Owens, Forney Retire from TOC; Egan Named Executive Director

Jack Owens, the longest-serving board member of the Thoroughbred Owners of California, and executive director Mary Forney, will retire from the organization effective July 1. Jordyn Egan will assume the executive director role effective July 20.

An owner and breeder of Thoroughbreds for more than 30 years, Owens races predominately in Northern California. His legal acumen has been invaluable to the TOC Board over the years, and he has worked tirelessly to advance and protect the interests of owners at the legislative and regulatory levels and in negotiations with other members of the industry.

Following Owens' decision not to seek reelection to the board in 2022, TOC membership elected owner Johnny Taboada as one of its three Northern California representatives. The new board takes office July 1.

After 18 years with TOC and over 40 years in the horse racing industry, Forney retires from her role as executive director. In addition to her time with the TOC, Mary worked for Santa Anita Park, the California Thoroughbred Breeders' Association and held various roles during her career in the industry.

“The board joins me in congratulating and thanking both Jack and Mary for their many years of service to TOC and this industry,” said TOC Chairman Gary Fenton. “We know Jack is looking forward to spending more time with his racing and breeding operation, and we hope to see Mary at the races with her family, including her new grandson. California racing is forever grateful to them.”

Egan, born and raised in Fallbrook, Ca., graduated from the Race Track Industry Program and completed the Godolphin Flying Start management training program. Since 2013 she has served as Director of Special Projects for the Maryland Horse Breeders Association.

“It is an honor to be chosen for this position,” said Egan. “I was an intern for TOC in 2006 and had the privilege of working for Mary at that time. I look forward to joining TOC and working closely with the team to effectively represent and grow the pool of Thoroughbred owners in the state of California.”

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Sea The Stars Colt Earns TDN Rising Star Tag At Haydock

The Queen's 2023 G1 Derby entry Desert Hero (GB) (Sea The Stars (Ire)–Desert Breeze {GB}, by Dubawi {Ire}) brushed aside early aggravation in Thursday's Tuffx Glass EBF Novice S. at Haydock and closed out the seven-furlong contest with panache to earn 'TDN Rising Stardom' for the relentless William Haggas stable. The 4-1 third choice engaged in light scrimmaging at the break and was detached from the leaders in seventh until easing closer in the straight. Shaken up when moving into contention approaching the quarter-mile marker, he quickened smartly to gain control with 150 yards remaining and lengthened clear in style to easily account for Captain Winters (GB) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) by an impressive 2 3/4 lengths.

“That was really impressive,” beamed rider Tom Marquand. “He was learning on the way down [to post] and learning on the way round. The penny really dropped two [furlongs] out when he had the top two in the betting to go and chase down. He actually surprised me how quickly and well he did it. He'll definitely stay further, without a doubt. Going another furlong is going to help him travel better and everything will fall a little easier for him early on. He's learning and that speed will come with racing and experience. There's plenty to work with for the future.”

It has not been plain sailing back at base for the winner. “He was good, but he has not been that straightforward at home,” explained Maureen Haggas. “He was lovely in the winter and then just went off the rails a bit. Andrew Tinkler has been riding him and he's got him back on track. In the last two weeks he has really got it together, but I didn't expect him to do that. I thought wherever he finished he'd run a really nice race, because he was relaxed and moved well and it was just nice to watch. He looked a bit surprised afterwards so I don't know where we'll go next because you wouldn't want to throw him into the deep end too soon. Everyone wants Her Majesty to win The Derby, so I think you'll get people looking at anything that is by Sea The Stars and thinking 'he'll stay, give him a Derby quote!'”

Desert Hero, half-brother to weanling filly by Fastnet Rock (Aus), is the first of two foals produced by an unraced full-sister to MGSW GI Canadian International runner-up and G1 King George VI & Queen Elizabeth S. third Dartmouth (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}). The January-foaled chestnut's dam Desert Breeze (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), herself a daughter of G3 Blue Wind S. winner Galatee (Fr) (Galileo {Ire}), is also a half-sister to MGSW sire Manatee (GB) (Monsun {Ger}) and Listed Prix du Carrousel victrix Gaterie (Dubai Destination). The winner's fourth dam is storied matriarch Albertine (Fr) (Irish River {Fr}), whose many black-type descendants include G1 Prix d'Ispahan and GI Breeders' Cup Classic-winning sire Arcangues (Sagace {Fr}), G1 1000 Guineas-winning European champion Cape Verdi (Ire) (Caerleon), MG1SW G1 Prix de Diane heroine Aquarelliste (Fr) (Danehill), MGISW sire Artiste Royal (Ire) (Danehill) and MGISW distaffer Angara (GB) (Alzao).

4th-Haydock, £10,000, Nov, 6-30, 2yo, 6f 212yT, 1:29.87, sf.
DESERT HERO (GB), c, 2, by Sea The Stars (Ire)
1st Dam: Desert Breeze (GB), by Dubawi (Ire)
2nd Dam: Galatee (Fr), by Galileo (Ire)
3rd Dam: Altana, by Mountain Cat
1ST-TIME STARTER. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $6,546. O/B-The Queen (GB); T-William Haggas. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.

 

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Chapple-Hyam Outlines Targets For Royal Ascot Stars

Trainer Jane Chapple-Hyam revealed plans for a pair of her Royal Ascot stars, with G3 Hampton Court S. hero Claymore (Fr) (New Bay {GB}) set for the G2 York S. on July 23. A winner at first asking as a juvenile, he was second to subsequent G1 Tattersalls Irish 2000 Guineas winner Native Trail (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}) in the Apr. 13 G3 Craven S. at Newmarket. Unplaced in the G1 French 2000 Guineas in mid-May, he bounced back in fine style at the Royal meeting.

“I'm glad I know my horse,” said Chapple-Hyam. “We knew what he was capable of. We knew that he could do it and it wasn't a surprise. Claymore is going for the York S. on July 23. With him, we will take each step as it comes.”

The Australian ex-pat also had an update on her Group 1-winning mare Saffron Beach (Ire), also by New Bay. Successful in the G3 Atalanta S. and G1 Sun Chariot S. last term, the chestnut turned in a solid effort to take fourth in the G1 Dubai Turf at Meydan in the spring before running out a 3 1/2-length winner of the G2 Duke Of Cambridge S. at Royal Ascot. She will lock horns with Southern Hemisphere shipper Verry Elleegant (NZ) (Zed {NZ} in the G1 Prix Rothschild on Aug. 2.

She added, “The plan is the same. Saffron Beach is heading for the Prix Rothschild on Aug. 2. She has taken her race well. There are no problems, no issues, all is good with her.”

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