Month: August 2022

Phoenix Clash One To Savour

There is the usual feast of racing across Britain, Ireland and France on Saturday, but The Curragh is where it's at as the G1 Keeneland Phoenix S. provides the first coming together of the elite among Europe's precocious juveniles. It could boil down to a battle of the TDN Rising Stars Bradsell (GB) (Tasleet {GB}) and Little Big Bear (Ire) (No Nay Never), with Hollie Doyle and Ryan Moore in no mood to allow their mount's considerable reputations to slide. Bradsell is in a bit deeper than he was in the G2 Coventry S. at Royal Ascot June 14, but his insatiable appetite for work and racing will take him a long way against Ballydoyle's leading G1 2000 Guineas hope at present.

“I've ridden him in most of his homework since Royal Ascot at Archie Watson's Saxon Gate Stables and have been delighted with his progress,” Doyle said of Bradsell in her attheraces blog. “He's definitely strengthened up and is very professional in the way he goes about his business. It's going to be a tough assignment in what looks a stellar renewal, but Bradsell has a great mind and I wouldn't swap him for anything. The stiff track and the forecasted good ground should be ideal and I'm happy enough with my draw in stall six in such a small field.”

Ryan Moore is happy to be on Little Big Bear over the high-achieving Blackbeard (Ire) (No Nay Never), with his emphatic success in the G3 Anglesey S. over an extended six furlongs here July 16 marking him out as a colt with Classic pretensions. “He really was impressive here last time. He gave me a great feel,” his rider said in his betfair blog. “We will know who the number one juvenile is after this, I would imagine, and hopefully it is one of ours.”

 

The Right Amo?

Outside of the big two in the Phoenix, Amo Racing Limited's Persian Force (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}) retains intrigue having bounced out of the Coventry to take Newmarket's G2 July S. July 7. Richard Hannon rates him alongside the likes of Canford Cliffs (Ire) (Tagula {Ire}) and normal progression could see him usurp the market principals. Amo's racing manager Emily Scott said, “It's a small but select and strong field, we go there with a lot of confidence that we've got a very nice horse and if he's come forward from Ascot as much as Richard thinks he has, hopefully he can put it to Bradsell and the O'Brien duo. As Richard said to me, whatever beats him, if anything beats him, it's going to be good.”

 

Classic Clues Aplenty

It's that time of year that the 2-year-olds really excite and away from the Phoenix, Saturday also sees a cluster across Europe with the pedigrees to enter the Classic picture with prominent displays. On The Curragh's card, the latest offering from Lillie Langtry (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}) emerges from Ballydoyle in Delightful (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in the Loder Irish EBF Fillies Race, Newmarket's fixture opens with a maiden that hosts the Juddmonte debutante Jalapa (GB) (Expert Eye {GB}), a half-sister to Westover (GB) (Frankel {GB}), and continues with the feature seven-furlong G3 Jewson Sweet Solera S. In the latter contest, Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum's homebred Novakai (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) bids to back up an impressive 4 1/4-length winning debut at Doncaster July 16 and the Karl Burke-trained descendant of Ela Athena (GB) (Ezzoud {Ire}) is currently favoured over Gallop Racing's June 18 Listed Chesham S. third Lakota Sioux (Ire) (Sioux Nation) from the Charlie and Mark Johnston stable successful three times since 2014. “I was pleasantly surprised she did it so well at Doncaster and I've been delighted with her since,” Burke said of Novakai. “I wouldn't want the ground too quick, so we'll just have to keep an eye on that.”

 

Frankie Takes To The Shergar Cup

During what feels like a long goodbye tour for Frankie Dettori, he is at his favourite venue of Ascot on Saturday to take part in the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup for the first time since 2016. Other leading lights in the riding sphere on show include Christophe Lemaire, Kerrin McEvoy and Emma-Jayne Wilson, while at Haydock the G3 Betfred Rose of Lancaster S. sees Prince Faisal Bin Khaled's nine-length July 16 Listed Steventon S. winner Grocer Jack (Ger) (Oasis Dream {GB}) take on Shadwell's July 9 John Smith's Cup scorer Anmaat (Ire) (Awtaad {Ire}) from the Owen Burrows stable.

 

Click here for the fields.

The post Phoenix Clash One To Savour appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Economic Indicators: Strong Saratoga, Del Mar Starts Boost Handle

Robust wagering at Saratoga and Del Mar, two of the year's premier race meets that each kick off in July, contributed toward a 3.93 percent increase in monthly betting over July 2021, according to the most recent statistics provided by Equibase, the industry's official database.

