Month: July 2021

Arkansas Derby Boosted to $1.25M, Date Changed for ’22

Oaklawn announced Tuesday that the purse for the 2022 GI Arkansas Derby has been increased to $1.25 million and will be contested Saturday, Apr. 2. The date shift is a departure from the traditional three weeks before the Kentucky Derby and the increased purse makes the race the richest event among Derby preps. In 2022, Oaklawn will offer a record 36 stakes worth $12.3 million. In addition to the Arkansas Derby, three stakes will carry million dollar purses and 15 other stakes will offer purses ranging from $200,000 up to $750,000. Every stakes race will have at least a $150,000 purse. With the shift in the track's racing calendar that now begins in December, Oaklawn will stage its first 2-year-old stakes since 1973–the Advent S. On opening day, Friday, Dec. 3.

“When we launched our $100 million expansion program two years ago, we said our goal was to take Oaklawn to a new level of excellence,” Oaklawn President Louis Cella said. “Historically, Oaklawn's 3-year-old series has offered the most Kentucky Derby qualifying points of any track in the country. With the extra timing between races and added purse money, we believe Oaklawn will only grow as 'the' place to prepare for the Triple Crown races.”

The new date of the Arkansas Derby will have a ripple effect on Oaklawn's other major 3-year old races. The $1,000,000 GII Rebel S. will be run Saturday, Feb. 26, the $750,000 GIII Southwest S. is scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 29. The Smarty Jones S. will kick off the series on New Year's Day with a purse that has been increased by $100,000 to $250,000.

Highlighting the older horse divisions, the GII Oaklawn H. and GI Apple Blossom H., will both offer a $1-million purse. The are both scheduled for Apr. 23. Also slated for older horses during the meet are the $150,000 Fifth Season S. Jan. 15, GIII Razorback H. Feb. 12 and the $500,000 Essex H. Mar. 19. For older fillies and mares, Oaklawn has added the $150,000 Pippin S. Jan. 8, $250,000 GIII Bayakoa S. Feb. 5 and the Mar. 12 $350,000 GII Azeri S.

The Arkansas-bred program will feature six stakes races after the addition of the $150,000 Natural State Breeders' S. for 3-year-old fillies and older at one mile May 6. The highlight of the series is the $200,000 Arkansas Breeders' Championship for 3-year-olds and up at 1 1/16 miles May 7.

The 2021-2022 Oaklawn live meet runs Friday, Dec. 3 through Sunday, May 8. There is no racing Dec. 24-26 for Christmas or Apr. 17 for Easter.

The post Arkansas Derby Boosted to $1.25M, Date Changed for ’22 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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2021 Class of Godolphin Flying Start Graduates

The 2021 class of Godolphin Flying Star graduated via Zoom on Friday, July 2. The 12 graduates were presented with their diplomas virtually by Godolphin Flying Start graduate and Godolphin Flying Start Trustee Lisa-Jane Graffard. The dozen new graduates are: Lowri Allen (UK), Joseph Bradley (Ireland), Julie Witt (USA), Niamh O'Brien (Ireland), Rachel Wade (USA), Arvin Chadee (UK), Victoria Canessa (Argentina), Marie Rohaut (France), Toshihiro Onikubo (Japan), Emma Coleman (Ireland), Oswald Wedmore (UK) and Caitlin Smith (Australia). Both Lowri Allen and Emma Coleman achieved the joint highest grades among the 2021 graduating group and also received Distinction awards.

“In August 2019, the 12 scholarship recipients for that year's programme arrived at Kildangan full of excitement, energy and anticipation,” said GFS Executive Director Clodagh Kavanagh, who opened the programme. “There are few life experiences as all-encompassing, as varied and as sustained as the two years of Godolphin Flying Start. As very many graduates have said, it is truly life changing. I encourage the class that are graduating today to be active participants in alumni events and to contribute to the thoroughbred industry above and beyond their own careers.”

Added Godolphin Ireland Managing Director and Trustee of Godolphin Flying Start Joe Osborne, “On behalf of the global Godolphin team I congratulate this graduating class and wish them success and encouragement for their futures in the thoroughbred industry. Godolphin Flying Start will now have 201 graduates of the programme, a large milestone.”

“We have had the most unorthodox experience in the 18-year history of the program, yet it is one that we would not exchange,” said UK trainee Arvin Chadee. “At a time when people's lives were sent into turmoil through lockdowns, social distancing, and furlough, I was one of 12 fortunate individuals who still managed to travel, gain incredible practical and theoretical experience, and develop personally and professionally. This was due to the resilience of the Thoroughbred industry, the fortitude of the Godolphin Flying Start management team, and the generosity of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed.”

The post 2021 Class of Godolphin Flying Start Graduates appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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Economic Indicators: Month-To-Month Wagering Numbers Fairly Steady In June

Equibase, LLC released its sixth monthly report of 2021 on Economic Indicators in Thoroughbred Racing on Tuesday, July 6. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Equibase has been providing monthly economic indicators advisories. The Advisory is typically disseminated on a quarterly basis to provide key metrics used to measure racing's performance throughout the year.

