Wandering Eyes

Horseshoe Indianapolis completed its 22nd season of Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing Nov. 14 with record numbers. A total of 124 days were held, with six dedicated to all Quarter Horse racing.View the full article

Henri Pouret has been named as the next chairman of the European and Mediterranean Horseracing Federation (EMHF) and he will begin his duties on June 1, 2025. An election was held at the EMHF's executive council meeting in Morocco last week to determine Brian Kavanagh's successor. Kavanagh has served in the role since the inception of the EMHF in 2010. Pouret is currently the chief operating officer and deputy chief executive officer of France Galop. He is also the vice-chair of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA). Pouret said, “I am honoured and very thankful to the Executive Council for placing its trust and confidence in me to fulfil the role of EMHF chair to succeed Brian who did a tremendous job. I am a great enthusiast of European and Mediterranean racing in all its diversity. Europe is a leader in many aspects of horseracing, especially regarding the quality control of black-type races and integrity, based on cross border competition. I am really hopeful for the years to come in this region and will be fully dedicated to this new role in collaboration with the members' racing authorities and the invaluable experience of secretary-general Dr. Paull Khan.” Kavanagh, “I am delighted that Henri will succeed me as chairman of the European and Mediterranean Horseracing Federation. He has excellent experience and knowledge of racing throughout the region and will do a great job. For me it has been a privilege to serve as chairman of the EMHF which plays an important role in linking the smaller and larger racing countries and representing a single voice for racing authorities throughout Europe and the broader Mediterranean area.” The post Henri Pouret To Be Next EMHF Chair appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Hawthorne Race Course and three of the track's key racing executives on Nov. 18 asked a federal judge to dismiss the main claims in a lawsuit brought by a former association veterinarian who recently worked the Chicago-area track's Thoroughbred meets. In a Sept. 12, 2024, legal complaint, Dr. Christine Tuma had alleged that her efforts to scratch over 80 lame or injured Thoroughbreds during 2022-23 were met with a purported conspiracy among track employees, other veterinarians, and state regulators to overturn her actions so unsound horses could be entered to fill short-field races. Tuma also claimed in United States District Court (Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division) that when she reported this alleged conspiracy to state and federal regulators, she was fired “in retaliation for blowing the whistle on the illegal activities.” Tuma's is using the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) to try and collect damages. RICO is a sweeping 1970 federal statute initially designed to combat the Mafia. But RICO has long since lost its “organized crime” stigma, evolving over the decades into a civil litigation component more often asserted by purported victims of white-collar crime. Tuma's lawsuit stated that because of the alleged conspiracy, she has “suffered loss of income, benefits, career opportunities, humiliation, and emotional distress.” She is seeking judgment against the defendants “for actual damages, compensatory damages, punitive damages, treble damages, attorney's fees and costs, and any other relief deemed proper by this Court.” Hawthorne management had denied the allegations to TDN when the litigation was first initiated two months ago. On Monday, the track, plus employees Jim Miller (director of racing), John Walsh (assistant general manager) and Dave White (racing secretary), made their first legal written response to the accusations. “This is an employment dispute between an employer and one of its former employees,” stated a memorandum of law filed by those defendants along with their request to dismiss the RICO claims. “Plaintiff, a former veterinarian who was laid off in July of 2023 as part of a companywide reduction, contends that she 'was terminated in retaliation for her protected activities of disclosing the activities of the “Enterprise” and to ensure that Dr. Tuma could not make any further disclosures regarding the scheme to the federal regulators,'” the Hawthorne defendants' filing continued. “Recognizing that her termination, a single, discrete event, could never evidence the type of continuous and ongoing criminal activity necessary to allege a RICO claim, Plaintiff tries to shoehorn her termination into the alleged gambling scheme, which she claims has been ongoing since March of 2022. This argument fails for many reasons,” the Hawthorne defendants' filing stated. “First, Plaintiff lacks RICO standing, because the injury she alleges was not directly caused by the claimed RICO violation,” the Hawthorne defendants' filing stated. “Second, even if Plaintiff could meet this standard, which she cannot, her allegations fall well short of alleging conduct of an enterprise or a pattern of racketing,” the Hawthorne defendants stated. “Third, Plaintiff has failed to allege sufficient allegations that a conspiracy exists between the Defendants and that the Defendants knowingly agreed to perform services which facilitated the activities of the enterprise,” the Hawthorne defendants stated. Also named in the lawsuit as defendants are the Illinois Racing Board (IRB); Dawn Folker-Calderon, the IRB's chief state vet; two state stewards, Thomas Kelley and John Eddy, plus Beth Beuchler, a vet employed by Hawthorne. The IRB and its employees filed notice Nov. 15 indicating an intent to seek dismissal. Beuchler was not among the Hawthorne-employed defendants that made the Monday filings along with the track itself; she will be represented by separate counsel. The former association vet's lawsuit stated that, “It was during the fall meeting in 2022 that Dr. Tuma uncovered the full extent of the illegal running of sick and lame horses. On or around the same time, Dr. Tuma uncovered and began investigating alterations of the medical records of these horses.” Tuma's complaint stated that, “The entry of these horses into regulated Illinois races was not only a means for the RICO Defendants to induce wagers on horses that were not legally qualified to run, but in numerous instances, the certification of an additional horse in a race allowed the Enterprise to run races that did not meet the legally mandated minimum number of entries required to run a wagered race under Illinois law.” Over the course of 48 pages, Tuma's complaint detailed how her assessments of horses as “scratch lame” had allegedly been tampered with by Calderon and Beuchler and changed to “racing sound,” the indication that the horse was fit to run, or to the less-severe “scratch sick” designation that is supposed to indicate temporary illness. When Tuma expressed her concerns about the scratch process to Calderon, she was allegedly told, “This