Both Saratoga, which began its season on July 14, and Del Mar, opening a week later than usual  this year on July 22, have reported increases in daily average wagering in the early stages of their respective meets.

For comparison's sake, Saratoga ran 14 days in July 2022 vs. 13 in July 21. Del Mar, on the other hand, ran nine dates in July 2021 vs. seven this year. July 2022 had 10 weekend days when wagering is highest while July 2021 had nine. Average field size in July was virtually unchanged from 2021, at just under seven horses per race.

Purses remain strong, increasing by 12.86 percent from July 2021 to July 2022.

Comparing July 2022 and 2022 year-to-date statistics to the pre-pandemic year of 2019, the increases are significant in wagering and purses, with 20 percent-plus rises in both July and year-to-date stats. Year to date, there have been 8.46 percent fewer races run compared to 2019, but even with that decline average field size has shrunk, going from 7.40 for 2019 year to date to 7.19 in 2022.

July 2022 vs. July 2021
Indicator July 2022 July 2021 % Change
Wagering on U.S. Races* $1,144,419,071 $1,101,174,291 +3.93%
U.S. Purses $124,719,989 $110,511,273 +12.86%
U.S. Race Days 453 445 +1.80%
U.S. Races 3,535 3,531 +0.11%
U.S. Starts 24,524 24,527 -0.01%
Average Field Size 6.94 6.95 -0.13%
Average Wagering Per Race Day $2,526,311 $2,474,549 +2.09%
Average Purses Per Race Day $275,320 $248,340 +10.86%

 

 

YTD 2022 vs. YTD 2021
Indicator YTD 2022 YTD 2021 % Change
Wagering on U.S. Races* $7,409,456,622 $7,378,208,912 +0.42%
U.S. Purses $713,426,589 $625,662,965 +14.03%
U.S. Race Days 2,382 2,326 +2.41%
U.S. Races 19,405 19,322 +0.43%
U.S. Starts 139,538 141,825 -1.61%
Average Field Size 7.19 7.34 -2.03%
Average Wagering Per Race Day $3,110,603 $3,172,059 -1.94%
Average Purses Per Race Day $299,507 $268,987 +11.35%

 

2020 Comparisons:

July 2022 vs. July 2020
Indicator July 2022 July 2020 % Change
Wagering on U.S. Races* $1,144,419,071 $1,098,021,143 +4.23%
U.S. Purses $124,719,989 $90,220,894 +38.24%
U.S. Race Days 453 398 +13.82%
U.S. Races 3,535 3,280 +7.77%
U.S. Starts 24,524 24,984 -1.84%
Average Field Size 6.94 7.62 -8.92%
Average Wagering Per Race Day $2,526,311 $2,758,847 -8.43%
Average Purses Per Race Day $275,320 $226,686 +21.45%
YTD 2022 vs. YTD 2020
Indicator YTD 2022 YTD 2020 % Change
Wagering on U.S. Races* $7,409,456,622 $6,152,548,050 +20.43%
U.S. Purses $713,426,589 $414,389,542 +72.16%
U.S. Race Days 2,382 1,699 +40.20%
U.S. Races 19,405 14,186 +36.79%
U.S. Starts 139,538 113,058 +23.42%
Average Field Size 7.19 7.97 -9.77%
Average Wagering Per Race Day $3,110,603 $3,621,276 -14.10%
Average Purses Per Race Day $299,507 $243,902 +22.80%

2019 Comparisons:

July 2022 vs. July 2019
Indicator July 2022 July 2019 % Change
Wagering on U.S. Races* $1,144,419,071 $942,243,633 +21.46%
U.S. Purses $124,719,989 $103,342,574 +20.69%
U.S. Race Days 453 484 -6.40%
U.S. Races 3,535 3,742 -5.53%
U.S. Starts 24,524 26,612 -7.85%
Average Field Size 6.94 7.11 -2.45%
Average Wagering Per Race Day $2,526,311 $1,946,784 +29.77%
Average Purses Per Race Day $275,320 $213,518 +28.94%

 

YTD 2022 vs. YTD 2019
Indicator YTD 2022 YTD 2019 % Change
Wagering on U.S. Races* $7,409,456,622 $6,615,017,905 +12.01%
U.S. Purses $713,426,589 $647,344,706 +10.21%
U.S. Race Days 2,382 2,588 -7.96%
U.S. Races 19,405 21,199 -8.46%
U.S. Starts 139,538 156,851 -11.04%
Average Field Size 7.19 7.40 -2.81%
Average Wagering Per Race Day $3,110,603 $2,556,035 +21.70%
Average Purses Per Race Day $299,507 $250,133 +19.74%

* Includes worldwide commingled wagering on U.S. races.

