The weekly TRC industry digest - a round-up of the international racing news from the past week.
British racing in turmoil over horse slaughter claims
Europe: The racing industry in Britain and Ireland has been left reeling by a BBC Panorama TV program, The Dark Side of Horseracing, which reported to show rules being breached on the slaughter of racehorses.
The investigation found that 4,000 racehorses had been sent to slaughterhouses since 2019. The BHA (British Horseracing Authority) said it “would support” any investigation undertaken by the Food Standards Agency, which regulates abattoirs in the UK, as a “matter of urgency”.
Covert footage filmed inside one of the UK’s biggest abattoirs includes harrowing footage of the deaths of two horses in the care of Gordon Elliott, the top Irish trainer currently suspended from the sport after being pictured sitting on a dead horse earlier this year.
Another claim was that contaminated horse meat was finding its way into the human food chain via the fraudulent practice of switching microchips inside horses to evade passport checks which may show an animal had been treated with medications such as Bute.
The items under the Round Table spotlight
North America: The Jockey Club has released the topics for its 69th Annual Round Table Conference on Matters Pertaining to Racing, which will be held virtually for a second consecutive year - on August 15.
The main items will be: Thoroughbred aftercare opportunities and challenges; using data to market the sport to the public; race-tracking technology; what steps might be implemented to improve the integrity of the sport.
David O'Rourke, president and CEO of the New York Racing Association (NYRA), will discuss NYRA's investment in its facilities, expanded television coverage, and NYRA Bets, its national advanced deposit wagering platform. Jockey Club president Jim Gagliano will deliver a report on the organisation’s activities.
The event will be streamed on the Jockey Club's website - jockeyclub.com - from 10 am EST, and will be aired on NYRA’s YouTube channel, the FOX Sports app, and Racetrack Television Network's platforms.
Too Darn Hot nomination to be auctioned for charity
Oceania: Godolphin Australia managing director Vin Cox has revealed that “along with our partners at Watership Down Stud, the final nomination in Too Darn Hot for the upcoming 2021 breeding season” will be used to raise funds for the Catwalk Spinal Cord Injury Research Trust, a New Zealand-based research fund that aims to fix paralysis following spinal cord injury.
The nomination will be auctioned via the Magic Millions online platform. Bidding will open from midday, local time, on July 28 and is scheduled to close at 4pm on July 29.
Multiple G1 winner Too Darn Hot retired to Dalham Hall Stud in 2019. The son of Dubawi has shuttled to Darley’s Kelvinside base in New South Wales, where he stands at AU$44,000.
“The access to this calibre of stallion per season is limited,” said Cox. “He’s a Group 1 winner, by a Group 1 winner, out of a Group 1 winner [Dar Re Mi], awarded champion titles at 2 and 3, and covered an exceptional first book, which included nine Group 1 winners. It doesn’t get much better than this.”
Madeleine Lloyd Webber, wife of theatre impresario Andrew and owner of Watership Down Stud, said, “I’m delighted to donate a Too Darn Hot nomination. As a former event rider myself, it’s by the grace of God that I escaped serious injury, and this wonderful initiative will help injured riders in their hour of need.”
Loss of stallion Danza
North America: 2014 Arkansas Derby winner Danza has died aged ten of an apparent heart attack at Fair Winds Farm in Waynesville, Ohio.
The son of Street Boss retired from racing after finishing third behind California Chrome in the 2014 Kentucky Derby with a race-record of 5-2-0-3. Spendthrift stood Danza in Kentucky for his first four seasons at stud before sending him to Fair Winds on a lease, beginning with the 2020 season.
His oldest foals are 4. He is the sire of 48 winners from 95 starters.
Breeders’ Cup tickets go on sale
North America: Tickets are now on sale for the 2021 Breeders’ Cup, which will be staged at Del Mar on November 5 and 6 for just the second time.
In accordance with state and local public health guidelines, organisers will be able to sell a full capacity stands to the 36th iteration of racing’s world championships. Last year they were forced to race in front of a limited attendance.
“We are elated to welcome fans back in full force as we return to Southern California’s beautiful oceanside racing venue, Del Mar racetrack,” said Breeders’ Cup CEO Drew Fleming. “Breeders’ Cup and Del Mar Thoroughbred Club have worked in close collaboration over the course of the past year to ensure our fans and participants receive a safe, best-in-class experience that showcases exceptional Thoroughbred racing.”
Fans can purchase tickets here or by calling the ticketing office at (859) 514-9428.
Elsewhere In racing …
Oceania: Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Michelle Payne is hoping to have her first runner as a trainer next week. More here
North America: Godolphin’s Dubai World Cup winner Mystic Guide is to miss the rest of the season because of injury. More here
North America: Lane’s End Farm stallion manager Bill Sellers is to retire after 39 years. More here
North America: Colonial Downs has announced a record opening day handle. More here
North America: Leading Louisiana sire Half Ours has died in paddock accident at the age of 18. More here