Glorious Goodwood: Fancy Blue wins Nassau Stakes for Donnacha O’Brien
Fancy Blue wins the Nassau Stakes at Glorious Goodwood for 22-year-old trainer Donnacha O'Brien.
Month: July 2020
Grayson Grass Challenge: Indiana Grand Partners With Research Foundation For Handicapping Challenge
Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation announced today that it will be the beneficiary of the “Grayson Grass Challenge,” sponsored by Indiana Grand Racing & Casino.
The Grayson Grass Challenge will be a five-week handicapping contest starting the week of August 10 whereby participants in the challenge submit selections on two specified turf races each week at Indiana Grand through the week of September 7. Each contestant will be given a $500 bankroll provided by Indiana Grand, of which $100 can be wagered each week. The bankroll can be used for win, place, show, exacta, trifecta, and superfecta wagers. At the end of the five weeks, all remaining bankroll plus winnings from the contestants will go to Grayson.
“Our sport is not possible without healthy horses, and Grayson funds research projects that facilitate wellness among all horses, including racehorses,” said Eric Halstrom, vice president and general manager of racing for Indiana Grand. “I wish our expert handicappers the best of luck in their efforts to raise money for such an important cause.”
“We are excited to work with Indiana Grand and all contest participants as part of the Grayson Grass Challenge,” said Jamie Haydon, president of Grayson. “We are thankful to all parties for their enthusiasm in supporting equine health and wellness.”
The field for the Grayson Grass Challenge will consist of four individuals: Nick Luck, international racing broadcaster; Gabe Prewitt, analyst for Scioto Downs and Pompano Park; Ellis Starr, national racing analyst for Equibase; and Daniel Tordjman, America's Best Racing handicapper and manager of Partnerships & Sponsorships. Indiana Grand will also participate with an entry of rotating picks from Nancy Holthus, paddock analyst; Rachel McLaughlin, racing analyst and production manager; and Bill Downes, track announcer.
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Equine Aftercare Feeling Financial Impact After Event Cancellations
Equine aftercare nonprofits are poised to take a hit financially from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, even though horses in their care have been adopted out in record numbers. A plethora of fundraising events for aftercare organizations have been moved online or cancelled completely as health mandates have limited the number of people who can gather.
Multiple Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA)-accredited organizations have had to cancel events and their staff are concerned about how they will make up for the lost revenue. In addition, many donors are also experiencing financial constraints and may be reluctant to give at the levels they previously have. Organizations that offer grants to equine aftercare entities are also feeling the pinch of limited donations, reports Blood-Horse.
Second Stride, a Kentucky-based Thoroughbred rehoming organization, was unable to host their annual pre-Derby party in the spring and they have opted to not hold the in-person party in September, either, as safety protocols keep shifting. The organization now plans to host a virtual event around the Derby that offers a handicapping panel and an online auction.
Win Place Home, a California-based nonprofit, cancelled their spring event, which typically brings in about one-quarter of their yearly revenue. To make up for some of the lost revenue, Win Place Home will offer a week-long silent auction with videos featuring adoptable horses and special guests.
The amount of money nonprofits raise through fundraisers and events is part of what dictates the number of horses each organization can assist. With donations down, organizations may not be able to help as many horses. Surprisingly, aftercare organizations across the country have experienced adoption booms during the pandemic, and not in horses with unlimited second-career potential. Family horses, trail horses and those with limiting injuries were also adopted out in droves.
Interestingly, there has not been an uptick in the number of horses being retired from racing—yet. Though it's unclear what the future holds for equine aftercare, it will hopefully include more donations.
Read more at Blood-Horse.
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Mogul Swoops For Gordon Triumph
Off the board in three starts since claiming last term’s G2 Champions Juvenile S. at Leopardstown, Coolmore’s Mogul (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) was one of the main closers when sixth in last month’s G1 Epsom Derby and stepped back up to the plate to gain compensation in Thursday’s G3 John Pearce Racing Gordon S. at Goodwood. Steadied off the clear leader in fourth after an alert getaway, the 9-2 chance was coaxed forward once leaving the three-furlong marker behind and swooped late under a power drive to provide a third success for Aidan O’Brien in this renowned stepping stone to elite-level glory. The April-foaled bay’s late surge carried him 3/4-of-a-length beyond Highland Chief (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}) with the same margin back to the game pacesetter Subjectivity (GB) (Teofilo {Ire}) in third. “These horses are in good form, he was tough there and Aidan always said he’d be just right for his third run,” said winning rider Ryan Moore, whose win left Frankie Dettori behind on four as he moved to within one of Sir Gordon Richards and Willie Carson’s joint-record haul of six in the contest. “We’ve always thought a lot of him and I’m very happy with what he’s done today. He’s still a bit babyish and can only progress further,” the rider added.
