The weekly TRC industry digest - a round-up of the international racing news from the past week.
Support for WHOA from ‘frustrated’ Mark Casse
North America: 12-time Sovereign Award-winner Mark Casse has joined the Water Hay Oats Alliance (WHOA), the grassroots movement that supports the passage of federal legislation to prohibit the use of performance-enhancing drugs.
The 59-year old – who was inducted into the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame in 2016 – said in his statement to WHOA that he decided to join the organisation he “continues to be frustrated by the lack of uniformity in our industry”, adding that its support of Horseracing Integrity Act (HIA) was also key to his position.
“It is my belief that it [the HIA] is our only chance to bring a level playing field to racing,” said the world #42 trainer.
Reduced Oaks purse prompts change of plan for O’Brien
Europe: The normally guarded Aidan O'Brien has poured scorn on the available prize money for this weekend’s rescheduled English Oaks, saying that it would be “pointless” to send Irish 1000 Guineas winner Peaceful to Epsom alongside Newmarket 1000 Guineas champion Love because “the prize-money is so much better in France”.
“The race in France [Prix de Diane] is worth well over double what's on offer for the Oaks, so Peaceful will head there on Sunday rather than running in the Oaks,” said the world #4 trainer.
The Oaks prize fund has been cut to £250,000 this year, down from £500,000 in 2019, while the Prix de Diane at Chantilly is worth €600,000 on Sunday. That prize pool was €1 million last year.
Danehill’s first G1 winner dies at 28
Oceania: Rosemont Stud in Victoria has announced the passing of 1994 Golden Slipper winner Danzero, the first G1-winning son of the great Danehill, at the age of 28.
A resident of Rosemont since his purchase from Arrowfield in 2011, he covered three seasons before fertility issues saw him retired from duties. However, Rosemont principal Anthony Mithen says the striking stallion will hold a special place in the hearts of those at Rosemont.
“He was the first stallion to stand at Rosemont and was in fact the only stallion to stand at our original farm at Ceres,” Mithen said. “He helped set in motion the stallion business for us and ultimately the purchase of Rosemont Gnarwarre from Tony Santic, which is now home to our five-strong stallion roster.”
He also spent three seasons at Cheveley Park Stud in Newmarket at the turn of the century and produced some useful performers in Britain, including Lowther winner Soar and trainer James Fanshawe’s durable sprinter Zidane.
Honor A.P to stand at Lane’s End
North America: Following in the footsteps of his sire, Honor Code, and his legendary grandsire, Hall of Famer A.P. Indy, Honor A.P. will stand at Lane’s End Farm on the conclusion of his racing career.
The G1-winning 3-year old is the highest-priced offspring from the first crop of Honor Code, having sold for $850,000 at the 2018 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale, and boasts a career record of 4-2-2-0 with $362,200 in earnings
“We are very excited to secure another prospect from the A.P. Indy line,” said Lane’s End’s Bill Farish. “As is the case with most of our stallions, having a strong syndicate behind them is very important to their success.
“We are emboldened by the quality of the syndicate that has come together to support him. His looks, pedigree, and his growing resume as a top racehorse give him a great chance to be a successful sire.”
Uncle Mo colt is Midlantic sale-topper
North America: For the fifth consecutive year, a seven-figure juvenile topped Fasig-Tipton’s Midlantic Two-Year-Olds in Training sale. Overall, 303 horses sold for a total of $23,572,500, at an average of $77,797 and a median of $40,000.
The sale marked the first time online bidding was available at a Fasig-Tipton auction; more than 50 horses received online bids, and about 15 were sold online. Full results are available online.
The sale-topper came during Monday's session, when a colt by Uncle Mo sold for $1,100,000 to Donato Lanni, agent for Michael Lund Petersen. The dark bay or brown colt was consigned by Pike Racing and worked an eighth in 10.0 during last week’s under-tack show.
Elsewhere in racing …
Europe: English racing broadcaster Nick Luck has launched Nick Luck Daily, a new five-days-a-week podcast. More here
Oceania: Australian Football League coach Denis Pagan has been granted a restricted licence to train. More here
North America: Keeneland and Maker’s Mark have teamed up to help the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund, with top riders autographing new limited-edition bottles of bourbon. More here
North America: The Breeders’ Cup has announce 16 Challenge Series races for August. More here
North America: Fasig-Tipton has catalogued 149 initial entries for its July Horses of Racing Age Sale, to be held on Monday, July 13, in Lexington. More here