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Here's a lagging indicator for the economy: the price of one-year-old thoroughbred race horses. This year, they're fetching huge piles of cash, in yet another sign that at least wealthy people are on the prowl for more expensive toys.
How do we know? This month's Keeneland yearling sale, the biggest auction of its kind, yielded gross sales that were 27.6 percent higher than last year -- the highest since 2008 -- and an average price per horse 17 percent higher than 2012. In absolute terms, that's $280,491,300 and $102,220, respectively, with 18 youngsters going for more than $1 million each. The biggest buyer was Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid al Maktoum, who dropped $11.6 million on 27 horses.
Breeders and consignors told the Wall Street Journal that the additional dollars in the system represented buyers' discretionary income, since many of them are hobbyists.
The historical trends look a lot like the rest of the economy. The industry has also been bouyed by a halt in the long fall of betting volumes, according to the latest statistics available from the Jockey Club: Also, there have been fewer racehorses born and fewer races, though the prize money for each race is rising, which may partly reflect the fact that racetracks increasingly pull in revenues from gambling at adjoining casinos, rather than on races themselves.
Well at least the horse racing industry is recovering
How do we know? This month's Keeneland yearling sale, the biggest auction of its kind, yielded gross sales that were 27.6 percent higher than last year -- the highest since 2008 -- and an average price per horse 17 percent higher than 2012. In absolute terms, that's $280,491,300 and $102,220, respectively, with 18 youngsters going for more than $1 million each. The biggest buyer was Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid al Maktoum, who dropped $11.6 million on 27 horses.
Breeders and consignors told the Wall Street Journal that the additional dollars in the system represented buyers' discretionary income, since many of them are hobbyists.
The historical trends look a lot like the rest of the economy. The industry has also been bouyed by a halt in the long fall of betting volumes, according to the latest statistics available from the Jockey Club: Also, there have been fewer racehorses born and fewer races, though the prize money for each race is rising, which may partly reflect the fact that racetracks increasingly pull in revenues from gambling at adjoining casinos, rather than on races themselves.
Well at least the horse racing industry is recovering
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TWO horses in maidens, one at the start of Beverley's card and one at the end of Lingfield's, have been heavily backed to get their heads in front today.
Our Channel (2.10 Beverley) has form figures of 32 and punters clearly expect a 1 to be next in that sequence with the William Haggas-trained runner backed into 13-8 (from 4).
While that one has the benefit of racecourse experience, in the 5.30 at Lingfield Musaddas is being punted to making a winning debut. The Godolphin runner has hit a low of 6-4 having been priced up at 6-1 on the first show.
In the race before at Lingfield (5.00) Santadelacruz has been cut to 9-4 (from 11-2) to win for Gary and Ryan Moore.
Back up at Beverley, the other horse for money this morning has been Hail Bold Chief who is into 2-1 (from 7-2) for the 5.45.
Maidens backed to get their heads in front | Horse Racing News | Racing Post
Our Channel (2.10 Beverley) has form figures of 32 and punters clearly expect a 1 to be next in that sequence with the William Haggas-trained runner backed into 13-8 (from 4).
While that one has the benefit of racecourse experience, in the 5.30 at Lingfield Musaddas is being punted to making a winning debut. The Godolphin runner has hit a low of 6-4 having been priced up at 6-1 on the first show.
In the race before at Lingfield (5.00) Santadelacruz has been cut to 9-4 (from 11-2) to win for Gary and Ryan Moore.
Back up at Beverley, the other horse for money this morning has been Hail Bold Chief who is into 2-1 (from 7-2) for the 5.45.
Maidens backed to get their heads in front | Horse Racing News | Racing Post
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I followed up on Mike Spellman's interesting story today about how the number of racing days at Arlington International Racecourse this year could depend on lawmakers' further approval of betting on horses online.
The law allowing Internet gambling on horses in Illinois expired at the end of 2012. It's known as advanced deposit wagering. Spellman explains why that affects Arlington:
It wasn't extended this year until the spring, and it cost the (Illinois Racing Board), which is partially funded by ADW, approximately $750,000 in tax revenues.
If there is another such delay, and there isn't also supplemental funding for this year's lost revenues, the IRB says it will run out of funds to regulate a live racing schedule similar to what it approved for 2013, forcing cuts in live racing to accommodate the shortfall.
The ADW law expires once again in January of 2014. I asked state Rep. Lou Lang, the Skokie Democrat who extended it this year, if it'll be extended again.
He said he hadn't thought about it much yet, but said gambling on horses online is "something we need to keep."
"The racing board actions should give impetus to interest groups and legislators," he said.
Here's where it could get tricky.
Lang said he'd prefer the ADW cause get taken up in greater gambling expansion legislation - the same one that has stalled for years. New casinos. Slots at the tracks. Internet gambling. The works.
"We should take the necessary steps to clean up all gaming issues in the state," Lang said.
It might be tough to do by the racing board's deadline, especially because next year is an election year. Stay tuned.
Clock ticks on online horse betting | DailyHerald-com Blogs
The law allowing Internet gambling on horses in Illinois expired at the end of 2012. It's known as advanced deposit wagering. Spellman explains why that affects Arlington:
It wasn't extended this year until the spring, and it cost the (Illinois Racing Board), which is partially funded by ADW, approximately $750,000 in tax revenues.
If there is another such delay, and there isn't also supplemental funding for this year's lost revenues, the IRB says it will run out of funds to regulate a live racing schedule similar to what it approved for 2013, forcing cuts in live racing to accommodate the shortfall.
The ADW law expires once again in January of 2014. I asked state Rep. Lou Lang, the Skokie Democrat who extended it this year, if it'll be extended again.
He said he hadn't thought about it much yet, but said gambling on horses online is "something we need to keep."
"The racing board actions should give impetus to interest groups and legislators," he said.
Here's where it could get tricky.
Lang said he'd prefer the ADW cause get taken up in greater gambling expansion legislation - the same one that has stalled for years. New casinos. Slots at the tracks. Internet gambling. The works.
"We should take the necessary steps to clean up all gaming issues in the state," Lang said.
It might be tough to do by the racing board's deadline, especially because next year is an election year. Stay tuned.
Clock ticks on online horse betting | DailyHerald-com Blogs
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NEWMARKET'S Cambridgeshire meeting gets underway this afternoon but it is the other meetings punters have been looking at for the day's best bets.
The biggest move of the morning has come at Wolverhampton where the Luca Cumani-trained Lawyer has been smashed into to make a successful nursery debut (6.45) . Installed an 11-4 chance early on, he is now trading at a low of 11-10. Also at Wolverhampton, El Massivo has been cut to 4-1 (from 10) for the 8.45.
Nigel Twiston-Davies has a solid record with his runners at Perth and it is his Double Ross in the 3.55 that has attracted cash at the day's jumps meeting. Having been available to back at odds against on the early shows, he is now as short as 4-6.
At Pontefract, Adam's Ale is 4-1 (from 10) for the 3.30 while the most significant mover at Newmarket is Statutory in the 4.15 who is 4-1 (from 8).
Cumani runner backed on nursery debut | Horse Racing News | Racing Post
The biggest move of the morning has come at Wolverhampton where the Luca Cumani-trained Lawyer has been smashed into to make a successful nursery debut (6.45) . Installed an 11-4 chance early on, he is now trading at a low of 11-10. Also at Wolverhampton, El Massivo has been cut to 4-1 (from 10) for the 8.45.
Nigel Twiston-Davies has a solid record with his runners at Perth and it is his Double Ross in the 3.55 that has attracted cash at the day's jumps meeting. Having been available to back at odds against on the early shows, he is now as short as 4-6.
