The weekly TRC industry digest - a round-up of the international racing news from the past week.
Oisin Murphy cocaine denial after positive test
Europe: British champion jockey Oisin Murphy could face a six-month ban from the sport following a positive test for cocaine after undergoing screening at a meeting in France, according to The Sun newspaper.
Murphy, 25, provided the positive sample in July, which he alleges came from a night out. He has provided hair samples to the French authorities for the past month, which have come back negative, and he is waiting on the results of a B sample.
If France Galop finds the world #21 guilty, he would be expected to face a similar ban to those dealt out by France’s governing body previously to Kieren Fallon and Frankie Dettori for the same offence.
Fallon was banned for six months in 2006, and later 18 months in 2008 after a second failed test, while Dettori was also hit with a six-month after providing a positive sample at the 2012 Arc meeting.
Murphy said in a statement, “I have never taken cocaine in my life and will fight to clear my name.”
An appeal would delay the verdict until after British Champions Day on October 17, when the Irishman is expected to be crowned champion jockey for a second time.
House passes Integrity and Safety Act
North America: The historic Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act was passed unopposed in the House of Representatives on Tuesday.
The bipartisan legislation, which would see formation of the Horseracing Anti-Doping and Medication Control Authority to oversee U.S. racing’s medication and anti-doping policies and drug testing, will now to go to the Senate for approval.
Midnight Bisou up for sale next week
North America: Jeffrey Bloom, co-owner and managing partner or Bloom Racing Stable, has announced the immediate retirement of five-time G1 winner Midnight Bisou, who will be offered as a broodmare prospect with Elite Sales at the Fasig-Tipton November sale on October 8.
“I cannot begin to tell you what this mare has meant to me, my family, and my partners,” said Bloom. “The places she has taken us and the thrills she has given us are immeasurable.”
The reigning Eclipse Award-winning older female sustained a sesamoid fracture in her right front fetlock. Surgery is not required, and she has already shipped to WinStar Farm, where she will be turned out.
“She is all class. I’m just so grateful I got to be a part of her incredible journey, and I’m extremely excited to watch the next phase of her life, watch her become a mother,” added Bloom.
Midnight Bisou was runner-up to Maximum Security in the $20 million Saudi Cup in February. The $10m first-place prize money is still being withheld while investigations continue into doping charges against a number of individuals, including Maximum Security’s trainer, Jason Servis, who is pleading not guilty.
Irad to stay on the sidelines after Covid test blow
North America: Reigning two-time Eclipse Award winner Irad Ortiz tested positive for Covid-19 and will not return from a ten-day suspension on Sunday as originally scheduled.
The 28-year old Puerto Rican’s agent, Steve Rushing, said that Ortiz was “shocked at the result” that was undertaken by a doctor, who told Rushing that “this test has a high accuracy rate”.
"He feels good, which is the important thing," said Rushing. “They are in such good shape and are young, so their system fights it off and they don't feel anything. The crazy year continues.”
Ortiz has ridden 234 winners and banked $14.78 million to lead all jockeys in the U.S. in both categories. He is currently #7 in TRC Global Rankings.
Bird Song to stand in Saudi Arabia
Middle East: Gainesway Farm has confirmed the sale of its G2 winner Bird Song to a Saudi Arabian stud in a deal brokered by Chad Schumer, of Schumer Bloodstock.
The 7-year-old son of Unbridled's Song’s oldest crop are yearlings of this year.
The Marylou Whitney Stables homebred multiple Graded stakes winner is a son of Whitney’s Eclipse champion 3-year-old filly and Kentucky Oaks winner Bird Town.
Churchill Downs hit by $8m pollution bill
North America: Churchill Downs, which owns Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots in Louisiana, has been fined $2.79 million by the Environmental Protection Agency and has reached a $5.6 million settlement to address the track’s unauthorised discharges of manure, urine, and wastewater into neighbouring waterways.
“We are pleased to announce an agreement with Churchill Downs to address years of Clean Water Act violations at its Fair Grounds Racetrack in New Orleans,” said Jonathan Brightbill, principal deputy assistant attorney general of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division.
“This consent decree will stop the flow of untreated process wastewater into the local sewer system, which leads to local waters used for fishing and ultimately Lake Pontchartrain, in a way that recognizes the challenges presented by the racetrack’s urban location.”
New e-magazine showcases British successes
Europe: Great British Racing International (GBRI) has launched a quarterly e-magazine titled The British Briefing. Click here to read the Autumn 2020 issue.
The online publication is a round-up of the headline stories from the past three months for Britain’s breeders, stallions, trainers, sales houses and bloodstock agents to showcase the breadth and depth of success enjoyed in all corners of the British racing and bloodstock industry.
It is produced in association with the Thoroughbred Breeders' Association, National Trainers Federation, Tattersalls, Tattersalls Ascot, Goffs UK and the Federation of Bloodstock Agents.
Minty Farquhar, Acting General Manager of GBRI, says: “Despite the unprecedented challenges we are all facing, the British racing and bloodstock industry continues to demonstrate its resilience and live up to its world-leading reputation.”
Elsewhere in racing …
North America: The catalogue for Keeneland’s October Digital Sale is now online. More here
Europe: The new £1.8 million Racing League team event will begin in 2021 after six meetings were confirmed by the British Horseracing Authority. More here
North America: The Texas Racing Commission has approved its 2021 race schedule for Thoroughbreds and Quarter Horses. More here
Oceania: The Victoria Racing Club has submitted a proposal to the state government to be allowed to have spectators for next month’s Melbourne Cup Carnival. More here
North America: New Jersey’s $20m purse subsidy has been cut by 25 percent for the 2021 season. More here