Coronavirus

The Arqana Deauville Select Sale, which contains full- or half-siblings to 22 Group 1 winners among its 492-strong catalogue, will take place in Deauville on Sept. 24-26. Graduates of the rescheduled sale-which is usually held as the Arqana August Sale--have made an impact on the international stage, with French Classic hero Sottsass (Fr) (Siyouni {Ire}), G1SW Magic Wand (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and three-time American Grade I winner Uni (GB) (More Than Ready) among their number. Despite the difficulties presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, a total of 98 stallions are represented,...

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. -- George Weaver feels it. So do Chad Brown, Todd Pletcher and Shug McGaughey. Among the many new issues that Thoroughbred trainers across the country must contend with during the 2020 pandemic is a shortage of skilled staff. In recent years, it has become more difficult for horsemen to secure all the H-2B visas that they desire to legally bring foreign nationals into the country as guest workers. The arrival of COVID-19 in late winter closed U.S. consulates, compounding the problems, preventing visa holders from getting their...

Working in racing has always been a stressful occupation; a roller-coaster of emotions, triumphs and tragedies, long hours and travel. Add a global pandemic and unprecedented economic worry, with many participants fearing for their health, livelihoods and businesses, and the stress can become almost overwhelming. It's the sort of topic many people don't like to talk about, but we asked several industry participants to open about what particular stresses they were feeling during these very concerning times, and how they were dealing with them. CRAIG BANDOROFF, Denali Stud  This business...

The 2020 Hurling for Cancer Research, the annual charity hurling match between a host of racing, GAA, sports starts and TV personalities, is going virtual for 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Horse Racing Ireland announced on Monday. Jim Bolger's and Davy Russell's teams will not line-out in St Conleth's Park on Tuesday, Aug. 11, but a large cadre of celebrities will be on hand via the internet. The participants are: Frankie Dettori, Davy Russell, Lee Chin, Richie Hogan, Ursula Jacob, Marty Morrissey, Ruby Walsh, AP McCoy, Miriam O'Callaghan, Ger...

There have been several changes made to upcoming races in the UK and the overall race programme, the British Horseracing Authority announced on Monday. The September to December Fixture List is still under discussion with more updates expected later in the week. As of now, the changes are: Beginning in August, field sizes for Jump races can revert to the maximum limit imposed by the racecourse. Chester's Aug. 9 fixture will move to Aug. 10 Windsor's Aug. 10 fixture will move to Aug. 9 Chester's Aug. 14 fixture is unchanged...

   This month's column focuses on messaging and the importance of a clear communication strategy as a crucial element to successfully promote and grow a sport. In the U.S., the NFL sits atop the sports apex and, similar to racing, the league has had to address a variety of controversial issues that challenged the integrity and popularity of the sport.    After graduating from the University of Virginia, my roommate, Alex Riethmiller, and I decided to embark on careers in Sports Business. While my first job was producing events for...

Cameron Beatty, a co-owner of Horologist (Gemologist), has been banned from Monmouth Park for the remainder of the 2020 meet after he appeared in the winner's circle following her win in the June 18 GIII Molly Pitcher S. Because of the coronavirus, Monmouth is not allowing owners in the winner's circle or in the paddock. Dennis Drazin, who heads the management team that runs Monmouth, said that, for now, the suspension means only that Beatty is not allowed on the premises. However, he said further disciplinary actions could be taken...

Working in racing has always been a stressful occupation; a roller-coaster of emotions, triumphs and tragedies, long hours and travel. Add a global pandemic and unprecedented economic worry, with many participants fearing for their health, livelihoods and businesses, and the stress can become almost overwhelming. It's the sort of topic many people don't like to talk about, but we asked several industry participants to open about what particular GRAHAM MOTION  It is a stressful sport to be involved in, but at the end of the day, it's still a sport....

The Washington Thoroughbred Breeders and Owners Association's 53rd annual summer sale will take place as scheduled on Tuesday, Aug. 18 at the WTBOA Sales Pavilion at Emerald Downs. The catalog features 123 yearlings, 17 broodmares and one broodmare prospect. COVID-19 protocols will be in place and published at washingtonthoroughbred.com. Online bidding will also be available (click for more).

There was no hotter trainer on the grounds through opening weekend at Saratoga than Christophe Clement, which is saying something considering the array of champion and Hall of Fame conditioners that occupy the backstretch of America's premier race meet. After winning five races from 13 starters in the first four days of the stand, including a pair of graded stakes victories, Clement joined the TDN Writers' Room presented by Keeneland to discuss his hot start. Calling in via Zoom as the Green Group Guest of the Week, the French-born trainer...

ERIC HAMELBACK, CEO of the National HBPA  Working in racing has always been a stressful occupation; a roller-coaster of emotions, triumphs and tragedies, long hours and travel. Add a global pandemic and unprecedented economic worry, with many participants fearing for their health, livelihoods and businesses, and the stress can become almost overwhelming. It's the sort of topic many people don't like to talk about, but we asked several industry participants to open about what particular stresses they were feeling during these very concerning times, and how they were dealing with...

Last year, an ongoing bull run in the North American bloodstock market carried the juvenile sector to a historic breakthrough. For the first time, aggregate turnover broke the $200 million barrier. The momentum felt so giddy that the next milestone, with the mean cost of a 2-year-old standing at $95,807, promised to be a six-figure average. No market, of course, can sustain perennial growth. Capitalism requires recession to regenerate value. While these cycles will ideally be mild, this particular market is always especially exposed to any incipient weakness. Very often,...