COVID-19
In just five weeks, the annual Keeneland September Yearling Sale will be underway. Despite unprecedented challenges and ongoing uncertainty, it will mark the start of a marathon of events for Keeneland and its future President and CEO Shannon Arvin. "We've got a long fall," said Arvin, who now serves as Interim Head of Sales and will be officially named President-elect on September 1. "We've got the September Sale, the October race meet, the Breeders' Cup that we're so excited about and then we've got the November Breeding Stock sale to...
A total of 20 lockdown heroes, nominated by their peers for good deeds done in the midst the coronavirus pandemic, are required for the Irish EBF Ballyhane S. on Aug. 23 at Naas, Horse Racing Ireland announced on Thursday. Each hero will be assigned a horse in the €320,000 race, with the winner earning the use of a luxury car from Colm Quinn BMW for a week, a four-night luxury break for two adults and two children at the Heritage, Killenard in County Laois and €2,000 in spending money. To...
Total prize money for the 10th QIPCO British Champions Day on Oct. 17 was cut to £2.5 million, QIPCO announced on Thursday. The purse reduction is a result of the coronavirus pandemic, but the raceday remains the richest in Great Britain. The G1 QIPCO Champion S. will be run for £750,000, while the G1 Queen Elizabeth II S. sponsored by QIPCO will be £650,000. Both the G1 QIPCO British Champions Fillies & Mares and the G1 QIPCO British Champions Sprint S. will be conducted at £350,000 and the G2 QIPCO...
In the latest resumption of racing update, racing behind closed doors is set to continue for the foreseeable future, the British Horseracing Authority announced on Thursday. The BHA thanked participants for their continued support and cooperation in following the behind closed doors protocols, but stressed that with both government and public health concerns about a rise in cases and a potential 'second wave' of COVID-19 cases, that it is vital everyone in racing continues to follow the proper protocols so that progress can be resumed towards re-introduction of spectators at...
Ongoing tensions between the management of Turf Paradise and Arizona-based horsemen is placing the upcoming 2020-2021 meet under a cloud of uncertainty. Last week, Turf Paradise released a press release detailing plans to push back its opening day from Oct. 17 to Friday, Nov. 27. The revised dates meant an overall reduction in live race days from 133 to 110. "We are working with AZHBPA [Arizona Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association] president Bob Hutton as to a date when the horses can begin to arrive in the stable area," said...
We are very lucky. My godfather spent 20 days in the ICU due to COVID-19 and twice was presented DNR papers to sign, giving him 30 minutes to improve his oxygen saturation levels prior to intubating him. He is home--still recovering, but home. He was diagnosed on Mar. 16. We spoke on Mar. 18 and at that time, "it was not as bad as the flu, just more aggravating." On Mar. 20 he was admitted to the hospital, Mar. 22 the ICU and discharged home on Apr. 12. He is...
An apprentice jockey in the UK has tested positive for the coronavirus, the British Horseracing Authority confirmed on Sunday. The rider in question has not participated in a race several weeks, but did recently attend a race meeting. The identity of the apprentice has not been released. British racing was halted in March until June 1 due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Once racing started up again, all racing personnel have been operating under strict government guidelines and safety protocols to ensure that social distancing is followed and the chance...
The long-term future for Churchill Downs, Inc. (CDI) to continue racing in Illinois involves selling its Arlington International Racecourse land for another purpose and transferring the corporation's racing license to another location. Bill Carstanjen, the chief executive officer of CDI, outlined the gaming company's desire to rid itself of Chicago's premier Thoroughbred venue in a July 30 conference call with investors. His comments came six days after Arlington's delayed 2020 season opening (because of the pandemic and a bitter contract dispute with local horse people) and one day before 2021...
Del Mar Thoroughbred Club has instituted a 10% purse increase, which will be retroactive to the track's opening day, July 10. Del Mar has also added a stakes race to its 2020 calendar--the $75,000 Del Mar Juvenile Filly Turf--a one-mile grass test for 2-year-old fillies Sept. 6. The race, which had been a regular feature at the seaside oval in the previous eight seasons, had been omitted from the original stakes schedule due to belt tightening measures. From July 10 through July 27, Del Mar conducted seven days of racing,...
Turf Paradise has rescheduled its opening day to Friday, Nov. 27. Originally the 133-day live meet had been scheduled to run from Oct. 17-May 1, 2021. The new schedule will run from Nov. 27-May 1, for 110 live race days. "We are hoping that by opening later the Coronavirus situation will settle down in Arizona," said track general manager Vincent Francia. "Regardless we will have health protocols in place when the meet opens." Francia added, "We are working with AZHBPA president Bob Hutton as to a date when the horses...
Starting Friday July 31, licensed owners with a horse entered may attend the races at Del Mar. Space is limited to two licensed owners per horse. No guests are permitted. Up until now, licensed owners have only been allowed on track in the morning to watch workouts. The first come, first serve seating in the afternoons will be located in the same area in the clubhouse box seating. Owners will be required to email Mary Forney, Executive Director of TOC (mforney@toconline.com) to secure access, and reservations can be made up...
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,...