or equal to $50,000.” He continued, “In 2018, we sold 87 horses for equal to or less than $50,000 and we sold 117 this year [at that level]. We were happy to see that–horses got sold at all levels. On the other end, we had two horses that brought over $800,000 and this year we had six, so there was growth on both ends. We felt really good about that.” Year-to-year comparisons are somewhat inexact due to last year’s statistics factoring in post-sale transactions further past the conclusion of the sale and the 2019 stats subject to change for the same reason, but the cumulative average and median were both down for 2019. A large factor in the dips, however, was a much-improved clearance rate. Based on current figures, the average dropped 12.6% to $143,762 from $164,494 and the median dipped 23.8% from $105,000 to $80,000, but the RNA rate this time around was just 23.1% compared to 29.2% 12 months ago and can only drop further after additional post-sale transactions are recorded. “More and more, I think [the March sale] continues to gain momentum and people understand that there’s something for everyone here in March from the old [select] format to the new format,” Wojciechowski said. “That has been a little bit of a learning curve, but it seems like everyone’s starting to get on board with it.” West Point Thoroughbreds secured both the sale’s top priced colt–a $2-million son of Tapit (consigned by Sequel Bloodstock, agent for Chester & Mary Broman)–and filly, a $850,000 daughter of freshman sire The Big Beast (consigned by Ocala Stud). Newcomer HRH Prince Sultan Bin Mishal Al Saud was the sale’s leading buyer, purchasing eight head for a total of $3.05 million, topped by a $650,000 Speightstown filly. Eddie Woods led all consignors with 18 horses sold for gross receipts of $4.317 million. Kings Equine checked in second with 10 horses sold for a total of $3.625 million. The de Meric Sales consignment was also among the leaders with 22 juveniles sold for a total of $3.215 million, including a $600,000 American Pharoah filly and a $470,000 Fast Anna filly. “Kicking off the season is never the easiest thing to do because everybody is aware that there’s a deep pool of horses to follow these, but I would have to describe this as a very healthy market,” consignor Nick de Meric said upon the conclusion of the sale back at Barn 12. “There’s a lot of demand for the elite offerings and I was encouraged that there seems to be a better middle market than we sometimes dare expect at this sale. There was a pretty healthy aftermarket, too. Even when horses didn’t get done in the ring, there were plenty getting done afterwards. At the end of the day, we’ve got to call it a big success.” “As for his own consignment, de Meric added, “We were very blessed. The horses showed up and performed well. We are leaving here feeling very good about ourselves.” This crop of freshman sires has been particularly buzzed about, and the money came for progeny by a diverse group of them at OBS March. First-crop stallions with at least one juvenile to sell for $200,000 or more included The Big Beast, Palace Malice, American Pharoah, Tapiture, Fast Anna, Commissioner, Wicked Strong, Karakontie (Jpn), Constitution, Majestic City, Carpe Diem and Bayern. At last year’s sale, 17 horses brought $500,000 or more–14 reached that plateau in 2019. Three horses this year sold for more than last term’s $875,000 topper. “Additionally, it’s worth pointing out that of the two highest-priced horses–the $2-million horse went in :10 1/5, which was 3/5 off of the fastest breeze of the sale; and the $1.2-million horse went in :21 1/5, which was 4/5 off the fastest of the sale,” Wojciechowski said. “Buyers can certainly discern between fast times and quality and pedigree.” Wojciechowski has a positive outlook heading into the remainder of 2-year-old sales season: “There’s certainly still some polarity in the market, but we felt good about seeing a little bit less of that here. We hope that continues on into [the April Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training Apr. 23-26] and again those horses will cover the gamut from what’s perceived to be the very highest to all other levels. We feel good about it, and I think it’s a good start for our season.” Jaywalk Partners Go for Gold… With last year’s champion 2-year-old filly Jaywalk (Cross Traffic) aiming for a start in Keeneland’s GI Central Bank Ashland S. Apr. 6, partners D.J. Stable and Cash Is King went to a session-topping $900,000 for a son of Medaglia d’Oro at OBS March Wednesday. “The price was a little hefty–we were hoping to get him for a lot cheaper–but we really liked the colt,” said John Servis, who also trains the aforementioned GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies heroine for the duo, after signing the