Month: November 2022

A three-story mural of Secretariat winning the Kentucky Derby will be unveiled and dedicated on Saturday, Nov. 19 in Paris, Ky. The public is invited.

The mural, on the side of the historic Baldwin Hotel, was painted by equine artist Jaime Corum. It's the first phase of the Secretariat Park Project, which will open in November 2023 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Secretariat's Triple Crown run.

The mural dedication is 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 19 at the park, 525 Main Street. The event will feature Corum, special music and Secretariat memorabilia.

In addition, businesses on Main Street will be open for the town's annual Holiday Hop to celebrate the upcoming festival season.

The Secretariat Park Project is funded by a group of Bourbon County citizens, the Hancock family of Claiborne Farm and Blue Grass Federal bank in Paris. In addition, people around the country have been making donations to be part of this historic project.

The park is an homage to Secretariat's career as the most famous Thoroughbred in history. The project will be completed on November 11, 2023 – exactly 50 years after Secretariat arrived at Claiborne Farm for his breeding career.

“Secretariat will forever have a lasting influence on Claiborne Farm for many reasons,” said Walker Hancock, president of Claiborne. “It is wonderful that people from all around the globe can visit our town with this initiative being a great way to further memorialize a sports legend.”

About Secretariat Park

Secretariat Park, at 525 Main Street, will be transformed into a green garden with lush landscaping, benches and accent lighting. The centerpiece is a life-sized bronze of Secretariat romping in the field. Follow the park's progress on Facebook and Instagram (@SecretariatParkInc)

About artist Jaime Corum

Celebrated Kentucky equine artist Jaime Corum lives in Eastern Kentucky. She is known for her stunning horse portraits.

The post World’s Largest Mural Of Secretariat To Be Unveiled, Dedicated On Nov. 19 appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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The 1.5 percent assessment on claims at Maryland racetracks enacted earlier this year to support the Beyond The Wire program was discussed during an Oct. 27 meeting of Mid-Atlantic region aftercare representatives who shared ideas on funding and other issues.

The assessment is used to cover the expense of shipping horses to partner retirement facilities, surgeries, and for their care while they reside at Thoroughbred Aftercare Association-accredited retraining and rehabilitation facilities. The average cost to put a horse through the program has increased to about $3,600, and the $16 per-start charge paid by owners barely covers shipping in most cases.

“We have many owners and trainers that are retiring their horses in good condition—especially lately—but we have too many horses that should have been retired earlier,” said Beyond The Wire Executive Director Jessica Hammond. “Horses that have injuries and physical issues take longer to place than sound horses, and they are more costly to retire.

“Beyond the Wire has to send bigger stipends for limited horses and horses that need stall rest, not to mention the cost of surgery if necessary. It's also not fair to the horses to retire them with limitations and possible physical discomfort that may have potentially been preventable.”

Beyond The Wire has retired an average of 125 horses a year but is on course to retire more than that for 2022, according to the numbers through the end of October.

The claiming assessment in Maryland is automatic unless an owner opts out. At the New York Racing Association tracks, there is a mandatory 1.5 percent assessment on claims, according to comments made during the Oct. 26 aftercare meeting.

The post Maryland’s Beyond The Wire On Course To Retire Over 125 Horses In 2022 appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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