At Pontefract, Adam's Ale is 4-1 (from 10) for the 3.30 while the most significant mover at Newmarket is Statutory in the 4.15 who is 4-1 (from 8).
Cumani runner backed on nursery debut | Horse Racing News | Racing Post
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THERE could be further upheaval in the betting for the Betfred Cambridgeshire (3.50) with trainer Hugo Palmer casting huge doubts on the participation of leading fancy Ascription.
The Newmarket cavalry charge has already lost 14-1 chance Top Notch Tonto and 50-1 shot King's Warrior due to the good to firm going on the Rowley Mile leaving 33 runners.
However, Palmer has been carefully watching the skies over the past week and said on Saturday morning that he thought his 11-1 chance would not make the final line up.
"I haven't walked the course yet but if the weather stays like this he won't run," Palmer told Channel 4 racing. "Standing here right now I don't expect him to run in the Cambridgeshire."
With Top Notch Tonto out of the Cambridgeshire and Ascription a likely non-runner, Educate and Queensbury rules are slugging it out for favouritism for the Newmarket race at 10-1.
Educate is drawn low in stall four while Queensbury Rules is in stall 18. The GoingStick readings across the Rowley Mile are 8.2 stands' side, 8.2 centre and 8.4 far side.
Racing also takes place at Chester, Haydock, Wolverhampton, Market Rasen, Ripon and Navan.
Today's pointer
King George River is 2-3 under Robert Tart (1-8 under any other rider), plus has finished first and second when tried over 1m1f previously. He's an interesting outsider for today's Cambridgeshire (3.50).
Pointer provided by Raceform Interactive
Going
Newmarket: Good to firm
Haydock: Good, good to firm in places
Chester: Good
Market Rasen: Good (watered)
Ripon: Good
Wolverhampton: Standard to slow
Navan: Good to firm
Tonto out and Ascription doubtful for Cambridgeshire | Horse Racing News | Racing Post
The Newmarket cavalry charge has already lost 14-1 chance Top Notch Tonto and 50-1 shot King's Warrior due to the good to firm going on the Rowley Mile leaving 33 runners.
However, Palmer has been carefully watching the skies over the past week and said on Saturday morning that he thought his 11-1 chance would not make the final line up.
"I haven't walked the course yet but if the weather stays like this he won't run," Palmer told Channel 4 racing. "Standing here right now I don't expect him to run in the Cambridgeshire."
With Top Notch Tonto out of the Cambridgeshire and Ascription a likely non-runner, Educate and Queensbury rules are slugging it out for favouritism for the Newmarket race at 10-1.
Educate is drawn low in stall four while Queensbury Rules is in stall 18. The GoingStick readings across the Rowley Mile are 8.2 stands' side, 8.2 centre and 8.4 far side.
Racing also takes place at Chester, Haydock, Wolverhampton, Market Rasen, Ripon and Navan.
Today's pointer
King George River is 2-3 under Robert Tart (1-8 under any other rider), plus has finished first and second when tried over 1m1f previously. He's an interesting outsider for today's Cambridgeshire (3.50).
Pointer provided by Raceform Interactive
Going
Newmarket: Good to firm
Haydock: Good, good to firm in places
Chester: Good
Market Rasen: Good (watered)
Ripon: Good
Wolverhampton: Standard to slow
Navan: Good to firm
Tonto out and Ascription doubtful for Cambridgeshire | Horse Racing News | Racing Post
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JOHNNY MURTAGH once again worked his big race magic when steering Educate to victory in the Cambridgeshire at Newmarket yesterday.
This season Murtagh has enjoyed a remarkable run of success in the headline acts on Saturdays and this was not lost on the punters at Newmarket who made Educate the 8-1 favourite.
There might have been 31 runners but Murtagh was always in control.
“When I rode him at Haydock I thought he was a Group horse,” he said.
“I thought I hit the line well but I was still glad to hear number three being called out.
“I’ve had an unbelievable year. There are no grey hairs yet, no stress, although I’m eating more breakfasts than I really should be. It’s about getting on some nice horses.”
One of those nice horses is Novellist who carried the 43-year-old to victory in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot in July.
Next Sunday, Murtagh and Novellist have an outstanding chance of capturing the Arc de Triomphe. An old score was settled at Newmarket when Sky Lantern skipped home in the Sun Chariot Stakes with her old rival Elusive Kate trailing in her slipstream.
The last time the pair met, Elusive Kate unfairly kept the race after she had dragged Sky Lantern across the track.
Berkshire won as expected in the Royal Lodge Stakes but not in the manner that was anticipated.
The colt was far from impressive when scrapping home by a neck from Somewhat.
But there was a lot to like about the Vorda’s winning performance in the Cheveley Park Stakes.
The French-trained filly, whose only defeat came when beaten by No Nay Never, the season’s best two-year-old, will be a formidable opponent if she returns to Newmarket for next year’s 1,000 Guineas.
More magic by Johnny Murtagh | Horse Racing | Sport | Daily Express
This season Murtagh has enjoyed a remarkable run of success in the headline acts on Saturdays and this was not lost on the punters at Newmarket who made Educate the 8-1 favourite.
There might have been 31 runners but Murtagh was always in control.
“When I rode him at Haydock I thought he was a Group horse,” he said.
“I thought I hit the line well but I was still glad to hear number three being called out.
“I’ve had an unbelievable year. There are no grey hairs yet, no stress, although I’m eating more breakfasts than I really should be. It’s about getting on some nice horses.”
One of those nice horses is Novellist who carried the 43-year-old to victory in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot in July.
Next Sunday, Murtagh and Novellist have an outstanding chance of capturing the Arc de Triomphe. An old score was settled at Newmarket when Sky Lantern skipped home in the Sun Chariot Stakes with her old rival Elusive Kate trailing in her slipstream.
The last time the pair met, Elusive Kate unfairly kept the race after she had dragged Sky Lantern across the track.
Berkshire won as expected in the Royal Lodge Stakes but not in the manner that was anticipated.
The colt was far from impressive when scrapping home by a neck from Somewhat.
But there was a lot to like about the Vorda’s winning performance in the Cheveley Park Stakes.
The French-trained filly, whose only defeat came when beaten by No Nay Never, the season’s best two-year-old, will be a formidable opponent if she returns to Newmarket for next year’s 1,000 Guineas.
More magic by Johnny Murtagh | Horse Racing | Sport | Daily Express
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2006/12/07
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This season Murtagh has enjoyed a remarkable run of success in the headline acts on Saturdays and this was not lost on the punters at Newmarket who made Educate the 8-1 favourite.
There might have been 31 runners but Murtagh was always in control.
“When I rode him at Haydock I thought he was a Group horse,” he said.
“I thought I hit the line well but I was still glad to hear number three being called out.
“I’ve had an unbelievable year. There are no grey hairs yet, no stress, although I’m eating more breakfasts than I really should be. It’s about getting on some nice horses.”
One of those nice horses is Novellist who carried the 43-year-old to victory in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot in July.
Next Sunday, Murtagh and Novellist have an outstanding chance of capturing the Arc de Triomphe. An old score was settled at Newmarket when Sky Lantern skipped home in the Sun Chariot Stakes with her old rival Elusive Kate trailing in her slipstream.
The last time the pair met, Elusive Kate unfairly kept the race after she had dragged Sky Lantern across the track.
Berkshire won as expected in the Royal Lodge Stakes but not in the manner that was anticipated.
The colt was far from impressive when scrapping home by a neck from Somewhat.
But there was a lot to like about the Vorda’s winning performance in the Cheveley Park Stakes.
The French-trained filly, whose only defeat came when beaten by No Nay Never, the season’s best two-year-old, will be a formidable opponent if she returns to Newmarket for next year’s 1,000 Guineas.
