Month: January 2020

Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation to hold Photo Contest to Celebrate Healthy Horses

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Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation announced today an online photo contest for horse lovers to celebrate their equine companions.

The contest opens February 1, and entries will be accepted through February 29. Horse enthusiasts are encouraged to submit original photos of horses representing all breeds, backgrounds, and disciplines on Grayson’s website at grayson-jockeyclub.org/default.asp?section=2&area=PHOTOINFO&menu=1.

Finalists will be selected by the Grayson team, and the winning photo will be chosen by votes from the public on Grayson’s Facebook page. The winner will receive a Grayson “swag bag,” and each finalist will also receive a prize. Selected photos submitted to the contest will be shared on Grayson’s social media accounts using the hashtag #ilovehealthyhorses.

“Grayson’s mission is to improve the wellness of all horses, and we are excited to see images of people showing off the healthy horses in their lives to increase awareness of the importance of equine veterinary research,” said Jamie Haydon, president of Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation.

For the contest’s official rules, please visit grayson-jockeyclub.org/default.asp?section=2&area=PHOTORULES&menu=1

Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation is traditionally the nation’s leading source of private funding for equine medical research that benefits all breeds of horses. Since 1983, the foundation has provided more than $27.5 million to fund 366 projects at 44 universities in North America and overseas. Additional information about the foundation is available at grayson-jockeyclub.org.

Two Scholarships to be Awarded on Premier Night at Delta Downs Racetrack & Casino

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Vinton, La. – The Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association will award two scholarships each valued at $1,000. Two scholarships will be awarded during Premier Night on Saturday, February 8, at Delta Downs Racetrack & Casino, Vinton, La.
The requirements for the scholarship are as follows:
  • Must be a college student enrolled full-time for Spring 2020.
  • Must be in good standing with the college or university.
  • Must be present to win at the Winner’s Circle when the announcement is made.
  • Must have college ID and government-issued ID.
For Premier Night, February 8:
  • Registration: 4:00 p.m.–5:10 p.m. at the designated booth
  • Races begin: 5:10 p.m.
  • Drawing Time: The scholarships will be awarded after the fifth race. The scholarship will be deposited directly into the student’s account at the college or university. The student is asked to know the name and address of the college that they are attending.
“The Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association continues to make an investment in the future of our state by investing in our students and their education,” said Roger Heitzmann, secretary/treasurer for the Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association. “This type of investment is for our future, the state, as well as the organization. Our hope is that these scholarships get the younger generations interested in thoroughbred racehorses so that our organization stays the top breeding incentive program in the United States.”
Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association manages one of the best incentive programs for breeding thoroughbreds in the United States. Since the organization formed, this has led to increased purses, better quality horses, and increased interest in racing and breeding horses.
“The 2020 breeding season is fast approaching and I have good news,” said Warren Harang, president of the LTBA Board of Directors. “Louisiana breds continue to excel on the racetrack, at the sales and in performance careers after racing. Louisiana sired Louisiana breds awards have increased to 20% and that began with the Delta Downs race meet. We continue to look at ways to promote and grow the market for our Louisiana bred horses.”
Louisiana’s four racetracks provide year round racing at Delta Downs Racetrack & Casino, Vinton; Evangeline Downs Racetrack & Casino, Opelousas; The Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, New Orleans; and Harrah’s Louisiana Downs, Bossier City.
Louisiana’s racing and breeding industry plays an important role in the state’s economic well-being and contributes a significant source of state revenue. The combined impacts of both racing and breeding and their related industries generates over $1 billion annually and employs nearly 13,000 people.
For more information about Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association visit louisianabred.com or call (504) 947-4676.

Storm the Court Named Top Juvenile Male

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Storm the Court (Court Vision) has been overlooked for most of his young career thus far, but that changed with his recognition as an improbable champion 2-year-old male. Bought by horseman Bryan Rice for just $5,000 as a Fasig-Tipton February yearling in 2018, he blossomed in the ensuing year and sold for $60,000 to the shrewd Marette Farrell after breezing a quarter-mile in :21 2/5 at OBS April as the only representative of his sire in the entire sale. Scoring a 12-1 upset of his debut Aug. 10 at Del Mar, he was stepped up by trainer Peter Eurton into the GI Runhappy Del Mar Futurity next out. That race is infamous for the antics of heavy favorite Eight Rings (Empire Maker), who ducked in sharply soon after the start and unseated his rider. Storm the Court, who also lost his pilot because of the incident, was a mere footnote in the affair. He did little to make a name for himself in the GI American Pharoah S., finished a well-beaten third behind an Eight Rings that was on his best behavior Sept. 27 at Santa Anita. That led to him being dismissed at nearly 46-1 in the GI TVG Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Nov. 1 in Arcadia, but the bay kept finding more after setting a quick pace, and dug in resolutely to turn back fellow longshot Anneau d’Or (Medaglia d’Oro) by a head, pulling off the biggest stunner of the World Championship weekend. Drilling steady at his Santa Anita base, Storm the Court is slated to take his first step as a sophomore on the GI Kentucky Derby trail in the Feb. 9 GII San Vicente S.

