Horse Racing
“And they’re off!” Horse racing of all types is found in our racing section, including Thoroughbred, Quarter Horse, Harness, Steeplechase and Arabian racing.
Want to get lucky? Take a look at the Wagering to help guide you. Keep track of upcoming horse races and racing events in our Calendar of Events for Horse Racing.
Want to live the dream of owning a racehorse? Check out the Breeding, Partnerships, Sales & Bloodstocks sections where you can help yourself be a force in the Sport of Kings.
Need a place to train your baby and help develop his successful career? You will find both training facilities and professional racehorse trainers in our Training section. See you in the winners’ circle!
By Marion E. Altieri for Equine Info Exchange
“Screw the men. I’ve got the horse.”
The entire horse racing community is mourning the loss of Helen B. (Penny) Chenery, the driven horsewoman who died on September 16, 2017. Part of the healthy grief process is to talk it out, via the sharing of stories about the beloved, recently-departed. The tales help us make sense of the death, and assure us that—even if only in legend and lore—the one we love lives on.
I am one such person, who needs to tell my story. I’m sharing it because it’s true—because I love Penny--and, that actually through a bizarre twist of fortune—I got to know her in a way that very few others have. I was singled out not because of any great thing I did, but because I was in the right church, at the right time.
If social media is any indication, it appears that half the world population has a Penny Narrative: of meeting her, knowing her—and the usual, Sharing a Sherry/night before a Belmont Stakes anecdote. Many people (most notably, women and grrrlz) met her over the years, and came away from the experience inspired to pursue their racing careers. Indeed, many have been thusly blessed.
Penny meant so much to me personally, for reasons that are multi-layered: she was more than a brilliant businesswoman who showed the way. More than a famous person who taught by example—that it’s OK to be strong, smart; funny, irreverent; well-heeled and wildly earthy—all at the same time.
Read more: Penny Chenery: Mentor, Leader, Supernatural Horsewoman, Klingon Warrior
An opera singer turned horse trainer sings Mozart in the stables, as animals dance and whinny. Heather Main sings to her steeds but insists she is "neither barmy nor living in fairyland" and claims Mozart is the horses' favourite classical composer.
Heather Main, a former opera singer, now trains horses to win races. Island Cloud, a three-year-old filly, is the yard’s leading soprano.
Heather adds: “She has a wonderful voice – a clear, high-pitched whinny. And she loves to dance. Al Kout is our top tenor. He’s an unraced three-year-old that cost us just £11,000. He has lots of class and a grand voice.”
Heather revealed the secret to her success after landing a 440-1 treble with Childesplay (8-1) and Rake’s Progress (6-1) at her local Newbury track, and Fair Selene (6-1) at Chepstow. She followed up with Royal Melody (15-2) at Lingfield a few days later.
Leading equine psychologist Grahame Frank, the “horse mind doctor”, said: “I’ve never heard anything like this before, but it definitely can work. Horses will respond to many things in many ways.
“This lady has found a remarkable formula that’s doing well for her and long may it last. Being relaxed like this is one thing, but the horse must still have the ability to do the job.”
Holding a trainer’s license led Heather to abandon her busy stage career, which included solo performances at the Royal Albert Hall and The Barbican. Heather, 49, says: “I’ve just taken in an unnamed bay sprinter that is showing excellent promise. “He’s got a decent voice and has responded brilliantly to my Mozart bits.”
Read more: The Amazing Horse Trainer Who Sings Opera to Her Horses
by Marion E. Altieri
The concept of Equestricon has been around for eons: that is to say, it’s long been a dream of many in Thoroughbred horse racing to create a convention for race fans and professionals, to gather—to exchange ideas and business cards—and to bang heads, as it were, to educate, elucidate and find ways to move the sport healthily into the 21st Century.
A trio consisting of wife-and-husband team, Kathryn Sharp and Justin Nicholson, with colleague, Dan Tordjman rose up out of the throngs of racing pros and fans: together, they invested money, time and energy to make the long-awaited fan convention happen in August, in Saratoga Springs, New York. It happens that this summer in Saratoga, horse racing is going through some severe scrutiny—most of it shouted into bullhorns, by people who know neither horses nor the sport and industry. Empty kettles do make the most noise.
The first-ever horse racing convention could not have been better timed: even though the event was over a year in the making, and its three parents could not have known that the sport would need a shot in the flank, right now—the racing gods conspired to give this unique gift of beauty, elegance, excitement and camaraderie to race fans and professionals at this exact moment in time.