slip. “He was one of the top horses on our list and we had two good clients who were willing to step up and go after him.” Consigned by Raul Reyes’s King’s Equine as Hip 422, the Feb. 26 foal worked an eighth in :10 at the preview. The son of leading sire Medaglia d’Oro was bred in Kentucky by Town & Country Horse Farms and Pollock Farms and was consigned by Reyes on their behalf. Hip 422 is out of the graded stakes-placed Tapit mare Rashnaa. Her offspring have been very commercially popular in the ring so far, including Golden Challenge (Medaglia d’Oro) ($425,000 ’16 FTSAUG); and runaway Santa Anita debut winner for Juddmonte Farms and Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert, the 3-year-old filly Anuket (Pioneerof the Nile) ($575,000 ’17 FTSAUG). “It’s not bad to be by him,” Servis said of Hip 422’s sire appeal. “I’m sure if he wasn’t by Medaglia d’Oro, he probably would’ve been a couple hundred thousand cheaper. He’s a great, big horse. Touch back in his knee, but he gets over the ground really good. He’s really athletic. I think he’s just gonna be a horse that you’re gonna have to go slow with. But, I think in the long run, hopefully, he’ll be a real nice horse for us.” Servis, who earlier signed for a $440,000 Super Saver filly and :20 2/5 bullet breezer (Hip 305) as agent, concluded, “The great thing is the guys that I bought him for are patient as saints.” Leonard Green of D.J. Stable, standing alongside Servis during the bidding process, also campaigns the promising 3-year-old A Thread of Blue (Hard Spun). Trained by Kiaran McLaughlin, he’s won three straight on grass, including the GIII Palm Beach S. at Gulfstream Mar. 2. He was purchased for $430,000 at last year’s OBS March Sale. –@SteveSherackTDN It’s Good to be King… In addition to Wednesday’s session-topping $900,000 Medaglia d’Oro colt, Raul Reyes’s King’s Equine enjoyed two sensational days of selling at OBS March. Reyes also consigned an $825,000 Bernardini colt (Hip 240), a $400,000 Into Mischief filly (Hip 435), a $300,000 American Pharoah colt (Hip 212); and a $300,000 Into Mischief colt (Hip 316). King’s Equine sold a total of 10 2-year-olds for a gross of $3,625,000, good for an average of $362,500. King’s Equine sold the topper at the 2013 OBS March Sale as well, a $1.8-million Smart Strike colt. Standout King’s Equine sale graduates include millionaire, Stanford (Malibu Moon), a $550,000 Barretts March 2-year-old. “I can’t say nothing but good things about the way the sale went,” Reyes said. “When things go good for you, what else can you say? The Medaglia was a beautiful individual–you perform well and if two people like them, they pay for it.” –@SteveSherackTDN West Point Comes Out Swinging Again On Day Two… A day after landing the $2-million OBS March record-setting 2-year-old son of Tapit (Hip 33), West Point Thoroughbreds was back at it again early in the session on Wednesday, landing a filly from the first crop of The Big Beast for $850,000. Hip 302–a :20 4/5 quarter-mile breezer–was bred in Florida by her consignor Ocala Stud. Trainer Eddie Plesa Jr. was underbidder. She was the highest-priced filly at the two-day sale. “It’s for a West Point partnership. She’ll go out to California and John Sadler will probably get her,” Lane’s End Bloodstock’s David Ingordo said after signing the ticket as ‘LEB, agent for West Point, M. Anthony, B. Sandbroo,’ out back. “When you see a horse that you just know is a runner… she’s it. I don’t care who she’s by, she had the look and did everything right. It’s clearly a lot of money, but she’s worth it if she runs. The Big Beast was a very good horse, so he isn’t without some merit on his own. She’s a lovely horse–the way she looks, how she breezed, everything about her–and the good horses cost money because these are the kind that end up in the big races.” Ingordo added, “Ocala Stud is like the Lane’s End of Ocala. The O’Farrell family–they do a great job, they pioneered this. We’re excited to have her.” Some of West Point’s other big purchases during the two-day OBS March sale include: Hip 16, a $350,000 Tapiture colt; Hip 222, a $185,000 Carpe Diem colt; Hip 226, a $250,000 Include colt; and Hip 410, a $475,000 Lemon Drop Kid colt. West Point is currently well-represented by a pair of talented colts on the Triple Crown trail from last year’s 2-year-old sales: the streaking California-bred Galilean (Uncle Mo) ($600,000 Barretts Spring) and GIII Sham S. winner Gunmetal Gray (Exchange Rate) ($225,000 OBS March). Both have been entered in the GII Rebel S., which will be run in split divisions at Oaklawn Saturday. –@SteveSherackTDN Ocala Stud’s ‘Big’ Filly Brings $850k… Freshman sire The Big Beast–winner of the 2014 GI King’s Bishop S. at Saratoga carrying the colors of Alex and JoAnn Lieblong–enjoyed a banner day at OBS