December, 2021 | Horse Racing Free Tips

ARCI Urges On-Time Implementation Of Horseracing Integrity And Safety Authority

The Board of Directors of the Association of Racing Commissioners International (ARCI) has unanimously indicated that the delay in HISA implementation suggested last week by the Authority's Chair Charles Scheeler was “not necessary and legally problematic” as the US State racing commissions are all eager to negotiate and finalize agreements with both the Authority and it's Enforcement Agency (assumed to be the United States Anti-Doping Agency).

“The people and organizations that have worked hard to pass the federal legislation have been waiting for ten years for these reforms and we see no reason why HISA and the enforcement agency cannot assume control on July 1, 2022, as required by the law,” said RCI Chair Robert Lopez.

Since late August State racing commissions have participated in fifteen implementation work sessions with both HISA and USADA senior staff. Those meetings were coordinated by the ARCI and the last session occurred early November.

The only missing pieces are how the HISA Authority plans to pay for things and what the additional costs of the Authority and Enforcement Agency will be. Existing program costs are matters of public record in each state and have been provided by the state commissions months ago.

“This is not rocket science,” said RCI President Ed Martin. “The big cost of collecting and testing samples is known in each state. Investigator salaries are known. Prosecutor salaries are known as is the number of cases that come on appeal. What is not known are the HISA/USADA enhancements to the existing system and if nobody has their arms around what they will cost by now it makes one wonder if this entire thing is structured correctly.”

Lopez said the states are eager to work with both HISA and its Enforcement Agency, presumably USADA, to achieve a smooth transition.

“State specific agreements need to be negotiated now and the state racing commissions are ready to begin those talks with both HISA and the Enforcement Agency individually.”

“We have been told that the HISA goal is to preserve as much of the existing public investment as possible to mitigate new costs of expanded integrity on racetracks, owners, breeders, horsemen, veterinarians and fans,” Martin said. “Delaying full implementation agreements as has been suggested only gives external forces more time to shift state support for racing to other areas.”

The ARCI said it was “most likely” that it will avail itself of the opportunity to comment directly to the FTC during the public comment period.

Martin said the initial read of the proposed Racetrack Safety rules were positive compared to previous versions, but that a complete analysis is underway. He also said that the ARCI had a productive meeting in Tucson last week with Travis Tygart and senior leaders from the US Anti-Doping Agency as well as two HISA Board Members, D.G. Van Clief and Dr. Sue Stover the next day.

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Ascot To Offer Record Prize Money In 2022

Ascot Racecourse today announces record prize money of £15.64 million (about US$17.64 million) in 2022 with increases across the Flat and Jumps programs.

This represents an increase of nearly £2 million (US$2.26 million) on 2019 values (from £13.67m, US$15.42m), or 14.4 percent, being the last year when planned prize money was distributed before the pandemic impacted 2020. These figures exclude the industry partnership QIPCO British Champions Day.

Royal Ascot (June 14 – 18, 2022) will be worth £8,652,500 (US$9.76m), an increase of £1,322,500 (US$1.49m) (18 percent) on 2019 values which totaled £7,330,000 (US$8.27m).

Highlights include:

– The Royal Ascot Tuesday card, featuring three Group One races, becomes Royal Ascot's first £2 million (US$2.26m) day.

– The Prince of Wales's Stakes and the Platinum (formerly Diamond) Jubilee Stakes will become the first races at Royal Ascot to be run with a total prize fund of £1 million (US$1.13m).

– No race at Royal Ascot will be run for less than £100,000 (US$112,800).

Outside Royal Ascot:

– The King George VI & Queen Elizabeth QIPCO Stakes returns to its pre-pandemic value of £1.25 million (US$1.41m).

– A record £550,000 (US$620,380) will be offered at the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup. The program will increase to eight races (from six) with 12 runners in each race (from 10). Details of the team format will follow in 2022.

– All Flat races will be worth at least £15,000 (US$16,920) and all Jumps races will be worth at least £10,000 (US$11,280) (excluding three National Hunt Flat races and one Hunters' Chase at £5,000, US$5,640).

– There will be additional £25,000 (US$28,200) stable prizes offered on both QIPCO King George Diamond Day (July 23, 2022) and Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Day (Aug. 6, 2022). These will be awarded £20,000 (US$22,560) to the trainers and £5,000 (US$5,640) to stable staff across the top three performing yards based on points achieved for first to fifth placings.

– All plans remain subject to change depending on the COVID-19 landscape.

Guy Henderson, Chief Executive Officer at Ascot Racecourse, said:

“We are pleased to be able to announce a return to our pre-pandemic prize money plans as we re-build. Whilst these plans have been unavoidably delayed, today is about looking forward. It is vital we maintain the quality of the British Pattern and the top end program generally. For obvious reasons, a large proportion of the increases announced today are focused on our 35 races at the Royal Meeting.

“Prize money is racing's equivalent of remunerating the players on the pitch. We need to offer the best we can in order to attract the best and help maintain international investment in British racing. Our next ambition, as we build Ascot as a global brand wrapped around world class racing, is to be able to offer at least £1m for each of our nine Group One races in the coming years.