Racing’s professional community came together to assure that fans (and, hopefully, new fans) experienced The Best that our sport has to offer: Official Charity Partner, Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance was joined by the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame; Daily Racing Form and Breeders’ Cup (Signature Sponsors), and Sponsors, West Point Thoroughbreds, Horse Country and The Stronach Group…a list too long to name all in an article of this size. So suffice it to say—the industry was behind Equestricon, 100%.
Read more: Equestricon 2017: Racing News, Views — and an EIE Scoop
The Shergar Cup is a unique event in the world of horse racing as the meeting at Ascot in the UK attracts the best jockeys from across the globe in a team competition. The latest renewal was won by Great Britain and Ireland in what was another fantastic celebration of the sport’s leading riders.
GBI ended the meeting on 86 points and were led by former British Champion Jockey Jamie Spencer who has had a solid season so far. The year could get better for the 37-year-old as he will be on board one of the fancied runners for the final British Classics of 2017 next when month when he rides Raheen House who is 10/1 in the horse racing betting for the Doncaster contest.
Spencer was alongside Neil Callan and Fran Berry as they won three of the six races at Ascot. The GBI captain got his team off to the perfect start when he rode Stake Acclaim to success in the opening race of the card. Berry then caused a surprise in the Shergar Cup Challenge when 12/1 shot Great Hall landed the spoils, while the trophy was secured in the Shergar Cup Sprint as Berry came home in front with Golden Apollo.
Berry’s double meant that he claimed the Alistair Haggis Silver Saddle Trophy which is an award given to the jockey which accumulated the most points on the day. It is the second time in the Irishman’s career that he has ended the Shergar Cup meeting as the most valuable jockey as he also lifted the prize in 2010 when Ireland had their own team.
Highland Reel bounced back from the disappointment of Royal Ascot last season by claiming victory at the Prince of Wales's Stakes.
The Irish horse finished second in his first appearance at the famous racecourse as he was beaten out narrowly by Dartmouth in the Hardwicke Stakes. However, the five-year-old was able to respond on his return to the event with another term of experience under his belt, and he put forward an excellent performance to secure a comfortable victory.
Highland Reel went off at 9/4 with bookmakers including Sportsbet. Events such as Royal Ascot offer a diverse range of betting options for punters, but in a busy summer of action, you can pick your sport with to perhaps enjoy a flutter away from the track.
However, with horses displaying the great form that Highland Reel has shown, it's easy to see the popularity that a week at Ascot can bring, although the grind has been real for all involved in the Irish's horses development.
Barney Roy avenged his defeat at the hands of Churchill at the 2000 Guineas by claiming victory at the St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot. Richard Hannon Jr's charge was considered the outsider to Churchill, who was the overwhelming favourite to win the meet in his quest to emulate past greats. However, Barney Roy produced an outstanding performance to come through the field and finish with a flourish down the stretch to secure the crown.
Aiden O'Brien's charge failed to mount even a challenge for the victory as he could only muster a fourth-place finish - a disappointing result for the Irish horse that seemed on a charge to produce one of the great flat seasons to emulate the success of Galileo Gold.
Now the battleground has changed, with Churchill now in need to a victory to sway the balance of power back in his direction, although there are defining moments left in the campaign.
Barney Roy's victory has livened up the flat season, with now two top competitors striving to be remembered as the dominant horse of the term.
Both trainers will be working vigorously to get their charges ready for the challenges ahead as the next major showdown is scheduled for the end of July at Glorious Goodwood at the Sussex Stakes, although Ribchester is now considered the leading contender following his success at the Queen Anne Stakes in the early horse racing betting odds.
We'll now look back at the careers of both horses that competed at the St James's Palace Stakes along with Ribchester to see how they've been put on a collision course.
Read more: Barney Roy, Churchill, and Ribchester Set for Showdown at Sussex Stakes
The Woodlawn Vase: from Kentucky to New York to Maryland, the Most Valuable and Well-Traveled Racing Trophy in American Horse Racing
by Marion E. Altieri for Equine Info Exchange
The Woodlawn Vase, a magnificent chunk of solid sterling silver (36” tall, 400 ounces) has been the inspiration for Thoroughbred owners and trainers who aim their steeds at the Preakness Stakes every year since 1917.
The breathtakingly beautiful piece was designed in 1860 by Tiffany, and first won by Thomas G. Moore’s filly, Mollie Jackson in 1861 in Louisville. The following year, his mare, Idlewild, won the trophy—and thereby kept the valuable piece in Moore’s possession.
Fast-forwarding to 1917, when the Vase became the official trophy of the Preakness and awarded to the Preakness winner, Kalitan and this year celebrates its 100th year as the reward for winning the second jewel in the American Triple Crown.