March Wednesday, led by an $850,000 filly purchased by West Point. The Big Beast, a $150,000 OBS April 2-year-old himself, stands the 2019 season for $6,000 at Ocala Stud in Florida. He had 19 of 23 yearlings sell for a $24,368 average, headed by a $70,000 colt in 2018, according to TDN Sales PPs. “I’m speechless,” Ocala Stud’s David O’Farrell said back at Barn 4 after watching the farm’s homebred filly Hip 302 light up the board. “I was a big fan of The Big Beast as a racehorse. We’re just really fortunate to be able to have the opportunity to stand that horse for the Lieblongs. To get the stallion off to a start like this–that filly hadn’t had a bad day in her life and she’s just been a really quality filly. She looks and acts the part and she can just flat out run. We’re elated.” Hip 302 is out of three-time winner Lucky Trip (Trippi), an Ocala Stud homebred and $57,000 OBS June 2-year-old graduate. Ocala Stud acquired her back after her racing career concluded for $18,000 at the 2008 Keeneland November Sale. Lucky Trip is a half-sister to the Ocala Stud-bred and $340,000 OBS March graduate Candrea (Trippi), SW & GISP, $200,200. “She’s an Ocala Stud homebred which makes it even more special,” O’Farrell said. “These 2-year-old sales are our livelihood and we support our stallions with our better mares and we bring our entire crop to the 2-year-old sales. When you have one that rewards you like this, and with it being a young and exciting stallion like The Big Beast, it just makes all that more special.” O’Farrell concluded, “She was all class. She had a phenomenal breeze and a great gallop out. She came back to the barn super and showed herself extremely well. She’s got it all.” A colt by The Big Beast, consigned by L. G., Agent I, as Hip 418, later followed suit, bringing $450,000 from trainer Peter Miller, agent. The $45,000 OBSOCT yearling, out of the winning Our Emblem mare Raebear, fired a :9 3/5 bullet at the under-tack show. Alex Lieblong, recently reappointed to a five-year term as chairman of the Arkansas Racing Commission, was back watching the sale’s action from his home base after making a quick stop in Ocala earlier this week. “We’re very happy and wish the buyers the best of luck,” Lieblong said. “Thanks to all involved–trainers Steve Hobby, Tony Dutrow and Ocala Stud. We certainly like ours–I haven’t heard any bad reports, and that’s the best thing. The ones I have I’m really pleased with and they’ll go with David Fawkes in Florida because they’re all Florida-breds. When I look at all the horses out there, including some of the higher-dollar ones I’ve bought and look at these, they look like they fit right there.” Laughing Fox (Union Rags), a $375,000 acquisition by Lieblong at this sale last year, takes a two-race winning streak into Saturday’s GII Rebel S. at Oaklawn Park. –@SteveSherackTDN Ryan Gets One With Familiar Pedigree… Considering Mike Ryan’s close familiarity with both sides of hip 325‘s pedigree, it should’ve come as no surprise that the prominent bloodstock agent would the one left holding the ticket Wednesday once bidding finally stopped at $850,000. He was bidding on behalf of owner Jeff Drown. The son of Classic-winning first-crop sire Palace Malice was consigned by Joe Pickerrell and Courtney Roberts’s Pick View LLC, Agent II and covered a quarter in :21 1/5. Hip 325 is out of a winning full-sister to GII Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf heroine More Than Real (More Than Ready). “I thought he was the best horse in the sale,” Ryan said. “I’m very close to the horse–I bought Palace Malice as a yearling, and I bred [this colt’s] mother and More Than Real. When I saw him here the other day, he blew me away. My only disappointment was that I didn’t see him last September.” Palace Malice, the 2013 GI Breeders’ Cup Classic winner and 2014 GI Metropolitan H. winner, was a $25,000 KEESEP yearling turned $200,000 Keeneland April graduate. Ryan paid $310,000 for hip 325’s multiple stakes-winning second dam Miss Seffens (Dehere) in foal to Speightstown at the 2006 Keeneland November sale. More Than Real was produced two years later, and Ryan bought her back for $140,000 as a 2-year-old. He owned her when she won first out at Saratoga before selling her privately to Bobby Flay. Ryan sold hip 325’s dam to Three Chimneys Farm for $400,000 as a Keeneland April juvenile in 2014. “He’s very much like his father, but there’s speed in that family,” Ryan said, noting that a trainer for the colt had not yet been decided on. “Curlin on top of Deputy Minister–the second dam was by Dehere–is very, very strong. His breeze was phenomenal, and everybody and his brother was on him. He’s a two-turn horse who showed a lot of pace. Palace Malice was second first time out as a 2-year-old going five eighths of a mile… [This