COVID-19
Celebrating its 10th year as the title sponsor of the GI TVG Pacific Classic, TVG will shine this weekend's spotlight on one of the country's leading Thoroughbred aftercare organizations, California Retirement Management Account (CARMA), and will donate more than 5,000 face coverings to backstretch communities at its partner tracks in California, New Jersey, Kentucky and other states beginning this week, TVG announced Thursday. "As part of celebrating our 10th year as the title sponsor of the TVG Pacific Classic, we wanted to reaffirm our support of CARMA and the tremendous...
Monmouth Park will offer special dining packages that include guaranteed entry as part of the GI Kentucky Derby simulcast and live racing program Saturday, Sept. 5. Entry will be limited according to state-approved regulations for attendance capacity restrictions. Derby Day guaranteed entry tickets cost $10, with patrons receiving a $10 food voucher upon admittance. Parking and admission are free. A Derby Day Picnic Party will take place in the trackside picnic area. The package includes all-you-can-eat food and soft drink service from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Advanced reservations will...
The Irish government has extended its racing-behind-closed-doors policy until at least Sept. 13, Racing Post reported on Tuesday. As a result, owners remain barred from Irish courses for the time being as a result of Taoiseach Micheal Martin's announcement. Originally, in phase four of Ireland's reopening process the limit on people allowed at an outdoor event was going to increase from 200 to 500 on Aug. 31. Horse Racing Ireland Chief Executive Brian Kavanagh told Racing Post, "We have said all along that owners are the first priority and there...
Kentucky Downs will conduct racing without spectators at the track's upcoming meet due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Ticket purchases through Kentucky Downs on-line box office will be refunded. "With the surge in cases in Kentucky and Tennessee, we feel it's in our guests' best interest and the state's best interest to not have spectators," said Ted Nicholson, Kentucky Downs' Senior Vice President and General Manager. "No one is more disappointed than us to have to make this difficult call. We know our unique meet, with its full fields and country-fair...
After feedback from owners, trainers and other industry members, the owner experience in the UK has been enhanced, the British Horseracing Authority announced on Monday. The BHA, along with the Racehorse Owners Association (ROA), Racecourse Association (RCA) have agreed to several changes to enhance the owner experience on raceday, despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The measures are as follows: Good communication--racecourses will send timely communications regarding badges, entry requirements and amenities available on course prior to attendance. Badge allocation--most racecourses are offering an increased number of badges per declared horse,...
George Rooke, an apprentice jockey riding for Richard Hughes, has been suspended seven days after riding several races under an incorrect claim, the British Horseracing Authority announced on Monday. Rooke has had five winners removed from his record after failing to report three winners from Jersey in the summer of 2019, and he was thus claiming too much weight for a period of time. He was also disqualified from 19 of the 26 races in question. An enquiry was held by the BHA with evidence given on July 23. Due...
The New York Racing Association, Inc. and Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce launched a new charitable campaign designed to raise funds for Saratoga Springs-area non-profit organizations that have been impacted by the coronavirus global health pandemic. Administered by the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce and held in partnership with the Adirondack Trust Company Community Fund, NYRA Cares offers the opportunity to win a variety of Saratoga Race Course hospitality experiences, memorabilia and collectible items while supporting local non-profit organizations. All items have been donated by NYRA. Proceeds will benefit the...
After originally floating plans that would have required any jockey intending to ride during the Sept. 1-5 meet that includes the GI Kentucky Derby to arrive in Kentucky by Aug. 24, Churchill Downs is now requiring that all jockeys be in the state by Aug. 31. The details were in a document distributed by Churchill officials to the Jockeys' Guild late Thursday. Many jockeys, particularly those who ride regularly in New York and California, were on the fence about riding in the Derby as, under the Aug. 24 guidelines, it...
Colonial Downs has canceled Tuesday and Wednesday's card due to leading jockey Trevor McCarthy testing positive for COVID-19, according to a report by Daily Racing Form. McCarthy took off his mounts Sunday and Monday because of "flu-like symptoms", according to his agent Scott Silver. According to the report, McCarthy attempted to get tested Monday but was unable to, then received a test Tuesday and was positive. Silver added that McCarthy's symptoms had dissipated and he was feeling well enough on Tuesday that he would have ridden at Colonial card his...
The catalog for the world-renowned Keeneland September Yearling Sale, to be held Sept. 13-25, is now online and features 4,272 offerings. Book 1, which features 448 yearlings, will run Sept. 13 and 14 with each season beginning at noon, followed by a dark day Sept. 15. Selling resumes Sept. 16 with the first of two Book 2 sessions, beginning at 10 a.m. Books 3-6 will each be comprised of two sessions, also beginning at 10 a.m. Keeneland has enhanced its online catalog for buyers and sellers for the 2020 September...
New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program and The Jockey Club Thoroughbred Incentive Program (T.I.P.) have jointly agreed to cancel their 2020 hunter/jumper/pleasure horse show that was slated for Sept. 3-6 at the Kentucky Horse Park. "We are deeply disappointed to cancel the 2020 horse show, but after ongoing discussions with show management, Kentucky Horse Park event staff and horse show managers of other events held at the park, the decision to cancel the event was made," says Sarah Coleman, director of community and public relations for New Vocations. "Multiple factors contributed...
The catalogue for the Goffs Orby Sale, which includes a Sea The Stars (Ire) half-sister to a trio of Group 1 winners out of Theatrical (Ire) mare Green Room (lot 176), is now online. Numerous blue-blooded pedigrees make up the two-day sale, with 474 yearlings set to go under the hammer on Sept. 29-30. Sunday's G1 Keeneland Phoenix S. winner Lucky Vega (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) is a €175,000 graduate of the Orby Sale. Ballylinch Stud will offer the 12th foal of the unraced Green Room, whose 2018 Galileo...