More magic by Johnny Murtagh | Horse Racing | Sport | Daily Express
There might have been 31 runners but Murtagh was always in control.
“When I rode him at Haydock I thought he was a Group horse,” he said.
“I thought I hit the line well but I was still glad to hear number three being called out.
“I’ve had an unbelievable year. There are no grey hairs yet, no stress, although I’m eating more breakfasts than I really should be. It’s about getting on some nice horses.”
One of those nice horses is Novellist who carried the 43-year-old to victory in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot in July.
Next Sunday, Murtagh and Novellist have an outstanding chance of capturing the Arc de Triomphe. An old score was settled at Newmarket when Sky Lantern skipped home in the Sun Chariot Stakes with her old rival Elusive Kate trailing in her slipstream.
The last time the pair met, Elusive Kate unfairly kept the race after she had dragged Sky Lantern across the track.
Berkshire won as expected in the Royal Lodge Stakes but not in the manner that was anticipated.
The colt was far from impressive when scrapping home by a neck from Somewhat.
But there was a lot to like about the Vorda’s winning performance in the Cheveley Park Stakes.
The French-trained filly, whose only defeat came when beaten by No Nay Never, the season’s best two-year-old, will be a formidable opponent if she returns to Newmarket for next year’s 1,000 Guineas.
More magic by Johnny Murtagh | Horse Racing | Sport | Daily Express
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SURGEONS "couldn't be happier" with the progress injured superstar St Nicholas Abbey has made since he broke the weight-bearing pin inserted into his cannonbone and had to have his leg placed in a cast in late August.
The six-year-old suffered a career-ending injury when fracturing a pastern during a piece of work in July and underwent life-saving surgery. He then had to overcome a major colic scare before the incident which caused his leg to be cast.
St Nicholas Abbey, who won six Group 1s and almost £5,000,000 prize-money in a wonderful 21-race career, has recently been fitted with a "lighter and less restrictive cast" as his condition continues to improve.
"The surgeons at Fethard Equine Hospital couldn't be happier with St Nicholas Abbey's progress to date," Coolmore said on their website. "He is more mobile and is putting more confident weight on the injured leg.
"St Nicholas Abbey's appetite is good and he continues to gain weight. His blood work remains stable and his medication has been much reduced."
It is still hoped that once fully recovered St Nicholas Abbey, Montjeu's most successful son and a Group 1 winner at two, four, five and six, will be able to have an active career as a stallion.
St Nicholas Abbey's progress continues to please surgeons | Horse Racing News | Racing Post
The six-year-old suffered a career-ending injury when fracturing a pastern during a piece of work in July and underwent life-saving surgery. He then had to overcome a major colic scare before the incident which caused his leg to be cast.
St Nicholas Abbey, who won six Group 1s and almost £5,000,000 prize-money in a wonderful 21-race career, has recently been fitted with a "lighter and less restrictive cast" as his condition continues to improve.
"The surgeons at Fethard Equine Hospital couldn't be happier with St Nicholas Abbey's progress to date," Coolmore said on their website. "He is more mobile and is putting more confident weight on the injured leg.
"St Nicholas Abbey's appetite is good and he continues to gain weight. His blood work remains stable and his medication has been much reduced."
It is still hoped that once fully recovered St Nicholas Abbey, Montjeu's most successful son and a Group 1 winner at two, four, five and six, will be able to have an active career as a stallion.
St Nicholas Abbey's progress continues to please surgeons | Horse Racing News | Racing Post
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A member of a panel of former cabinet ministers drafting a new funding deal for Ontario’s horse-racing industry says the five-year plan will introduce greater transparency and accountability for public dollars.
John Snobelen, one of three members appointed by the Ontario government to the Horse Racing Transition Panel, met with officials from the Ministry of Agriculture and Food on Monday to discuss the panel’s work. He expects a final report will be in the government’s hands by week’s end.
Questions about spending at Woodbine Entertainment Group, the province’s largest racetrack and slot-machine operator, were raised in the Ontario legislature Monday after The Globe and Mail revealed on the weekend that the province’s gambling regulator is investigating compensation and governance practices at the not-for-profit organization.
Through interviews and documents, The Globe found that Woodbine Entertainment paid $51-million in bonuses to employees over a 12-year period through two profit-sharing programs – one for the rank-and-file and a separate plan for management. Some managers were also eligible for further payouts under a long-term incentive plan. The cost of that plan is not known.
The profit-sharing programs were started the same year slot machines were installed at Woodbine’s horse-racing track in Toronto in 2000. The government, then led by Progressive Conservative premier Mike Harris, introduced the slots revenue-sharing deal in 1998 to help revive horse racing and breeding and bolster the rural economy.
But many in the horse-racing industry contend Woodbine and other tracks did not dedicate enough slot revenue to promoting horse racing. Woodbine, which spent $430-million renovating and expanding its tracks, scrapped its employee incentive plans on March 31, a condition of receiving transition funds from government to replace the slots-at-racetracks program, cancelled by the Liberal government last year.
While the panel is not planning to make recommendations on executive compensation and profit-sharing programs at racetracks, Mr. Snobelen, a former PC cabinet minister, does not think exorbitant payouts will be an issue under the new funding deal because it will not turn over nearly as much government money to track operators as the slots-at-racetracks program.
“I think those days of excess are gone,” Mr. Snobelen said. “That’s all a result of having more funding than you need to have.”
The slots-at-racetracks program had been lucrative for track operators and the government, generating $4-billion for tracks and just under $10-billion for provincial coffers since 1998. Its sudden cancellation in 2012 stunned the horse racing industry. The market for racehorses plunged and jobs at racetracks were reduced.
Opposition politicians have criticized the Liberal government for its decision to kill the slots program without warning.
On Monday, Progressive Conservative Leader Tim Hudak questioned why the Liberals “failed to keep their eye on the ball when it comes to these expenses” at Woodbine Entertainment, while NDP Leader Andrea Horwath suggested the government should consider capping executive salaries at the not-for-profit track.
“That [slots] program was one that kept many thousands of people employed in the racing industry, kept rural Ontario doing well, and they basically threw out the baby with the bathwater, if that’s what they were attempting to do to deal with those exorbitant salaries,” Ms. Horwath said.
But Premier Kathleen Wynne, who is also the Agriculture Minister, said the slots-at-racetracks program had to change.
“The situation within the gaming and certainly the horseracing industry has been that we have not had a transparent and sustainable system in place,” Ms. Wynne said.
“That’s why I’ve asked the panel to give me a five-year strategy for making sure that we can make the system sustainable.”
Ontario's new horse-racing deal will be more accountable, panellist says - The Globe and Mail
John Snobelen, one of three members appointed by the Ontario government to the Horse Racing Transition Panel, met with officials from the Ministry of Agriculture and Food on Monday to discuss the panel’s work. He expects a final report will be in the government’s hands by week’s end.
Questions about spending at Woodbine Entertainment Group, the province’s largest racetrack and slot-machine operator, were raised in the Ontario legislature Monday after The Globe and Mail revealed on the weekend that the province’s gambling regulator is investigating compensation and governance practices at the not-for-profit organization.
Through interviews and documents, The Globe found that Woodbine Entertainment paid $51-million in bonuses to employees over a 12-year period through two profit-sharing programs – one for the rank-and-file and a separate plan for management. Some managers were also eligible for further payouts under a long-term incentive plan. The cost of that plan is not known.
The profit-sharing programs were started the same year slot machines were installed at Woodbine’s horse-racing track in Toronto in 2000. The government, then led by Progressive Conservative premier Mike Harris, introduced the slots revenue-sharing deal in 1998 to help revive horse racing and breeding and bolster the rural economy.
