The weekly TRC industry digest - a round-up of the international racing news from the past week.
That’s the lot for Ghaiyyath’s racetrack career
Europe: Godolphin have announced the retirement of four-time G1-winner Ghaiyyath, who will retire to Darley’s Kildangan Stud in Ireland after showing signs of soreness following a routine piece of work.
The four-time G1 winner, who is by Dubawi out of a Galileo mare, had been in the running to line up at next month’s Breeders’ Cup but will instead begin a stallion career in 2021 at Sheikh Mohammed’s Irish operation, where he joins another recently retired Godolphin star, Earthlight.
Ghaiyyath is currently ranked #2 in the TRC Global Horse Rankings. Trainer Charlie Appleby praised his middle-distance star’s “fantastic career”, which saw him win nine of his 13 races.
“His high-class cruising speed and relentless style of galloping was a joy to watch and, as I have said before, this year he came together both physically and mentally and looked the finished article.”
Joe Osborne, managing director for Godolphin in Ireland, said, “Ghaiyyath is a great addition to our roster. His superior ability as a racehorse combined with his looks and his pedigree will make him a sought-after option for breeders.”
Mike Smith argues against whip rule
North America: World #12 jockey Mike Smith has written a letter to California Horse Racing Board (CHRB) members, in his role as co-chair of the Jockeys’ Guild, voicing California riders’ concerns about the newly implemented rule CHRB 1688, which restricts both the manner and frequency with which jockeys may use the whip.
The Hall of Fame jockey criticises the rule, which went into effect on October 1, believing that it decreases the safety of horses and riders, as well as the integrity of the sport.
Smith said the rule “to restrict the use of the riding crop to the underhand position … is completely against the technique that every jockey has been taught on the proper use of the riding crop”. He added, “It is contrary to our instincts and techniques, which in turn is impacting our balance and reaction time. We strongly believe that regulation is extremely hazardous and has added an even greater risk and uncertainty to our profession.”
Tiznow retires from stallion duty
Dual Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Tiznow has been retired from stallion duties at WinStar Farm in Kentucky at the age of 23, the farm has announced.
“He’s been a wonderful stallion here at WinStar,” said Liam O'Rourke, WinStar’s director of bloodstock services. “He’s responsible for putting the farm on the map. He’s long been a fan favorite and he’s given us so much.
“We're excited that he’ll hopefully get to spend many years turned out on the farm and be here for the fans and visitors from Horse Country to come see.”
Tiznow is the sire of Belmont and Travers winner Tiz The Law.
Italian Derby winner is thrown out
Tuscan Gaze, winner of the Derby Italiano at Capanelle in July, has been disqualified because of irregular entry procedures, the Italian Agriculture Ministry has announced.
The race has now been awarded to King’s Caper, trained in England by Mark Johnston, who was beaten a nose on the day under Frankie Dettori.
The Luciano Bietolini-trained Tuscan Gaze, a son of Galileo previously trained by John Gosden at Newmarket, was ridden by Carlo Fiocchi when he got up close home to deny King’s Caper by a nose.
Tuscan Gaze’s owners, Mag Horse Racing Srl, have lodged an appeal.
New NYRA role for Cannizzo
North America: Jeffrey Cannizzo will be leaving his position as executive director of the New York Thoroughbred Breeders (NYTB) at the turn of the year. He had served in the role since 2008. A search for a replacement will begin immediately.
Cannizzo will pursue a newly created opportunity with the New York Racing Association (NYRA) as Senior Director of Government Affairs.
NYTB President Thomas Gallo commended Cannizzo’s “knowledge of the industry and his ability to forge consensus among regulators and elected officials.
Cannizzo said, “I feel fortunate to have played a role in that success story. I’d like to thank the NYTB board of directors for their commitment to those working every single day on the 250 farms throughout New York.”
Breeders’ Cup sign-offs for Guineas heroes
Europe: Kameko and Siskin – winners of this year’s English and Irish 2000 Guineas – are scheduled to have their final runs at the Breeders’ Cup before embarking on stallion careers.
Kameko, the fastest ever winner of the colts’ classic at Newmarket, will stand at Tweenhills Stud, home of the Qatar Racing stallions, whose colours he carried to four wins from nine starts.
His trainer, Andrew Balding, had wanted the son of Kitten’s Joy to remain in training, but David Redvers, racing manager for Qatar Racing, said the untimely death last year of Roaring Lion, another star son of Kitten’s Joy, had somewhat forced their hand.
Sheikh Fahad Al-Thani, chairman of Qatar Racing, said, “My brothers and I are delighted to own another superstar in Kameko, whose record-breaking 2- and 3-year-old campaigns will live long in our memory. We cannot wait to unveil him to breeders.”
The breeding rights in Prince Khalid Abdullah’s Tattersalls Irish 2000 Guineas winner Siskin had been sold to “a group of breeders”, Juddmonte announced after his Classic win earlier in the year. His trainer, Ger Lyons, told Nick Luck on his daily podcast that the colt will stand in Japan.
Elsewhere in racing …
Europe: Retired champion jockey Johnny Murtagh is to join Dermot Weld and Michael Halford on the Irish training roster for the Aga Khan. More here
North America: Fasig-Tipton’s California Fall Yearling Sale, at Los Alamitos, sold 166 yearlings for $3,735,700. More here
Europe: Tally-Ho Stud’s Mehmas has become the most successful European first-season sire in history with 38 individual 2-year-old winners. More here