colt] has plenty of pace. I’d expect him to run as a 2-year-old–hopefully at Saratoga, and I’m hoping he’s Breeders’ Cup class.” Jeff Drown, is the CEO of Minnesota-based Lyon Contracting. “He’s trying to build a quality stable and he’s passionate about the business,” Ryan said. “His family loves it, he loves it.” Ryan noted that he purchased a $650,000 Candy Ride (Arg) filly for Drown as last year’s OBS April sale. Named Smooth With a Kick and turned over to Chad Brown, she finished third on debut behind ‘TDN Rising Star’ Karama (Kitten’s Joy) at Gulfstream Feb. 16. –@BDiDonatoTDN Palace Malice Colt Lives Up to Pickerrell’s Prediction… When asked last week to pick a standout among his consignment, Pick View’s Joe Pickerrell was quick to mention hip 325 (see Pick View Taking Classic-leaning Colts into OBSMAR). That assessment proved accurate as the son of Palace Malice went to top judge Mike Ryan for $850,000. A $160,000 Keeneland September acquisition by pinhooking partnership Marquee Bloodstock, the Feb. 4 foal eclipsed the consignment’s prior sale record of $300,000 achieved here 12 months ago. “We knew coming in here we had a lot of horse,” Pickerrell said. “It was just a matter of who all lined up for him. The horse did everything perfectly all week, and we’re happy to see someone like Mike Ryan and his team get him.” He added, “When you’re at the farm and they’re training like he trained all winter long, you just hope everything goes right because you know the kind of potential a horse like that has.” Pickerrell dedicated the sale of hip 325 to Kevin Hartigan, the owner/operator of Cashel Stud who passed away in January. Pick View had purchased property on the farm. Altogether, Pick View sold its five head for $1.2 million. –@BDiDonatoTDN Team Breeze Easy Hoping for Return Trip to Ascot… Mike Hall and Sam Ross’s Breeze Easy paid $200,000 for catalog cover girl Shang Shang Shang (Shanghai Bobby) at this sale a year ago, and saw that Wesley Ward filly win from Keeneland to Royal Ascot, where she annexed the G2 Norfolk S. last June. Hall admitted Wednesday that he had Royal Ascot aspirations once again after signing the $470,000 ticket on hip 546. A $32,500 Fasig-Tipton July yearling buy by consignor de Meric Stables, the daughter of speedy first-crop sire Fast Anna breezed an eighth in a snappy :9 4/5. “I’ve always loved her from the time I first saw her, and I wasn’t really looking at her page, but I saw the horse and I just fell in love with her,” Hall said. “I’m not saying that she’s a turf horse–she’s probably a dirt horse–but she might still be on our list for one we might try and go over there with.” Ward was alongside other members of the Breeze Easy team, including Ocala horseman Dean DeRenzo, for the bidding process and Hall said hip 546 would likely be heading to the 2-year-old maestro. Breeze Easy paid $365,000 during Tuesday’s OBSMAR opener for another filly with Royal Ascot appeal–hip 140 was an All Dreams Equine-consigned daughter of Group 1-winning juvenile and fellow freshman Karakontie (Jpn). She went in a co-quickest :9 4/5 at last Thursday’s breeze show. –@BDiDonatoTDN View the full article

A wagering expert believes the fixed-odds model could work for United States racing and, with a number of states welcoming sports wagering, the timing has never been better to pursue such a model. View the full article

A veritable "Who's Who" of racing's top older fillies and mares has converged upon Oaklawn Park, each vying for their next big score in the $350,000 Azeri Stakes (G2) March 16. View the full article

CLEARWATER BEACH, FL.–Giving up to get more was a major theme of two panels Wednesday at the National HBPA Convention’s first day of horse-racing industry discussion and presentations at the Sheraton Sand Key. The takeaway: more statistical information, including past performances for upcoming race cards, should be provided free or at a radically reduced price to the public in order to spur increased wagering and foster a new generation of horseplayers. “The No. 1 goal in this industry should be to increase handle,” said Patrick Cummings, executive director of the new Thoroughbred Idea Foundation, a horse-racing think tank created to find paths to growth for horse racing. “If we grow the betting on the business, we will make everyone wealthier.” Eric Hamelback, chief executive officer of the National Horsemen’s Benevolent & Protective Association, opted to have a keynote panel comprised of Thoroughbred Idea Foundation representatives instead of an individual speaker. Most prominently was the idea of making more data available for free to the public, especially with the anticipated expansion of legal sports betting across the country. An afternoon panel titled “Accessing Our Industry’s Stats into the Future,” urged horse