But many in the horse-racing industry contend Woodbine and other tracks did not dedicate enough slot revenue to promoting horse racing. Woodbine, which spent $430-million renovating and expanding its tracks, scrapped its employee incentive plans on March 31, a condition of receiving transition funds from government to replace the slots-at-racetracks program, cancelled by the Liberal government last year.
While the panel is not planning to make recommendations on executive compensation and profit-sharing programs at racetracks, Mr. Snobelen, a former PC cabinet minister, does not think exorbitant payouts will be an issue under the new funding deal because it will not turn over nearly as much government money to track operators as the slots-at-racetracks program.
“I think those days of excess are gone,” Mr. Snobelen said. “That’s all a result of having more funding than you need to have.”
The slots-at-racetracks program had been lucrative for track operators and the government, generating $4-billion for tracks and just under $10-billion for provincial coffers since 1998. Its sudden cancellation in 2012 stunned the horse racing industry. The market for racehorses plunged and jobs at racetracks were reduced.
Opposition politicians have criticized the Liberal government for its decision to kill the slots program without warning.
On Monday, Progressive Conservative Leader Tim Hudak questioned why the Liberals “failed to keep their eye on the ball when it comes to these expenses” at Woodbine Entertainment, while NDP Leader Andrea Horwath suggested the government should consider capping executive salaries at the not-for-profit track.
“That [slots] program was one that kept many thousands of people employed in the racing industry, kept rural Ontario doing well, and they basically threw out the baby with the bathwater, if that’s what they were attempting to do to deal with those exorbitant salaries,” Ms. Horwath said.
But Premier Kathleen Wynne, who is also the Agriculture Minister, said the slots-at-racetracks program had to change.
“The situation within the gaming and certainly the horseracing industry has been that we have not had a transparent and sustainable system in place,” Ms. Wynne said.
“That’s why I’ve asked the panel to give me a five-year strategy for making sure that we can make the system sustainable.”
Ontario's new horse-racing deal will be more accountable, panellist says - The Globe and Mail
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Some of horse racing's elite jockeys, trainers and horses will converge on Indiana Downs Saturday for the 19th running of the Indiana Derby.
The Grade II $500,000-added race will be coming to Indiana Downs for the first time in its history, and based on the sentiments Tuesday afternoon during the Post-Draw Luncheon, excitement is already building around the event. The Indiana Derby will be held Saturday at approximately 6:45 p.m. at Indiana Downs. The first post is set for 1:55 p.m. and the Indiana Oaks is slated for 6:45 p.m.
The Indiana Derby began during the inaugural 1995 season at Hoosier Park Racing and Casino with a purse of $100,000. Today, the race is a final stop for many horses on their way to the Breeders' Cup World Championships.Several horses that have competed in the Indiana Derby have also competed and won legs of the Triple Crown series, including in 2010 when Lookin at Lucky won the Preakness and the Indiana Derby.
"It is an exciting event in Shelbyville. For years, we watched with admiration at what was taking place at Hoosier Park. This truly is a national event, and it features an incredible field. We are very excited to have this event at our place, and it puts Indiana Downs on a national stage," Indiana Downs Vice President and General Manager of Racing Jon Schuster.
On Tuesday, a random draw was conducted to set the field of 12 horses.
Director of Racing Kevin Greeley said a total of 15 horses were entered in the "very popular race." A total of 40 3-year-old horses were nominated for the event.
The morning favorite at 3-1 is horse Power Broker and is trained by legend Bob Baffert. Baffert has won the Indiana Derby twice in 2009 with Misremembered and in 2010 with Lookin At Lucky.
The favorites generally do not fare well in the race. Out of 18 previous races, only three times has the favorite won. However, the last time came in 2010.
Indiana Downs regular Leandro Goncalves, who has ridden to several titles at Shelby County's only pari-mutuel horse track, will be aboard 10-1 favorite Mr. Palmer.
Jockey Stewart Elliott will ride Edge of Reality, which recently won the Smarty Jones, and is a 6-1 favorite. Calvin Borel will be making a return trip to Indiana Downs aboard Ruler of Love, who goes off as an 8-1 favorite.
Leading rider Malcom Franklin will be aboard 12-1 favorite Take It Like A Man, whole Miguel Mena will be aboard Canadian horse Uncaptured, who is a 9-2 favorite.
Rounding out the field is For Dubai, a 15-1 favorite; Bad Hombre, a 12-1 favorite; Holy Lute, a 12-1 favorite; Bradester, a 20-1 favorite; Midnight Taboo, a 5-1 favorite and Micromanage, a 5-1 favorite.
Legendary horse trainer Todd Pletcher has two horses in the field in Micromanage and Midnight Taboo.
The Shelbyville News > Archives > News > Indiana Downs ready for largest horse racing event
The Grade II $500,000-added race will be coming to Indiana Downs for the first time in its history, and based on the sentiments Tuesday afternoon during the Post-Draw Luncheon, excitement is already building around the event. The Indiana Derby will be held Saturday at approximately 6:45 p.m. at Indiana Downs. The first post is set for 1:55 p.m. and the Indiana Oaks is slated for 6:45 p.m.
The Indiana Derby began during the inaugural 1995 season at Hoosier Park Racing and Casino with a purse of $100,000. Today, the race is a final stop for many horses on their way to the Breeders' Cup World Championships.Several horses that have competed in the Indiana Derby have also competed and won legs of the Triple Crown series, including in 2010 when Lookin at Lucky won the Preakness and the Indiana Derby.
"It is an exciting event in Shelbyville. For years, we watched with admiration at what was taking place at Hoosier Park. This truly is a national event, and it features an incredible field. We are very excited to have this event at our place, and it puts Indiana Downs on a national stage," Indiana Downs Vice President and General Manager of Racing Jon Schuster.
On Tuesday, a random draw was conducted to set the field of 12 horses.
Director of Racing Kevin Greeley said a total of 15 horses were entered in the "very popular race." A total of 40 3-year-old horses were nominated for the event.
The morning favorite at 3-1 is horse Power Broker and is trained by legend Bob Baffert. Baffert has won the Indiana Derby twice in 2009 with Misremembered and in 2010 with Lookin At Lucky.
The favorites generally do not fare well in the race. Out of 18 previous races, only three times has the favorite won. However, the last time came in 2010.
Indiana Downs regular Leandro Goncalves, who has ridden to several titles at Shelby County's only pari-mutuel horse track, will be aboard 10-1 favorite Mr. Palmer.
Jockey Stewart Elliott will ride Edge of Reality, which recently won the Smarty Jones, and is a 6-1 favorite. Calvin Borel will be making a return trip to Indiana Downs aboard Ruler of Love, who goes off as an 8-1 favorite.
Leading rider Malcom Franklin will be aboard 12-1 favorite Take It Like A Man, whole Miguel Mena will be aboard Canadian horse Uncaptured, who is a 9-2 favorite.
Rounding out the field is For Dubai, a 15-1 favorite; Bad Hombre, a 12-1 favorite; Holy Lute, a 12-1 favorite; Bradester, a 20-1 favorite; Midnight Taboo, a 5-1 favorite and Micromanage, a 5-1 favorite.
Legendary horse trainer Todd Pletcher has two horses in the field in Micromanage and Midnight Taboo.
The Shelbyville News > Archives > News > Indiana Downs ready for largest horse racing event
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Jamie Aitchison, commissioning editor for sport at Channel 4, denied the 73-year-old presenter’s claim that his age cost him his job.
He said the station wanted a more serious and inclusive show and accused McCririck of hogging the limelight from his fellow presenters “because he loved the camera”.
McCririck – who is challenging the broadcaster and TV production company IMG Media Limited – was seen as “unappealing and irritating”.