is how it's always done.” Tuma's lawsuit stated that owners and trainers began to complain about her high number of scratch assessments, including one horseman who allegedly “caused a horse to lurch menacingly at her, threatening grave bodily harm.” Another time, the suit contended, a groom “physically battered her.” The suit stated that when Tuma reported these alleged incidents of abuse to track officials and the stewards, “only a nominal fine was levied against the perpetrators.” When Tuma began making a series of complaints to the stewards about the “misclassification of horses as sick from lame,” she was informed by Calderon “that she had been stripped of her authority to scratch horses,” and that a new protocol requiring Beuchler to check her assessments would be in place, the suit stated. On March 20, 2023, Tuma's suit stated that she “delivered a comprehensive whistleblower letter” to the IRB and the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA). The suit continued: “On or around the date Dr. Tuma submitted her comprehensive complaint to the IRB, Miller, who had theretofore never called Dr. Tuma directly on her cell phone, called her a minimum of six times to intimidate her about her lame scratches and to ensure that the maximum number of horses were run.” Some 3 1/2 months later, the suit stated, just two days before HISA personnel were scheduled to visit Hawthorne for an inspection, “Dr. Tuma met with Walsh via Zoom on July 11, 2023, and was informed that she had been terminated based on the pretext that her termination was a cost-cutting measure.” In their Monday response, the Hawthorne filing stated that if Tuma's RICO claims fail as the defendants allege they should, then the rest of the lawsuit should also legally unravel. That's because, the Hawthorne defendants stated, “the Court must also dismiss Plaintiff's Illinois civil conspiracy claim and Count VIII.” And if “Plaintiff's federal claims are dismissed, the Court should decline to exercise jurisdiction over the state law claims against the Hawthorne Defendants,” the Hawthorne filing stated. The Hawthorne defendants stated that despite the accusations of illegality outlined in Tuma's complaint, she never documented any attempts to contact law enforcement agencies to report the alleged criminal activity. “Rather, Plaintiff asserts that she made complaints to HISA and the IRB,” the Hawthorne defendants stated. “Neither HISA nor IRB are law enforcement agencies. As a result, Plaintiff has failed to allege any complaint or claim that was made to a law enforcement officer as a required element to maintain a RICO claim.” The Hawthorne defendants further argued that Tuma lacks RICO standing because “she was not a target or a victim” of the alleged conspiracy. “According to Plaintiff's own allegations, the only persons who were the alleged victims of the scheme are the individuals who placed the wager on a particular horse and the owners of the injured horses,” the Hawthorne defendants' filing stated. The post Hawthorne Seeks Dismissal of Fired Vet’s Whistleblower Suit That Alleges Conspiracy to Race Unsound Horses appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The days of running strictly against their own age group are numbered for the 2021 crop and the Commonwealth Turf Stakes (G3T) at Churchill Downs Nov. 23 will likely be the final opportunity for it's nine runners.View the full article

Favoritism in most graded stakes races for 3-year-olds and up typically goes to the established runner. That makes the $300,000 Chilukki Stakes (G3) at Churchill Downs an exception.View the full article

Bearstone Stud has kept the fees for its three stallions at the same price as in 2024, with Dream Ahead at £6,500, Belardo (Ire) at £5,500 and Washington DC (Ire) at £3,500. “We feel our stallions offer exceptional value in a challenging marketing, none more so than Belardo, who is the highest-ranked sire standing in Europe under £15,000 by the number of European winners in 2024,” said Bearstone Stud owner Terry Holdcroft. “Further afield US Grade I winner Gold Phoenix added more US black-type to his form, and Fiach McHugh (aka Red Lion) was placed in two valuable Group 1 races in Hong Kong. He was one of 10 new stakes horses for Belardo this year.” He added, “Proven Group 1 sire of speed Dream Ahead has sired 65 stakes horses worldwide and is ranked alongside leading sprint sires No Nay Never, Dark Angel and Kodiac for the number of Group 1-winning sprinters produced since 2019. “Lastly, our young sire Washington DC also showed his ability to produce tough and durable sprinters like himself, led by Washington Heights kicking off a successful season this year for him with victory in the Group 3 Abernant Stakes.” The post Bearstone Fees Unchanged in ‘Challenging Market’ appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

During the second session of the Arqana Autumn Sale, a yearling son of Doctor Dino (Fr) (lot 577) brought €130,000 to top the day's trade in a private sale to Joffret Huet of JH Bloodstock for Ecurie Papot. Tuesday's session featured 55 2-year-old stores, and 67 NH yearlings. Consigned by Haras de l'Hotellerie, the bay is out of the listed winner and Grade 3-placed Aterisk (Fr) (No Risk At All {Fr}). This is the extended family of Listed Prix Vulcain winner Abajo (Ire) (Sillery), and Grade 2 winner Astonville (Fr) (Top Ville {Ire}). Also popular at €90,000, a Doctor Dino filly (lot 603) caught the eye of BLM Bloodstock from the Fairway Consignment. She is a half-sister to G2 Prix Chaudenay winner Doha Dream (Fr) (Shamardal) on the Flat and Grade 2 victor Matfog (Ire) (Style Vendome {Fr}) over jumps. Top NH sire Martaline (GB) is under the second dam, as is G1 Prix du Cadran winner Reefscape (GB) (Linamix {Fr}), and multiple group winner and sire Coastal Path (GB). “I've bought her for Haras du Berlais, said Bertrand Le Metayer. “She's a filly that ticks all the boxes–she is good looking, athletic, and well-bred. She's just the type of filly that we are looking for–we're very happy.” A pair of colts by Saint Des Saints (Fr) each brought €75,000, with lot 616 going to Thomas Maudet from the Haras de la Tuilerie draft. The half-brother to G1 Triumph Hurdle hero Farclas (Fr) (Jukebox Jury {Ire}) was joined at that price by lot 618b. The latter, sold by Haras de Clairefontaine, was knocked down to Guy Petit and is a full-brother to the Grade 3-winning filly La Boetie (Fr). Topping the stores was AQPS Messire Corton (Fr) (Cokoriko {Fr}) (lot 541), who brought €62,000 from Tom Malone from Haras de la Tuilerie. He is a half-brother to Grade 1 winner and AQPS Black Corton (Fr) (Laverock {Ire}). A total of 122 lots visited the ring on Tuesday, with 87 marked as sold (71.3%) for a gross of €2,001,500 (-8.6%). The average decreased to €23,006 (-10.7%) and the median dropped to €15,000 (-25%). The third session of the Autumn Sale will continue at 11 a.m. local time on Wednesday. The post Doctor Dino Colt Leads Arqana Autumn Session On Tuesday appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Horseshoe Indianapolis concluded its 124-day season Nov. 14 