The post Economic Indicators: Strong Saratoga, Del Mar Starts Boost Handle appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Dubawi Colt Struts His Stuff En Route To Rising Stardom

Well-touted and well-related, Local Dynasty (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}-Really Special {GB}, by Shamardal) gave every impression he was idling just over two furlongs from home, before cruising past his rivals and rocketing up the rising ground for an 3 1/2-length victory at Newmarket on Friday. The 30th 'TDN Rising Star' for his Darley sire, the bay was the 15-8 favourite in this debut.

Tucked in behind in an ideal tracking position, Local Dynasty gave every appearance of sitting on a big effort, and backed that impression up in style. Nearing the 600-metre mark, James Doyle said go, and the colt began improving out on the stands' side. Given one right-hander, he hit another gear 1 1/2 furlongs from home and put the race to bed in a matter of strides. It was a two-way battle for second between Onslow Gardens (Ire) (Footstepsinthesand {GB}) and Paisano (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), with the former gaining the advantage by an 1 3/4 lengths.

The race was delayed for several minutes, as the colt's Charlie Appleby-trained stablemate City Of Kings (GB) (Kingman {GB}) unseated rider Jack Mitchell, and was later scratched.

Out of the Listed Montrose Fillies S. heroine Really Special, Local Dynasty is her second foal, runner, and winner. He has a weanling half-sister by Sea The Stars (Ire). The dam, a daughter of listed winner and top-producer Rumh (Ger) (Monsun {Ger}), is a half-sister to the Dubawi headliners Yibir (GB), who won the GI Breeders' Cup Turf in 2021 and triple top-level winner Wild Illusion (GB), second in both the 2018 G1 Oaks  and the GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf. Third dam Royal Dubai (Ger) (Dashing Blade {GB}), successful in the 2002 G3 Preis der Winterkonigin, is a half-sister to the GI Beverly D. S. heroine Royal Highness (Ger) (Monsun {Ger}).

Dubawi has already sired five stakes winners out of Shamardal mares, including G2 Balanchine S. heroine Creative Flair (Ire), and G3 Autumn S. winner and G1 Futurity Trophy second One Ruler (Ire), like Local Dynasty, Godolphin homebreds.

3rd-Newmarket, £8,000, Mdn, 8-5, 2yo, 7fT, 1:28.06, g/f.
LOCAL DYNASTY (IRE) (c, 2, Dubawi {Ire}–Really Special {GB} {SW-Eng, SP-UAE, $108,180}, by Shamardal) Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $5,253. VIDEO. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.

O/B-Godolphin (IRE); T-Charlie Appleby.

 

The post Dubawi Colt Struts His Stuff En Route To Rising Stardom appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Leparoux Wins Venezia Award

Jockey Julien Leparoux as the winner of the 2022 Mike Venezia Memorial Award, NYRA announced Friday. He was chosen by a committee comprised of members of the Venezia family, representatives of The Jockeys' Guild and retired Eclipse Award-winning jockey Richard Migliore. Leparoux will be recognized in a winner's circle ceremony at Saratoga Aug. 12.

The Mike Venezia Memorial Award is presented annually to a jockey who displays the extraordinary sportsmanship and citizenship that personified Venezia, who died as the result of injuries suffered in a spill in 1988. Venezia, a native of Brooklyn, N.Y., won more than 2,300 races during his 25-year career.

“The Venezia Award is a unique honor because it's about so much more than simply winning races on the track,” said Leparoux. “I am humbled and thankful to be selected as this year's winner and look forward to thanking the Venezia family here at Saratoga Race Course on August 12.”

“Julien is richly deserving of this honor as a great professional both on and off the track,” said Terry Meyocks, President and Chief Executive Officer of The Jockeys' Guild. “For years, he has represented our sport with distinction. We welcome him to the ranks of distinguished riders who have previously won the Venezia Award.”

During his career, Leparoux has amassed 2,880 wins and more than $183 million in earnings. Those victories include seven Breeders' Cup races, among them the 2015 GI Breeders' Cup Mile aboard champion and newly inducted Hall of Famer Tepin (Bernstein). At the 2009 Breeders' Cup, Leparoux won the Shoemaker Award as the winningest jockey with three wins.

Previous Venezia Award winners include Bill Shoemaker, Angel Cordero, Jr., Jerry Bailey, Mike Smith, Gary Stevens, Richard Migliore, Patti Cooksey, Edgar Prado, Ramon Dominguez, Joe Bravo, Javier Castellano and DeShawn Parker.

The post Leparoux Wins Venezia Award appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Verified by MonsterInsights