Mr Aitchison said in his witness statement: “John McCririck was considered to have a pantomime style of exaggerated delivery, which was incongruous with the more serious, measured and journalistic style proposed for the programme from 2013.”
He said he was advised by senior executives across the industry not to use McCririck on the new show. He went on: “I would be foolish to ignore that kind of expertise.”
The executive told the London tribunal that one presenter considered was stylist Gok Wan, who would have fronted a fashion section on race******goers’ outfits. But he said Wan would not have commentated on races.
Tory MP Philip Davies, a lifelong racing fan, who appeared as a witness, said the sacking by Channel 4 was a “catastrophic mistake”.
McCririck is demanding £3million compensation for being axed after 29 years. The hearing continues.
Horse racing pundit John McCririck sacked by Channel 4 for being 'irritating' | UK | News | Daily Express
He said the station wanted a more serious and inclusive show and accused McCririck of hogging the limelight from his fellow presenters “because he loved the camera”.
McCririck – who is challenging the broadcaster and TV production company IMG Media Limited – was seen as “unappealing and irritating”.
Mr Aitchison said in his witness statement: “John McCririck was considered to have a pantomime style of exaggerated delivery, which was incongruous with the more serious, measured and journalistic style proposed for the programme from 2013.”
He said he was advised by senior executives across the industry not to use McCririck on the new show. He went on: “I would be foolish to ignore that kind of expertise.”
The executive told the London tribunal that one presenter considered was stylist Gok Wan, who would have fronted a fashion section on race******goers’ outfits. But he said Wan would not have commentated on races.
Tory MP Philip Davies, a lifelong racing fan, who appeared as a witness, said the sacking by Channel 4 was a “catastrophic mistake”.
McCririck is demanding £3million compensation for being axed after 29 years. The hearing continues.
Horse racing pundit John McCririck sacked by Channel 4 for being 'irritating' | UK | News | Daily Express
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BIG-RACE ace Johnny Murtagh aims to net a handsome windfall when he bids to land the £270,000 first prize on Toofi in the Tattersalls Millions 2YO Trophy at Newmarket this afternoon.
A week ago for the same connections of Saleh Al Homaizi and Imad Al Sagar and trainer Roger Varian, Murtagh rode Princess Noor to fill second place in the Cheveley Park Stakes.
Today he takes over on Toofi, who won the £100,000 Tattersalls Millions Median Auction Trophy last time, in which he beat Jallotta by a length and now tries an extra furlong in an 18-runner field packed with promising colts.
Varian said: "He hasn't put a foot wrong since winning at Newmarket. He'll have to improve another pound or two in this competitive race but he should stay the trip and I think he'll run well."
Aidan O'Brien looks to have a leading chance in the shape of Oklahoma City. He said: "He ran a good race when second in the Beresford Stakes last Sunday and, while we're running him back quite soon, he seems to have come out of his Curragh race well. He's won well over six furlongs and Sunday's race was over a mile, so seven furlongs should be fine for him."
Richard Hannon often does well in sales races and he said of his runner Bon Voyage: "He's run three cracking races and it's surprising he's still a maiden, but he's not done a lot wrong, and this seven [furlongs] will suit him too."
As well as Newmarket, racing in Britain comes from Ascot, Fontwell and Redcar this afternoon plus Wolverhampton tonight.
The card at Gowran Park sees the return of Sizing Europe, the Arc meeting gets underway at Longchamp while there are seven Grade 1s in America later on tonight through into the early hours of tomorrow morning.
Today's pointer
Cirrus Des Aigles has career figures of 111121 (beaten a head when second) when racing over 1m2f at Longchamp. He goes over that trip in the Prix Dollar (3.15)
Pointer courtesy of Raceform Interactive
Going
Ascot: soft
Fontwell Park: good, good to soft in places
Newmarket: good to firm, good in places
Redcar: good to firm, good in places
Wolverhampton: standard
Murtagh gunning for more Saturday glory | Horse Racing News | Racing Post
A week ago for the same connections of Saleh Al Homaizi and Imad Al Sagar and trainer Roger Varian, Murtagh rode Princess Noor to fill second place in the Cheveley Park Stakes.
Today he takes over on Toofi, who won the £100,000 Tattersalls Millions Median Auction Trophy last time, in which he beat Jallotta by a length and now tries an extra furlong in an 18-runner field packed with promising colts.
Varian said: "He hasn't put a foot wrong since winning at Newmarket. He'll have to improve another pound or two in this competitive race but he should stay the trip and I think he'll run well."
Aidan O'Brien looks to have a leading chance in the shape of Oklahoma City. He said: "He ran a good race when second in the Beresford Stakes last Sunday and, while we're running him back quite soon, he seems to have come out of his Curragh race well. He's won well over six furlongs and Sunday's race was over a mile, so seven furlongs should be fine for him."
Richard Hannon often does well in sales races and he said of his runner Bon Voyage: "He's run three cracking races and it's surprising he's still a maiden, but he's not done a lot wrong, and this seven [furlongs] will suit him too."
As well as Newmarket, racing in Britain comes from Ascot, Fontwell and Redcar this afternoon plus Wolverhampton tonight.
The card at Gowran Park sees the return of Sizing Europe, the Arc meeting gets underway at Longchamp while there are seven Grade 1s in America later on tonight through into the early hours of tomorrow morning.
Today's pointer
Cirrus Des Aigles has career figures of 111121 (beaten a head when second) when racing over 1m2f at Longchamp. He goes over that trip in the Prix Dollar (3.15)
Pointer courtesy of Raceform Interactive
Going
Ascot: soft
Fontwell Park: good, good to soft in places
Newmarket: good to firm, good in places
Redcar: good to firm, good in places
Wolverhampton: standard
Murtagh gunning for more Saturday glory | Horse Racing News | Racing Post
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He must be a forgotten horse as far as the bookmakers are concerned, as it was not that long ago the five-year-old, trained by Roger Charlton in Wiltshere, was at the head of the market.
A couple of recent reverses account for that but he has hardly been disgraced and promises to improve by some distance faced with a mile and a half and cut in the ground.
That’s particularly after the withdrawal of second favourite Novellist with a temperature yesterday.
Frankie Dettori is out for three months after undergoing an operation on Friday on the ankle injury he sustained in a fall at Nottingham on Wednesday.
A couple of recent reverses account for that but he has hardly been disgraced and promises to improve by some distance faced with a mile and a half and cut in the ground.
That’s particularly after the withdrawal of second favourite Novellist with a temperature yesterday.
Frankie Dettori is out for three months after undergoing an operation on Friday on the ankle injury he sustained in a fall at Nottingham on Wednesday.
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SMOKY HILL has been well supported to become the first French winner of the Betfred Cesarewitch since Monsieur l'Amiral in 1946 and his trainer Mikel Delzangles feels he is "definitely well handicapped". Run over a stamina-sapping two and a quarter miles at Newmarket on Saturday, the Cesarewitch is, with its total prize fund of £250,000, the joint-richest handicap in Europe.
Smoky Hill, appeared to fit the bill for punters as he came in for some support on Monday with the sponsors going 10-1 from 16-1.
Tiger Cliff, the 7-1 joint-favourite with Domination, has already lifted Europe's other £250,000 handicap, the Ebor, and the Lady Cecil-trained four-year-old headed the list of 43 horses still engaged following Monday's penultimate entry stage. He will have to carry 9st 10lb while Smoky Hill gets in on the 8st 11lb mark.
Delzangles, who enjoyed his first big overseas success on the Rowley Mile three years ago when Makfi landed the 2,000 Guineas, said: "Smoky Hill is definitely well handicapped off a mark of 90 given that he ran so well when fourth in a Group 3 last time out, after the weights came out.
