Nominations Open For Seventh Annual Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards

Nominations for the 2022 Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards (TIEA) opened on Monday, May 10, and will close on Friday, July 15. The TIEAs were held in the U.S. for the first time in 2016.

Godolphin, the global racing stable founded by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum of Dubai, is the principal sponsor of the awards in association with The Jockey Club, the National Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protection Association (NHBPA), the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association (TOBA) and the Breeders’ Cup. Godolphin also sponsors the equivalent Stud and Stable Staff Awards in Ireland, Australia, Great Britain and France.

Cash prizes totaling $122,000 will be awarded to winners as well as runners-up in a total of seven categories: Dr. J. David “Doc” Richardson Community Award, Katherine McKee Administration Award, Dedication to Breeding Award, Dedication to Racing Award, Newcomer Award, Support Services and Leadership Award. The Newcomer Award also includes an educational trip to Dubai.

The TIEA is also pleased to announce that our new category sponsors, which lent their support last year, will be returning as sponsors again for 2022. They are Keeneland, Churchill Downs, Hallway Feeds, NYRA, Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, NTRA, along with I Am Horse Racing.

Keeneland has once again agreed to host the Awards Ceremony which will be held on Friday, Oct. 14, in the sales pavilion.

For more information and to nominate online, please go to www.tiea.org.

Trainer Stewart Tries to ‘Crush It’ as Sequist Co-Owner

“You can’t make any money training horses,” he said.

 

As NetJets Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) entrant Sequist  fidgeted on a wash rack when receiving a bath on the Del Mar backstretch this week, her handler adjusted a shank and encouraged her to be still.

Holding the 2-year-old filly wasn’t a hotwalker. It was trainer Dallas Stewart.

Asked of his hands-on approach, he responded, “I’m the owner. I’d better.”

He is—one of them. The graded-placed filly is owned by West Point Thoroughbreds, Gervais Racing, Charles Pigg, Stewart Racing Stable, Tom Andres, and Karen Kraft—or as Stewart describes Andres and Kraft, “my doctor and my real estate neighbor.

 

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Breeders’ Cup Diaries: Leonard Looks Back At His Racing Start In Louisiana Backcountry

by

 

Leonard and California Angel

 

 

This is our third edition in a daily diary series following trainer George Leonard’s first trip to the Breeders’ Cup with California Angel. Find Part 1 here and Part 2 here.

It may be the first time George Leonard has brought a horse to Del Mar, but he managed to find a familiar face on the West Coast. Leonard left his regular exercise riders back home with his Indiana Grand string, and picked up the services of jockey Chester Bonnet to help him work California Angel ahead of her run in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf.

Bonnet and Leonard go way back, to the days when both were still in their home state of Louisiana. Leonard transferred to Indiana and Kentucky, and Bonnet came to California to be nearer to his son.

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Desormeaux Brothers Team Up with Oviatt Class

Son of Bernardini starts Nov. 5 in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) at Del Mar.

 

Racing fans don’t need the overnight to learn the jockey on the Keith Desormeaux-trained Oviatt Class  in the $2 million TVG Breeder’s Cup Juvenile Presented by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (G1) Nov. 5 at Del Mar. It’s Keith’s brother, Kent.

“As I told you and I tell everybody else, I’ve got no choice while my mother’s still living,” quipped Keith.

One liners aside, Keith wouldn’t want it differently. Ask him to comment on Kent, and he is quick to praise his younger sibling, who resumed riding over the winter after addressing repeat alcohol abuse. Last summer in the Del Mar area, he was involved in a physical altercation after drinking and was also accused of using a racial epithet—actions that led the track to bar him from riding for the rest of its summer meet.

 

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BREEDERS’ CUP ANNOUNCES DETAILED HEALTH AND SAFETY PROTOCOLS FOR 2020 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

Championships are set to take place Nov. 6 – 7 at Keeneland under strict COVID-19 protocols.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Oct. 24, 2020) – Today Breeders’ Cup Limited announced a detailed set of health and safety protocols put in place to mitigate the risks associated with COVID-19 for the limited staff, participants and essential personnel who will be on site at the 2020 Breeders’ Cup World Championships at Keeneland Race Course.