with a record total domestic handle of $282 million. The new mark eclipses the previous record of $279 million set in 2023. “Once again, we are very proud of our racing program this season and it is the result of a strong team effort between our staff, horsemen, and the Indiana Horse Racing Commission,” said Horseshoe Indianapolis Vice President and General Manager of Racing Eric Halstrom. “Everyone contributed to our success this season, which is clearly shown in our wagering results. We genuinely appreciate the support of all fans across the world in watching and wagering on our races. It's very gratifying to see such positive results for the hard work we all put in throughout the season.” Final wagering tallies for the Indiana track will be available later in the year. The current tally of $282 million does not include international numbers, which track officials expect to push the total around the $320-million mark. Average total handle per race was $236,886, showing a 1.60% increase over 2023. More than $8.1 million was wagered on the track's signature GIII Indiana Derby and GIII Indiana Oaks day card July 5, establishing a new track record for a single card handle in Indiana history. “Indiana Derby Day continues to grow each year and has definitely captured the attention of the racing world the first Saturday in July,” Halstrom said. “We have a tremendous crowd on track, in addition to the multitude of locations taking our racing signal throughout the world. Our staff and horsemen put on a great show that day.” In all, 13 days during the year topped $3 million in handle. A total of 1,191 races were conducted at the track in 2024. Of that tally, 971 Thoroughbred races were held in 2024, compared to 983 in 2023. The average number of starters per race was 7.9. Ten fewer races were held on the turf in 2024 compared to 2023, showing the effect weather played on several racing days throughout the year. Randy Klopp earned his third training title in the past four years at the track, while Alberto Burgos won his first jockey title. John Haran was awarded top owner of the meet. Oscar Villarreal was the top apprentice rider, securing the 10th annual Juan Saez Leading Apprentice title. The top horse of the meet was Cupid's Runaway, winner in seven of his eight starts through the course of the meet. The Cupid gelding was ridden by Burgos for Klopp and owner Reese Ranch. The post Horseshoe Indianapolis Concludes Record Season appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Longtime horsemen Tom Hamm and Bobby Langley have launched Top Tier Thoroughbred Management, which will provide a variety of bloodstock and racing management services to its clients, from private and auction purchases, to mating and conformation analysis. Hamm, a native of Youngstown, Ohio, has over three decades of hands-on Thoroughbred experience, starting on the racetrack as an assistant trainer for his brother, Tim Hamm, in the mid-1990s. He later transitioned to the bloodstock realm, where he rose to become general farm manager at Taylor Made Farm and general manager of breeding operations at Woodford Thoroughbreds. He most recently worked at Three Chimneys Farm, joining the company as director of stallion nominations and later becoming chief commercial officer and overseeing Three Chimneys Racing Stable. “Over the past 30 years, I have gained extensive knowledge of the Thoroughbred Industry, and what it takes to be successful in this business,” Hamm said. “I'm at a point in my career where I feel like it's time to go out on my own and utilize the experience and knowledge that I have gained over the years. I am looking forward to the opportunity and challenges of starting my own business with Top Tier Thoroughbred Management.” Langley, a Louisville native, is an experienced blacksmith, spending 40 plus years working with some of the most notable and top Thoroughbred farms in the industry. He started in the industry working under the legendary Joe Taylor. Among some of the high-profile horses under his care were Hall of Famers American Pharoah, California Chrome, Curlin, and Justify. He has been instrumental in conformation evaluation and corrective farrier services for many top Thoroughbred farms throughout Central Kentucky. Both Hamm and Langley will be based in Kentucky. To learn more about Top Tier Thoroughbred Management, visit https://toptierthoroughbreds.com/. The post Hamm, Langley Launch Top Tier Thoroughbred Management appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame is seeking auction items from the Thoroughbred industry, as well as businesses around Saratoga Springs ahead of its third annual “Countdown to the Triple Crown” fundraising event, scheduled for Feb. 1. Businesses who donate an item, experience, or gift card will be promoted leading up to the event through the museum's social media channels and through database distribution. The museum will also provide contributing businesses with two complimentary tickets to the event. Guests can attend the event in person at the museum from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. or bid on special packages online. The early-bird event at the museum will feature beer, wine, soda, light refreshments, and entertainment. Cost to attend the event is $20 for museum members and $35 for non-members. To purchase tickets, click here or call (518) 584-0400. The post Museum Seeks Auction Items for Countdown to Triple Crown Fundraiser appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Masked Marvel (GB) anchors the Haras d'Etreham National Hunt roster for 2025, the stud announced on Tuesday. The sire of several Grade 1 winners and 23 black-type performers will stand at an unchanged fee of €12,500. Young sire Goliath Du Berlais (Fr) is now leading first-season sire once again, with his first 3-year-olds on the racecourse. He is in second place overall among sires of 3-year-olds, just behind Doctor Dino (Fr), with 11 winners already and among them, five French black-type performers. Goliath du Berlais's fee is €12,500 in 2025. Group 1 winner Latrobe (Ire) will be available for €4,000. A true-breeding bay, the son of Camelot (GB)'s eldest foals will be 3-year-olds of 2025. Paradiso (Fr), the first son of Kapgarde (Fr) at stud, welcomed his first foals this year. He will remain at €5,000. As part of an association with the Haras de Cercy, Wonderful Moon (Ger) has taken the place of Pretty Tiger (Ire) at Haras de la Tuilerie for the 2025 season. His fee stays at €2,500. Nicolas de Chambure said, “We are delighted to offer varying profiles of stallions so that all breeders may find the best match for their broodmares. The quality of the French jumps stallion ranks continues to develop and it is in this dynamic environment that we wish to position ourselves and continue to invest. I would also like to remind you of our strict stallion limitation policy, which protects and enhances breeders' investment. Finally, it is very satisfying to witness the success of Goliath du Berlais, who we launched in association with breeders via the operation of breeding rights.” The post Haras d’Etreham Jumps