owners to stake a right to the statistics compiled from their horses’ performances. While Hamelback was not a panelist, he has advocated that racehorse owners deserve a seat at the table in determining how data compiled from their horses’ performances is utilized–including offering free past performances. “One of the biggest hurdles when I’m trying to get my friends involved is that you have to pay for the basic information to make an educated wager,” said AmWager’s Papo Morales, an afternoon panelist who is simulcast director/program coordinator for the online wagering platform AmWest Entertainment/AmWager. “… The basic raw pps (past performances)–I’m not talking about speed figures necessarily– but the raw data should, if not free, be available at minimal cost, cents actually. If you want to upgrade, if you want to get Bris, Thoro-Graph, then you’re going to have to pay for a premium product. But we’re trying to grow this sport.” Equibase, the industry’s official data-keeper formed in 1990 by The Jockey Club and Thoroughbred Racing Associations-member tracks, does offer considerable free information at equibase.com but not the basic past performances or raw data files that TIF recommends. Said Cummings: “When you have to pay to become more informed, we’re saying release those shackles and turn it into a marketing expense.” Glen Hill Farm President Craig Bernick, who came up with the idea for the Thoroughbred Idea Foundation, said during the keynote panel that the think tank has four areas it believes the horse industry needs to improve: pricing for customers gambling on horse racing, transparency, innovation and technology and access to information. “The retail price for horse racing generally at 20% is four times what it costs to bet on a normal sporting event,” he said, referring to takeout, or the money coming off the top of each dollar bet that goes to the track, purses and taxes. “As young people decide they want to start gambling, and sports betting gets legal in more and more states, we’re up against it if we continue with that model.” Wilson Shirley, an industry consultant on the statistics panel, said other sports are catching up with baseball’s Sabermetric revolution in the 1970s and that racing must as well, including tracking all the information of individual horses, rather than just where the field is at a certain point in a race. “It’s going to be like the cameras on self-driving cars that have to process trillions of terabytes of information every second to stop wrecks,” Shirley said. “… It’s a great challenge and a great opportunity for developing data as a way to deliver the sport to the public.” Shirley urged horsemen’s organizations to assert and claim a proprietary right on behalf of their members to the record of horses’ performance in the race. While there was debate over whether data rights existed, the conclusion was that horsemen should make it part of their contracts with racetracks, which in turn would negotiate with the data-collection system. “These are questions that you have to ask now,” Shirley said. “Because if you don’t, five years from now, these systems will be running and whatever claim to the property rights of horse owners in this matter, they’ll be gone.” Putting the “We” in Welfare… The convention kicked off with Dr. Jennifer Durenberger, the New York Racing Association’s chief examining veterinarian and operator of the Racing Matters consulting business, presented a pragmatic view of why horse racing must embrace racehorse welfare if the industry wants to thrive, let alone survive. Durenberger said horse racing is different than Ringling Bros. or Sea World because of the massive employment and economic impact, statistics that many people don’t realize. “Know your numbers. Talk about those numbers,” she advised. Noting that most of Americans are animal lovers, but their frame of reference is pets rather than use animals, she said: “Listen and respond to concerns, don’t be afraid to make change where needed.” Durenberger urged everyone in racing to be an ambassador for the sport, including using social media. Example: she tweeted on Aqueduct’s Gotham Day: “… when horse claimed, new groom will find old groom and ask about favorite treats and toys so horse can feel right at home in new barn.” She said the tweet got more response than any of the New York Racing Association’s posts that day. “This is free,” she said. “It took me like 15 seconds.” View the full article