“Field sizes for races of both codes are under pressure. With this in mind, we have applied a number of targeted increases across our program and raised our minimum prize money levels for both codes. Specifically, we have made some changes to QIPCO King George Diamond Weekend and expanded the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup to eight races with fields of 12; the established races increase from £60,000 to £75,000 and we have added two new £50,000 races.

“Our aim is for the stable prizes to incentivize owners and trainers to target these two fixtures and build on the successful trial at this year's Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup.

“I wish to conclude by thanking Ascot's staff, our customers and commercial partners for all their loyal support in 2021 which has so significantly contributed to the business being able to advance again in 2022.”

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Lauren Morgan Named Director of Bloodstock at Buckland Sales

Lauren Morgan has joined Buckland Sales Agency as Director of Bloodstock. In her new role, she will handle client relations, horse evaluations and other bloodstock services for the consignment agency.

Morgan, who is a native of Troy, Michigan, most recently worked for Vinery Sales as a Sales and Bloodstock Consultant. Prior to that, she handled client relations and bloodstock services for Darby Dan Farm.

Morgan is a graduate of Michigan State University, during which time she completed an internship with Shadwell Farm in Lexington, Kentucky and fell in love with the Bluegrass and Kentucky's Thoroughbred industry.

“I made it a point to gain as much experience as I could in all aspects of the industry after graduating college,” she said. “I felt it was necessary to understand the importance of every job in the business, which helps me be well-rounded and appreciative of the roles that we all play in the lives of these horses. I grew to love sales and knew that I had found my niche when I started to develop my own client base. The personal relationships I have formed with my clients and seeing all of their hard work pay off in the sales ring is what makes me love this part of the business. My clients are like family and when they succeed, there is no greater feeling.”

Buckland Sales' principal Zach Madden launched the consignment agency in 2015.

“Horsemanship is such a huge part of our industry,” Madden said. “Over the 10 years I worked at Three Chimneys, the first seven of those were spent in the barn, working hands-on with horses. You can't put a number value on that kind of experience–it's exponential. Lauren has worked incredibly hard to gain hands-on experience with some of the best operations in the game. I feel incredibly fortunate to have her on our team and I am very excited for Buckland's future.”

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Friends, Associates Pay Tribute to Sam Huff at Memorial Service

“Sam Huff saved the Thoroughbred breeding and racing industry in West Virginia.”

That declaration was made by Ken Lowe, the chairman of the West Virginia Racing Commission, as approximately 150 friends and business acquaintances gathered Monday afternoon at the Middleburg Community Center in Middleburg, Va. to pay tribute to Robert Lee “Sam” Huff. The Pro Football Hall of Fame football player and Thoroughbred owner and breeder died Nov. 13 from complications of dementia in Winchester, Va.

Lowe was one of several speakers at the service, which was held just a few furlongs from the farm where Huff lived on with his longtime partner Carol Holden.

Among them was J.W. Marriott, Jr., the 89-year-old executive chairman of Marriott International, who fondly recalled Huff's long association

with the company as the vice president for special markets. He told the story about Huff's persistent request for one of the parking spots at Marriott headquarters that were reserved for Marriott board members. Shortly after Mr. Marriott granted Huff's wish, several other vice presidents complained. So, Mr. Marriott told those who complained that those spots were reserved “for board members and anyone else in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.”

Leonard Shapiro, a former sports writer and editor at The Washington Post, who co-authored Huff's autobiography “Tough Stuff,” talked about Huff's upbringing in a coal mining camp near Farmington, WV.

Frank Herzog, one of Huff's longtime radio broadcast partners covering the Washington Redskins, shared tales of their time together in press boxes across the country. (Huff spent more than 30 years as a broadcaster for the team.)

The 35th edition of the West Virginia Breeders Classics, co-founded by Holden and Huff in 1987, was held Oct. 9. The event has now generated more than $29 million in purses for the breeders and horsemen of West Virginia. In recent years, Huff served as the chairman emeritus; Holden still serves as president.

Lowe read an official resolution honoring Huff from the West Virginia Racing Commission that read in part:

“Sam Huff's efforts grew the West Virginia Breeders Classics into a premier event, bringing local and national television coverage to showcase the State of West Virginia, Jefferson County, Charles Town and the hard working people of the racing and breeding industries of West Virginia…The West Virginia Racing Commission would like to issue this resolution in honor of Sam Huff for his support, contributions and unwavering dedication to the Thoroughbred racing industry, the West Virginia Racing Commission and the State of West Virginia.”

Also in attendance was trainer Graham Motion, who trained Huff's stakes-winning filly Bursting Forth.

The service concluded with some personal remarks from Huff's namesake and grandson Robert Lee Huff III and music provided by the Mount Pisgah Baptist Church's gospel chorus.

Contributions in Huff's name may be made to Aftercare Charles Town, PO Box 136, Ranson, WV 25438. The 501(c)(3) organization is responsible for rehoming Thoroughbred racehorses that have raced at Charles Town.

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