Roster Revealed appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The G1 Prix de Diane winner Sparkling Plenty (Fr) has been added to the Arqana Breeding Stock Sale as a wildcard entry. The daughter of Kingman (GB) will sell on the Saturday of the auction as lot 200 through Haras de Bouquetot to dissolve the partnership between Al Shaqab Racing and Sparkling Plenty's breeder Jean-Pierre Dubois. The filly was first offered as a yearling at Arqana in August 2022 and was unsold at €600,000. In June, the day after her Classic victory in the colours of Dubois, she was offered during the Goffs London Sale. She was again bought in, at £8,100,000, before a private sale was agreed at £5,000,000, with Al Shaqab taking a 50% share. Unbeaten in both her starts at two for Patrice Cottier, Spakling Plenty earned her first black type in the listed Prix Delahante on her second outing. Victory in the G2 Prix Sandringham preceded her Diane triumph. A full-sister to the G3 Jersey Stakes winner Noble Truth (Fr), Sparkling Plenty is out of the unraced Frankel (GB) mare Speralita (Fr), a half-sister to the outstanding Stacelita (Fr) (Monsun {Ger}), whose six Group/Grade 1 wins also includes the Prix de Diane. Stacelita has in turn become an accomplished broodmare in Japan and produced Frankel's first Grade 1 winner, Soul Stirring (Jpn). “We are delighted to present a Prix de Diane winner at the upcoming Arqana Vente d'Elevage,” said Benoit Jeffroy, manager of Haras de Bouquetot. “A Classic winner with such a pedigree represents a rare opportunity and an exceptional racing and breeding potential.” Arqana president Olivier Delloye added, “It's an exceptional opportunity to be able to offer a Classic winner at the end of her three-year-old season. Sparkling Plenty has demonstrated her class since her debut and has fantastic opportunities on the racecourse at four, being just as brilliant over a mile as she is over 2,100 metres. Sparkling Plenty also comes from one of the finest European families that includes Stacelita, Sauterne and Soul Stirring, that have shone at the highest level both in Europe and Japan. She is an absolute rarity at public auction and we are honoured to be able to offer her in the Arqana ring on December 7.” The post Sparkling Plenty Added to Arqana Breeding Stock Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Breeders' Cup winner Starlust (GB) (Zoustar {Aus}) and Grade I runner-up The Foxes (Ire) (Churchill {Ire}) have both been supplemented to the Longines Hong Kong International Races, the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) announced on Tuesday. The former won the GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint in the colours of Fitri Hay and trainer Ralph Beckett. A winner of the G3 Sirenia Stakes in September of 2023, the colt wound up third in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint at Santa Anita two starts later. This term, Starlust managed a listed victory at York in July, and he was also third in the G1 Nunthorpe Stakes in August during a 10-start campaign. He has been supplemented to the G1 Longines Hong Kong Sprint over 1200 metres. King Power Racing's 4-year-old entire is rounding back into form after some time in the wilderness. Successful in the G2 Royal Lodge Stakes as a juvenile, he would take the G2 Dante Stakes, and run second in the GI Belmont Derby Invitational Stakes last summer. Unplaced in his first four starts of 2024, he ran out a three-length winner of the Listed Churchill Stakes over the all-weather at Newcastle over proven Group 1 yardstick Dubai Honour (Ire) (Pride Of Dubai {Aus}) on Nov. 16. Trained by Andrew Balding, The Foxes joins the G1 Longines Hong Kong Cup field. The post Starlust, The Foxes, Supplemented To Longines HKIR appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Stuart S. Janney, III, will step down from his position as chair of The Jockey Club, effective August 2025, the organization announced Tuesday morning. On Janney's recommendation, the board of stewards has chosen Everett Dobson to be his successor. The leadership transition will commence over the coming months, and Janney will remain on the board of stewards through his term, which will end in August 2026. Janney, a prominent Thoroughbred owner and breeder for several decades, was elected vice chair of The Jockey Club in 2010 and became chair in 2015. During his tenure, The Jockey Club expanded its commercial businesses and used those proceeds to make substantial investments in support of the sport. Janney was awarded the Eclipse Award of Merit earlier this year. He is chairman emeritus of Bessemer Trust. “I consider it a privilege to be associated with the accomplishments The Jockey Club has achieved over the past several years, including our many initiatives to sustain and grow the sport, and of course the passage of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act,” Janney said. “These accomplishments, and so many more, are because everyone at The Jockey Club puts the horse first, and I'm proud to be a member and to have served as chair.” A longtime Thoroughbred owner and breeder, Dobson is the owner of Candy Meadows Farm, a broodmare farm located in Lexington and he races under Cheyenne Stables. He is on his second term as a steward of The Jockey Club. He serves on the executive committee of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association and is immediate past chairman of the American Graded Stakes Committee. Dobson serves as a member of the Breeders' Cup, in addition to being a trustee of the Keeneland Association. A native and resident of Oklahoma, Dobson is the executive chairman of Dobson Fiber, a telecommunications company based in Oklahoma City. He is also an investor in the Oklahoma City Thunder NBA team and serves on its board of directors. “I am honored to follow Stuart as chair of The Jockey Club,” Dobson said. “I will continue to ensure that The Jockey Club remains true to its mission of being dedicated to the improvement of Thoroughbred breeding and racing.” The other stewards of The Jockey Club are Barbara Banke, Louis A. Cella, William S. Farish Jr. (vice chair), Gary Fenton, Terry Finley, Ian D. Highet (treasurer), William M. Lear (secretary), David O'Farrell, R. Alex Rankin, and Vincent Viola. The post Janney to Retire as Chair of The Jockey Club, Dobson Chosen His Successor appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Multiple Australian listed winner Bold Bastille (Aus) (Brazen Beau {Aus}) changed hands for A$810,000 to Yulong under the Walnut Farm banner during Tuesday's Inglis Digital Online Sale. Offered by Lindsay Park Racing for an ownership group that included Ozzie Kheir, John O'Neill and partners, the O E & D R Pope, Pty., Ltd.