Ron Faucheux, James Graham and Evelyn Benoit's Brittlyn Stable locked up titles for leading trainer, jockey and owner, respectively, at the Fair Grounds, where the 2021-2022 meeting concluded Sunday, Mar. 27.
A native of Louisiana, Faucheux won his second consecutive training championship at the New Orleans oval, sending out 43 winners, a total 10 greater than Eclipse Award winner Brad Cox. Faucheux won three stakes at the meet.
James Graham won 72 races during the meeting to reign as champion jockey for the third straight season and fourth overall. Among the highlights of the season were the 27-1 upset of Call Me Midnight (Midnight Lute) in the GIII Lecomte S. in January. Mitchell Murrill, who rode his 1,000th career winner in February, brought up a total of 62 winners to fill second spot.
Benoit's Brittlyn Stables was represented by no fewer than 22 winners at the meet at a win rate of 33%, all–remarkably–sired by Star Guitar. It was the first leading owner title for Brittlyn. Chester Thomas's Allied Racing Stable was second with 14 victories.
The destruction caused by Hurricane Ida (late August/early September) offered plenty of challenges for racing officials, but , as the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, business was solid due to the tremendous support from both horseman and bettors alike.
“The damage to the barn area, parts of the facility and the loss of the infield tote board due to Hurricane Ida leading into our meet caused some challenges, but we are New Orleans, and we are resilient,” Fair Grounds Senior Director of Racing Jason Boulet said.
“We are extremely proud of everyone who came together to put out a great product on a day-in, day-out basis and as always, we are extremely grateful to the horseman for their continued support throughout the meet. The return of the fans after a difficult, prolonged stretch with the COVID-19 pandemic brought renewed energy to the racetrack, and we look forward to what should be a very special 2022-23 season.”
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Dr. Jane Nixon, an equine veterinarian in Britain for 44 years, recently gave a talk on what she calls the biggest threat to equestrianism today: the social license to operate.
“Will we be riding in 20 years?” she asked.
Nixon, also the Chair of The Showing Council and British Horse Foundation, noted that people with no concept of equestrian cultural traditions and practices are now being exposed to horse sport. Without an explanation, they may pass negative judgment on the practices many equine enthusiasts consider traditional.
A social license to operate refers to the “ongoing level of acceptance of standards and norms within an industry or company by both stakeholders and the general public,” Nixon explains. In order to get more people to understand – and accept – equine riding and sport, Nixon says more positive images are needed.
At the conclusion of Nixon's presentation, a panel of industry leaders joined her to answer questions. A poll was given to the more than 300 attendees both before the presentation and after. The poll asked if audience members felt that horseback riding would remain socially acceptable in 20 years. Before the presentation, 82 percent of respondents stated they believed riding would remain socially acceptable; the remainder of attendees did not think riding would be socially acceptable in 20 years.
The same question was repeated after the presentation, with 79 percent of respondents answering that they felt riding would be acceptable and 21 percent feeling that it would not be socially acceptable in two decades.
Panelists went on to repeatedly mention that those in the equine industry needed to do more to ensure that a horse is fit to do the job being asked of him. Additionally, the panelists encouraged all equine enthusiasts to not dismiss people who may not agree or understand. We must “always be inclusive and persuasive,” Nixon said.
The demand for riding schools was also addressed in the Q&A session: It was acknowledged that there is massive demand for riding lessons, but not enough instructors to teach. To remain in existence, there have to be more riding schools that are accessible, diverse and sustainable, the panelists noted.
France requires that potential horse owners take a test before being allowed to own a horse. The possibility of this working in other countries was discussed – and the barriers it faces, including enforcement.
The webinar concluded that the future of horse sport is in the hands of all equestrians – not just those in high-profile or visible jobs. Education and positive image dissemination are key.
Read more at HorseTalk.
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