Accepting the Award…

“I am incredibly honored to accept this award on behalf of the entire Storm the Court team. There are many people who have contributed to this colt’s special moment. Marette Farrell and her team who do all the bloodstock work for Exline-Border are some of the hardest-working people I know. They are honest, diligent and I can confidently say we would not be standing here today without their guidance. Peter Eurton did an excellent job with ‘Storm.’ Peter is an excellent horseman, but he’s like family to us. He has continuously delivered us success on the biggest of stages and we are lucky to have him on our team.” —Ryan Exline of Exline-Border Racing, co-owner

Connections Celebrate Championship for Storm the Court

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Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) winner earns 2-year-old male Eclipse Award.

The Runhappy Del Mar Futurity (G1) played a major role in determining the 2019 2-year-old male championship, but not in the normal way.

Eight Rings, the odds-on favorite, ducked in sharply shortly after the start, bumping Storm the Court. Both horses lost their riders. The incident could have ended their 2-year-old seasons, but each returned to win a grade 1 event.

Storm the Court, a son of Court Vision —My Tejana Storm, by Tejano Run, bred in Kentucky by Jim Power’s Stepping Stone Farm, was a $60,000 2-year-old auction purchase and had only a maiden victory prior to the Futurity. He had worked so well for trainer Peter Eurton before his debut, however, that his owners spent $12,000 to make him eligible to the Breeders’ Cup.

 

Read Bloodhorse Article

Storm the Court, Son of Louisiana Sire Court Vision Named Eclipse Champion 2-year-old male

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Court Vision is now the first Louisiana based sire to have an Eclipse Award winning Champion to his credit.

Storm The Court (Court Vision-My Tejana Storm, by Tejano Run) was named the Champion 2-year-old Male, at last night’s Eclipse Awards ceremonies. A near disasterous mishap in the Runhappy Del Mar Futurity in which favorite Eight Rings bumped Storm The Court causing both horses to lose their riders, could have ended his 2-year old season. However, the Kentucky bred colt came back to finish 3rd in the G1 American Pharoah Stakes before a longshot 45-1 victory in the G1 TVG Breeders’ Cup Juvenile.

Sire Court Vision stands at Acadiana Equine at Copper Crowne in Opelousas, Louisiana for a 2020 fee of $3,500.

Keeneland, Fasig-Tipton And Ocala Breeders’ Sales Announce Major Reforms To Medication And Riding Crop Policies For 2-Year-Old Sales

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Officials from Keeneland Association, Fasig-Tipton Company Inc. and Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company Inc. today jointly announced significant changes to policies regarding medication, including restriction of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and a ban on bronchodilators at all 2-year-old sales, and limited use of riding crops at under tack shows. The revised Conditions of Sale for each sales company take effect March 2020.

These proactive measures demonstrate continued uniformity among the United States’ three largest Thoroughbred auction houses and are the latest round of leadership reforms undertaken in recent years, following action in 2009 to ban the use of anabolic steroids in sales horses and last year’s ban on the off-label use of bisphosphonates in horses younger than four years old.

Keeneland president and CEO Bill Thomason, Fasig-Tipton president Boyd T. Browning Jr. and OBS President Tom Ventura said in a joint statement: “We continue to refine and adapt our policies with the overriding goal of protecting both the human and equine athletes while providing our customers the best opportunity for success at the racetrack.”

Medication Reforms

The following changes in the medication rules will be in place for all 2-year-old sales at each of the three auction companies:

– No more than one NSAID may be administered. Stacking of NSAIDS is prohibited; and

– Bronchodilators (Clenbuterol, Albuterol and all other bronchodilators) are prohibited substances and may not be administered.

No medication may be administered 24 hours prior to a horse’s performance in an under tack show. The schedule for administration of permitted medication at Keeneland’s April 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale will be governed by the rules of racing as set forth by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission.

Use of a Riding Crop and Spurs at an Under Tack Show

All three sales companies now prohibit the excessive use of a riding crop on the track. Under the enhanced guidelines, a rider may remove his or her hands from the reins and strike a horse once behind the girth only prior to the starting pole at which the horse begins to breeze. At any time after the start of the breeze, a rider may only use the riding crop while both hands are holding the reins and may not strike the horse behind the girth. A rider is prohibited from striking the horse in any manner beyond the finish line. In situations where the safety of the horse or rider is in jeopardy, a riding crop may be used in front of the girth. Spurs are not allowed.

