Today's Edition:  Record-Setting $1.4M Justify Filly Leads The Way at OBS · Baeza Set for Summer Showdown · Royal Ascot Coverage 2

thoroughbreds

Monmouth Park Condition Book and Stall Apps Available

The first condition book for Monmouth Park's 2020 racing season, which begins May 2, and stall applications are available online and in the racing office. The Oceanport oval opens for stabling Apr. 11 and training begins Apr. 15. The meet runs through Sept. 27 and is highlighted by the July 18 GI Haskell Invitational S. Once again, all trainers will receive a $300 starter bonus with all owners guaranteed $500 per runner. In addition, trainers stabled at Monmouth will be covered by a blanket worker's compensation policy, provided by the...

[ Read More ]
Latest Fasig February Supplements Now Online

Fasig-Tipton has catalogued an additional 36 entries for its 2020 Kentucky Winter Mixed Sale supplemental catalogue and they are now online. The latest entries include: Stakes winner Jenda's Agenda (Proud Citizen) (Hip 614), who is carrying her first foal by Justify. Jilted in the City (City Zip) (Hip 611), a full-sister to MGSW and sire Run Away and Hide. Evocative (Pioneerof the Nile) (Hip 610), a 3-year-old half-sister to MGSW Justwhistledixie (Dixie Union), who is the dam of GISW New Year's Day (Street Cry {Ire}), MGSW Mohaymen (Tapit), GSW Kingly...

[ Read More ]
Hope Springs Eternal at Springland

We've all got a shot. But only Bill Nicholls has a Shotski (Blame). Not strictly true, of course. The son of Blame, who makes his sophomore bow in the GIII Withers S. Saturday, is banking his racetrack purses for a partnership comprised of Adam Wachtel, Gary Barber, Pantofel Stable and Mike Karty; and raised no more than $25,000 when sold as a yearling by Springland Farm and Prime Bloodstock LLC. But if that's a fairly minimal reward, for breeding a GII Remsen S. winner, then Nicholls can comfort himself that...

[ Read More ]
Horse Racing Integrity Act Moving Through the House

The Consumer Subcommittee of the House Energy and Commerce Committee held a major hearing today on the Horseracing Integrity Act (HIA) that brought together horse racing industry heavy weights and representatives from two major animal welfare groups to advocate for passage. Congressman Paul D. Tonko (D-NY) spoke at a hearing Tuesday in support of H.R. 1754: the Horseracing Integrity Act, legislation that would establish a non-governmental anti-doping authority responsible for implementing a national, uniform medication program throughout the sport. Tonko introduced the bill last year with fellow Congressional Horse Caucus...

[ Read More ]
Horse Health: How Common Are Heart Attacks in Horses?

In horses, humans and all other mammals, the heart is responsible for delivering oxygenated and nutrient-rich blood throughout the body and removing metabolic waste through a vast network of blood vessels, therefore any disruption in this process can have detrimental effects. In horse racing, and most other equestrian sports, the term "heart attack" has become a catch-all phrase for suspected fatal cardiac events, as was the case recently with the passing of G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen winner XY Jet (Kantharos), who died of an apparent cardiac event the morning of...

[ Read More ]
Au-Dela des Pistes Holds General Assembly

The 2019 General Assembly of Au-Dela des Pistes, the equine charity that works for the promotion and retaining of Thoroughbred horses in France, was held at the Salon Katko at Chantilly's training centre last Friday, Au-Dela des Pistes announced on Tuesday. Fourteen of the 24 retraining establishments  referenced by the charity were in attendance at the assembly, which included a visit to Fabrice Chappet's stable and watching morning training on the Lions training track. The representatives were also able to speak with trainers, breeders, agents, vets and other racing industry...

[ Read More ]
Making Their Mark: Louis Le Metayer

In this new series we sit down with a selection of Europeans making a significant impression in the Thoroughbred industry on foreign shores. Today we have France's Louis Le Metayer in the hot seat. Position: Astute Bloodstock, an  independent bloodstock agency. Original Hometown: I grew up in a small village in the southern part of Normandy called Colombiers. It's a region where horses are a very big part of the local culture. If you drive from Colombiers to Deauville (130km) you are pretty much guaranteed to see a stud farm,...

[ Read More ]
Au-Dela des Pistes Bridges Gaps for Aftercare

Heightened awareness of animal welfare causes and the plight of retired racehorses over the past 30 years has dramatically changed the landscape in Thoroughbred aftercare and it continues to evolve as more racing jurisdictions recognize the need for institutional aftercare funding. Organizations forming now to provide safe and meaningful retirement for Thoroughbreds have the benefit of an enlightened racing and breeding industry. In the past, the road to establishing necessary partnerships with racing and breeding organizations was often a dead-end. Now, the path is much more direct. For Au-Delà des...

[ Read More ]
TAA Accreditation Application Now Available

Organizations wishing to apply for accreditation by the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA) are now available.  Applications are due by Apr. 1, 2020 at 6 p.m. ET. Only organizations with their accreditation status set to expire in 2020 that want to remain accredited need to re-apply. Accreditation status is determined after a complete review of five areas of an aftercare organization: operations, education, horse health care management, facility standards and services, and adoption policies and protocols. Organizations passing the application review will be subject to site inspections of all facilities housing...

[ Read More ]
'Bear' Worthy in Al Maktoum Challenge R1

The G2 Al Maktoum Challenge R1, run over a mile on the Meydan main track was a nailbiter, but Kimbear (Temple City) got his head down on the line where it counted, winning a three-way photo over GSW Secret Ambition (GB) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}) and Group 1 winner North America (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}). Racing in the rear of the main pack against the fence as Heavy Metal (GB) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}) showed the way initially, the Doug Watson colourbearer began to improve as North America took over, with...

[ Read More ]
Remaining Al Shaab Stud Horses Stolen

Following a raid that resulted in six stallions and six in-foal mares stolen by armed militia on Saturday, the remaining 30 horses were stolen from Libya's Al Shaab Stud early this week, Racing Post reported. Among the first batch of horses was the stallion Eavesdropper (Kingmambo), a half-brother to Horse of the Year, Classic winner and outstanding sire A.P. Indy (Seattle Slew). "Now armed militias from Tarhuna have returned to steal the remaining 30 horses," Al Shaab's General Manager and resident veterinarian Dr. Amad Eshaab tweeted. "I expect the worst....

[ Read More ]
Osarus Adds New Spring NH Sale

A new spring National Hunt sale will be conducted by Osarus, the sales company announced on Thursday. Slated for June 12, 2020 for Maisons-Laffitte, the sale will consist of 2-year-old stores and select horses-in-training. "With the good results of our Autumn 100% National Hunt sale which took place last October and the current jumps market, we felt that vendors would be interested in an earlier opportunity to sell their horses," said Osarus Managing Director Emmanuel Viaud. "Our aim is to offer a reduced catalogue of approximately 50 to 60 2-year-old...

[ Read More ]