-bred filly is the eighth horse to realise A$500,000 or more on Inglis Digital this year and the 104th to realise A$100,000 or more on the platform in the same time frame. She was originally an A$270,000 Inglis Premier yearling when picked up by Lindsay Park Racing and Group 1 Bloodstock from the Blue Gum Farm draft in 2023. Yulong chief operating officer, Sam Fairgray indicated the daughter of the group-placed Chloe In Paris (Aus) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}) would remain in training with Ben Will and JD Hayes, and told The Thoroughbred Report, “We've seen what they've done over the past couple of years. They're a fantastic training organisation, and they have a facility that they can mix it up and do different things, and come up with different ideas. “They're great with innovations and what they've done with their horses in the past. We've had a good relationship with them, and we look forward to hopefully continuing that with Bold Bastille. We've got a couple of ideas with what we might do with her, which we'll talk about in the next couple of days. “Longer term she's got great residual value and she'll be easy to mate with any of our stallions. The likelihood is that next year she'll retire and go to stud, and we know those fillies with their precocity as 2-year-olds pass it on to their progeny.” Bold Bastille's dam is a half-sister to the Brazen Beau stakes winner Ideas Man (Aus), the group-placed The Original (Aus) (Dehere), the winning dam of Group 3 heroine She Dances (Aus) (Street Boss), and another half-sister is responsible for stakes winner Larimer Street (Aus) (Brazen Beau {Aus}) and the G3 Zeditave Stakes and G3 Telstra Phonewords Stakes second Brockhoff (Aus) (Lonhro {Aus}). “Yes, [Bold Bastille has good pedigree], and we own her half-sister already, Rue Vivienne (Aus), who is a Lonhro (Aus). She had an Alabama Express (Aus) foal this year,” Fairgray added. “So it's a family that we like, and her pedigree is going to work well with a couple of our stallions. “That was one of the ideas of getting her. Eventually she'll end up in the breeding barn, and we can breed her to one of our stallions.” Added Group 1 Bloodstock's Mat Becker, “All the owners are over the moon, we're so happy with the outcome, everybody is just really pleased. “It's great to see her end up at that price, she really deserved it and it was very exciting to watch the bidding that final half hour or so, it really soared.” The post Listed Winner Bold Bastille Sells For A$810,000 To Walnut Farm On Inglis Digital appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Georges Rimaud, the director of the Aga Khan Studs in France for a quarter-century, will retire at the end of 2024. He will be succeeded by Pierre Gasnier, who has assisted Rimaud for the past two years. Trained at the Irish National Stud in 1980, Rimaud worked at Spendthrift Farm and later managed Hurricane Hall–both in Kentucky–and also managed Virginia's Audley Farm. Named manager of Haras d'Etreham in 1991, he joined the Aga Khan Studs in June of 2000. Since then, horses carrying His Highness The Aga Khan's distinctive silks have won 83 Group 1 races under a management team led by Princess Zahra Aga Khan and supported by Rimaud, Pat Downes and Nemone Routh. During Rimaud's tenure, the breeding operation of Jean-Luc Lagardere was integrated in the Aga Khan Studs after being acquired in 2005. The current Haras de Bonneval roster features four stallions, all homebreds–Siyouni (Fr), Zarak (Fr), Vadeni (Fr) and Erevann (Fr). Rimaud, currently the chairman of Arqana Holding, will continue in that position, with Constantin de Lencquesaing, chief financial officer for the Aga Khan Studs, will also remain a member of the Arqana board. “The entire Aga Khan Studs team extends their warmest and most sincere sentiments to Georges as he approaches his retirement,” the Aga Khan Studs said in a statement. “His Highness the Aga Khan and Princess Zahra Aga Khan express their deepest gratitude to him for his expert management of the French studs over the past 25 years. His contribution will impact the Aga Khan Studs and thoroughbred families for generations to come.” Gasnier will be the point of contact regarding the stallions and studs in France. De Lencquesaing will be in charge of the stallion syndicates. Enquiries regarding horses-in-training in France should be directed to Routh, director and racing manager, who is also the main contact for the press, while Downes, director of the Aga Khan Studs in Ireland, remains the point of contact for enquiries regarding Sea The Stars (Ire) and the studs and horses-in-training in Ireland. The post Georges Rimaud To Retire After 25 Years With The Aga Khan Studs appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Michelle Cuozzo Borisenok, who was named to the board of directors of the New York Race Track Chaplaincy in December, has been elected vice president of the organization, filling the vacancy left by the late Nancy C. Kelly, who passed away in February. The announcement was made by Terry Finley, the chairman of the chaplaincy. “Michelle is always looking for ways to improve the quality of life for members of the backstretch community and we know she will do a great job in this new role,” said Finley. A Thoroughbred owner entrepreneur and philanthropist in the Saratoga Springs area, Borisenok operates Brown Road Racing, a boutique Thoroughbred racing organization which aims to empower women, foster a sense of camaraderie, and give back to the community through a combination of racing, education and philanthropy. The stable won the 2021 Cicada Stakes with Just Read It. Since 2016, Borisenok has also co-owned the Thoroughbred breeding farm Old Tavern Farm with her husband, Walt Borisenok. The New York Race Track Chaplaincy (www.rtcany.org) ministers to the needs of the backstretch community at the New York Racing Association racetracks, as well as surrounding farms through a wide variety of programs. They include enrichment programs for children, teen mentoring, women's enrichment, social service, and recreational programs, as well as educational opportunities, and non-denominational religious services. The post Michelle Borisenok Elected Vice President of New York Racing Chaplaincy appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sam Agars ROMANTIC SON - R9 (8) Has had to wait an extra week because of a typhoon but can break through here Jay Rooney SILO - R7 (7) Has gone close in his past three and should be hard to beat in his Valley debut Jack Dawling EASON - R9 (3) Promising third first up and may take a step forward from gate two Phillip Woo APOLAR FIGHTER - R2 (4) Can salute from a proper draw after two positive runs Shannon (Vincent Wong) NINJA DERBY - R2 (10) Kept on well enough for fourth last start and can score with Purton aboard Racing Post Online TRIUMPHANT MORE - R5 (1) Ran wide throughout on his debut win and can score again tonight Tom Wood RAGING BLIZZARD - R8 (7) Excellent run last start considering how slowly he beganView the full article