"We nearly ran him in the [Group 1] Prix du Cadran but this race is worth more and we can always go for the Cadran next year. With over 30 runners he is going to need some luck but it is always great to race in England.
"The distance will suit him as, rather surprisingly given that his dam, Danasakya, was placed in the Cheveley Park Stakes, he is a very strong stayer."
On the issue of ground, Delzangles added: "It would be better if we got a drop of rain. But Smoky Hill will still run whatever the ground."
The Chantilly-based trainer may be reassured to hear that the likelihood is for some rain to arrive in Newmarket later in the week.
Michael Prosser, clerk of the course at Newmarket, said: "The going is currently good to firm and the forecast is for it to remain mainly dry through until Thursday. Then it is expected to become cooler with rain overnight Thursday and into Friday. There is some uncertainty about volume.
"For the entire home straight, we have specifically saved - for Dubai Future Champions Day - a 20-metre strip on the stands' side that has not been raced upon since May. It is in extremely good condition."
Prosser is very excited about this year's card and pointed out just how good the 2012 meeting proved to be in identifying top-class performers.
He said: "The day is all about showcasing the stars of the future. Let's not forget at the same meeting 12 months ago Dawn Approach, Just The Judge and Trading Leather were successful and all three went on to win Classics in 2013.
"We are very pleased with the quality and quantity of entries at the five-day stage and the Dubai Dewhurst Stakes once again looks as if it will be Europe's defining two-year-old race of the season."
Support for Smoky Hill to break French duck | Horse Racing News | Racing Post
Smoky Hill, appeared to fit the bill for punters as he came in for some support on Monday with the sponsors going 10-1 from 16-1.
Tiger Cliff, the 7-1 joint-favourite with Domination, has already lifted Europe's other £250,000 handicap, the Ebor, and the Lady Cecil-trained four-year-old headed the list of 43 horses still engaged following Monday's penultimate entry stage. He will have to carry 9st 10lb while Smoky Hill gets in on the 8st 11lb mark.
Delzangles, who enjoyed his first big overseas success on the Rowley Mile three years ago when Makfi landed the 2,000 Guineas, said: "Smoky Hill is definitely well handicapped off a mark of 90 given that he ran so well when fourth in a Group 3 last time out, after the weights came out.
"We nearly ran him in the [Group 1] Prix du Cadran but this race is worth more and we can always go for the Cadran next year. With over 30 runners he is going to need some luck but it is always great to race in England.
"The distance will suit him as, rather surprisingly given that his dam, Danasakya, was placed in the Cheveley Park Stakes, he is a very strong stayer."
On the issue of ground, Delzangles added: "It would be better if we got a drop of rain. But Smoky Hill will still run whatever the ground."
The Chantilly-based trainer may be reassured to hear that the likelihood is for some rain to arrive in Newmarket later in the week.
Michael Prosser, clerk of the course at Newmarket, said: "The going is currently good to firm and the forecast is for it to remain mainly dry through until Thursday. Then it is expected to become cooler with rain overnight Thursday and into Friday. There is some uncertainty about volume.
"For the entire home straight, we have specifically saved - for Dubai Future Champions Day - a 20-metre strip on the stands' side that has not been raced upon since May. It is in extremely good condition."
Prosser is very excited about this year's card and pointed out just how good the 2012 meeting proved to be in identifying top-class performers.
He said: "The day is all about showcasing the stars of the future. Let's not forget at the same meeting 12 months ago Dawn Approach, Just The Judge and Trading Leather were successful and all three went on to win Classics in 2013.
"We are very pleased with the quality and quantity of entries at the five-day stage and the Dubai Dewhurst Stakes once again looks as if it will be Europe's defining two-year-old race of the season."
Support for Smoky Hill to break French duck | Horse Racing News | Racing Post
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They pledged to look at further tightening up the rules on the therapeutic use of anabolic steroids at a special executive council meeting of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities in Paris on Tuesday.
The BHA had asked for the special meeting in light of the Al Zarooni case earlier this year when the disgraced Godolphin trainer was banned for eight years after admitting doping some of his horses with steroids. The meeting was an attempt to harmonise the rules on anabolic steroids in racing jurisdictions around the world. Australia, New Zealand and Dubai have fallen into line with Britain during the past couple of months.
At the conference the IFHA reiterated its position that there is no place for anabolic steroids in horse racing either in or out of training. After the meeting finished Jamie Stier, the BHA’s director of regulation, said: “Britain already meets the minimum standards on the use of anabolic steroids, but we have committed to exceed those where possible. We will work through a consultation process looking specifically at the therapeutic use of steroids and tightening those controls.”
At the moment it is not illegal to use steroids on horses out of the control of trainers, indeed it would be hard to police such a rule. The only stipulation is that there must be no trace of the drugs in a horse’s system when it is in a licensed yard.
“We’ll consult, have a good look at it, arrive at an agreed position for British racing, and report back to the IFHA in early 2014. It’s a commitment, another step and it should be a worthwhile exercise,” said Stier.
While there is no instant sign of America changing its stance, complicated by the fact that each state has its own racing jurisdiction, Stier added that even countries with “particular positions” on the subject had pledged to look at their rules. “The USA agreed with most things in principle. What they action is up to them, but it was a fruitful meeting.”
Meanwhile Gerard Butler, the Newmarket trainer at the centre of the Sungate controversy, will finally face a BHA hearing on Nov 18. Three days have been put aside for the case.
Seven of Butler’s horses failed dope tests for the anabolic steroid Stanozolol when they were sampled at his yard on Feb 20. The trainer admitted administering the controversial joint treatment Sungate, which contains a small amount of the steroid, initially on the advice of his vets. Other Newmarket trainers who were similarly advised by vets were given a rap over the knuckles by the BHA, but no more.
However by admitting that he injected it himself, potentially a far more serious offence as it is against the law of the land, let alone the rules of racing, Butler could find himself facing a lengthy ban. He also failed to keep the requisite medical records.
Another eight-month saga, for Derby winning jockey Martin Dwyer, will reach a conclusion of sorts on Wednesday when the BHA’s Disciplinary Panel hear his application not to replicate in Britain a 56-day ban imposed by the Royal Western India Turf Club. When Richard Hughes made an application in similar circumstances last year after receiving a lengthy ban in India, it was turned down by the BHA and his ban was reciprocated.
British Horseracing Authority waging war on steroids - Telegraph
The BHA had asked for the special meeting in light of the Al Zarooni case earlier this year when the disgraced Godolphin trainer was banned for eight years after admitting doping some of his horses with steroids. The meeting was an attempt to harmonise the rules on anabolic steroids in racing jurisdictions around the world. Australia, New Zealand and Dubai have fallen into line with Britain during the past couple of months.
At the conference the IFHA reiterated its position that there is no place for anabolic steroids in horse racing either in or out of training. After the meeting finished Jamie Stier, the BHA’s director of regulation, said: “Britain already meets the minimum standards on the use of anabolic steroids, but we have committed to exceed those where possible. We will work through a consultation process looking specifically at the therapeutic use of steroids and tightening those controls.”
At the moment it is not illegal to use steroids on horses out of the control of trainers, indeed it would be hard to police such a rule. The only stipulation is that there must be no trace of the drugs in a horse’s system when it is in a licensed yard.
“We’ll consult, have a good look at it, arrive at an agreed position for British racing, and report back to the IFHA in early 2014. It’s a commitment, another step and it should be a worthwhile exercise,” said Stier.
While there is no instant sign of America changing its stance, complicated by the fact that each state has its own racing jurisdiction, Stier added that even countries with “particular positions” on the subject had pledged to look at their rules. “The USA agreed with most things in principle. What they action is up to them, but it was a fruitful meeting.”