There will be no tariff on geldings imported into the United Kingdom within the first year of a no-deal Brexit, the UK government advised on Wednesday. The World Trade Organisation rules would come into force in the event of a no-deal Brexit, and normally there would be an 11.5% tariff on geldings, but geldings and other horses were not listed under the temporary tariff regime published by the government in advance of a vote in Parliament on the issue. “Our priority is securing a deal with the European Union as this will avoid disruption to our global trading relationships,” said Trade Policy Minister George Hollingbery in a statement. “However, we must prepare for all eventualities. If we leave without a deal, we will set the majority of our import tariffs to zero, whilst maintaining tariffs for the most sensitive industries. This balanced approach will help to support British jobs and avoid potential price increases that would hit the poorest households the hardest. It represents a modest liberalisation of tariffs and we will be monitoring the economy closely, as well as consulting with businesses, to decide what our tariffs should be after this transitional period.” View the full article

Eikleberry reached his milestone with his 6-year-old gelding Nevadan, who he co-owns with Robert Budoff, winning the second race March 12 at Turf Paradise. View the full article

Fara Bushnell, the president of Fortuna Insurance Service in Lexington, passed away Mar. 10 after a battle with cancer. A familiar face at Central Kentucky auction houses, Bushnell was also an accomplished dog breeder and was the co-owner of a Bernese Mountain Dog that won Best of Breed at the Westminster Kennel Club dog show in New York in 2009. “She was a steadfast and loyal friend to many,” said breeder Nancy Cole. “We traveled many times together to Saratoga and to the Florida 2-year-old sales, wonderful memories, she was a extended member of our family. Fara was an astute and savvy business woman in equine insurance world, an accomplished dog breeder, good horsewoman, great photographer and quick witted and wonderful friend. She will be sorely missed and not forgotten.” According to Cole, in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to a foundation Bushnell started, the Bernese Mountain Dog Charitable Foundation Inc. (www.bmdcf.org). View the full article

CHELTENHAM, UK—It takes a great horse to win championship races, but it takes a true champion to fight his way back for glory just as it looks as if he is beaten. At Cheltenham on Wednesday, the remarkable Altior (Ire) (High Chaparral {Ire}) claimed not just his second G1 Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase but his fourth win at the Festival and his 18th consecutive victory to equal the winning streak of one of the track’s great heroes, Big Buck’s (Fr) (Cadoudal {Fr}). However, it was the manner of Altior’s latest triumph, rather than mere statistics, which showed that he is far more than just a horse gifted with rare ability but also one with the grit to produce a rallying final charge in compensation for an uncharacteristic blunder which disrupted his trademark smooth passage. “I was thinking about Winx (Aus) last night and 18 wins is totally irrelevant really,” said Nicky Henderson with a grin as he admitted to a degree of relief with regard to Altior’s triumphant return, which gave the trainer his sixth win in the race and his second dual champion after Sprinter Sacre (Fr) (Network {Ger}). He continued,”It’s nice when it’s over. It’s like hitting your head against a brick wall. The only nice bit is when it stops. We’ve been very lucky and to find another one like [Sprinter Sacre] so soon has been extraordinary.” For jockey Nico de Boinville it was a third Champion Chase success in just four years, and with a Gold Cup among his swiftly rising tally of big-race wins, Henderson’s unassuming stable jockey can rightly be considered among the best of his generation. The trainer added, “Nico started with us as an amateur and he was known as Sprinter’s work rider, that’s how he made a name for himself, but he has a name in his own right now.” As the day’s feature unfolded, Altior, in second behind long-time leader Saint Calvados (Fr) (Saint Des Saints {Fr}), prompted a collective gasp from the crowd as he fiddled the water jump, getting low but managing to stay on his feet and regain his momentum to take up the lead with three fences left to jump. With his advantage significantly reduced, he had Politologue (Fr) (Poliglote {GB}) and Sceau Royal (Fr) (Doctor Dino {Fr}) breathing down his neck at the second last and he temporarily surrendered the lead to the latter on landing after the final fence. His superior class soon told, however, as he rallied between the two challengers, his neck long and low as he gave one last effort up the hill for home, with Politologue staying on to take second. “Altior is an absolutely warrior,” said de Boinville. “We were just slightly coming unstuck on that ground. We had a bit of a miscommunication at the water jump, when he wanted to go long and I wanted him to come in and pop because I didn’t want him to