This plan was developed in consultation with Keeneland, local and state government officials, and public health experts, including Dr. Richard Greenberg – Professor of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, at the University of Kentucky School of Medicine. The plan closely follows the guidance established by the Healthy at Work requirements for venues and event spaces, bars and restaurants established by the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

Last month, Breeders’ Cup announced that the event will be run without spectators to protect the health and safety of employees, racing participants, those caring for the horses and the broader Lexington community. To this end, 2020 World Championships attendance will be limited to racing participants and essential personnel only. “The health and safety of our participants, employees, athletes, associates and the broader Lexington community are our top priorities,” said Breeders’ Cup President and CEO Drew Fleming. “We are proud to be in a position to conduct the 2020 World Championships in a safe manner and allow the top horses from around the world to come together and compete for $31 million in purses and awards over two days of best-in-class racing. It’s a testament to the hard work put in by our entire team and many others, as well as the resiliency of the broader Thoroughbred industry.”

“The important health and safety measures and capacity restrictions that Breeders’ Cup and Keeneland have put in place for this year’s event, including testing, face coverings, physical distancing and medical screening requirements, will go a long way in protecting the wellbeing of the limited number of attendees,” said Dr. Greenberg.

Highlights of Breeders’ Cup’s health and safety protocols for the 2020 World Championships include:

• Breeders’ Cup will provide complimentary testing onsite at Keeneland for participants, media, vendors and staff. All those who will be on site are encouraged to take advantage of this testing.

• All staff, trainers and personnel accessing the Rice Road stable area will be required to present a negative test prior to entering the stable area.

Daily health checks will be conducted at Keeneland entry points. These medical screenings include a medical questionnaire and a contactless temperature check. Only those who have successfully completed these medical screenings will be permitted to enter the grounds.

• Everyone entering the facility will be required to wear a cloth face covering or protective mask and may only remove to actively eat or drink.

Hand sanitizer dispensers, touchless whenever possible, will be placed at key entrances and contact areas.

• Building Services staff will clean and sanitize frequently touched surfaces using EPA registered disinfectants on a regular basis. High touch point areas, including all seating, tabletops, other tabletop items, door handles, handrails, elevator buttons, phones, pens, and keypads will be cleaned on a constant rotation.

In-person events surrounding the World Championships have been greatly scaled back and cancelled in most cases.

• The Keeneland Grandstand encompasses over 47,000 square feet of space, allowing for ample physically distancing for the limited number of people who will be on site. Participants will be required to practice proper distancing and stay six feet apart from other parties; this will be strictly enforced.

• All seating will be assigned – all seats and tables will be predetermined and physically distanced.

• Out-of-state or International jockeys must be in Lexington by Wednesday, Nov. 4 to receive COVID-19 test onsite by 7:00 p.m. ET. Jockeys have also been encouraged to get their influenza vaccinations prior to coming to Lexington.

• All out-of-state or international jockeys must also have RT-PCR COVID-19 nasopharyngeal test conducted in the racing jurisdiction they are presently riding in taken within 72 hours before arrival in Kentucky and the test must show a negative result.

• In-state jockeys will have a COVID-19 test completed on Wednesday, Nov. 4 and must have a negative result in order to ride during the Championships.

• Breeders’ Cup will maintain records to allow for contact tracing via a “Virtual Badge” app.

• All those who are feeling sick are encouraged to stay home.

Access to the stable area, paddock, winner’s circle and all indoor spaces will be restricted to authorized credentials.

Dining options will be limited to plated and individually wrapped food items and beverages.

• Participants will be encouraged to wager through Breeders’ Cup’s official online wageringprovider, TVG, or other online providers, rather than betting in person.

Signage and visual markers will be placed throughout the facility stressing mandatory masks/face coverings, hand washing and physical distancing.

• These protocols will be stringently enforced on site.

Breeders’ Cup and Keeneland remain flexible and are continuing to monitor the evolving situation in coordination with authorities to determine whether additional measures will be needed in order to hold the event in a safe and secure manner.

The 2020 Breeders’ Cup World Championships is set to take place Nov. 6 – 7 and will air live on NBC and NBCSN.

 

Horologist to Supplement to Breeders’ Cup, Will Race in 2021

Horologist | Susie Raisher

By Bill Finley

The New Jersey-bred star Horologist (Gemologist) will be supplemented to the GI Breeders’ Cup Distaff at a cost of $160,000, her co-owner Cameron Beatty confirmed Wednesday.

The decision came after her owners participated in a conference call Monday, at which time they also decided to bring her back for another campaign next year at age five. Horologist is cataloged to sell as hip 29 through Taylor Made Sales Agency, agent, at next month’s Keeneland November sale.