Meanwhile Gerard Butler, the Newmarket trainer at the centre of the Sungate controversy, will finally face a BHA hearing on Nov 18. Three days have been put aside for the case.
Seven of Butler’s horses failed dope tests for the anabolic steroid Stanozolol when they were sampled at his yard on Feb 20. The trainer admitted administering the controversial joint treatment Sungate, which contains a small amount of the steroid, initially on the advice of his vets. Other Newmarket trainers who were similarly advised by vets were given a rap over the knuckles by the BHA, but no more.
However by admitting that he injected it himself, potentially a far more serious offence as it is against the law of the land, let alone the rules of racing, Butler could find himself facing a lengthy ban. He also failed to keep the requisite medical records.
Another eight-month saga, for Derby winning jockey Martin Dwyer, will reach a conclusion of sorts on Wednesday when the BHA’s Disciplinary Panel hear his application not to replicate in Britain a 56-day ban imposed by the Royal Western India Turf Club. When Richard Hughes made an application in similar circumstances last year after receiving a lengthy ban in India, it was turned down by the BHA and his ban was reciprocated.
British Horseracing Authority waging war on steroids - Telegraph
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A ONE-YEAR OLD filly has today become the most expensive horse in history after fetching 5m Guineas (£5.25m) at auction in Newmarket. The as-yet-unnamed filly is the daughter of the most sought-after stallion on the planet, Galileo, who enjoyed a highly successful track career before being retired to stud.
Galileo also sired Frankel, who himself retired to stud last year following an unbeaten 14 race career that saw him become the world's highest rated racehorse.
The filly was purchased by bloodstock agents Mandore International for Al Shaqab Racing which is owned by Sheikh Joaan Al Thani of Qatar.
Al Thani is an emerging powerhouse of the turf and also owns both Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe-winner Treve and top miler Toronado.
Nicholas de Watrigant of Mandore said: "She is a magnificent specimen.
"We bought her sister last year and we think she could be special, we didn't want to miss this one.
"We didn't expect to pay that sort of price, but Al Shaqab Racing is keen to invest.”
The world's most expensive horse fetches £5.25m at auction | Horse Racing | Sport | Daily Express
Galileo also sired Frankel, who himself retired to stud last year following an unbeaten 14 race career that saw him become the world's highest rated racehorse.
The filly was purchased by bloodstock agents Mandore International for Al Shaqab Racing which is owned by Sheikh Joaan Al Thani of Qatar.
Al Thani is an emerging powerhouse of the turf and also owns both Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe-winner Treve and top miler Toronado.
Nicholas de Watrigant of Mandore said: "She is a magnificent specimen.
"We bought her sister last year and we think she could be special, we didn't want to miss this one.
"We didn't expect to pay that sort of price, but Al Shaqab Racing is keen to invest.”
The world's most expensive horse fetches £5.25m at auction | Horse Racing | Sport | Daily Express
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The head of Ontario’s horse racing regulator has stepped down on the eve of a major restructuring of the industry and the unveiling of a new formula for how public money is funnelled to tracks.
Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne will release the new blueprint on Friday at the Grand River Raceway north of Guelph, Ont. The changes include a shakeup of leadership at the Ontario Racing Commission, a government agency that manages and regulates the industry, sources say. Rod Seiling, appointed chairman of the ORC in November, 2006, is leaving a year before his term expires in November, 2014.
Industry sources said the Premier felt it was time for a leadership change at the ORC, which will see its role diminished.
ORC spokesman Ray Kahnert and Ms. Wynne’s office declined to comment.
Ms. Wynne will announce a new funding deal on Friday that will give horse breeding associations greater control over their share of the money, sources said.
The deal is also part of the government’s attempt to quell some of the backlash that erupted in rural Ontario when the province killed a lucrative slot-machine revenue-sharing deal last year.
The program generated $4-billion for racetracks and just under $10-billion for provincial coffers since 1998. Its cancellation crippled the market for racehorses and squeezed jobs at tracks.
The total amount for the industry in Ms. Wynne’s five-year plan, which is based on a report from a panel of former cabinet ministers, will be less than in the previous program. The plan is expected also to introduce greater transparency and accountability for what is done with public funds in response to concerns that some tracks were not spending enough of the slots revenue on improving facilities and promoting the racing sector – two key goals of the slots-at-racetracks program.
The changes at the ORC follow a review by the government to determine the appropriate regulatory role for the agency. As well as approving the horse-racing calendar and officiating at all races, the ORC also conducts hearings on regulatory and policy matters.
“It has often been observed that a conflict occurs” where an agency both regulates and manages the industry, the Horse Racing Transition Panel said in its draft report released in June.
Industry sources said the government plans to adopt the panel’s recommendation to spin off the ORC’s non-regulatory roles. The newly created Ontario Live Racing will perform the management functions.
The sources said the new chair of the ORC will be one of the panel members: John Snobelen, Elmer Buchanan or John Wilkinson.
Horse-racing regulator quits as Ontario shakes up funding formula - The Globe and Mail
Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne will release the new blueprint on Friday at the Grand River Raceway north of Guelph, Ont. The changes include a shakeup of leadership at the Ontario Racing Commission, a government agency that manages and regulates the industry, sources say. Rod Seiling, appointed chairman of the ORC in November, 2006, is leaving a year before his term expires in November, 2014.
Industry sources said the Premier felt it was time for a leadership change at the ORC, which will see its role diminished.
ORC spokesman Ray Kahnert and Ms. Wynne’s office declined to comment.
Ms. Wynne will announce a new funding deal on Friday that will give horse breeding associations greater control over their share of the money, sources said.
The deal is also part of the government’s attempt to quell some of the backlash that erupted in rural Ontario when the province killed a lucrative slot-machine revenue-sharing deal last year.
The program generated $4-billion for racetracks and just under $10-billion for provincial coffers since 1998. Its cancellation crippled the market for racehorses and squeezed jobs at tracks.
The total amount for the industry in Ms. Wynne’s five-year plan, which is based on a report from a panel of former cabinet ministers, will be less than in the previous program. The plan is expected also to introduce greater transparency and accountability for what is done with public funds in response to concerns that some tracks were not spending enough of the slots revenue on improving facilities and promoting the racing sector – two key goals of the slots-at-racetracks program.
The changes at the ORC follow a review by the government to determine the appropriate regulatory role for the agency. As well as approving the horse-racing calendar and officiating at all races, the ORC also conducts hearings on regulatory and policy matters.
“It has often been observed that a conflict occurs” where an agency both regulates and manages the industry, the Horse Racing Transition Panel said in its draft report released in June.
Industry sources said the government plans to adopt the panel’s recommendation to spin off the ORC’s non-regulatory roles. The newly created Ontario Live Racing will perform the management functions.
The sources said the new chair of the ORC will be one of the panel members: John Snobelen, Elmer Buchanan or John Wilkinson.
Horse-racing regulator quits as Ontario shakes up funding formula - The Globe and Mail
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IT is billed as the Future Champions Day but it was the temperamental Scatter Dice who stole the show at Newmarket yesterday when taking the Cesarewitch in her final race. In a contest which starts in Cambridgeshire and finishes in Suffolk, Scatter Dice appeared to have blown her chances when reluctant to leave the starting stalls and consequently lost 10 lengths at the start.
“She’s run a couple of strange races recently, dropping herself out, so I was a bit concerned in the first half of the race that she was all right but then I saw her hanging in with the pack,” said Mark Johnston, who has now won the race three times.
“She’s going to retire at the end of the year, that was the plan anyway, so I suppose this was her last chance.”
Yesterday’s victory for Scatter Dice, a 66-1 chance, was not only a surprise from her antics but her recent form suggested she would have struggled to win a donkey derby.
