Month: November 2021

‘Strictly A Personal Decision’: Peter Miller Taking Temporary Hiatus From Training

Five-time Breeders' Cup champion and multiple graded stakes-winning trainer Peter Miller will be taking a temporary hiatus from the rigors of daily training beginning Monday, Nov. 29, to spend more time with his family, focus on overall health and wellness, and pursue other interests. In his own words, the trainer details how he arrived at this decision:

“I have been working virtually every day on the backstretch of a racetrack since the day after I graduated from high school in 1984,” said Miller. “On that day, I was lucky enough to be hired by the great Hall of Fame trainer Charlie Whittingham.  I am and forever will be grateful for all that he taught me.

“Throughout my career I have derived great joy in the pursuit of my passion as a trainer. Managing a large stable is a 24-hour, 365-day a year endeavor. The effort to compete at the highest level of my profession has taken its toll on my family and my health and I believe this decision is best for me, my family and our future.

“I know that there may be some speculation related to this decision; however, I want to make it very clear that it is not a result of any regulatory action, secret agreement or hidden agenda of any kind. This is strictly a personal decision.

“So as of Nov. 29 I will be taking a step back. I am grateful to all of my clients and my talented hard-working team.  I am completely indebted to them for the successes we have shared. My extremely capable and long-time assistant Ruben Alvarado will be taking the reins and I will continue to act as an advisor/racing manager to my owners and my assistants as well as staying involved as an owner myself.

“My love for horses lured me to the racetrack as a teenager and held me there for the next 38 years. I trust that it will bring me back after this hiatus.”   

The post ‘Strictly A Personal Decision’: Peter Miller Taking Temporary Hiatus From Training appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Mitole Colt Proves Popular at KEENOV

A colt from the first crop of champion sprinter Mitole (Eskendereya) (Hip 3154) topped the penultimate session of the Keeneland November Sale Thursday, bringing $100,000 from Rexy Bloodstock during the second of three Book 5 sessions.

Hip 3154 was consigned by Hill 'n' Dales Sales Agency on behalf of Vinny Viola's St. Elias Stables, which purchased his dam Waltzing (Candy Ride {Arg}) with this colt in utero for $37,000 at this year's Fasig-Tipton February Sale. Waltzing is a half-sister to GSW Dancing Solo (Giant's Causeway) and hails from the family of MGISW Voodoo Dancer.

“We bought the mare primarily to breed to Army Mule,” said St. Elias's John Sparkman. “Usually when we buy a mare like that, we will go ahead and sell the foal if she is in foal. We thought this was a particularly nice one actually. He had a really nice back end on him and that's what buyers like. They like muscle.”

He added, “We knew this colt would sell reasonably, but we didn't expect him to be quite that high. We are very happy with it.”

Twenty-nine weanlings from Mitole's initial crop have sold thus far at Keeneland for a gross of $2.452 million and an average of $84,552.

Thursday's most expensive mare was Post Ranch (Malibu Moon) (Hip 3436), who summoned $90,000 from Gabriel Duignan's Springhouse Farm. Consigned by Eaton Sales, the 4-year-old is carrying a foal from the first crop of GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile winner Spun to Run (Hard Spun). Out of MGISP Resort (Pleasant Colony), Post Ranch is a half-sister to GSW & GISP Sightseeing (Pulpit) and GISP Sea Island (Pulpit).

A total of 289 horses changed hands Thursday for a gross of $3,931,400. The average was $13,603 and the median was $9,000 with an RNA rate of 10.53%. During the equivalent session last year, 216 Thoroughbred brought $5,697,700 with an average of $26,378 and median of $10,000. The 2020 RNA rate was pretty similar to last year at 10.37%. It is important to note when comparing statistics that during the ninth session last term, horses of racing age were sold and this year, they are being held for the final session.

Through the first nine days of the 10-day auction, 2,239 head have grossed $194,46,100. The average was $86,853 and the median was $40,000 with an RNA rate of 17.90%. At this point last year, 1,985 horses summoned $149,709,700 with an average of $75,459 and median of $28,500. The RNA rate for last term was 19.87%.

The 10th and final session of the Keeneland November Sale, which includes horses of racing age, will be held Friday at 10 a.m.

The post Mitole Colt Proves Popular at KEENOV appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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Hitomi Miyashita Is Japan’s First Female Jockey To 1,000 Wins

Jockey Hitomi Miyashita became the first Japanese female to hit the 1,000-win milestone this week, reports the Japan Times. She won with Real Speed at Nagoya Racecourse on Thursday, Nov. 18.

The 44-year-old has been riding races since 1995, but walked away in 2011 to give birth to her two children.

Miyashita returned in 2016, the first female jockey to return to the saddle after childbirth.

In 2020, she became Japan's first female jockey to win 100 races in a single season.

The Japan Racing Association reports that only 93 active Japanese jockeys have achieved 1,000 wins.

The post Hitomi Miyashita Is Japan’s First Female Jockey To 1,000 Wins appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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