The weekly TRC industry digest - a round-up of the international racing news from the past week.
Move to protect historical horseracing
North America: Senator John Schickel and Senate President Robert Stivers have been praised by the Kentucky Equine Education Project (KEEP), the state’s equine economic advocate, for introducing Senate Bill 120, which “which will keep historical horseracing (HHR) in Kentucky and protect critical jobs, economic investment and state revenue at a time when they are needed most”.
In response to the Supreme Court’s ruling on historical horseracing, the legislation will define pari-mutuel wagering to be consistent with how the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission (KHRC) has regulated live racing for decades and historical horseracing for the past decade.
It reaffirms that only pari-mutuel wagering on simulcasts of live racing can occur at simulcast facilities, as well ensuring HHR venues can continue or resume operations that are so beneficial to the horse industry and state-wide economy.
KEEP issued the following statement regarding the legislation: “Historical horseracing is an integral part of Kentucky's signature equine industry and our economy as a whole and has helped position Kentucky as a worldwide leader in racing.
“With real jobs and investment on the line, we urge the members of the Senate Licensing and Occupations Committee to promptly move this legislation forward so that the commonwealth can continue to benefit from historical horseracing now and in the years to come.”
The bill was set to be heard by the committee today (Thursday, February 4).
Kiwi star Te Akau Shark is dead
Oceania: Dual G1 winner Te Akau Shark, one of the most popular horses down under in recent years, has died after he succumbed to a series of health complications.
The 6-year-old gelding developed a degenerative eye condition during the 2020 Sydney autumn carnival and underwent surgery for the issue. He failed to recover completely and was retired from racing in December.
Owners Te Akau Racing said, “It is with immense pain and sadness that we announce that our beloved Te Akau Shark has lost his brave health battle. We are shattered by your loss and will be eternally grateful to have had you, our great red giant, in our lives.”
The horse with the cult following won seven of his 14 starts including the G1 Chipping Norton Stakes (1600m) at Randwick and the G1 BCD Group Sprint (1400m) at Te Rapa. He also finished third to Lys Gracieux in the 2019 Cox Plate (2040m).
Trained by Jamie Richards in New Zealand, the son of Rip Van Winkle amassed more than A$1.5 million in prize money.
Te Akau Shark has been laid to rest at Te Akau Stud in New Zealand.
Keeneland spring meet plans
North America: A year on from cancelling its spring meet because of the pandemic, Keeneland Racecourse has announced its schedule for this year’s meet, which will include 18 stakes races.
This time, though, the purses have been reduced to $4.1 million, down from last season’s proposed $4.8 million, with half thKeeneland spring meet spectators: Announcement soone stakes races taking a cut.
Last year, the Lexington track was forced to stage its abbreviated summer meet, the full-length fall meet and the 2020 Breeders’ Cup World Championships without spectators. However, “Keeneland is working on plans for ticketing options under our Covid-19 safety protocols, and we plan to make an announcement in the next few weeks,” said president and CEO Shannon Arvin.
Crowds boost for Caulfield
Oceania: With the vast majority of racing taking place behind closed doors, or with minimal crowds, Caulfield is set to host the biggest crowds on course since March 2020. The Victoria operation has confirmed that up to 15,000 fans will be permitted on track from this Saturday’s G1 Orr Stakes meeting.
Melbourne Racing Club has been operating on a reduced and socially distanced spectator model of up to 5,000 people since crowds returned to tracks in December, consisting mainly of members, which Melbourne Racing Club CEO Josh Blanksby, has “loved having”. But he cautioned that “after almost ten months of racing to no crowds, the operating model has been challenging”.
Under the new restrictions confirmed by the government, the racecourse will be split into three zones with up to 5,000 allowed in each, allowing increased freedom for people to move about within their zones, which wasn’t possible under earlier restrictions.
“We are confident that, from Saturday, the improved experience will balance safety for our guests while allowing them to enjoy a more familiar raceday experience,” said Blanksby. “We are looking forward to getting back to doing what we do best: Great hospitality and top-notch racing, just in time for the most fun day on our racing calendar.”
Major stars nominated for Dubai
Middle East: Pegasus World Cup and Breeders’ Cup winner Knicks Go, Bob Baffert’s Saudi Cup favourite Charlatan, star Australian sprinter Bivouac, Arima Kinen winner Chrono Genesis, globetrotting 7-year-old Addeybb and the Aidan O’Brien-trained Mogul head a list global stars nominated for Dubai World Cup day next month.
A total of 1,511 nominations have been accepted for the March 27 spectacular at Meydan from 762 horses trained in 19 countries.
Knicks Go and Charlatan are disputing favouritism with British bookmakers for the Dubai World Cup itself.
The Juddmonte 5-year-old Tacitus, who finished fourth in the 2020 Breeders’ Cup Classic, is also listed after having nominated for the meeting that was a casualty of the Covid pandemic last March.
But missing is the Japanese Triple Crown hero Contrail. Connections have decided not to go for the $4 million Dubai Turf after all, instead aiming the colt at the G1 Osaka Hai over ten furlongs on April 14 – in which he is likely to clash with the outstanding sprinter-miler Gran Alegria. More on that on horseracingplanet.com
Click here to see the nominations.
Saudi jockey challenge taking shape
Middle East: Three more international riders have been added to 14-rider line-up for the Saudi Cup's International Jockeys Challenge, which is scheduled to take place on Friday, February 19, in Riyadh.
Irish championship runner-up Shane Foley, Godolphin’s world #5 William Buick and Sweden’s top female jockey, Malin Holmberg, join already-confirmed stars such as Pierre-Charles Boudot, Jessica Marcialis and last year’s winner, Sibylle Vogt.
Foley and Buick will also be in action on the $30.5million Saudi Cup card the following day, with the latter set to partner G1 winner Space Blues in the Saudi Turf Sprint.
Captain Tom even made a mark on racing
Oceania: In the week that British World War Two veteran and fundraiser Captain Sir Tom Moore passed away at the age of 100, the TAB betting organisation in New Zealand has rewarded punters who followed a horse named Captain Tom.
The equine namesake of the much-loved Briton, who raised over £33 million for health service workers on the frontline of the battle against Covid-19, looked to have won the third race at Te Rapa but missed out after an enquiry.
The well-backed Richard Collett-trained gelding impeded two rivals over the concluding stages and was relegated to third in the 1200m contest.
However, TAB told its 6,202 Twitter followers: “Don't worry, we're paying out those who backed him with a FFWIN bet through your TAB account as a bonus bet.”
The NZ runner isn’t the only horse named after Captain Sir Tom: there’s another in Britain, although he’s not a racehorse. This Captain Tom is a yearling at World Horse Welfare’s rescue and rehoming centre in Norfolk, England. He got his name after a vote from WHW’s supporters. See video below.
Elsewhere in racing …
Europe: Cheveley Park Stud has revealed the mating plans for its broodmare band. More here
North America: New York Thoroughbred Breeders has announced the nominees for the New York-bred divisional champions of 2020. More here
Europe: Dual winner Tiger Roll tops the 106 entries for 2021 Randox Health Grand National at Aintree. More here
North America: Fasig-Tipton has catalogued an additional two supplemental entries, Maqboola and Gold Standard, to its 2021 Kentucky Winter Mixed Sale. More here
Oceania: Highclere Australia has announced the appointment of Andrew Hawkins as their its racing manager. More here