The decisions came after Horologist scored the biggest win of her career Sunday at Belmont in the GII Beldame S. Taking on a group of challengers that included Grade I winner Dunbar Road (Quality Road), Horologist scored a surprisingly easy three-length win as the longest shot on the board at 7-1. After struggling for much of the year, Horologist has won two of three starts since being turned over to trainer Bill Mott.

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McConnell Announces Horseracing Integrity And Safety Act, New Independent Regulatory Authority

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) announced Monday, August 31, 2020, at a press conference in Lexington, his plans to introduce legislation in the U.S. Senate to help set national standards to promote fairness, increase safety, and help preserve Thoroughbred racing. The McConnell bill, the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act, will be introduced in September following the state-work-period. U.S. Congressman Andy Barr (KY-06) will introduce the companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Because of Kentucky’s leading role in this sport, Senator McConnell brought Keeneland, Churchill Downs, Breeders’ Cup, The Jockey Club, and other industry leaders together earlier this year to develop a solution to the challenges facing horse racing. A number of them joined Senator McConnell and Congressman Barr for today’s major announcement: Keeneland President & CEO Bill Thomason, Keeneland President & CEO-Elect Shannon Arvin, Churchill Downs Incorporated CEO William “Bill” C. Carstanjen, Breeders’ Cup President & CEO Drew Fleming, and The Jockey Club Vice Chairman William “Bill” M. Lear Jr.

“I’m proud to be joined by prominent horse racing leaders in Kentucky as they take the courageous step to increase nationwide safety standards for horses, jockeys, trainers, breeders, and fans. I’m grateful to Congressman Andy Barr for his strong leadership on this important issue,” said Senator McConnell.

Also announced was the launch of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority, which will be an independent, non-governmental regulatory body responsible for improving current regulations bringing a new level of transparency. This Authority will also address medication use, track conditions and other safety standards to protect equine athletes. Senator McConnell’s Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act will provide federal recognition and enforcement power for the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority to develop uniform, baseline standards for horse racing.

“Kentucky is proud of our distinct horse racing traditions. We must address the challenges the sport faces so we can preserve our heritage and the jobs of over 24,000 Kentuckians who support it,” said Senator McConnell. “As Senate Majority Leader, I look forward to working with Congressman Barr and our colleagues across the aisle on our legislation to give federal recognition to the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority. Together, we can better protect every competitor and give each of them a fair shot at the Winner’s Circle.”

Congressman Barr said, “Today’s announcement is the culmination of years of work and negotiation to develop uniform racing standards under one independent regulatory body. The future of the sport depends on fair competition, a level playing field across state lines, as well as the safety and welfare of our equine and human athletes. Now is the time for the horse racing industry to embrace change that will attract a new generation of fans and solidify the future of this special sport. I want to thank Leader McConnell for his partnership on this effort and I look forward to moving this legislation across the finish line.”

“This groundbreaking legislation and the collaborative effort behind it speaks to the commitment those of us in the Thoroughbred industry have to establish uniform safety and integrity standards across the U.S. and bring American racing in line with international guidelines,” Keeneland President and CEO Bill Thomason said. “We applaud the leadership of Senator McConnell and Congressman Barr, who share our passion for horse racing and a dedication to strengthening the future of this great sport.”

Churchill Downs Incorporated CEO William “Bill” C. Carstanjen said, “It is critical to the future of Thoroughbred racing that the safety and integrity of our sport be governed by world-class, uniform standards across the United States. The leadership of Senator McConnell and Congressman Barr has been instrumental in our shared goal of bringing the Thoroughbred industry together to achieve this goal.”

“This legislation gives us an opportunity to make the single most significant and far-reaching safety and integrity enhancement in the history of Thoroughbred racing by bringing our sport into the 21st century and protecting its future for generations to come,” said Drew Fleming, President and CEO of Breeders’ Cup Limited. “While there is more work to do both in Congress and in the racing community, we are now on the path to a safer and more transparent sport thanks to Senator McConnell’s leadership and ability to bring people together around this important non-partisan issue. It has been a privilege to work with Congressman Andy Barr, my Chairman Fred Hertrich and my trusted counterparts at Churchill Downs and The Jockey Club, among many others, to contribute to this initiative for the betterment of our industry.”

