When Breeders’ Cup put the “World Championships” in their name, they weren’t lying. Every year, horses from around the world flock to the host track to take their shot at taking home the trophy in their respective races. As always, there are some Breeders’ Cup regulars and many new faces to North America coming via turbo jet airliner from Europe and Japan, with this year’s group including a Breeders’ Cup Mile winner from a couple of years ago and multiple horses who hit the board in other Breeders’ Cup races.
Month: October 2022
Brown: ‘Best For All Parties Involved’ Not To Enter Jack Christopher In Breeders’ Cup Sprint
Trainer Chad Brown has opted not to enter top Sprint contender in this year's Breeders' Cup World Championships, reports the Daily Racing Form. No decision has been made about 3-year-old son of Munnings' immediate future. He is owned by Jim Bakke, Gerald Isbister, and Coolmore.
“It was a difficult decision, but it's my understanding that the veterinary teams in charge of clearing horses to participate are likely to scratch the horse on or before race day primarily based on the way he moves,” Brown told DRF. “I have done my due diligence and radiographed Jack Christopher from head to toe and sent the information to Dr. Larry Bramlage [of Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital], and no fractures or areas of concern were found by him.
“Despite this, I feel it's best for all parties involved not to have him scratched later this week and take away from the positive media coverage that should be the focus of our industry's championship weekend.”
Jack Christopher is a three-time Grade 1 winner with earnings of $1,216,400, whose only defeat came in this year's Grade 1 Haskell Invitational.
Last fall, the colt was scratched by the Breeders' Cup veterinarians ahead of last year's Juvenile, and later underwent surgery to insert a screw in his left shin.
Read more at the Daily Racing Form.
JACK CHRISTOPHER is on the track! A notoriously strange-jogging horse, he always warms out of it and gallops comfortably. @FanDuelTVSimon compares his way of going with Manny Wah. pic.twitter.com/cY8E10Rr7R
— TVG (@TVG) October 28, 2022
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Kentucky Commission Approves New Ownership For Quarter Horse Track, Including Eastern Band Of Cherokee Indians
The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission voted unanimously Monday to approve new partners in the racetrack and equestrian center set to be built in eastern Kentucky.
The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians will serve as a financial partner to Revolutionary Racing Kentucky, while Keeneland Association will also be a partner. Both bring deep experience in racing and project development to the existing leadership team.
Commissioners also gave the green light to the group's first week of quarter horse races, set for April 1-6, 2023. The races will take place at The Red Mile in Lexington, while the new Boyd County track is under construction.
“We appreciate the support the KHRC has shown for this project throughout this process,” said Larry Lucas, Chairman of Revolutionary Racing Kentucky. “We are excited to welcome our new partners and even more excited about the positive impact we can make in eastern Kentucky.”
Revolutionary Racing Kentucky will invest $55 million to build a world-class quarter horse track, equestrian center and entertainment complex in Ashland, Kentucky.
In addition to hundreds of union construction jobs, it is expected to create more than 200 good-paying, full-time positions. Operating year-round with shows and competitions, it is projected to generate nearly $1 million in new annual tax revenues.
Serving as Kentucky's only track dedicated to quarter horses, it will feature a 660-yard sprint track and daily purses of up to $500,000, placing it among the nation's leading quarter horse tracks. Plans call for the track to host its first race in 2024.
The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians will make their investment through EBCI Holdings, a commercial gaming entity created in December 2020 to diversify the North Carolina-based tribe's economic interests. Among the group's holdings are casinos, as well as a gaming technology incubator.
“We couldn't have found a better group to partner with or a better project to support,” said Richard Sneed, Principal Chief of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. “We have a long-term commitment to community reinvestment and providing best-in-class entertainment offerings to underserved markets. This world-class project aligns perfectly with that commitment.”
Keeneland brings a storied racing tradition to the team, as its Lexington-based track is considered one of North America's premier operations. The company's founder, Jack Keene, even opened and operated Raceland, a track in nearby Greenup County, in the 1920s. Since 2014, Keeneland has also partnered with The Red Mile on their historical horse racing facility in Lexington.