Her previous success came 20 outings ago. War Command, winner of yesterday’s Dewhurst, is following the path of last year’s winner Dawn Approach.
Both colts won the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot but War Command is unlikely to emulate Dawn Approach by taking next year’s 2,000 Guineas.
Aidan O’Brien, the colt’s trainer, has made it clear that he has a better prospect in Australia.
Dawn Approach brings the curtain down on his remarkable career in the Qipco QEII Stakes at Ascot on Saturday, where he meets Toronado for the fourth time.
The last time the pair locked horns was at Ascot where Dawn Approach came out on top by a short-head in the St James’s Palace Stakes.
I expect Dawn Approach to confirm that running. But the best bet at the meeting is the Queen’s runner Estimate in the Long Distance Cup.
Scatter Dice comes up trumps at Newmarket | Horse Racing | Sport | Daily Express
“She’s run a couple of strange races recently, dropping herself out, so I was a bit concerned in the first half of the race that she was all right but then I saw her hanging in with the pack,” said Mark Johnston, who has now won the race three times.
“She’s going to retire at the end of the year, that was the plan anyway, so I suppose this was her last chance.”
Yesterday’s victory for Scatter Dice, a 66-1 chance, was not only a surprise from her antics but her recent form suggested she would have struggled to win a donkey derby.
Her previous success came 20 outings ago. War Command, winner of yesterday’s Dewhurst, is following the path of last year’s winner Dawn Approach.
Both colts won the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot but War Command is unlikely to emulate Dawn Approach by taking next year’s 2,000 Guineas.
Aidan O’Brien, the colt’s trainer, has made it clear that he has a better prospect in Australia.
Dawn Approach brings the curtain down on his remarkable career in the Qipco QEII Stakes at Ascot on Saturday, where he meets Toronado for the fourth time.
The last time the pair locked horns was at Ascot where Dawn Approach came out on top by a short-head in the St James’s Palace Stakes.
I expect Dawn Approach to confirm that running. But the best bet at the meeting is the Queen’s runner Estimate in the Long Distance Cup.
Scatter Dice comes up trumps at Newmarket | Horse Racing | Sport | Daily Express
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A few questionable racing incidents occurred during the previous weekend at Pune and elsewhere, on different days and in different circumstances of course, which were found unpalatable by the race goers. These incidents elicited a furious reaction with racing-dedicated chat forums and blogs getting flooded with almost identical opinions, all critical of the apathy shown by horse-racing regulators. Angry at the appearance of the "doosra phenomenon" at Kolkata including the Derby, punters were unrelenting in blasting the RCTC authorities for showing total disregard towards the tenets of clean and fair racing. But nothing much happened thereafter because punters rarely refuse to forget and forgive.
At Mysore, the series of losing favourites, of which at least three bit dust after interference, raised the hackles of the punters. As usual the stipes had their visors and blinkers on and were content imposing a negligible fine. They didn't bother to investigate whether there was any hanky-panky.
DIFFERENT APPROACH
Back home, there was a furore over the loss of Mint Approach ridden by the upcoming star A Sandesh. The stipes investigated the incident and after questioning trainer Dallas Todywalla and Sandesh, they let the matter rest. Todywalla enlightened the stewards that he changed his strategy with Mint Approachs lightly for trying to get the filly to race in a relaxed manner but she over-relaxed which probably let to her downfall.
The punters were okay with it but what made them sore was the fact that the change in tactics was not made public. It's a practice worldwide that a trainer informs turf club authorities whenever he plans to deviate from the known pattern of running of a given horse following which a public announcement is made for the punters' benefit. This helps in keeping racing affairs transparent.
Maybe Indian turf clubs will pull up their socks and take such issues seriously.
INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBILITY
The old nagging problem of the improper policing of horse-racing by professional stewards keeps manifesting itself regularly when the integrity of the sport is challenged on multiple fronts.
But the way it's being dealt with - by the RWITC stipes in particular, it gives an impression that despite being well-equipped, they are rather unwilling to adapt to the demands of the situations and place immense trust in their outdated fire-fighting measures.
Consequently, they're a step behind when they should always be a step ahead of the villains.
The RWITC employs a team of four professional stewards, including the handicapper which is led by Pradyumna Singh. Probably they stipes are overloaded with administrative work and their roles individual responsibilities not clearly defined. Hence none is held accountable by the stewards.
With fears of some jockeys working in tandem for mutual benefit looming large, the focus of the stipes should be on preventing any possible manipulation.
It's difficult but not impossible if cross-connections are linked and dots connected. Also, if run-givers are identified and warned, a watch is kept on form horses going astray, sanity would prevail among errant professionals. Sadly, intelligence gathering and intuition have never been hallmarks of our stipes' routine.
What does one make of it when even apprentice jockeys give fancied horses a "run" and that too with panache? You realise that the fear of authority is missing and the standard of Indian horse-racing slipping away.
Standard of horse-racing slipping away in India - The Times of India
At Mysore, the series of losing favourites, of which at least three bit dust after interference, raised the hackles of the punters. As usual the stipes had their visors and blinkers on and were content imposing a negligible fine. They didn't bother to investigate whether there was any hanky-panky.
DIFFERENT APPROACH
Back home, there was a furore over the loss of Mint Approach ridden by the upcoming star A Sandesh. The stipes investigated the incident and after questioning trainer Dallas Todywalla and Sandesh, they let the matter rest. Todywalla enlightened the stewards that he changed his strategy with Mint Approachs lightly for trying to get the filly to race in a relaxed manner but she over-relaxed which probably let to her downfall.
The punters were okay with it but what made them sore was the fact that the change in tactics was not made public. It's a practice worldwide that a trainer informs turf club authorities whenever he plans to deviate from the known pattern of running of a given horse following which a public announcement is made for the punters' benefit. This helps in keeping racing affairs transparent.
Maybe Indian turf clubs will pull up their socks and take such issues seriously.
INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBILITY
The old nagging problem of the improper policing of horse-racing by professional stewards keeps manifesting itself regularly when the integrity of the sport is challenged on multiple fronts.
But the way it's being dealt with - by the RWITC stipes in particular, it gives an impression that despite being well-equipped, they are rather unwilling to adapt to the demands of the situations and place immense trust in their outdated fire-fighting measures.
Consequently, they're a step behind when they should always be a step ahead of the villains.
The RWITC employs a team of four professional stewards, including the handicapper which is led by Pradyumna Singh. Probably they stipes are overloaded with administrative work and their roles individual responsibilities not clearly defined. Hence none is held accountable by the stewards.
With fears of some jockeys working in tandem for mutual benefit looming large, the focus of the stipes should be on preventing any possible manipulation.
It's difficult but not impossible if cross-connections are linked and dots connected. Also, if run-givers are identified and warned, a watch is kept on form horses going astray, sanity would prevail among errant professionals. Sadly, intelligence gathering and intuition have never been hallmarks of our stipes' routine.
What does one make of it when even apprentice jockeys give fancied horses a "run" and that too with panache? You realise that the fear of authority is missing and the standard of Indian horse-racing slipping away.
Standard of horse-racing slipping away in India - The Times of India
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Vice President of the Lakeshore Horse Raceway Association Don Leschied is thrilled with the thousands in attendance for the first event in Leamington on Sunday. However, he has to admit he was a little apprehensive.
“The turnout today is overwhelming,” says Leschied. “I think the sun had a lot to do with it, but I think with all the people that came out today, the sun had to shine on our first race day for Lakeshore Horse Raceway.”
$23,600 in bets were placed on the first of the four Sunday races. The target for each race is $20,000. Horse racing hasn’t been held in Windsor-Essex since Windsor Raceway closed down in August 2012.