“The Jockey Club has long pursued a collaborative solution within our industry to establish national reforms ensuring clean competition and improved safety for horses and humans alike. We express our sincere thanks to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and organizations such as Breeders’ Cup, Churchill Downs Inc., Keeneland, New York Racing Association, and The Stronach Group for working so closely with us on this legislation,” said Stuart S. Janney III, Chairman, The Jockey Club. “We strongly believe that the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act is vital to developing uniform and effective medication and safety regulations that will enhance the integrity and safety of American horse racing and improve the sport.”

The Jockey Club Chairman continued, “We also applaud Reps. Paul Tonko (D-NY) and Andy Barr (R-KY) and Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Martha McSally (R-AZ) for their support and devotion to horse racing and for introducing the original bill into the House and Senate. We will continue to work closely with Congressional co-sponsors, industry stakeholders and animal welfare organizations in our pursuit of national, uniform standards for drugs, medication, and safety in horse racing.”

“Without federal legislation mandating that USADA enact ‘clean’ drug rules, reliable testing, qualified labs and strict penalties for violators, the sport of American horse racing faces an uncertain future,” said Staci Hancock, Managing Member of the Water Hay Oats Alliance. “With Senator McConnell’s leadership and the continued efforts of Representatives Andy Barr and Paul Tonko in the House, WHOA’s members look forward to the day when our great sport can rebuild its reputation, protect our beloved horses and their jockeys, and reclaim racing’s place as one of America’s top spectator sports.”

Kitty Block, CEO of the Humane Society of the United States, said, “Senate Majority Leader McConnell has stepped up to end widespread doping in American horse racing and to address racetrack safety, the key contributing factors to fatalities on American racetracks. We cannot continue to look the other way when a racehorse is severely injured or killed during training or a race. This measure will advance necessary reforms that will make or break horse racing in the United States.”

In reaction to the news Monday, the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association distributed the following statement:

“Horsemen should view today’s developments with the Horse Racing Integrity and Safety Act with hope,” said NYTHA president Joe Appelbaum. “It’s been clear for a generation that a systematic approach to equine welfare is needed and this effort is a big step in that direction. The broad changes proposed today by Senator McConnell are a significant improvement on previous drafts of legislation and I’d like to personally commend the industry participants for working together to overcome their differences.

“The real work starts now, as we will need to not only pass this legislation but actually implement its proposals. NYTHA looks forward to working with all parties to ensure that horse racing has a worthy system ensuring the safety of our equine athletes and a level playing field. Our primary stakeholders, horsemen and bettors, deserve nothing less.”

The Stronach Group, via its 1/ST Racing brand, released the following statement of support from CEO Craig Fravel:

“1/ST RACING is committed to achieving the highest level of horse care and safety standards in Thoroughbred racing and we strongly urge Congress to consider the adoption of The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act that will introduce national policies to control medication and regulate anti-doping in the sport of horse racing.

“At 1/ST RACING our priority is to ensure the safety of our horses and riders and we believe that the investment into equine health and safety is not only the right thing to do, it is crucial to the future of Thoroughbred horse racing. The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act recognizes that industry stakeholders including the owners, trainers, breeders, jockeys, and racetrack operators must be unified toward a new standard of equine health, safety and welfare.”

Del Mar Thoroughbred Club CEO Joe Harper provided the following statement after the news was announced:

“The Del Mar Thoroughbred Club (DMTC) applauds the introduction of federal legislation which will provide safety and welfare uniformity within the sport of horse racing.  DMTC’s commitment to the safety and welfare of our human and equine athletes is unwavering.  We are proud of the recent industry-leading medication reforms that have been implemented at Del Mar and at California’s other horse racing venues.  We urge Congress to support similar medication regulation for horse racing throughout the county.

“DMTC is a founding member of the Thoroughbred Safety Coalition and is accredited by the National Thoroughbred Racing Association’s Safety and Integrity Alliance.  DMTC looks forward to continuing our work with other industry stakeholders, legislators and regulators to ensure our sport is conducted at the highest levels of safety and integrity.”

National Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association CEO Eric Hamelback released the following statement:

“Today, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) announced his plans to introduce legislation that purports to set national standards to promote fairness, transparency, and increased safety in Thoroughbred racing.

Senator McConnell claims to have found compromise within the industry, yet no representative horsemen’s groups, horseplayers or veterinary leadership organizations seem to have been consulted in the collaboration. The National HBPA represents close to 30,000 owners and trainers who want nothing more than increased safety and integrity to secure the strength of the business and our industry.