Te Akau Racing will be hoping Group 2 winner Wild Night (NZ) (Vanbrugh) can start his Australian campaign on a strong note in Saturday’s Listed Cranbourne Cup (1600m), after the stable reported the ‘cool, calm and collected customer’ had ‘settled in beautifully’ at their Cranbourne base. “He arrived last Wednesday … they often arrive sort of a week-and-a-half before their run, it gives them time to settle in,” said Ben Gleeson, who is Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson’s assistant trainer. “He’s got a really good attitude.” The team utilised Southside Racing’s gallops morning to get the five-year-old gelding accustomed to the scene of his Listed-level tilt this weekend. “We’ve just brought him here for his first and only gallop this morning, just a leisurely look around, nothing too strenuous. “He handled it brilliantly, he just took it all in his stride. “We couldn’t be happier with him heading into Saturday.” The half-brother to Gr.2 winner and Karaka Million 2YO runner-up Play That Song has won both starts over 1300m this preparation in New Zealand. The gelding is looking to return to the trajectory of this three-year-old campaign, which saw him put together five victories in a row, before only racing a handful of times in his four-year-old year. “He’s got pretty good form, he’s run behind horses like Prowess,” Gleeson noted. “He’s always been a horse in mind, even this time last year when we first opened, he was a horse that we mentioned may come over here. “He’s just had a few setbacks along the way, it’s taken him time to mature and get over those speed humps. “Sam and Mark and the team at home have got him in fine fettle now, he’s sound and obviously he’s won his last two. “Mark’s really strong on the opinion he’s going to keep developing into a really nice horse, whether that be a mile or further.” The chestnut galloper will once again rise in trip for Saturday’s contest, with further Australian targets to be determined while he makes Cranbourne home. “I think he’s an exciting horse for us to program and hopefully head into the autumn with,” Gleeson said. “Hopefully he can run a good race on Saturday and verify the opinion of the team at home that he’s worthy of coming over. “If he can run a top three race, he’s certainly on track for Listed and better races and there’s a really nice program between Melbourne and Sydney in the autumn for him.” View the full article

Alan Switzer has been named chief financial officer for the British Horseracing Authority (BHA). He joins the executive team after having been with the BHA for several years and having held the role of interim CFO since August 2024. During that time he has overseen “a comprehensive review of the organisation's structure and operational functions, and more recently supporting the delivery of British racing's industry strategy”. Switzer worked for Deloitte for over 25 years as part of the company's Sports Business Group and during the Covid pandemic was seconded to Sport England, where he helped establish and manage the British government's Sports Survival Fund. He said, “I'm delighted to be appointed to the Chief Financial Officer role. I have worked with the BHA and British racing throughout my career, and have huge admiration for the knowledge, experience and passion that exists across the organisation and wider racing industry. “British racing's financial challenges are well documented, with the sport facing significant headwinds and not always best served by the fragmented and complex nature of our funding model. “But these problems are far from insurmountable, especially if we can commit to working collectively in the long-term interests of the sport. As someone who wants to see racing not only survive, but thrive, I look forward to playing my part to support the sport we all love.” Julie Harrington, outgoing BHA chief executive, added, “[Alan] is widely respected and brings a wealth of commercial experience from across racing and the sporting sector more generally. His ability to build strong relationships, coupled with a proven track record of success, will continue to be a significant asset. “Not only will Alan seek to ensure that the BHA remains on a sound financial footing so that it can continue to provide good value and high-quality services for participants, but he will also lead cross-industry efforts to look at our income and funding models and how we can make better use of resources. This will be crucial as we work to secure a more sustainable financial future for British racing.” The post BHA Appoints Alan Switzer as Chief Financial Officer appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

It’s on again – a date has been confirmed for the NZB Standardbred Harness Racing Awards in Christchurch. On February 8 the sport’s best performers, both equine and human, from 2024 will be recognised at Addington Raceway. More details will be released in coming weeks but don’t forgot to circle the date – February 8 – because it promises to be epic. View the full article

By Adam Hamilton Classy Kiwi pacer Tact McLeod has joined the Mark Jones stable and will bring some Kiwi flavour to the Inter Dominions in New South Wales. Jones, who has enjoyed huge recent success in NSW with dual Group 1 Ladyship Mile winner Stylish Memphis, confirmed connections had paid a late nomination fee to tackle the series. It has revived NZ interest in the series after trainer Cran Dalgety scratched Republican Party last Saturday. The Inter Dominion starts with heats at Newcastle on Friday week, moves to Bathurst on December 4 before the last round of heats (December 7) and finals (December 14) at Menangle. Jones said former champion Kiwi driver Anthony Butt, now based in Victoria, would drive Tact McLeod through the series. It gives Butt the chance to become the most successful driver in Inter Dominion history. He currently sits second with 38 Inter Dominion race wins (heats, consolations and finals combined), just one behind fellow Kiwi driver Tony Herlihy. Butt has won four finals, the 2009 pacing final on Mr Feelgood, along with trotting finals on Lyell Creek (2000) and Take A Moment (2001 and ’03). Jones liked what he saw of Tact McLeod when seventh in last week’s IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup and fifth in the Allied Security NZ Free-For-All three days later. The Cup run was monstrous after missing away from the standing start and coming wide, while Tact McLeod would’ve finished in the top three with any racing room last Friday. “He’s nice progressive horse and he’s still building,” he said. “Trevor’s (Proctor) has been training him, so I’ve got to know the horse really well. The plan was always for him to stay with me after Cup Week. “Those runs against the big boys will really bring him on again. “When I heard Swayzee wasn’t running and then Leap To Fame came out, it looked like a really good option to take him across. “Better Eclipse isn’t there, either. He ran second in last year’s final. “It looks a very even series and knowing the upside this horse has, I think he’ll be very competitive. “He’s the sort of horse who just thrives on racing and the big track at Menangle will really suit him. Tact McLeod has raced just 22 times for eight wins, five placings and banked $138,408. View the full article

