Betty Moran

We all found ourselves in the court of one ruler last weekend, but it would be wrong to treat the kind of transatlantic sovereignty charted by four Classic winners inside 48 hours, either side of the water, as an automatic outcome of greater aggregate expenditure than any program in Turf history. Nobody knows that better than Sheikh Mohammed and his Godolphin team. He has been trying to dovetail his wealth and his passion, both obviously off the charts, for nearly half a century. (He had his first winner at Brighton,...

In the wake of this year's Kentucky Derby win by Sovereignty, I think it is important to recognize the quiet but profound legacy of one of racing's great horsewomen and enthusiasts--Betty Moran. Sadly, Mrs. Moran passed away in 2020, but I have to feel that this year's Kentucky Derby winner, whose mother she bred, is testament to years of her racing and breeding at the top end of the thoroughbred world. Mrs. Moran bred and/or raced many outstanding race horses including Belmont and Jockey Club winner Creme Fraiche, champions Unique...

This year's steeplechase races at Far Hills, which features the G1 American Grand National, will include an additional race named in honor of three-time Eclipse champion McDynamo (Dynaformer). The McDynamo Stakes for maiden hurdlers 4-year-olds and up will be contested at 2 1/8 miles, and has the potential to carry a total purse of $70,000, making it the richest contest for non-winners on the National Steeplechase Association circuit. A "sweepstakes ante" of $1,000 per horse will be added to the $50,000 guaranteed purse. As an added incentive, the Moran family,...

No, not that Munnings. His namesake. The OG. Sir Alfred James Munnings. Six of the painter's works from the estate of the late Betty Moran with an estimated value of between $2.4 to over $3.8 million will be auctioned off at Christie's auction house in New York City, Wednesday, Oct. 13, at 11 a.m. Munnings, the most renowned English sporting artist of the 20th Century, was known for his exceptional equine art, which has brought prices of over $7 million at auction. The six pieces are lots 32-27 in the...

Elizabeth 'Betty' Ranney Moran, who raced the likes of 1985 GI Belmont S. winner Creme Fraiche (Rich Cream) and bred the likes of champion Unique Bella and Hard Spun, passed away peacefully at her home in Malvern, Pennsylvania, Thursday, Jan. 23. She was 89 years old. "She was probably the most generous person I've ever met, not to just write a check, but ring a bell for the Salvation Army in downtown Philly. She was a tough, enthusiastic, hard-driving woman and we will all miss her very much," said Eaton...