December, 2020 | Horse Racing Free Tips

Apprentice Victor Flores Hospitalized, Suffered Head Trauma In Morning Training Incident At Fair Grounds

Apprentice jockey Victor Flores has been hospitalized due to “severe head trauma” after an incident during morning training hours at the Fair Grounds in New Orleans, La. Wednesday morning, according to former agent, Rudy Rodriguez, Jr., who set up a GoFundMe page to help offset medical expenses for the young rider.

The Blood-Horse reports that Flores was breezing a horse for trainer Matt Shirer when the horse bolted to the outside. Flores fell in the path of oncoming traffic from horses jogging near the outside rail, and was transported to a local hospital via ambulance.

The filly Flores was riding was not injured.

Flores rode at Monmouth Park this summer, then most recently took a couple mounts at Churchill Downs before traveling to New Orleans for the winter. The apprentice has compiled a total of 24 wins since earning his license in 2018.

12 Days Of Christmas Videos: Black Beauty Animal Sanctuary Goes Behind-The-Scenes

The Cleveland Amory Black Beauty Ranch in Murchison, Tx., is celebrating the holiday season this year with 12 days of Facebook videos that feature some of the nearly 400 horses and donkeys living at the sanctuary.

Hosted by the equine caregivers at Black Beauty from Dec. 14 to 25, viewers will get a daily behind-the-scenes look at feeding time, caring and therapy treatments for special needs horses. The videos will also feature staff patrolling across the 800-acre pasture and other surprises. Caregivers will also read holiday-themed books alongside horses and share the back stories that brought these animals to the sanctuary.

Noelle Almrud, senior director of Black Beauty, said: “We want to give a virtual holiday gift to our supporters and share an inside look at what it takes to properly care for hundreds of horses and donkeys every day. Our expert equine caregivers will take viewers through an array of daily activities and introduce some of our incredible animals who were rescued from cruelty and neglect. We miss being able to offer our monthly tours due to the pandemic and created this virtual alternative experience for all to enjoy.”

Some of the residents who will be featured are Katniss, a special needs mustang; Pride, rescued from a Humane Society of the United States undercover investigation into soring of Tennessee walking horses; Stewie, a donkey found as a stray by law enforcement; and Mulan, part of a large rescue of over 800 feral mustangs who were found starving. Along with nearly 800 residents at the 1,400-acre sanctuary – from tigers, bears and primates to the nearly 400 donkeys and horses – these animals are living happily ever after with proper care at the sanctuary for the rest of their lives.

Videos will post at 9:00 a.m. CST daily on Facebook.

Founded in 1979, the 1,400-acre Cleveland Amory Black Beauty Ranch, operated by the Fund for Animals in partnership with the Humane Society of the United States, is one of America's largest and most diverse animal sanctuaries. Located in Murchison, Texas, Black Beauty is a permanent haven to nearly 800 domestic and exotic animals rescued from research laboratories, circuses, zoos, private pet ownership, roadside zoos, captive hunting operations, and government roundups. Residents include tigers, bears, primates, bison, tortoises, horses, burros and more. To respect the peace and privacy of the animals, the sanctuary is open to the public only twice a month for intimate prescheduled Ranch of Dreams Tours. However, due to COVID-19 concerns, tours are on hiatus until further notice. Visit https://www.facebook.com/BlackBeautyRanch.

Founded in 1954, the Humane Society of the United States fights the big fights to end suffering for all animals. Together with millions of supporters, we take on puppy mills, factory farms, trophy hunts, animal testing and other cruel industries. With our affiliates, we rescue and care for tens of thousands of animals every year through our animal rescue team's work and other hands-on animal care services. We fight all forms of animal cruelty to achieve the vision behind our name: A humane society.

Learn more about our work at humanesociety.org. Subscribe to Kitty Block's blog, A Humane World. Follow the HSUS Media Relations department on Twitter. Read the award-winning All Animals magazine. Listen to the Humane Voices Podcast. 

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Cheveley Park Stud Adds To Select NH Team

With restrictions surrounding race meetings continuing in Britain, the Tattersalls Cheltenham December Sale was relocated to Tattersalls HQ at Park Paddocks and it was a famous Newmarket name at the top of the buyers’ list.

Cheveley Park Stud, traditionally one of Britain’s foremost owner-breeder operations on the Flat, has enjoyed increasing success with a clutch of well-selected jumpers in recent seasons, with the hugely exciting novice chaser Envoi Allen (Fr) (Muhtathir {GB}) at the head of the group. Two new recruits were added to the team on Thursday in the form of the day’s top two lots, Grangeclare West (Ire) and Guily Billy (Fr), at £430,000 and £310,000 respectively.

The former (lot 8) is a 4-year-old son of the late Glenview Stud stalwart Presenting (GB) out of a half-sister to the prolific chase winner Gunner Welburn (GB) (Gunner B {GB}). Grangeclare West made his debut in the point-to-point field in the hands of Jamie Codd at Lingstown on Nov. 22 and won by four lengths for trainer Denis Murphy. His next start will be under rules for Gordon Elliott, trainer of Envoi Allen, as well as Cheveley Park Stud’s recent Grade 1-winning novice hurdler Ballyadam (Ire) (Fame And Glory {GB}).