“We always thought that Mogul was going to take two runs and we were hoping to get that into him before the Derby, but obviously the Derby was only his second run and this was his third today,” explained Aidan O’Brien, who saddled Yellowstone (Ire) (Rock of Gibraltar {Ire}) to win this in 2007 and Highland Reel (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in 2015. “We said this race would suit him, we’re delighted with him and think there is more to come. We were thinking of going to the [Sept. 13 G1] Grand Prix de Paris [at ParisLongchamp] with him next, maybe, and that was the plan if everything went well today. We always thought he was a lovely horse and a horse that was going to suit the Derby, but we thought it would take a couple of runs to get him there. When you look at him he’s built like a miler. He’s a big, strong, powerful horse and carries a lot of muscle and weight so he was always going to take racing to get him tuned up. We weren’t really sure about this horse at a mile-and-a-half, but he toughed it out and it looks like he got it today.”
Fitri Hay’s homebred Golden Gates H. winner Highland Chief (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}) was a never-threatening 10th in the G1 Epsom Derby and bounced back from that disappointment with a career-best effort here. “We are very, very pleased with the horse,” said trainer Oliver Cole. “I would have to see the race again, but [rider] David Probert thought Mogul came up and he went again. Ryan has obviously ridden a peach and we are very happy to know that we have a very good horse. The advantage we had today was that there weren’t many runners so there wasn’t much hustle and bustle. He could relax and enjoy it without being cramped, which played to his advantage. Maybe the [G2 Great] Voltigeur [at York] next, although it might come a little bit quick.” Bjorn Nielsen’s G1 Epsom Derby fifth English King (Fr) (Camelot {GB}) went off for this retrieval mission as the 5-4 favourite, but was the first to come under pressure in the straight before staying on without troubling the leaders to finish fourth. “He came off the bridle too early and he was staying on at the end,” said Frankie Dettori. “We are toying with the idea of the [G1] St Leger [at Doncaster].”
Mogul, who was the second-highest priced transaction at Tattersalls’ 2018 October Book 1 yearling sale when knocked down to M V Magnier for 3.4-million guineas, is one of six winners out of Listed Pontefract Castle S. second Shastye (Ire) (Danehill), herself half to G1SW sires Sagamix (Fr) (Linamix {Fr}) and Sagacity (Fr) (Highest Honor {Fr}). He is thus a full-brother to G1 Grand Prix de Paris and G1 Juddmonte International hero Japan (GB), GSW G1 Epsom Oaks and G1 German Oaks runner-up Secret Gesture (GB), G3 International S. victor Sir Isaac Newton (GB) and a yearling filly. From a family also featuring G1 Prix d’Ispahan-winning sire Sageburg (Ire) (Johannesburg), Mogul is also a half to MGSP Listed Ipswich Cup winner Maurus (GB) (Medicean {GB}) and to the unraced dam of Listed Height of Fashion S. runner-up Shaherezada (Ire) (Dutch Art {GB}).
Thursday, Goodwood, Britain
JOHN PEARCE RACING GORDON S.-G3, £75,000, Goodwood, 7-30, 3yo, 11f 218yT, 2:34.89, gd.
1–MOGUL (GB), 127, c, 3, by Galileo (Ire)
1st Dam: Shastye (Ire) (SP-Eng), by Danehill
2nd Dam: Saganeca, by Sagace (Fr)
3rd Dam: Haglette, by Hagley
(3,400,000gns Ylg ’18 TATOCT). O-Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith & Susan Magnier; B-Newsells Park Stud (GB); T-Aidan O’Brien; J-Ryan Moore. £42,533. Lifetime Record: GSW-Ire, 7-3-1-0, $198,290. *Full to Japan (GB), Hwt. 3yo-Eng at 9 1/2-11f, Hwt. 3yo-Ire at 11-14f, Hwt. 3yo-Ire at 9 1/2-11f, Hwt. 3yo-Eng at 11-14f, Hwt. 3yo-Eur at 9 1/2-11f, G1SW-Fr, G1SW-Eng, GSW-Ire, $2,021,465; Full to Secret Gesture (GB), GSW & MG1SP-Eng, G1SP-Fr, G1SP-Ger, GISP-US, $746,427; Full to Sir Isaac Newton (GB), GSW-Ire, SW-Eng, GSP-Aus, $405,120; 1/2 to Maurus (GB) (Medicean {GB}), SW & MGSP-Aus, $472,335. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Highland Chief (Ire), 127, c, 3, Gleneagles (Ire)–Pink Symphony (GB), by Montjeu (Ire). O/B-Fitri Hay (IRE); T-Paul Cole. £16,125.
3–Subjectivist (GB), 127, c, 3, Teofilo (Ire)–Reckoning (Ire), by Danehill Dancer (Ire). (62,000gns Ylg ’18 TAOCT). O-Dr J. Walker; B-Mascalls Stud (GB); T-Mark Johnston. £8,070.
Margins: 3/4, 3/4, 1 3/4. Odds: 4.50, 22.00, 8.50.
Also Ran: English King (Fr), Khalifa Sat (Ire), Al Aasy (Ire). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
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