“Keeneland is excited to partner with Revolutionary Racing Kentucky on this initiative, which continues our mission to strengthen the state's vital horse industry,” Keeneland President and CEO Shannon Arvin said. “Additionally, this project will positively impact the local community and stimulate economic growth in the region.”
Revolutionary Racing Kentucky was awarded the commonwealth's ninth and final horse racing license in July. Monday's approval marks the first time in history that all nine license holders were awarded race dates. The group's initial races at The Red Mile – which are supported by the American Quarter Horse Association – marks the return of quarter horse racing there for the first time in more than a decade.
Last week, Gov. Andy Beshear joined dozens of state and local leaders in a groundbreaking ceremony for the track, which he said “will help build the future of horse racing in Kentucky, and it will create great jobs for our people in Ashland, adding even more economic momentum to what the commonwealth is seeing as a whole.”
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‘He’s Had An Amazing Career’ – Bolger Salutes Manning Upon His Retirement
Jim Bolger has offered up a glowing tribute to multiple Group 1 and Classic-winning stable jockey Kevin Manning, who at the age of 55, announced his retirement from the saddle after riding a winner for his legendary father-in-law at Galway.
Manning joined Bolger in 1978. Together, they won the Derby with New Approach (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), the Irish Derby with Trading Leather (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) and came within a whisker of completing the 1,000 Guineas treble with Finsceal Beo (Ire) (Mr Greeley), who went out on her shield at Longchamp in 2007 following her Curragh and Newmarket triumphs.
The pair recorded their second 2,000 Guineas victory, eight years after bagging their first with Dawn Approach (Ire) (New Approach {Ire}), just over 12 months ago courtesy of Poetic Flare (Ire) (Dawn Approach {Ire}) but Bolger described himself as delighted to see Manning get out of the game in one piece shortly after he partnered the stable's 4-6 favourite Vocal Studies (Ire) (Vocalised) to victory on Monday.
Bolger said, “Kevin has had an amazing career with 1,700 winners or thereabouts. We've had a great time and it had to end at some stage. Thankfully, he's getting out in one piece and on his own terms. I'm sure he will be very happy from here. I knew it wouldn't go on forever and I'm delighted that he's going out on his own terms and going out on a winner.”
Bolger put forward Teofilo (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), New Approach and Trading Leather as “the big three” when asked to list the highlights of a trainer-rider relationship that has lasted over 40 years.
He said, “The highlights, with all the Group 1 wins and Classic victories, were great and we enjoyed them thoroughly. The first big one that meant so much for us would have been Teofilo in the Dewhurst.
“He was the first of five Dewhurst winners for us and it was made extra special for the fact that he was a homebred. Teofilo was also the first of three champion two-year-olds for us so he was an extremely special horse for Kevin and I.”
Bolger added, “Trading Leather winning the Irish Derby and of course New Approach winning the Derby at Epsom were excellent days also. So Teofilo, Trading Leather and New Approach, they were the big three.
“We had lots of other great days on the track together and winning the Hong Kong Cup with Alexander Goldrun (Ire) (Gold Away {Ire}) in 2005 was very special. I think Kevin joined me in 1978 so he's been here a very long time–I don't think he was quite 15 when he joined us!”
Manning was twice crowned champion apprentice in Ireland before being announced as Bolger's stable jockey in 1993. It didn't take long for the pair to enjoy top-flight success as Eva Luna (Ire) (Double Schwartz {GB}) landed the 1994 Phoenix S. the following year.
He rode his first Classic winner aboard Bolger's Margarula (Ire) (Doyoun {GB}) in the 2002 Irish Oaks and Alexander Goldrun was the first household name he was associated with.
Manning, who is married to Bolger's daughter Una, with whom he has two children, said on Monday, “I have been very lucky to ride some very good horses along the way and owe Jim and Jackie everything.
“I was suspended for this weekend, which is the end of the grass season, and I had some good rides today and said to myself it is time to call it quits if one of these wins.”
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