Australian Wildlife Officials Propose Culling 10,000 Wild Horses; Some Scientists Prefer Total Elimination  

Australian wildlife officials have proposed a plan to rehome or kill 10,000 wild horses in an attempt to limit their numbers. An aerial survey conducted in 2019 located 25,000 wild horses; many of these live in the alpine region of the country, which is home to many species of endangered flora and fauna. 

The Kosciuszko National Park is under particular threat from the horses, which are considered to be an invasive species that cause extensive ecosystem damage. There are currently 14,000 wild horses in the park, and a plan drafted by National Parks and Wildlife Service in New South Wales suggests thinning the population to a more-sustainable 3,000 horses. 

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Scientists from the Australian Academy of Science argue that this plan doesn't go far enough to protect the park from equine impact. They suggest that the number of wild horses be more significantly reduced, if not eliminated entirely. 

Though wildlife officials prefer to rehome the wild horses, only 1,000 horses have been rehomed since 2002. The proposed plan will allow trained experts to shoot the horses from helicopters to thin the population. 

Read more at Live Science

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Lane’s End Surfboard Auction Raises $50,000 For Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund

Lane's End, one of the world's premier Thoroughbred farms, raised almost $50,000 for the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund with the auction of 20 handcrafted surfboards.

Created in partnership with ad agency CORNETT (Lexington, Ky.) and Chilli Surfboards (Torrance, Ca.), the boards were individually designed to highlight the entire 2021 Lane's End roster of world-class stallions. Before being auctioned to the highest bidders, they were on public display at Breeders' Cup partner hotels in the Del Mar area, as well as Del Mar Racetrack, during this year's world championships of racing.

Renowned jockeys John Velazquez, Mike Smith, Drayden Van Dyke and Victor Espinoza were on hand at the event to help promote the one-of-a-kind surfboards. And Anne Von Rosen, a former jockey and current PDJF beneficiary who suffered a catastrophic racing injury, met with Bill Farish and family of Lane's End Farm.

“Our sincere thanks to everyone who made this auction such a success,” said Farish. “From our project partners to the bidders, we truly appreciate all the hard work and generosity that will ultimately benefit such a worthy cause.”

Nancy LaSala, President of the PDJF, expressed her gratitude for the donation.

“Lane's End has been a remarkable partner,” said LaSala. “Their commitment to supporting the often-forgotten jockeys who risk their lives for our entertainment and the business of horse racing is second to none and greatly appreciated.”

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Mighty Heart, Sir Winston Among Field Of Eight For Sunday’s Autumn Stakes At Woodbine

Eight hopefuls, including multiple graded stakes winner Special Forces, reigning Canadian Horse of the Year Mighty Heart, and 2019 Belmont Stakes champ Sir Winston, are set to contest the Grade 2 $175,000 Autumn Stakes, Sunday at Woodbine.

A 6-year-old son of Candy Ride (ARG) trained by Kevin Attard, who co-owns with Soli Mehta, Special Forces will chase his second Autumn score, having won the 1 1/16-mile Tapeta event for three-year-olds and upward two years ago.

Sporting a record of 6-6-2 from 20 starts, the chestnut, bred in Kentucky by Machmer Hall and Carrie and Craig Brogden, has finished in the top three in 12 straight starts and heads into Sunday's race off a win in the Grade 3 Durham Cup on Oct. 10.

Sent off at 6-1, the gelding, under Justin Stein, rallied strongly down the lane to secure a half-length victory in the 1 1/16-mile race stopping the clock in 1:42.36. Sir Winston was second, Halo Again finished third and Mighty Heart was fourth. All four are set to square off in the Autumn.

Claimed by Attard for $40,000 just over three years ago, the Durham Cup was the first trip to the winner's circle for Special Forces since taking the 2019 Autumn.

“I think he's always been a good horse,” said Attard. “Up until he got injured he was running against the best older horses on the grounds at Woodbine and was competing right with them. Any time you have to stop a horse for an extended period of time you always wonder, 'Have they lost a step?' or consider what level they'll be able to come back at. I think he's obviously put that to rest after his last race.”

Attard, three wins shy of 570 for his career, continues to be impressed by his consistent and resilient performer.

“Before we ran him the first time this year, I knew he was good and back to himself. I was eagerly awaiting him getting back to the races. There aren't many times you come back and hook a Belmont winner (Sir Winston, on August 19). We ran a good second. I was happy with the race that my horse ran.”

Special Forces made his debut on May 25, 2017, at Churchill, finishing sixth. He broke his maiden in his seventh start on August 5, 2018 in a maiden optional claiming race at Woodbine.

“He just has a great turn of foot,” raved Attard. “He really closes hard down the lane. He's an exciting horse to watch and a horse we claimed which makes it even more special just to see the improvement in him. He likes to sit at the back of the pack and come with a big run. Those ones are always exciting to watch.”

Are You Kidding Me won consecutive (2015-16) editions of the Autumn. Starting in 1920, Kentucky Derby champion and U.S. Horse Racing Hall of Fame inductee, Exterminator, won the race three straight years.

The Autumn goes as race eight. First post for the 11-race card is 12:55 p.m. Fans can watch and wager on all the action through HPIbet.com and the Dark Horse Bets app.

$175,000 AUTUMN STAKES

Post – Horse – Jockey – Trainer

1 – Special Forces – Justin Stein – Kevin Attard

2 – Vanzzy – Rafael Hernandez – Michael Pino

3 – Primo Touch (S) – Eswan Flores – Harold Ladouceur

4 – Sir Winston – Antonio Gallardo – Mark Casse

5 – Faraway Kitten – Luis Contreras – Denyse McClachrie

6 – Halo Again – Shaun Bridgmohan – Steve Asmussen

7 – Embolden – Mauricio Malvaez – Sandra Dominguez

8 – Mighty Heart – Patrick Husbands – Josie Carroll

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Gulfstream: Friday’s Rainbow 6 Pool Guaranteed At $450,000

The 20-cent Rainbow 6 jackpot pool will be guaranteed at $450,000 Friday at Gulfstream Park. Friday's Rainbow 6 will span races 4-9 with races 8 and 9 also part of the Stronach 5.

The Rainbow 6 sequence kicks off with a $35,000 maiden claiming event for 2-year-old state breds with a 2-1 favorite in Full of Attitude. The sixth race is a maiden special weight event at a mile and 70 yards on the Tapeta for 2-year-old filly state breds. The seven-horse field includes Hotter Than July, a first-time starter and son of Practical Joke trained by Mark Casse, and Ticket to Heaven, a first-time starter for leading trainer Saffie Joseph Jr.

The eighth and ninth races also feature 2-year-olds on the Tapeta.

Along with the Rainbow 6 guarantee, there will also be a Super Hi-5 carryover into the first race of $2,892.09.

Another Multi-Win Day for Sutherland

Jockey Chantal Sutherland had her sixth consecutive multi-win day Thursday when she rode the winners of the fourth and eighth races. Sutherland is now six behind leading jockey Edgard Zayas. Sutherland rode Aeronaut ($6) to victory in the fourth and Panotti ($7) to victory in the eighth and final race of the afternoon.

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