Holy Bull was that rare horse who could win one-turn races like the Hutcheson Stakes and the Grade 1 Metropolitan Mile as though sprinting were his life’s calling, and also capture a grueling 1 ¼-mile race like the prestigious Travers Stakes, holding off no less than the eventual winner of that year’s Breeders’ Cup Classic. He was owned and trained by top New Jersey-based horseman Warren A. “Jimmy” Croll. And how he came to own Holy Bull is a story in itself.
Month: June 2022
Economic Indicators: Wagering Down Slightly In May; Average Field Size Dips Below 7
With an identical number of race days and three fewer races from May 2021, wagering on U.S. races fell slightly in May as average field size dropped below 7 starters per race to 6.86. Pari-mutuel wagering experts consider field size to be a key factor in betting volume.
The $2 million drop in total monthly wagers represented a negligible decline of 0.15 percent but occurred despite record wagering on the Kentucky Derby. Wagers on the Derby day card from Churchill Downs totaled $273.8 million, which accounted for more than 19 percent of the U.S. monthly handle of $1,414,309,317 for May. Derby week handle, a record $391.8 million, represented nearly 28 percent of wagering market share for the month. Derby day wagering was up 17 percent from 2021 and Derby week wagers gained 25 percent from last year.
The May comparative wagering totals from 2021 did not include the $54.3 million bet on the Kentucky Oaks, which fell on April 30. This year's Oaks on May 6 handled a record $74.6 million.
By contrast, the Triple Crown's second leg, the Preakness, saw an $8 million decline in wagering on the day, according to Equibase charts, from $112,504,508 in 2021 to $104,330,988, after Derby winner Rich Strike skipped the race. Preakness day wagering accounted for 8 percent of U.S. bets in May.
Field size is a concern at virtually every racing circuit. Year to date, the average field size is 7.33, a decline of 3 percent from 7.55 at this point in 2021. There have been more races run in the U .S. at this point in 2022 compared to 2021 (12,515 vs. 12,379, but the number of starts has declined (from 93,433 to 91,756).
Year-end average field size in 2021 was an all-time low of 7.38, and with a busy summer schedule that have more tracks operating in the months ahead, the year-end average for 2022 is almost certain to be lower by year's end. The last year field size exceeded 8 starters per race was 2011.
One metric that has increased significantly from 2021 is purse money. Purses for the month of May were up by 17 percent from 2021, slightly higher than the 15 percent year to date jump in purses. With year to date wagering up by one-tenth of one percent, it's obvious the purse increases are coming from alternative gaming or other sources.
| May 2022 vs. May 2021 | |||
| Indicator | May 2022 | May 2021 | % Change |
| Wagering on U.S. Races* | $1,414,309,517 | $1,416,434,186 | -0.15% |
| U.S. Purses | $125,070,907 | $106,817,021 | +17.09% |
| U.S. Race Days | 399 | 399 | 0.00% |
| U.S. Races | 3,249 | 3,252 | -0.09% |
| U.S. Starts | 22,289 | 23,183 | -3.86% |
| Average Field Size | 6.86 | 7.13 | -3.77% |
| Average Wagering Per Race Day | $3,544,635 | $3,549,960 | -0.15% |
| Average Purses Per Race Day | $313,461 | $267,712 | +17.09% |
| YTD 2022 vs. YTD 2021 | |||
| Indicator | YTD 2022 | YTD 2021 | % Change |
| Wagering on U.S. Races* | $5,290,155,463 | $5,284,770,052 | +0.10% |
| U.S. Purses | $473,272,997 | $411,375,648 | +15.05% |
| U.S. Race Days | 1,501 | 1,444 | +3.95% |
| U.S. Races | 12,515 | 12,379 | +1.10% |
| U.S. Starts | 91,756 | 93,433 | -1.79% |
| Average Field Size | 7.33 | 7.55 | -2.86% |
| Average Wagering Per Race Day | $3,524,421 | $3,659,813 | -3.70% |
| Average Purses Per Race Day | $315,305 | $284,886 | +10.68% |
2020 Comparisons:
| May 2022 vs. May 2020 | |||
| Indicator | May 2022 | May 2020 | % Change |
| Wagering on U.S. Races* | $1,414,309,517 | $908,333,874 | +55.70% |
| U.S. Purses | $125,070,907 | $31,971,002 | +291.20% |
| U.S. Race Days | 399 | 123 | +224.39% |
| U.S. Races | 3,249 | 1,059 | +206.80% |
| U.S. Starts | 22,289 | 9,145 | +143.73% |
| Average Field Size | 6.86 | 8.64 | -20.56% |
| Average Wagering Per Race Day | $3,544,635 | $7,384,828 | -52.00% |
| Average Purses Per Race Day | $313,461 | $259,927 | +20.60% |
| YTD 2022 vs. YTD 2020 | |||
| Indicator | YTD 2022 | YTD 2020 | % Change |
| Wagering on U.S. Races* | $5,290,155,463 | $4,056,194,923 | +30.42% |
| U.S. Purses | $473,272,997 | $254,699,053 | +85.82% |
| U.S. Race Days | 1,501 | 1,001 | +49.95% |
| U.S. Races | 12,515 | 8,421 | +48.62% |
| U.S. Starts | 91,756 | 67,928 | +35.08% |
| Average Field Size | 7.33 | 8.07 | -9.11% |
| Average Wagering Per Race Day | $3,524,421 | $4,052,143 | -13.02% |
| Average Purses Per Race Day | $315,305 | $254,445 | +23.92% |