The AQPS 4-year-old Guily Billy (lot 15) is a son of the former Haras de Cercy resident Coastal Path (GB) and the winning hurdler Ukie (Fr) (Dom Alco {Fr}). He won his second point-to-point start in mid-November for Donnchadh Doyle, who consigned the grey through his Monbeg Stables.

The same vendor was also responsible for Fameaftertheglory (GB) (Fame And Glory {GB}), who won his maiden point-to-point last weekend at Mainstown. Bred by Will Kinsey, the 4-year-old (lot 43) was sold last year at the Goffs Land Rover Sale for €42,000 and this time around went for £100,000 to Champion Hurdle-winning trainer Gavin Cromwell.

Forty-four lots were offered during the lunchtime sale, with 32 sold for a total of £2,378,000 and an average price of £74,312.

Matthew Prior, Head of Tattersalls Cheltenham Sales, said at the close of the day’s business, “As has been the case for so many in the bloodstock and racing industry in 2020, the point-to-point sector has experienced huge disruptions and challenges as a result of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. Having been unable to return to Chelteham Racecourse since the Cheltenham Festival, we are incredibly grateful to our loyal vendors and purchasers who have shown great resilience in supporting the necessary fixture changes during the Autumn season.”

He added, “Nonetheless, we are still able to reflect on what has been a phenomenal year for Tattersalls Cheltenham graduates on the raceourse, with no less than seven Grade 1 winners including Festival winners Monkfish, Ferny Hollow, Shishkin and racing’s latest superstar Envoi Allen. It has been with great pleasure and pride that today we have welcomed the National Hunt fraternity to Tattersalls in Newmarket for the first ever point-to-point sale to be staged at Park Paddocks, and we were delighted with a top price of £430,000 which was the third-highest price in Tattersalls Cheltenham’s history. Naturally our desire is for the Tattersalls Cheltenham sales to return to the home of National Hunt Racing at the earliest opportunity in 2021, but until such time today’s healthy trade has demonstrated Park Paddocks’ ability to service the sector with distinction.”

Matthew Prior, Head of Tattersalls Cheltenham Sales, said, “As has been the case for so many in the bloodstock and racing industry in 2020, the point to point sector has experienced huge disruptions and challenges as a result of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. Having been unable to return to Cheltenham Racecourse since the Cheltenham Festival, we are incredibly grateful to our loyal vendors and purchasers who have shown great resilience in supporting the necessary fixture changes during the autumn season. Nonetheless, we are still able to reflect on what has been a phenomenal year for Tattersalls Cheltenham graduates on the racecourse, with no less than seven Grade 1 winners including Festival winners Monkfish, Ferny Hollow, Shishkin and racing’s latest superstar Envoi Allen. Add to that the likes of rising stars Ballyadam and Asterion Forlonge, the lofty reputation of point to point graduates only looks set to rise further.

“It has been with great pleasure and pride that today we have welcomed the National Hunt fraternity to Tattersalls in Newmarket for the first ever point to point sale to be staged at Park Paddocks, and we were delighted with a top price of £430,000 which was the third highest price in Tattersalls Cheltenham’s history. Naturally our desire is for the Tattersalls Cheltenham sales to return to the home of National Hunt Racing at the earliest opportunity in 2021, but until such time today’s healthy trade has demonstrated Park Paddock’s ability to service the sector with distinction.”

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Kentucky Downs Turf Course Renovated

Kentucky Downs has just completed a major renovation of its turf course–its first since the track was laid out in a field as a steeplechase course in 1990. The project involved nearly half of the 1 5/16-mile kidney-shaped course. A swath five-eighths of a mile long and 63-feet wide around the far turn and into the stretch was replaced with sod featuring a blend of 90% Kentucky 31 fescue and 10% Kentucky bluegrass. Kentucky 31, named for the state and year it was discovered (in this case, in 1931 by a University of Kentucky professor), is noted for its deep roots, resilience and disease resistance–all considered critical with the wear and tear of turf racing.

The project was overseen by track consultant Butch Lehr who spent 30 years as superintendent at Churchill Downs where he built the track’s turf course in 1985. Iron Bridge Sod Farms of nearby Bowling Green provided and installed the sod for the Kentucky Downs course.

“Obviously we face unique challenges with the Kentucky Downs course, racing exclusively on grass and with our unusual configuration and elevation variances,” said Ted Nicholson, Kentucky Downs’ Vice President for Racing. “Over the years, Kentucky Downs made improvements to the course, but this is the most ambitious overhaul we’ve had. Safety is the number one priority. With Kentucky Downs now having six race dates compressed into eight calendar days, we want to ensure we have a course that is of high quality and safe for horses and riders throughout the meet.

“We’re thrilled with how it’s turned out. We were able to put down the sod during Kentucky’s amazing November weather and feel confident that the course will be spectacular for our 2021 meet. In addition, we will be installing a new rail system that will allow for four racing lanes throughout the six dates.”

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