COVID-19

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...

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...

The Longines Irish Champions Weekend, held Sept. 12-13, will take place behind closed doors, the Longines Irish Champions Weekend Committee confirmed on Wednesday. The committee's recommendation, which was made as the COVID-19 pandemic continues,  was approved by the Board of Horse Racing Ireland at their July meeting on Monday, July 20. The Sept. 12 card at Leopardstown features the G1 Irish Champion S., and G1 Coolmore America 'Justify' Matron S. The Curragh plays host on the second day, with four Group 1 races on tap: the Comer Group International Irish...

Throughout the sport, the coronavirus has meant adjustments, For most jockeys, that includes no longer being able to use the "hot box" to take off weight. For several racetracks and racing departments, that has meant a concession to the jockeys in the form of raising the scale of weights. But will these temporary solutions become permanent when life returns to normal and might eliminating the saunas in jockeys' quarters ultimately prove to be a solution that helps riders stay healthy? These are questions already being discussed. The saunas, which many...

With no track available to host races in its home state, a cross-border plan by the Massachusetts Thoroughbred Breeders' Association (MTBA) to fund and run a $35,000 stakes race at Ontario's Fort Erie Racetrack got scuttled Tuesday when the van carrying all six entrants didn't arrive on schedule. "Basically it was just a series of delays that prevented the horses from getting here on time," Antonietta Culic, Fort Erie's marketing and media relations director, told TDN. "They had to arrive by 11:30 a.m. to receive Lasix, and they weren't able...

Colonial Downs Group, a subsidiary of Peninsula Pacific Entertainment, announced it will alter course from hosting limited spectators to a "spectator-free" racing program for the 2020 race meet, which kicks off July 27. As a result of the pandemic, the decision was made at the request of the Virginia Racing Commission (VRC) and the Virginia Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association. According to Colonial Downs officials, the changes are intended to focus additional care on key operating areas, including jockeys' quarters, paddock supervision, the racing office and stable area. The 2020...