get too exuberant over those fences and waste too much energy. “We definitely went half a length down after the last, but he just seemed to find this extra gear. I don’t know where it comes from—he is just a phenomenal athlete. I think he doesn’t know how to lose at the moment. Long may it continue.” Altior’s win was the second of the day for both trainer and jockey, who had struck in the previous race with the fast-finishing William Henry (Ire) (King’s Theatre {Ire}) in the G3 Coral Cup, allowing Henderson to draw level again with his old foe Willie Mullins, the pair having trained 63 Festival winners apiece. At The Top Table While it is Mullins with whom Henderson regularly does battle for Cheltenham honours, the man keeping him off the top of the jumps trainers’ table in Britain is the former 10-time champion Paul Nicholls, whose unusual dry spell of the last few seasons has come to a definitive end this year. With the well-timed win of the statuesque Topofthegame (Ire) (Flemensfirth {Ire}) in the G1 RSA Insurance Novices’ Chase, it was unsurprising that minds were cast back to Denman (Ire) (Presenting {GB}), a former winner of the race for Nicholls and owner Paul Barber who went on to glory in the Gold Cup. “He is not unlike Denman,” admitted Nicholls. “We’re really excited to have him. He is rated pretty much the same as Denman was at this stage of his career. Denman was a grinder and this horse has plenty of boot. He travels well and jumps well—he is only going to get better.” At 17.3hh, Topofthegame, is one of the biggest horses in training and his reputation is fast catching up, as is that of his young jockey Harry Cobden, who was riding his second Festival winner after giving his mount an accomplished, patient ride. “He is a beast, probably the biggest horse I have ridden,” said the 20-year-old. “He’s only just growing into himself and improving all the time. He travelled into the race great and I wanted to make sure I got two good jumps, and that’s what I got, then he galloped up that hill. He winged the last couple of fences, and he’s only just got the confidence to do that—before he’d find a way to back out of it. He got it right at the last and it probably sealed the deal.” City Slicker Than The Rest The remainder of Wednesday’s races were dominated by Irish-trained runners, with first blood going to Martin Brassil, whose City Island (Ire) (Court Cave {Ire}) delivered a dream victory for owner and race sponsor Sean Mulryan in the G1 Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle. Mulryan, chief executive of Ballymore, said: “It’s my first winner in Cheltenham at the Festival, and to win our own race is very special. This is a magic place, and to win any race here is fantastic.” City Island became a second winner of the same race for his unraced sire Court Cave, a full-brother to Beat Hollow (GB) who stands at Boardsmill Stud. The Juddmonte-bred brothers came very close to both being represented by winners on Wednesday when the veteran globetrotter and G1 Irish St Leger winner Wicklow Brave (GB) made a last-to-first dash under top weight in in the Coral Cup, only to be beaten on the line by William Henry. Tiger’s Feat He may not have the elite status of Altior but Tiger Roll (Ire) (Authorized {Ire}) is every bit as hardy and grows in cult status with each passing race. He too recorded his fourth Festival victory, cruising to a follow-up win in the Glenfarclas Cross-Country Chase in the hands of Keith Donoghue. More importantly, his stroll around the intricate course within Cheltenham’s main track will put him spot on to defend his crown at Aintree in next month’s Grand National. Eddie O’Leary, brother of winning owner Michael O’Leary of Gigginstown House Stud and Ryanair fame, explained that a spell in the hunting field had reignited the 9-year-old’s passion for racing. He said, “He’s not a good horse, he’s a great horse. He looks to be a freak of nature, and people forget that he had stopped racing. He was sick of the game and didn’t want any more of it, then Keith Donoghue took him hunting [in 2017] and he went down the cross-country route and he got his mojo back.” He added, “The cross-country discipline really invigorated him, so while people dismiss this race, don’t forget what it can do for some horses.” O’Brien Officially On The Board Three years ago, Joseph O’Brien unofficially trained his first Cheltenham Festival winner when Ivanovich Gorbatov (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}) won the G1 Triumph Hurdle for JP McManus. However, this was several months before O’Brien junior received his training licence so the win of the horse under his care went down in the name of his father Aidan. Since the official start of his training career, Joseph has left few stones unturned and has already recorded