Month: May 2022

Piz Badile Camp Snap Up Dettori for Derby Ride

Connections of leading G1 Cazoo Derby hope Piz Badile (Ire) (Ulysses) have been provided with a massive boost ahead of Epsom after legendary rider Frankie Dettori committed to ride the Donnacha O'Brien-trained colt in the Classic on June 4.

Dettori made his Derby breakthrough in 2007 aboard Authorized (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}) for Peter Chapple-Hyam as well as partnering John Gosden's Golden Horn (GB) (Cape Cross {Ire}) to victory in the race back in 2015 and he will bid to win the iconic race for a third time aboard the impressive G3 Ballsax S. winner.

A general 10-1 chance for the Derby, Piz Badile has raced just three times, but that reappearance win in the Ballysax at Leopardstown received a major advertisement when the runner-up, Buckaroo (GB) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}), ran out an impressive winner of the Listed Tetrarch S. at the Curragh last month.

Confirming Dettori for the ride, Alan Cooper, racing manager to Piz Badile's owners the Niarchos Family, said: “Frankie is going to ride at Epsom. The horse is in good form. We've got just under three weeks to go, so hopefully he stays in good form between now and then.”

He added, “I think Donnacha is very happy with his horse and the decision was made not to go to the Derrinstown (Derby Trial), which would have been the horse's third trip to Leopardstown.

“I'm in regular contact with Donnacha and he's delighted with his horse. They all need luck in running and we'll go from there.”

The post Piz Badile Camp Snap Up Dettori for Derby Ride appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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UK Quarterback Will Levis and Walker Hancock Join ‘Catching Up with Katie’

In the first episode of the TDN's new video series 'Catching Up with Katie,' host Katie Petrunyak sat down with the University of Kentucky's starting quarterback Will Levis and Claiborne Farm's Walker Hancock at Wallace Station Deli and Bakery outside of Lexington to discuss the N.I.L. (Name, Image, and Likeness) deal between Levis and Claiborne stallion War of Will (War Front).

The partnership was announced early last month and is the first of its kind for any collegiate student-athlete with a Thoroughbred syndicate.

“The reaction that we have gotten has been incredible,” Hancock shared. “The Tweet that we sent out has over 500,000 impressions, so it literally went viral. It was cool to see other outlets that aren't necessarily in the horse industry pick it up. We are always trying to find new fans and when we can cross sports like this, getting football fans focused on racing and racing fans watching football, it works out really well for both sports. It has been a perfect synergy of our brands with what we are looking to do.”

Set to take the field this fall for his second season as QB for the Wildcats, Levis talked about the opportunities this deal has provided not only for himself and War of Will, but for the Thoroughbred industry at large.

“[Horse racing] is so pertinent to Kentucky's economic success,” he said. “To bring eyes to the industry and to the people that are a part of it has been really cool. You're getting not only the eyes of people in the horse industry and Kentucky football fans, you're expanding the possibilities for fans from brand new demographics because of the uniqueness of the deal and the amount of people that picked up on it. Regardless of if you have interest in horse racing or football, it's still a cool story to read about.”

Levis, who threw for 2,826 passing yards and 24 touchdowns last year to lead UK to one of its most successful seasons on record, has quickly developed an interest in, and perhaps even a bit of a passion for, the sport of horse racing since his move to Lexington. He has already made several visits to Keeneland and this year, attended his first Kentucky Derby.

Asked if he had any desire to someday get further involved in the industry, Will responded enthusiastically. “100%. It's definitely something I want to keep myself involved in one way or another. I still have a lot to learn and I still have just a very surface-level knowledge of the sport, but I'm going to keep dipping my feet in and learning as much about it as I can because it's so interesting. There's a lot of money in it too, and that's not the main reason behind my interest, but while I'm here I have to take advantage of it.”

Later in the conversation, Hancock shared how he envisions the future of other stud farms potentially partnering with athletes in the N.I.L. space, and both Levis and Hancock discussed how each of their family legacies played a roll in building their own success.

Watch this first episode of Catching Up with Katie on YouTube or on TDNTv.

The post UK Quarterback Will Levis and Walker Hancock Join ‘Catching Up with Katie’ appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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Ask Your Veterinarian Presented By Kentucky Performance Products: Three Things To Watch On A Pre-Sale Radiograph

Veterinarians at Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital answer your questions about sales and healthcare of Thoroughbred auction yearlings, weanlings, 2-year-olds and breeding stock.

Question: What are three things you should watch out for on a pre-sale radiograph of a yearling you're hoping to buy for racing?

Dr. Kathleen Paasch, Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital: After looking at dozens of sale yearlings you've narrowed your list down to a handful. Now for the vetting. It would be wonderful if it were as simple as avoiding only three radiographic issues but of course, it's not that easy. There are far more than three areas of consideration. And, like radiographs, these issues are not often not black and white but infinite shades of grey.

Just as assessment of physical characteristics and pedigrees is subjective, radiographic interpretation (and subsequent recommendations) are also subjective. Generally, we are more tolerant of various radiographic abnormalities in yearlings bought to race as opposed to those for re-sale but there are some lesions that are best avoided. The following are three examples of findings that would make a yearling a poor prospect for racing.

Significant Changes in the Distal Radiocarpal Bone:

The radiocarpal bone is located on the medially (inside) of the middle carpal joint (knee). It bears a considerable amount of weight and stress at speed. A yearling that already has marked changes here is not a good bet to hold up for racing.

Mention the words 'stifle OCD' and many will immediately remove that yearling from consideration. However, stifle OCDs come in various locations and sizes and do not all carry the same degree of risk. Multiple graded stakes horses have had stifle OCDs. That said, large OCDs that involve a significant amount of joint surface should be avoided.

Severe Tarsal Arthritis:

Many yearlings have mild and insignificant changes to the lower joints of their tarsi (hocks). However, a foal's tarsal bones can become irreparably crushed and malformed, leading to performance limiting degenerative joint disease as a yearling/adult.

These examples are in no way a comprehensive list of findings to avoid. They are extreme examples and radiographic findings are rarely so clear-cut.

It is important to note that milder variations of the above may be perfectly acceptable for racing (e.g., small OCDs, mild carpal or tarsal changes). As with other aspects of buying yearlings, radiographic findings often involve a series of compromises. To this end, when purchasing yearlings, buyers should work with a veterinarian whom they trust and who is familiar with their interests and level of risk tolerance.

Dr. Kathleen Paasch received her veterinary degree from Washington State University in 1999 and completed an internship with Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital in 2000. She is now a shareholder and ambulatory veterinarian at the hospital, where she specializes in lameness, diagnostic imaging, and acupuncture.

The post Ask Your Veterinarian Presented By Kentucky Performance Products: Three Things To Watch On A Pre-Sale Radiograph appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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