The greatest concern of the National HBPA is protecting the health and safety of horses. If Senator McConnell is serious about hearing from tens of thousands of real Kentuckians, as well as horsemen across the country, we stand ready to meet with him. We certainly hope he will meet with us since those pushing this bill have mischaracterized the industry and our views in the past.

As CEO, I can tell you we were never consulted on the recently-announced Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act. Contrary to an erroneous statement made by another elected official at today’s announcement, the HBPA was not made aware of any “compromise” negotiations until a deal had already been reached, nor has the Board of the National HBPA even been asked for its support.

Because the legislative text has not yet been released, the National HBPA will reserve final judgement, but we caution our elected leaders to not be misled by the wealthy few who continue to promote federal legislation in service to their own, private interests. Based on what we heard today, we are concerned these elite few continue to hold the reins.”

BREEDERS’ CUP EXTENDS DEADLINE TO AUGUST 15 FOR HORSES OF RACING AGE NOMINATION DISCOUNT

LEXINGTON, Ky. (June 29, 2020) –- Due to changes in racetrack schedules and auction sales dates as a result of COVID-19 restrictions, the Breeders’ Cup announced today that it is extending the discount deadline for horses of racing age to Saturday, Aug. 15.

All horses must be Breeders’ Cup-nominated in order to compete in the Breeders’ Cup World Championships, which is scheduled to be held at Keeneland Race Couse Lexington, Ky., Nov. 6-7.

The original horses of racing age nomination discount deadline was July 15.

“Although most Breeders’ Cup nominated horses join the program as weanlings, there are a few each year that didn’t get the Breeders’ Cup advantage as a foal,” said Dora Delgado, Breeders’ Cup Executive Vice President and Chief Racing Officer. “We created the horses of racing age nomination program to make sure all runners have a chance to compete in our racing programs including the Breeders’ Cup World Championships.  Now that racing has resumed in most locations, we believe our one-month extension will allow horsemen to better evaluate their racing stock and nominate to the Breeders’ Cup program, providing eligibility for their entire racing career.”

The nomination discounts are as follows:

• 2-year-olds by a nominated Breeders’ Cup stallion can join the program for US$12,000. This one-time nomination fee makes the racehorse Breeders’ Cup-eligible for its entire racing career.

• Runners which are 3-year-olds and older that were foaled in the Northern Hemisphere and sired by a nominated stallion will receive a 50% discount off normal racehorse nomination fees. Three-year-olds and older which were born in the Southern Hemisphere can be nominated for 25% of their regular nomination fee.

• All nominated racehorses are eligible for the Breeders’ Cup World Championships, which will have purses and awards totaling more than $35 million this year, and for any other Breeders’ Cup racing program for their entire racing careers.

Following the Aug. 15 deadline, the price for all non-nominated runners reverts back to the standard racehorse nomination fee of US$100,000 or more until Oct. 26, when all runners must be pre-entered for the Breeders’ Cup World Championships races.

Owners may nominate their horses of racing age online at https://members.breederscup.com/Nomination/RacehorseNominationTerms1 or by calling the Breeders’ Cup Racing department at 859-514-9422.

Owners of horses of racing age by non-nominated stallions also can take advantage of discounted prices before Aug. 15. Two-year-olds by non-nominated stallions can join the program for US$18,000; Northern Hemisphere 3-year-olds and older for US$100,000 and Southern Hemisphere 3-year-olds and older for US$50,000.

Below is the complete list of nomination prices and deadlines:

Horses of Racing Age sired by Nominated Stallion and Nominated before Aug. 15.

• Two-Year-Olds:   $12,000 (US)

• Three-Year-Olds & Up (Northern Hemisphere-bred):   $50,000 (US)

• Three-Year-Olds & Up (Southern Hemisphere-bred):   $25,000 (US)

Horses of Racing Age sired by Nominated Stallion and Nominated after Aug. 15.

• Two-Year-Olds:   $100,000 (US)

• Three-Year-Olds & Up (Northern Hemisphere-bred):   $100,000 (US)

• Three-Year-Olds & Up (Southern Hemisphere-bred):   $100,000 (US)

Sired by NON-Nominated Stallion and Nominated  before Aug. 15.

• Two-Year-Olds:   $18,000 (US)

• Three-Year-Olds & Up (Northern Hemisphere-bred):   $100,000 (US)

• Three-Year-Olds & Up (Southern Hemisphere-bred):   $50,000 (US)

Sired by NON-Nominated Stallion and Nominated after Aug. 15.

