Coronavirus
The Fair Grounds Race Course 2020-21 race season, set to begin on Thanksgiving Day, will be closed to the general public. A subsequent announcement in December is likely to follow as to when the general public will be allowed to attend. Said Fair Grounds President Doug Shipley, "We are happy to be able to present the Fair Grounds' 149th racing season, featuring over $7 million in stakes, and continue this longstanding New Orleans tradition despite these unprecedented times. Out of an abundance of caution given the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and...
The second day of the Arqana Autumn Sale kicked off with horses-in-training on Monday. Although the catalogue was not as deep as 2019's record-breaking sale, 77% of the 160 horses offered found new homes. The gross was €3,050,000 for the 124 sold and two horses were co-toppers at €200,000, with Highflyer Bloodstock snapping up both offerings. In 2019, the highest price was €420,000. The average dropped to €24,597 (-29%) and the median fell to €11,000 (-21%). In addition, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic also presented some challenges, but the sale was...
Live racing at Golden Gate Fields will temporarily be suspended, effective Friday, Nov. 13 through Nov. 20, in response to the COVID-19 outbreak, it was announced. "Since Oct. 30, there have been 24 confirmed cases linked to the Berkeley stable area," a release from Golden Gate read. "All positive cases are overseen by the Berkeley Public Health Division (BPHD) through their case managers, are required to isolate as per BPHD protocols and are not able to return to Golden Gate Fields until health clearance has been provided by BPHD. During...
Health measures in place for jockeys and any other France Galop or foreign racing authority licence holder, including apprentices, young jockeys and amateur riders, have been tightened, France Galop, in consultation with the Jockey's Association announced on Wednesday. Beginning Monday, Nov. 16, all jockeys are required to complete a COVID-19 questionnaire issued by France Galop prior to the first ride of the meeting and handed to the secretary or the stewards. In addition, starting Wednesday, Nov. 18, all jockeys must also produce an RT-PCR test or a rapid antigen nasopharyngeal...
Sea The Moon (Ger) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) anchors the Lanwades Stud roster in 2021. He is the sire of G1 Coronation S. heroine Alpine Star (Ire) this term, as well as MGSW Wonderful Moon (Ger) and GSW and Group 1 bridesmaid Quest the Moon (Ger) off a £15,000 fee. Despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the sire of 11 black-type winners to date will cover mares at £22,500 in 2021. French Classic hero Study of Man (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) is expecting his first foals in 2021, and is priced...
Led again by champion sire Pivotal (GB) (Polar Falcon), Cheveley Park announced their 2021 stallion roster on Monday. Sire of two Group 1 winners among his quintet of black-type winners this term, the 27-year-old Pivotal will again stand for a private fee in 2021. As a broodmare sire, he is responsible for 14 black-type winners, four at the Group 1 level, just this year. Dutch Art (GB) (Medicean {GB}) will also again be at a private fee for 2021. Studs around the world are reducing fees due to the ongoing...
With his victory in Saturday's GI Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff, Authentic (Into Mischief) earned a $1-million bonus for his connections from Australian-based racing technology group BetMakers. In conjunction with Monmouth Park's Dennis Drazin, BetMakers created the 'BetMakers Bonanza' for any horse that could win the 2020 renewals of the GI Haskell Invitational, the GI Kentucky Derby and then finish it off with the Breeders' Cup Classic. Authentic went wire to wire to score in the 10-furlong test by 2 1/4 lengths. "With all the winners of the majors competing in...
The 17th UK Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff Awards will be shown live and free-to-air for the first time in 2021 on Racing TV, the British Horseracing Authority, Godolphin and Racing TV jointly announced on Sunday. As a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the awards ceremony will be held virtually on Feb. 22. The awards are sponsored by Godolphin, and run by the BHA in association with the Racing Post and Racing TV. Nominations for the GSSS Awards will close on Nov. 10. For more information or to nominate,...
All-sources handle on the Breeders' Cup card on Friday at Keeneland was $50,285,986, a decrease of 11% compared to 2019 at Santa Anita ($56,517,228). In 2015, the last time the Breeders' Cup World Championships were at Keeneland, the all-sources handle was $44,949,165 before a crowd of 44,497. The Future Stars Friday card took place without the general public in attendance due to COVID-19 safety measures established by the Breeders' Cup and Keeneland. On-track handle for Friday was $1,123,620 with only participants and essential personnel present. On-track handle from Santa Anita's...
In an atypical year for horse racing in which COVID-19 has played havoc on just about everything, it will be a typical Breeders' Cup Saturday, at least on the racetrack. Including also-eligibles, 104 horses have been entered to contest the nine races that will be offered and the list includes a who's who of the best horses not just in North America but in the world. Between the two days of racing, the Breeders' Cup could decide every Eclipse Award race but the 3-year-old filly championship, where Swiss Skydiver (Daredevil)...
The Dec. 5-8 Arqana December Breeding Stock Sale's catalogue is now online. A total of 841 mares, fillies and foals will go through the ring in early December, with sessions beginning at 10 a.m. each day. Highlighting the sale are 53 half-sisters to Group 1 winners. Leading the way is G1 Preis Von Europa heroine Donjah (Ger) (Teofilo {Ire}) (lot 182), who will start in Saturday's GI Breeders' Cup Turf at Keeneland. The filly is consigned by Ecurie des Monceaux. Monceaux also offers Anabasis (Ger) (High Chaparral {Ire}) (lot 164)...
Live racing has been cancelled at Charles Town through Nov. 14 after two jockeys tested positive for COVID-19. As a result, the track intends to apply for additional days with the West Virginia Racing Commission. Those days would be Nov. 25, Dec. 2, Dec. 9 and Dec. 16. Live racing is currently slated to resume Nov. 19.