The total U.S. wagering for June of 2021 was nearly even with that of June 2019, despite a 12.60 percent drop in races held. In addition, June of 2019 had five weekends of racing, while June of 2021 only had four; wagering is typically much higher on weekends than on weekdays.

Comparison to June of 2020, when racing was seriously disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, actually shows a slight decline from $998 million in 2020 to $993 million in 2021.

Year-to-date numbers for 2019 versus 2021 show that total wagering has increased by 10.67 percent, while average daily wagering is up 23.79 percent.

The first six months of 2019 showed wagering totals of $5.6 trillion, while the first six months of 2020 brought in wagering of $5.05 trillion. In 2021, the first six months have increased to show wagering totals of $6.2 trillion.

June 2021 vs. June 2020
Indicator June 2021 June 2020 % Change
Wagering on U.S. Races* $993,147,243 $998,331,984 -0.52%
U.S. Purses $103,624,634 $69,469,595 +49.17%
U.S. Race Days 437 300 +45.67%
U.S. Races 3,413 2,485 +37.34%
U.S. Starts 23,870 20,146 +18.49%
Average Field Size 6.99 8.11 -13.73%
Average Wagering Per Race Day $2,272,648 $3,327,773 -31.71%
Average Purses Per Race Day $237,127 $231,565 +2.40%
2nd QTR 2021 vs. 2nd QTR 2020
Indicator 2nd QTR 2021 2nd QTR 2020 % Change
Wagering on U.S. Races* $3,511,798,209 $2,545,997,500 +37.93%
U.S. Purses $299,952,725 $118,940,997 +152.19%
U.S. Race Days 1,115 508 +119.49%
U.S. Races 9,090 4,290 +111.89%
U.S. Starts 65,092 36,101 +80.31%
Average Field Size 7.16 8.42 -14.91%
Average Wagering Per Race Day $3,149,595 $5,011,806 -37.16%
Average Purses Per Race Day $269,016 $234,136 +14.90%
YTD 2021 vs. YTD 2020
Indicator YTD 2021 YTD 2020 % Change
Wagering on U.S. Races* $6,277,894,486 $5,054,526,907 +24.20%
U.S. Purses $514,950,882 $324,168,648 +58.85%
U.S. Race Days 1,881 1,301 +44.58%
U.S. Races 15,792 10,906 +44.80%
U.S. Starts 117,303 88,074 +33.19%
Average Field Size 7.43 8.08 -8.02%
Average Wagering Per Race Day $3,337,530 $3,885,109 -14.09%
Average Purses Per Race Day $273,764 $249,169 +9.87%

 

2019 Comparisons:

June 2021 vs. June 2019
Indicator June 2021 June 2019 % Change
Wagering on U.S. Races* $993,147,243 $990,923,384 +0.22%
U.S. Purses $103,624,634 $115,194,834 -10.04%
U.S. Race Days 437 499 -12.42%
U.S. Races 3,413 3,905 -12.60%
U.S. Starts 23,870 27,726 -13.91%
Average Field Size 6.99 7.10 -1.50%
Average Wagering Per Race Day $2,272,648 $1,985,818 +14.44%
Average Purses Per Race Day $237,127 $230,851 +2.72%
2nd QTR 2021 vs. 2nd QTR 2019
Indicator 2nd QTR 2021 2nd QTR 2019 % Change
Wagering on U.S. Races* $3,511,798,209 $3,137,805,499 +11.92%
U.S. Purses $299,952,725 $316,882,492 -5.34%
U.S. Race Days 1,115 1,260 -11.51%
U.S. Races 9,090 10,167 -10.59%
U.S. Starts 65,092 73,409 -11.33%
Average Field Size 7.16 7.22 -0.82%
Average Wagering Per Race Day $3,149,595 $2,490,322 +26.47%
Average Purses Per Race Day $269,016 $251,494 +6.97%
YTD 2021 vs. YTD 2019
Indicator YTD 2021 YTD 2019 % Change
Wagering on U.S. Races* $6,277,894,486 $5,672,774,271 +10.67%
U.S. Purses $514,950,882 $544,002,132 -5.34%
U.S. Race Days 1,881 2,104 -10.60%
U.S. Races 15,792 17,457 -9.54%
U.S. Starts 117,303 130,239 -9.93%
Average Field Size 7.43 7.46 -0.44%
Average Wagering Per Race Day $3,337,530 $2,696,185 +23.79%
Average Purses Per Race Day $273,764 $258,556 +5.88%

* Includes worldwide commingled wagering on U.S. races.

 

The post Economic Indicators: Month-To-Month Wagering Numbers Fairly Steady In June appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame Releases 2021 Events Schedule

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. — The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame will offer a variety of tours, programming, and special events this summer, as well as eight daily showings of the Museum’s new signature film, What It Takes: Journey to the Hall of Fame. Here are some of the highlights at the Museum this summer:   Tom Durkin Museum Tours

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