By Joshua Smith, Trackside.co.nz Last week will live long in the memory of northern race caller George Simon. On New Zealand Trotting Cup Day at Addington Raceway, he became a Group One-winning standardbred breeder when Marketplace took out the Woodlands Stud Sires’ Stakes Series Final (1980m), and four days later he called Talentoso, who he bred and part-owns with his wife Maryanne, to victory at Tauranga. “It was an unbelievable week,” Simon said. “I was calling Te Aroha last Tuesday and I just sat in the commentary box and watched the race from Addington and cheered him (Marketplace) home.” With Marketplace’s victory, Simon has become a dual code Group One-winning breeder, having bred three-time elite-level thoroughbred victor and now stallion Turn Me Loose in partnership with his wife Maryanne. While known as the northern voice of thoroughbred racing in New Zealand, Simon also has a passion for harness racing, having called the code for a number of years at Alexandra Park following Alby Gains’ retirement, and also enjoyed competing in the sulky himself in the amateur ranks. “I have raced a lot of harness horses over the years, and I really enjoy the harness racing side of things too. I was an amateur driver for a few years before it got too busy, I love it,” he said. Marketplace is out of five-win Christian Cullen mare Cullen Who, who has been Simon’s first foray into standardbred breeding. “We bought the dam, Cullen Who, after she had won her first start at Forbury Park. She won five races and over $50,000 on the track,” he said. “There are four mates involved with her – Gordon McKenzie, Tony Barron, Tony Clark, and I. “She is the first one we have bred from. She was probably the best-bred horse that we have raced.” The now 11-year-old mare has had five foals to date, all by champion standardbred sire Bettor’s Delight, with the ownership group electing to sell each of the resulting progeny at New Zealand Bloodstock Standardbred’s National Yearling Sales. “We have sold three for about $100,000 each on average, and Marketplace was the latest one,” Simon said. “Who’s Bettor was the first one and then Who’s Delight, who has been flying, and then Marketplace, who has been the standout.” “Maryanne, my wife, and I went to watch him go through the ring down at Christchurch the year he sold, and he was a lovely yearling. “Tony Barron had prepped him for the sale, as he does with all of our horses (standardbreds). He sold for $100,000 and went to some good judges (Philip and Glenys Kennard), and we have been following his progress all the way through. “Early reports that we got back from the stable (trainer Regan Todd) were that he was a very promising horse. “What he has done in his last five starts, culminating with the Group One win the other day, is just incredible to watch, it was a great thrill.” They say good things come in threes, and that is definitely the case for Simon, with both Marketplace and Turn Me Loose being third foals out of their respective dams. Like Cullen Who, Turn Me Loose’s dam Indomitable was Simon’s first foray into breeding in the thoroughbred code, and he and Maryanne struck the jackpot at just their second mating, with Indomitable already having had one foal prior to the couple leasing her. “We decided that we would get into the breeding side of things and we leased a mare off Sir Peter Vela and his late brother Philip,” Simon said. “She was a Danehill mare called Indomitable and they very kindly allowed us to lease her. We started breeding from her and her third foal turned out to be Turn Me Loose. “We sold him as a ready to run sale horse. We put a reserve of $25,000, we got $52,500 for him and we thought we were geniuses. He won $1.7 million in stakes and we have sent two mares back to him at Windsor Park Stud and that has cost us $20,000 a pop.” Turn Me Loose has been the standout graduate of the Simons’ Mana Park, with the three-time Group One winner holding pride of place at the couple’s home. “I always talk about there is going to be a big night at Iggy’s,” Simon said. “Iggy was our nickname for Turn Me Loose when he was a young horse here. He was the very first horse that we put our Mana Park brand on. “Maryanne wanted a swimming pool and I wanted a man cave, so my man cave is called Iggy’s as a nod to Turn Me Loose. So, everyone that is watching (trackside) and is thinking ‘what is he going on about with Iggy’s?’, that is my man cave.” There have been many a celebration at Iggy’s, and it experienced another on Saturday night following Talentoso’s win at Tauranga. The Simons bred the now four-year-old gelding and race him with a group of friends out of trainer Shelley Hale’s barn. “Iggy’s got a few victims on Saturday night after Talentoso’s win,” Simon quipped. The son of Tarzino is out of a half-sister to Turn Me Loose, and Simon was rapt to call his horse home on Saturday to cap the memorable week in style. “He was probably the easiest winner of the day, he was never going to get beaten – he put himself there and it was a lovely ride by Tayla Mitchell,” Simon said. “We have always had an opinion of him, but he has just been unlucky throughout his career so far. “He is by Tarzino out of a Rip Van Winkle mare, which we bred, Dormez Vous, she is a half-sister to Turn Me Loose. She is one of three in our broodmare band. “We kept him back from the sales. I like racing horses, so we thought we would keep him back and just have a bit of fun with him ourselves and roped in some good friends of ours. “One of them, Gary Thomas, it is his first horse he has ever had, so he thinks this game is easy.” Simon said the colours Talentoso carried to victory hold great sentimental value. “The colours that Maryanne and I race our horses in, the pink and mauve colours, are the colours of my late father-in-law Jim Mead,” Simon said. “He was a wonderful man and when he died, Maryanne got the colours, and we registered and race all of our horses in his colours. “They are very easy colours to see, especially when they are three lengths in front going for the line. “We have had a fair bit of success in those colours too. We had our own stakes winner last year, Denby Road, who won the Cambridge Breeders’ (Gr.3, 1200m). He has been off with injury. “We try and sell our horses, but through circumstances they are sometimes not ready for a sale or don’t make the grade, so we keep them back and we generally race them ourselves and have a bit of fun.” The Simons started breeding just over 15 years ago and Simon said it didn’t take long for their breeding numbers to expand. “It’s a vicious circle. We started with one mare, and we leased another off Sir Peter called Miranda Miss, she was a Reset mare and left a stakes winner we bred called The Soultaker,” he said. “After several years we had about 18 horses that we owned 100 percent ourselves at one stage. Once it’s in your blood it is there. We enjoy it. “We foal them down ourselves, so it is Maryanne and I out in the paddock at 3am in the morning, and we have done that for a number of years. “They become a part of your family. You have your ups and downs, and it is not a game for the weak of heart, but when you have a win, we enjoy it.” While he has enjoyed plenty of success as a breeder, Simon is quick to pass the accolades onto Maryanne with their thoroughbreds, and Gordon McKenzie and Tony Barron with their standardbreds. “I don’t take any of