significant milestones on the Flat. Now his jumping CV has been embellished with victory at Cheltenham for another 4-year-old hurdler, Band Of Outlaws (Ire) (Fast Company {Ire}), who landed the G3 Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle under the trainer’s cousin JJ Slevin. A treble winner on the Flat before switching to hurdles, Band Of Outlaws was bought by the O’Brien’s sister Sarah for €11,000 as a yearling at the Tattersalls Ireland September Sale and races in the colours of Jason Carthy. “Band Of Outlaws has not done much wrong over hurdles, though in a handicap it is hard to know and he was carrying near to top-weight,” said O’Brien. “He is not an easy ride because you can’t get there too soon on him. It got a bit tight between horses and JJ let them have the room before coming back around them, which was the right thing to do because as soon as he gets there, he has a look. “We thought we had a few chances yesterday. They all ran well, but it is nice to get a winner today.” Allen Again On Tuesday it was the turn of Espoir d’Allen (Fr) (Voix Du Nord {Fr}) in the G1 Unibet Champion Hurdle and 24 hours later his relation Envoi Allen (Fr) (Muhtathir {Ire}) gave breeder Bruno Vagne his second top-flight winner in two days when storming to success in the G1 Weatherbys Champion Bumper. The victory was also the second at the meeting for Cheveley Park Stud, which had been represented on the opening day by the wide-margin winner A Plus Tard (Fr) (Kapgarde {Fr}). Buying French-bred jumpers and sending them to be trained in Ireland is working a treat for David and Patricia Thompson so far, though the Gordon Elliott-trained Envoi Allen was made to dig deep to repel a determined challenge from Blue Sari (Fr) (Saddex {Ire}), the sole runner for Willie Mullins who normally launches a multi-pronged attack for Wednesday’s traditional closer. The AQPS-breds Espoir d’Allen and Envoi Allen share the same third dam, Violeta (Fr), a stalwart of the Vagne family’s breeding operation in Allier, central France. From Parade Ring To Sales Ring As soon as the winner and placed horses have vacated the winner’s enclosure after the final race today (Thursday), the hallowed space will temporarily become a sales ring and rostrum as 24 select National Hunt prospects come under the hammer for the Tattersalls Cheltenham Festival Sale. Close inspection will doutbtless be given to lot 18, Enjoy d’Allen (Fr) (Network {Ger}), an eight-length point-to-point winner who hails from the family the aforementioned Grade 1 winner Espoir d’Allen and Envoi Allen. Recent form is the key ingredient to attracting decent prices at the rising number of boutique sales throughout the jumps season and, with the catalogue hot off the press, the immediacy of the results are highlighted by the fact that eight horses—one third of the catalogue—won point-to-point races over the previous weekend. They include lot 19, Hold That Taught (GB), a 4-year-old Kayf Tara (GB) half-brother to the dual listed-winning hurdler Banjaxed Girl (GB) (King’s Theatre {Ire}) who was herself represented by a 4-year-old winner at Sandown on Saturday when her first foal, Le Milos (GB) (Shirocco {Ger}) struck on his second British start for Tim Vaughan. Also offered is 5-year-old Crypto (Ire) (Gold Well {GB}), who won a Newcastle bumper by 16 lengths on debut on March 5 and is the penultimate horse through the ring (lot 23). Turnover for last year’s Festival Sale stood at £3,165,000 for 20 horses sold at an average price of £158,250. View the full article

It was a season of records at Delta Downs in 2018-19 as new heights were reached in each of three horsemen's categories during the 84-day meeting that wrapped up March 12. View the full article

A panel of industry judges have selected a half-dozen semi-finalists for the 13th annual Dr. Tony Ryan Book Award, to be handed out at an invitation-only reception at Shane Ryan’s Castleton Lyons. The brainchild of the late Dr. Tony Ryan, the competition is open to any genre of book length for books published in 2018, from fiction to reality-based journalism. Each entry must have a horse racing premise or backdrop. The 2018 winner will once again receive a check for $10,000, with two runners-up receiving $1,000 each. All three finalists will receive Tipperary Irish crystal trophies in the shape of the distinctive fieldstone tower on the grounds of Castleton Lyons. The six semi-finalists are: • “Out of the Clouds” by Linda Carroll and David Rosner • “Around Kentucky With the Bug” by Patrick Lawrence Gilligan • “Dixie Luck” by Andy Plattner • “Monsieur X” by Jamie Reid • “Taking Shergar” by Milton C. Toby • “A Stone’s Throw” by James W. Ziskin For additional information, contact Betsy Hager at (859) 455-9222 or by email at bhager@castletonlyons.com. View the full article