Any infraction of this policy may result in a substantial fine to be paid by the consignor, and chronic offenders may be banned from riding on the sales grounds.

Equestrian Brand Builders Workshop Series Offers Discounts For LTBA Members

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Angelia Bean: “The horse business is tough, but those words don’t even touch the surface.”
Let us help you make your marketing, social media and advertising easier. Top agency professionals will teach you how to do all of this for yourself.

Special Discount for LTBA Members

Registration: $249 early bird, $399 regular

LTBA special rate: $149

Register here: bit.ly/CalzoneEquestrianWorkshop

Use the special code ltba2020

Equestrian Brand Builders Workshop Series (Industry specific: Horse trainers, horse farms, veterinarians, feed stores, tack and supply stores, event facilities, horse breeders, and horse owners.)

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8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Downtown Workshop

204 Polk Street

Lafayette, LA 70501

Brand identity, website, advertising plan, and social media analysis.

If you aren’t sure how to position your brand and company in the coming year

If you don’t know how to find your target audience

If you’re unsure what messaging will motivate your audience once they are found

If you want to find better ways to tap into social media and use it to build your brand and build your tribe

If you know you need to advertise, but are unsure how to evaluate your opportunities and what will produce the best results

If you are unsure which media channels are the right ones to reach your audience and motivate them to action

Brand Builders Workshops are uniquely tailored for small business owners, in-house marketing   directors and those wanting to gain a better understanding of how to improve, manage and utilize their brand to improve their marketing efforts. Our workshops are industry specific, interactive and full of real-world applications that will inspire and fundamentally change how you plan and deliver your branding initiatives for the coming year.

Purple Power Equine Services & The Elite Program, Inc. Present Racehorse Owner-Trainer Prep class at Sam Houston Race Park

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Subject: Racehorse Owner-Trainer Prep class at Sam Houston Race Park
When: February 6-9, 2020
Tuition: $349 online prior to February 3, $400 at door
Class size: Limited to 12 I
nformation: http://www.purplepowerracing.com; http://www.groomelite.com

 

The Elite Program, Inc. and Dr. C. Reid “Mac” McLellan, well known national instructor of Groom Elite classes around the country is offering an updated version of his Trainers’ Exam Prep class at Sam Houston Race Park February 6-9. Entitled Racehorse Owner-Trainer Prep Class and, expanded by one day, this version includes time for discussion of philosophy and methods of training racehorses. This class starts with discussion of options for acquiring racehorses, preparation of young racehorses, improving performance of older racehorses and options for post racing careers. Intertwined is discussion of relative rules of racing that influence and, in some cases, govern application of these training methods.

Those familiar with racing know that since 2019 rules are being changed rapidly. Some rules are in the best interest of horses and some are not. McLellan discusses these rule changes and how trainers and owners can make sure that their horses are given the best care within a volatile, changing rule environment.

This prep class’s opening session commences Thursday, February 6 at 3:00 PM and continues until 7:00 PM. Friday, Saturday, Sunday classes are from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM with continuing informal discussion during a one-hour in room lunch break each day. Sunday will be focused on the rules of racing involving daily activities on a racetrack including entering horses with correct imposts, raceday activities and post-race testing. Participants will enjoy a night at the Sam Houston Race Park races Friday night.

This class is open to anyone interested in learning about horses. Owners, jockeys, grooms and handicappers participate alongside participants desiring to take a trainers’ licensing exam. Tuition for this 25 hours of interactive discussions packed with information about racing, racehorses and the Rules of Racing is $349 if paid online by February 3 rd . Tuition after February 3 rd and at door (if space is available) is $400. This class, particularly the first three days qualifies as continuing education for previous Trainers’ Exam Prep Class participants. Previous TExP participants, as well as Groom Elite 101 certified grooms, receive a $100 prior participation credit and pay only $249.

For more information or to register, go to http://www.purplepowerracing.com and for information about upcoming Groom Elite classes, go to http://www.groomelite.com . Anyone without internet access may call Dr. “Mac” at 859-321-4377 and sign up over the phone.

The Elite Program, Inc. is a 501(C)3 non-profit that provides equine education classes through it’s Groom Elite™ curriculum. With its initial primary mission (in 2001) to provide education to grooms and hotwalkers or Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse Racehorses, Groom Elite continually adapts and updates it’s programming that now includes courses for grooms and owners of OTTB show horses and welcomes owners and grooms of any breed. One of it’s more notable programs is its Second Chances Groom Elite curriculum taught in five adult correctional facilities in partnership with the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation and it’s local affiliates in which participants learn life lessons while developing an employable skill working with retired racehorses.