But in-between Mr. Moore’s possession of the trophy in 1862 and 1917…what happened to it?
In 1862, Captain Moore, owner of Woodlawn Farm in Kentucky, felt the hot winds of war breathing down the neck of his old Kentucky home…and buried the marvelous chunk of solid sterling silver on his property, along with the family silver and jewels. He feared that Confederate soldiers would confiscate the pure silver Vase, and melt it down for ammunition.
by James Carney
Becoming a horse owner is extremely exciting. The thrill of watching a horse you own race is one of the best feelings you can have (legally). The main problem with horse ownership is that racing is extremely expensive. The average price of a 2-year-old is right around $75,000 - (Jockey Club resource). So unless you are an accredited investor with more than $1,000,000 net worth, it will be hard to responsibly purchase a horse on your own.
There is some good news, don’t worry. The rest of us can use syndicates to get the same upside with a far less risky downside. A syndicate is where you go in with a group of people and purchase a horse. With all this upside, you do have a great downside. Which is you have less control. In a nutshell, a syndicate might be for you if you are willing to compromise some of the control to maximize on a wide variety of benefits. If this is something you’re considering, keep reading.
PROS
There are plenty of pros to why someone should get involved in a syndicate. The pros vastly outweigh the cons, in my opinion. That doesn’t mean one is better than the other, it means one is better for a certain type of person than the other. With that said, here is a list of benefits of a syndicate.
Work with the pros.
Horse racing is a sport where you can spend your entire career trying to become an expert, and end your career knowing there is still more to learn. It’s a very complicated sport with very complicated rules and regulations which may vary depending on your state or country you’re racing in. The main benefit of working with a syndicate is that you’ll be working with a horse professional who will be much more equipped to handle the administrative and day to day stress that comes with horses more so than you would be able to on your own. So what does this mean for you?
by Patricia N. Saffran
Amongst the pleasures of spring is the appearance of festive charity events for horse lovers such as My Lady’s Manor Steeplechase for the benefit of Ladew Topiary Gardens, Monkton, MD, April 15, 2017.
The garden should be in bloom and many racegoers will stroll through this enchanting property before the races. The annual steeplechase races are held down the road at the Eldridge-Harford Hunt Club, where racegoers can tailgate. Some attendees like to set up elaborate picnic tables, establishing a party atmosphere for friends and family.
Four races will be run over timber fences featuring 5 year olds and up. The race card begins at 1:30 PM with the first leg of the 107th running of Maryland’s Steeplechase Triple Crown My Lady’s Manor Steeplechase Race, with a $30,000 purse. This historic race was first run in 1909.
Read more: My Lady’s Manor Steeplechase Set to Run for the Benefit of Ladew Topiary Gardens
Two Top American Champions Meet
Champion American Racehorse California Chrome and Champion American Polo Player and captain of the US Polo team Nic Roldan stood next to each other at Gulfstream only a few days before the Pegasus World Cup
Nikki Walker, granddaughter of Gulfstream Park owner Frank Stronach, is an advisory board member of the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA) and an accomplished equestrian, was also present. Fan favourite professional polo player Kris Kampsen, who also specializes in retraining OTTBs (Off-the-Track Thoroughbreds) to polo, was also in attendance. Additional Polo Players: Julian de Lusaretta, Luchino Ortiz de Urbina & Mia Cambiaso, and Polo Pony trainer Martin Phagouape.
Nic watched California Chrome train and then had a “meet & greet” with him afterward, including a photoshoot opportunity at Barn 2, Gulfstream Park, Ft. Lauderdale
To highlight the fact that over half of Nic’s string of polo ponies are “Off-the-Track Thoroughbreds,” and that this is a essential way these two regal disciplines can work together to provide a wonderful future for OTTBs.
Sport of Kings meets the Game of Kings
From January to May, the focus of the international polo world is on Wellington, Florida; and on Sunday 8th of January one of top American polo player Nic Roldan’s mounts was chosen as the Best Playing Pony of that game. The mare in question is a chestnut mare called Cubana, an “Off-the-Track Thoroughbred” (OTTB). In fact, over half of Nic’s current string are OTTBs. You can see some of his string here; Tulsa, Ducati, Cohiba and Cubana are all OTTBs. In all facets, Argentina has the monopoly on polo, and players breed copious amounts of polo ponies on the pampas plains. However, Stateside, people often look to the racetrack as an essential source of their ponies.
Read more: Racehorse California Chrome meets Polo Player Nic Roldan
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