The weekly TRC industry digest - a round-up of the international racing news from the past week.
The remarkable Josephine Abercrombie dies at 95
North America: U.S. racing is mourning owner-breeder Josephine Abercrombie, who died peacefully aged 95 at her home at Pin Oak Stud in Woodford County, Kentucky.
The only daughter of Houston oilman James Smither Abercrombie – known colloquially as Mr Jim, began riding her father’s Quarter Horses before the age of ten, going on to compete in horse shows, including the 1953 National Horse Show, where she won 12 blue ribbons. She was also one of only a handful of amateurs to show a world grand champion.
In the 1950s, Abercrombie and her father purchased a nearly 4,000-acre farm, which they named Pin Oak, where they grew tobacco and bred Simmental and white-faced Hereford cattle, in addition to the Thoroughbred operation.
By 1987, Abercrombie had purchased a new, smaller 750-acre Pin Oak Farm not far from the original. This would focus solely on Thoroughbred breeding, with sires such as Sky Classic, Peaks And Valleys, Maria's Mon and Broken Vow.
In 1995 the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association recognized Pin Oak as the state and national Thoroughbred Breeder of the Year. In that same year, Peaks And Valleys was Canadian Horse of the Year.
Away from racing, her philanthropic donations included gifts of at least $4.6 million to her ala mater, Rice University, co-founding the non-profit Kentucky Equine Humane Center and a private K-8 school called The Lexington School. In 1982 Abercrombie started the Houston Boxing Association and within four years she was promoting 50-odd fights in a single year.
To date, nearly 70 stakes winners have been bred or raced by Pin Oak, including Classic winners in America and England and G 1 stakes winners in three countries.
Click here for What They’re Thinking with Josephine Abercrombie in October 2020
Death of ‘horse of a lifetime’ Da Hoss
North America: Two-time Breeders’ Cup Mile Winner Da Hoss has died at the age of 30 due to the infirmities of old age at the Kentucky Horse Park, where he had retired in 2020 after a successful 5-year racing career.
“We will miss Da Hoss greatly. He was a fan favorite as he proved that spirit can triumph over adversity,” said Nicole Rivera, Interim Deputy Executive Director of the Kentucky Horse Park.
The son of Gone West is one of only five horses to win the Breeders’ Cup Mile twice, and the only one to win twice in non-consecutive years. Between the 1996 and 1998 races, he was injured three times and did not race for nearly two years.
“He was our horse of a lifetime,” said trainer Michael Dickinson. The English handler noted that the horse “knew he was special” and that he “brought us so many highs, even with his [injury] problems”.
Like the other great Hall of Champions horses that died in retirement at the park, Da Hoss will be buried in the Memorial Walk of Champions.
How an incredible Breeders’ Cup hero finally won a place in my heart
Champion sprinter Gamine is retired
North America: Multiple graded stakes-winning Gamine has been retired from racing at the age of five and will reside at Hill ’n’ Dale at Xalapa Farm in Paris, Kentucky, her owner, Michael Lund Petersen, announced.
“Gamine is leaving the track happy and healthy. She gave me and my family the thrill of a lifetime,” said Lund Petersen. “We look forward to her next chapter.”
The daughter of world #1 dirt sire Into Mischief won nine races from 11 career starts, including the 2020 Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint, as well as a further four G1s. Her average margin of victory was seven lengths and she was named 2020’s champion female sprinter.
She was trained throughout her career by Bob Baffert, who named Gamine as the “best filly sprinter I have ever trained”, adding that, in his opinion, she “defines greatness”.
‘Frankel of the Fjords’ heading for Riyadh
Middle East: Square De Luynes, known by his fans at home in Norway as the ‘Frankel of the Fjords’ is being prepared in Dubai by trainer Niels Petersen for the G3 Neom Turf Cup, the $1.5 million contest over 2100m at the Saudi Cup meeting.
“I think the track in Saudi will suit him – left-handed, two bends, it should be spot on – and the distance should be ideal,” said Petersen, who had planned to send the 3-time winner of the prestigious Stockholm Cup International to the meet last year until the harsh Norwegian winter made preparations impossible.
Moreover he believes that “looking at last year’s Neom Turf Cup, he should be good enough” to win this year.
All three of Petersen’s Saudi hopes – he is also sending Kick On and King David, both being aimed at the $500,000 Saudi International Handicap - have been in the UAE several weeks and will have prep-runs at Meydan.
Square De Luynes is owned by the Stall Power Girls – a syndicate made up of some of his owners’ wives, including Petersen’s own wife. Their distinctive pink colours will certainly stand out on Saudi Cup day.
Entries closed for all international races at the Saudi Cup meeting on January 5.
Elsewhere In racing …
Oceania: Connections of New Zealand horse of the year Probabeel are seriously considering an invitation to run the 4-time G1-winning mare in the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot in June. More here
Africa: 2005 Prix de l'Abbaye winner Var has passed away at the age 23 at Avontuur Stud in South Africa. More here
Europe: Jump jockey Robbie Dunne has seven days to appeal against an 18-month ban imposed in the controversial Bryony Frost case. More here
Asia: International Bloodstock Agent Mukhi has died aged 74. More here
North America: Keeneland has announced six new supplements to its January Horses of All Ages Sale. More here