Lifetime Breeding Right To Court Vision A Rare Sight At Keeneland January Sale

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Court Vision produced the second highest win payout in Breeders’ Cup history

Not every offering at the Keeneland January Horses of All Ages Sale can be found at the end of a shank.

Friday’s closing session of the January auction will feature Hip 1671S, a lifetime breeding right to Breeders’ Cup Mile winner and veteran stallion Court Vision, who began his stud career in Ontario, relocated to Spendthrift Farm’s Kentucky base, then was moved to Acadiana Equine at Copper Crowne in Opelousas, La., for the 2017 breeding season. It’ll be the first time a stallion share, season, or breeding right has been offered at a Keeneland sale in nearly a decade.

Canadian horseman Sean Fitzhenry purchased the lifetime breeding right to Court Vision when the son of Gulch retired to Park Stud in Ontario in 2012, and he continued to support the stallion when he was moved to Kentucky in 2016. However, the breeding right had gone unused since Court Vision was sold to a group based in Louisiana and relocated to the state.

 

Read Paulick Report Article

Talamo Moves Tack To Arkansas/Kentucky Circuit

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The Southern California invasion is underway at Oaklawn and among the big names already on the grounds in advance of the Jan. 24 opening is jockey Joe Talamo.

Talamo’s resume includes an Eclipse Award as the country’s top apprentice jockey in 2007, a Breeders’ Cup triumph in 2009 and 2,003 victories and more than $100 million in purse earnings in his career through Tuesday, with the bulk of that success coming in Southern California, where he rode regularly for more than a decade before announcing in November that he was relocating to the Midwest.

“It was a big decision,” Talamo said during training hours Monday morning. “At the same time, I think there’s a lot more opportunity out here, as far as riding more and possibly winning more, hopefully. It was a hard decision, but kind of an easy one at the same time.”

Talamo had more than 1,000 mounts annually in 2007-2014, including a career-high 1,472 in 2007 and 1,247 in 2013. But mirroring the shrinking horse population in Southern California, and an accompanying decline in field sizes, Talamo rode only 547 horses last year, fewest since his first year to ride professionally in 2006.

“I just turned 30, so I know I’m getting older, but I still feel like I have a lot of good years left in me,” said Talamo, who grew up in suburban New Orleans. “And again, it’s nobody’s fault, really. The horse population out there just, every year, seems to kind of dwindle down a little more and more. Like I said, I still feel like I have lot more in the tank, so I felt like making the move out here would keep the momentum going.

“The way things are out here, the purse money is incredible. The horse population is incredible. Everything seems in growth mode right now. I thought if there is a time to do it, I thought it would definitely be a good time.”

No winter racing venue in the country has higher purses than Oaklawn and purses are also skyrocketing in Kentucky, where Talamo said he plans to be based the remainder of the year. Talamo said his family is also now in Hot Springs. The jockey is married to the former Elizabeth Ellis, the daughter of Southern California-based trainer Ron Ellis, and has two young children.

“It’s pretty much a 100 percent move,” Talamo said. “I kept my house in California, just to rent it out. We’re in with both feet, pretty much. I would love to buy a house in Hot Springs. When we get to Kentucky, we’ll look for a house and that’s pretty much going to be the circuit – Oaklawn and then Kentucky after that.”

High-percentage trainer Brad Cox is expected to be one of Talamo’s biggest clients at Oaklawn, but the jockey said he won’t be choosey, particularly when it comes to volume, adding he has been working horses “for a little bit of everyone” since arriving Jan. 6 in Hot Springs.

“The more the merrier, absolutely,” Talamo said. “Trust me, I’m one of those guys that if it’s a $5,000 claimer or a $1 million race, I’m going out there with the same mindset – just try and win.”

Talamo’s new agent is Jake Romans, the son of nationally prominent trainer Dale Romans. The jockey has had only six career mounts in Hot Springs.

“I’m just excited for something new,” Talamo said. “Change can be good.”

Other jockeys with strong Southern California roots scheduled to ride at the 2020 Oaklawn meet are Martin Garcia and Tyler Baze. Southern California-based trainers John Sadler, Peter Miller and Phil D’Amato had horses on the grounds Wednesday morning. Sadler had 21 horses arrive in Hot Springs Tuesday. Horses for another Southern California-based trainer, Hall of Famer Jerry Hollendorfer, were being flown to Arkansas Wednesday.

“I think there’s five or six guys from California with strings here and I’ve been in touch with them,” Talamo said. “I’m pretty sure I’ll ride a little bit for them. But again, hopefully, we can spread the wealth out. I’ll ride a little bit for everybody and hopefully win a little bit for everyone.”