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British racing is poised for a financial boost after Chancellor George Osborne announced during his budget speech Wednesday that the government would introduce a Horserace Betting Right–a system under which bookmakers will pay for the rights to bet on racing. The Right is seen as the replacement funding mechanism to the 1963 Horserace Betting Levy,...
In just under three years of operation, John Moores and Charles Noell’s Merriebelle Stables has already racked up a lengthy list of accomplishments in the racing and sales spheres on both sides of the Atlantic. Merriebelle sold the triple Group 1 winner Immortal Verse (Ire) (Pivotal {GB})–acquired as part of a package from Kilfrush Stud...
Champion juvenile American Pharoah (Pioneerof the Nile) is set to make his next start in Oaklawn’s GI Arkansas Derby Apr. 11 after a runaway victory in the GII Rebel S. Mar. 14, owner Ahmed Zayat announced Friday. “That has been the plan,” Zayat said. “Timing-wise, it works best. But also, we don’t ship unless we’re ready. And...
by Michelle MacDonald Emerging from dark shadows into the golden beams cast by overhead lights, California Chrome (Lucky Pulpit) strode on to the track at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai more than an hour before dawn on Mar. 23 looking like a Hollywood star who owned the vast racing theater built by Sheikh Mohammed. “He hears your cameras,”...
by Alan Carasso Despite the fact that Ralph Evan’s Upstart (Flatter) has crossed the line a decisive winner in each of his two starts in 2015, it seems the New York-bred ridgling isn’t getting all the accolades he perhaps deserves. That public perception could be subject to significant change this weekend if Upstart can validate favoritism in...
With the calendar officially turned over to spring, foaling season is well underway and breeding plans are being executed, too. Theories abound as to the best methods for selecting for future champions, and James Wigan, who manages some of the most high-class mares on the planet through his London Thoroughbred Services, spoke with the TDN...
Salvador Hernandez’s GI Matriarch S. victress La Tia (City Place) has been retired and will begin her new career as a broodmare. Originally considering a start in the GIII Churchill Downs Distaff Turf Mile May 2, Hernandez decided to skip that race and breed his homebred to Candy Ride (Arg). “There was an offer to buy her...
Several of the 14 runners in the G1 William Reid S. were chasing a first victory at the highest level, but while most market analysts expected the fair sex to dominate courtesy of Godolphin’s Earthquake (Aus) or John Sadler’s Vain Queen (Aus), it was the 5-year-old gelding Lucky Hussler (Aus) who landed the spoils at 11-1. The...
GI Besilu Stable’s second place finisher Upstart (Flatter) was doing well back at the Rick Violette barn Sunday morning. “He’s a little tired, but otherwise he’s OK,” the trainer said of the Ralph Evans’s colorbearer. “The horses ran lights out and the jockeys did their jobs,” Violette said of the stretch run between his charge and the...
by Ben Massam With three sophomore prospects slated to run in three different Grade I events at three different racetracks Saturday, owner Adam Wachtel has a busy weekend of race-watching ahead. The owner’s schedule became even more complex as of Tuesday morning, when Wachtel and partners resolved to redirect 3-year-old prospect Tiz Shea D (Tiznow) from an...
Arrowfield Stud has disclosed the 2015 service fees for its 10 resident stallions. Multiple Champion sire Redoute’s Choice (Aus) (Danehill) remains available at A$110,000, unchanged from last year. His son Snitzel (Aus), who enjoyed a tremendous 2014/15 season on the track and at the sales with two Group 1 winners in Sweet Idea (Aus) and Wandjina (Aus) as...
Off the mark on debut over 10 furlong at Saint-Cloud Mar. 10, Queen’s Jewel (Pivotal {GB}) added further ammunition to Freddy Head’s Classic assault in 2015 with a strong performance in this stepping stone to the G1 Prix de Diane. Having registered a comfortable debut win over the subsequent scorer Taniya (Fr) (High Chaparral {Ire}), the chestnut...