2019 Comparisons:
| May 2022 vs. May 2019 | |||
| Indicator | May 2022 | May 2019 | % Change |
| Wagering on U.S. Races* | $1,414,309,517 | $1,300,923,869 | +8.72% |
| U.S. Purses | $125,070,907 | $115,776,828 | +8.03% |
| U.S. Race Days | 399 | 450 | -11.33% |
| U.S. Races | 3,249 | 3,650 | -10.99% |
| U.S. Starts | 22,289 | 25,955 | -14.12% |
| Average Field Size | 6.86 | 7.11 | -3.53% |
| Average Wagering Per Race Day | $3,544,635 | $2,890,942 | +22.61% |
| Average Purses Per Race Day | $313,461 | $257,282 | +21.84% |
| YTD 2022 vs. YTD 2019 | |||
| Indicator | YTD 2022 | YTD 2019 | % Change |
| Wagering on U.S. Races* | $5,290,155,463 | $4,681,850,887 | +12.99% |
| U.S. Purses | $473,272,997 | $428,807,298 | +10.37% |
| U.S. Race Days | 1,501 | 1,605 | -6.48% |
| U.S. Races | 12,515 | 13,552 | -7.65% |
| U.S. Starts | 91,756 | 102,513 | -10.49% |
| Average Field Size | 7.33 | 7.56 | -3.08% |
| Average Wagering Per Race Day | $3,524,421 | $2,917,041 | +20.82% |
| Average Purses Per Race Day | $315,305 | $267,170 | +18.02% |
* Includes worldwide commingled wagering on U.S. races.
The post Economic Indicators: Wagering Down Slightly In May; Average Field Size Dips Below 7 appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
The Queen Congratulates Stoute on Derby Win
The Platinum Jubilee celebrations may have been in full swing on Saturday, but The Queen still found time to telephone Sir Michael Stoute to congratulate him on winning the Cazoo Derby with Desert Crown (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}).
Her Majesty had been due to attend Epsom for the Derby as she has done regularly through her 70-year reign, but instead had to watch from home as she was advised to “pace herself” through the four days of events, which saw her twice appear on the balcony at Buckingham Palace with members of her family.
At Epsom instead was The Queen's daughter Princess Anne, and grandchildren Zara Tindall and Peter Phillips. On arrival they were greeted by a guard of honour of 40 jockeys past and present wearing the royal racing silks.
“Yes, I spoke to The Queen late afternoon,” Stoute confirmed. “She was very pleased for the team.”
The 76-year-old trainer had previously provided one of The Queen's most thrilling racing moments of recent years when sending out Estimate (Ire) (Monsun {Ger}) to win the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot in her colours in 2013.
The post The Queen Congratulates Stoute on Derby Win appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.
NYRA to Offer New York-Sired Bonus Program
The New York Thoroughbred Breeders, in conjunction with the New York Racing Association, New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association and the New York State Thoroughbred Breeding & Development Fund has introduced a lucrative new purse enhancement for owners of New York Stallion-sired New York-breds competing on the NYRA circuit.
Effective immediately, the 'New York-Sired Bonus' will provide an additional $5,000 to the winning owner of a New York-sired New York-bred who finishes first in all open company and New York-bred restricted maiden special weight, allowance, and allowance optional claiming races. The bonus does not apply to horses entered for a claiming tag.
“This agreement, coupled with the updated residency requirements for mares, ensures the best incentives and opportunities for all who participate in the New York-bred program,” said Najja Thompson, NYTB Executive Director. “As we enter the heart of the racing season, there is no better time to get involved in the New York-bred program.”
The New York-Sired Bonus program is funded through the NYRA Purse Account and will be awarded retroactively for qualifying winners dating back to November 18, 2021. NYRA will begin processing and paying out retroactive awards in the coming weeks. Moving forward, bonus payments will be made in the month following the qualifying win.
“The marketplace for New York-breds is extremely strong, and NYRA is pleased to support initiatives designed to fuel the continued growth of the breeding industry throughout New York,” said Dave O'Rourke, NYRA President & CEO. “Beyond their continued success on the racetrack, the New York-bred program generates jobs and positive economic impact in every corner of the state.”
Designed to further incentivize participation in the growing New York-bred program, the New York-sired bonus will remain in place at all subsequent NYRA race meets. The bonus aligns with the residency rules concerning mares purchased at public auction established by the New York State Thoroughbred Breeding and Development Fund in 2020. For a complete description of the New York-bred program mare residency rules, click here.
The post NYRA to Offer New York-Sired Bonus Program appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.
