The weekly TRC industry digest - a round-up of the international racing news from the past week.
Goffs Orby Sale returning to Ireland
Europe: The Irish Government’s recent relaxation of travel restrictions, allowing most overseas visitors to enter the country without the need to quarantine, has meant that the Goffs Orby Sale will be held at home in Ireland. It took place at the Goffs base in Doncaster, England, in 2020
After several weeks of uncertainty during which the company discussed holding their flagship yearling sale in Newmarket, following a helpful invitation from Tattersalls, Ireland’s premier sale will be held in Kildare Paddocks on its scheduled dates, September 28 and 29.
A “delighted and hugely relieved” Henry Beeby, Goffs Group Chief Executive, thanked Tattersalls for its “collaborative approach to work on a contingency plan” but was pleased that it was not needed.
“Our superb Purchaser Attraction team are working with our network of international agents as we speak to promote our excellent catalogue to the widest audience and we are just so pleased that buyers from at least the UK, EU and USA can now make definitive plans to come to Ireland,” said Beeby, who added that “early interest is high”.
The Sportsman’s Sale will immediately follow on in its traditional slot on September 30 and October 1. Catalogues for the Orby and Sportsman’s sales will be available online on August 5.
More problems in Zayat bankruptcy case
North America: The law firm representing Ahmed Zayat in his bankruptcy proceeding has asked to be removed from the case, claiming that the businessman owes it $368,272.
Rabinowitz, Lubetkin & Tully has been representing the embattled Triple Crown-winning owner, who filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy last year after being sued by MGG Investment Group for allegedly defaulting on a $24 million loan.
Jay L Lubetkin, a partner in the firm, said he had made efforts to communicate with Zayat “at least nine times” in July and is yet to receive a “substantive or satisfactory response”. Egyptian-American Zayat has failed to meet his promise to keep outstanding invoices within 60-day terms and a subsequent guarantee to make minimum monthly payments of $50,000.
Pinatubo forced to miss Australia shuttle
Oceania: Darley’s 2019 champion 2-year-old Pinatubo will not travel for the upcoming Southern Hemisphere breeding season on vets’ advice, due to a viral eye infection that hasn’t.
Godolphin Australia’s Managing Director, Vin Cox, expressed his, but said that “we must first and foremost consider what is best for the horse”.
The son of Shamardal will remain at Dalham Hall Stud in Newmarket, where his treatment will be managed. Cox added that “just because Pinatubo is unable to make the journey this season certainly doesn’t rule him out for next season, and we look forward to him joining our roster in 2022”.
Rethink over targets for Adayar and Hurricane Lane
Europe: Charlie Appleby has reappraised his plans for stable stars Adayar and Hurricane Lane, respective winners of this year’s Epsom and Irish Derbys, following impressive recent displays by the Godolphin pair.
Before the Epsom clash, the world #2 trainer had Doncaster’s St Leger in mind for Adayar, but, after the colt’s dominant victory under William Buick in the King George and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot last Saturday, he plans to send him to the G2 Prix Niel on September 12 at ParisLongchamp as a prep for a possible tilt at the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe over the same course and distance.
Hurricane Lane is now being targeted at the Leger, which takes place 24 hours after the Niel. Hurricane Lane won the G1 Grand Prix de Paris over the Arc mile and a half at Longchamp but Appleby said he “might be the one we start thinking about waiting another year to run in the Arc”.
He admitted it is “only a plan in pencil so far”, but the Newmarket trainer stressed that he wanted to give Adayar “experience of travelling”, before adding, “Both those races are three weeks before the main event, but we would have to assess the extent to which the two horses are put to the sword at Doncaster and Longchamp before taking a decision about the Arc.”
Adayar is the first horse to complete the Derby-King George double since Galileo 20 years ago. He achieved a TRC Race Rating of 129 for the performance, which moved the son of Frankel up 66 places to #4 in the TRC Global Horse Rankings.
Canadian Triple Crown sponsorship renewed
North America: Woodbine Entertainment has renewed its commercial partnership with the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corp (OLG) for the 2021 Canadian Triple Crown.
OLG will once again be the headline sponsor of the series, which begins with the $1 million 162nd Queen’s Plate on Woodbine’s Tapeta surface on August 22, followed by the $400,0000 Prince of Wales Stakes on dirt surface at Fort Erie on September 14 and the $400,000 Breeders’ Stakes on Woodbine’s EP Taylor turf course on October 3.
Jim Lawson, CEO of Woodbine Entertainment, said, “With [OLG’s] support, we are able to enhance premier Thoroughbred racing events and expose thousands more people to the sport we love.”
Elsewhere In racing …
Europe: The new Racing League, in which 12 teams take each other on with one horse a race across a series of six Thursday night meetings in Britain, gets under way at Newcastle on Thursday night (July 29). More here
Oceania: Racing NSW has abandoned any plans to race at city tracks other than Randwick with next month’s Missile Stakes moved away from Rosehill as a result of Sydney’s ongoing Covid-19 outbreak. More here
North America: After 60 years’ working at Santa Anita, where he became a fixture as the track’s paddock captain, John Shear has announced his retirement at the age of 100. More here
Far East: Japanese trainer Tetsuya Kimura has been suspended by the Japan Racing Association after a court fined him for assaulting his apprentice jockey. More here
North America: Hastings racecourse owner Glen Todd has provided a $1 million interest-free loan to extend the 2021 season for the Vancouver track. More here
North America: Best Time, a 3-year-old colt by Tapit and out of Take Charge Brandi, was sold for $29,500 to top the Keeneland July Digital Sale. More here
Oceania: Sky Racing World is to begin commingling of USA and Australian Wagering Pools. More here