the credit for it, it is all Maryanne’s work as far as the gallopers are concerned, she is the breeding guru,” he said. “Gordon McKenzie and Tony Barron have always advised Tony Clark and I of what we are going to be doing with Cullen Who. We follow what we have been advised to do by the boys. They are good mates of ours and we listen to the experts.” Simon is still basking in Group One glory after last week’s success, and said the win was comparable to his previous elite-level achievements with Turn Me Loose. “It is the elite of the elite,” he said. “You dream about competing in a Group One race, whether that be as an owner, trainer, jockey, driver or breeder. For me it is quite a dream. “We had experienced the thrill of a Group One race through the deeds of Turn Me Loose all those years ago and now to do it in the harness racing game was so unique, it gave me a real buzz, and to do it with good friends is even better.” While unable to be trackside last week due to his northern calling commitments, Simon was able to head down a day later to spend some time with Marketplace at trainer Regan Todd’s property, and he is excited for what the future holds for the gelding following the visit. “After the Te Aroha races, I flew from Auckland to Christchurch and I popped out to Regan Todd’s stable, who very kindly allowed me to go out and have a look at the horse,” Simon said. “I spent the morning with Regan Todd and Craig Ferguson (driver) and saw Marketplace up close and personal. I hadn’t seen him since the day we sold him as a yearling, and gee he is a nice horse. “Indications are that they believe he is going to be a nice three-year-old and time will be his friend, so what he is doing now is fantastic to see. To see him get a Group One was unbelievable.” It was a timely win by Marketplace, with his breeders set to offer a full-sister to the exciting juvenile at next year’s yearling sales. “The full-sister that is going to the sale next year, she really fills the eye,” Simon said. “Tony Barron has been very positive in his reports about her. “The mare, Cullen Who, had another filly foal last week, so that was just great to see.” – Trackside.co.nz View the full article

Every month HRNZ picks at random an owner and breeder of the month. The only proviso is that their horse must have won a race during the month. For October Josh Lester was given the owner’s award after Brother Love’s win at Addington on October 3 while breeder of the month was Alan Edge, after Off The Edge’s win at Addington on October 16. Owner of the month : Josh Lester It’s rare for Josh Lester not to be at the races to urge his horse home but he wasn’t at Addington to see Brother Love win on October 3. “Normally we make every effort to be at the track as that’s what we are in this game for but it was a Thursday and we couldn’t make it.” Based in Geraldine, an hour or so’s drive south of Christchurch, Lester manages the Gray Goats Syndicate, who are part of Brother Love’s ownership group. “Our syndicate comprises four family members – my wife Katherine, sister Ange and niece Zakiaya. We just wanted to find a cost effective way to enhance a day out at the races through ownership. “We just looked on social media at what stables had purchased what post the yearling sales, then got in touch with Gavin (Smith) … and in the end jumping on board with Brother Love.” The Love You five-year-old has had 44 starts, his win at Addington last month was his fifth. “It’s been a good journey to this point, plenty don’t even make it to the track so to win five with our syndicate’s first horse has been great.” The syndicate has since had an involvement with Olives Dream, a cheap buy off Gavelhouse. Their 10 per cent share cost just $70 and she won twice at Timaru (Nov 2023) and Winton (February 2024). “The buzz of seeing a $700 horse finding a home in racing and win certainly was satisfying for everyone involved.” They are also involved with an Always B Miki colt at Brent and Tim White’s stables in Ashburton. Breeder of the month : Alan Edge For October Alan Edge won the Breeder award after Off The Edge’s win in an amateur drivers’ race at Addington on October 16, driven by partner Cheree Wigg. Many of his horses carry the “Edge” name. Off the Edge is by Art Official out of Ella Fitzgerald. Fittingly Off The Edge has been one of Edge’s best performers in a long and successful stint in the sport. He has won nine races and nearly $100K. Edge is a high profile personality. In business he heads up Southern Demolition and his interest in horse racing horse goes way back. “I was at the New Zealand Cup in 1961 to see my uncle (Steve) win with Invicta.” Since then Edge has been a prolific owner – “One year I bought 14 at the weanling sales in Auckland!” “I own 28 at the moment and have 17 in work.” This year he will bred four foals. He also has a youngster he’s looking forward to getting to the races. “A two-year-old we will call Celebrity Edge – named after the cruise ship.” Costing $1b the Celebrity Edge is an award-winning cruise liner that was launched in 2018. Congratulations to both of October’s winners and your plaques are on their way. View the full article

A detailed review will be held into New Zealand Cup week with industry leaders saying initial signs have been largely positive. The sport’s biggest week wound up on Friday after the Cup and Show Day races at Addington and Ashburton’s “meeting of emerging talent” on Thursday. “We knew Show day needed a good shake up and what was delivered was fantastic,” says New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club Chair John Hartnell, “and the turnover on Friday reflected that.” Turnover was $4.3m on 13 races on Show Day Twilight, up by around a quarter on the $3.3m on 12 races the year before. Leading the way were the two brand new slot races – the Hill, Lee and Scott THE VELOCITY won by Better Knuckle Up ($437,358) and the Majestic Horse Floats LP THE ASCENT ($399,734), which was taken out so impressively by Australian sensation Keayang Zahara. Show Day Twilight followed a successful IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup Day where turnover was $7.2m for the 12-race programme. For the first time the IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup and the Renwick Farms Dominion Trot were held on the same day, with the Cup attracting turnover of $1.8m while the Dominion was at around $600K, up nearly 40 percent on last year. “We would love to see that total figure top $8m ideally but it was a very good result,” says HRNZ Chief Executive Brad Steele, “one we will build on.” Total turnover for Ashburton’s lower grade meeting was up from $1.22m on 11 races last year to $1.68m on 14 races. “Cup week is the culmination of a lot of hard work by a lot of people and it was a job well done,” says Steele. Summary : NZ Cup Day, Show Day Twilight, and Ashburton Turnover – $13,073,740 this year, $11,557,608 last year (13.1% increase) NZ Cup day – $7.27m, up from $6.81m last year Show Day Twilight was $4.38m, up 25.1% Year on Year with 1 extra race Ashburton was $1.68m, up 32.7% with 3 extra races View the full article