• Two-Year-Olds:   $200,000 (US)

• Three-Year-Olds & Up (Northern Hemisphere-bred):   $200,000 (US)

• Three-Year-Olds & Up (Southern Hemisphere-bred):   $200,000 (US)

 

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About Breeders’ Cup

The Breeders’ Cup administers the Breeders’ Cup World Championships, Thoroughbred horse racing’s year-end Championships, as well as the Breeders’ Cup Challenge qualifying series, which provides automatic starting positions into the Championships races. The Breeders’ Cup is also a founding member of the Thoroughbred Safety Coalition, an organization composed of industry leaders committed to advancing safety measures in Thoroughbred racing and improving the well-being of equine and human athletes.

The 2020 Breeders’ Cup World Championships, consisting of 14 Championship races, is scheduled to be held on November 6-7 at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Kentucky and features a total of $35 million in purses and awards. The event will be televised live by the NBC Sports Group. Breeders’ Cup press releases appear on the Breeders’ Cup website www.breederscup.com. You can also follow the Breeders’ Cup on social media platforms Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

Thoroughbred Racing Groups Launch National Ad Campaign

May 28, 2020 (Lexington, KY) – The Breeders’ Cup and The Jockey Club have launched a national ad campaign titled “Still. Running. Strong.” to promote Thoroughbred racing as major racetracks across the country resume live racing without spectators during the COVID-19 pandemic, the organizations announced today.

The campaign, which includes broadcast, digital, and social media elements, comes at a time when other major sports are on hiatus and horse racing is receiving unprecedented levels of live television coverage on NBC Sports and FOX Sports.

In addition to Breeders’ Cup and The Jockey Club, significant financial support for the campaign was provided by the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA); TVG, an affiliate of the FanDuel Group; the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association (KTA); and Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association (TOBA).

“As more of our major venues get back to live racing and with people at home seeking diversion and entertainment, we wanted to be proactive about promoting the sport to a broader audience,” said Drew Fleming, President and CEO of the Breeders’ Cup. “Horse racing has a unique opportunity to lead the way as we resume operations safely and, in doing so, provide fun and excitement for millions of sports fans and bettors across the country.”

The campaign highlights the bond between human and horse along with the thrill of watching and betting on horses that sets horse racing apart. Digital and social media executions promote the legal on-line wagering aspects of the sport, directing people to a new landing page on America’s Best Racing’s website, featuring fan education materials, wagering basics and links to horse racing’s advanced-deposit wagering platforms.

“With racing returning to major circuits and the addition of many hours of live programming on Fox Sports and NBC Sports there is now a unique opportunity to appeal to new fans and ask them to sample Thoroughbred racing,” said Jim Gagliano, President & COO of The Jockey Club. “Our goal is to increase awareness of racing as an option for these potential customers, engage with them, and provide the initial tools for them to learn more and break down barriers to participation. We are grateful to NTRA, TVG, KTA, and TOBA for supporting our efforts to promote racing and look forward to working with others to grow the campaign.”

“On behalf of our member tracks and horsemen’s organizations, we are happy to support this collaborative effort, especially during this unique window of opportunity,” said Alex Waldrop, NTRA President and CEO.

While most professional sports seasons have been sidelined or restricted to mitigate risks associated with human-to-human contact in the midst of the pandemic, horse racing has been able to operate safely in many jurisdictions under strict screening, sanitation and health protocols under guidance from public health officials and other experts.

The campaign launches today and will run on NBC Sports, FOX Sports and a variety of targeted digital and social channels. It was developed by Boston-based agency CTP, the Breeders’ Cup’s longtime advertising agency.

For more information visit AmericasBestRacing.net/Strong.

Secret Circle Relocating to Elite Thoroughbreds

The son of Eddington won two Breeders’ Cup World Championships races.

Secret Circle , the winner of two Breeders’ Cup World Championships races, is being relocated from Kentucky to Michele Rodriguez’s Elite Thoroughbreds in Louisiana in a deal brokered by Chad Schumer of Schumer Bloodstock.

A brilliantly fast horse for Bob Baffert, Secret Circle pulled off a rare achievement when he won the 2011 Sentient Jet Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Sprint and two years later captured the Xpressbet Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1). Out of 16 lifetime starts, the son of Eddington  was winner or runner-up in 10 graded stakes. He retired with more than $3.67 million in earnings.

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