Month: December 2022

12 Questions With Arqana’s Thomas Leffray

What was your first job in the Thoroughbred industry?

I did an internship at Haras de Montaigu about 10 years ago during my school holidays.

The biggest influence on your career?

I have always had the chance to work for great people all over the world that always pushed me to go forward in the industry. Ballylinch Stud has been one of them. I learned everything there, about horses and all industry. They gave me every opportunity to learn.

Favourite racehorse of all time, and why?

It must be Allaho. For a tiny family breeding operation, he is an impossible dream coming true, he has changed our lives.

Who will be champion first-season sire in 2023?

I think Calyx could do well. He is the first son of Kingman to stand at stud and he was an impressive winner of the Coventry S. He comes from a very good Juddmonte family and is closely related to the champion Native Trail.

Greatest race in the world?

The Cheltenham Gold Cup is incredible for anyone who loves National Hunt racing. Nothing compares to the Cheltenham Festival.

If you could be someone else in the industry for a day who would it be, and why?

The master Willie Mullins. I would like to understand all the things he has to think about in a day, but also watch all those champions working at Closutton.

Emerging talent in the industry (human)?

Mark Byrne, the nicest and most interesting young talent. Always smiling and good fun.

Horse TDN should have made a Rising Star, and didn't?

The G1 Fillies Mile winner Commissioning. She won impressively first time out and has the pedigree to go on next year.

Under-the-radar stallion?

A french National Hunt stallion call Karaktar. He is the sire of the unbeaten 4-year-old hurdler in France Il Est Français from his first crop.

Friday night treat?

During winter I always enjoy a nice cheese board with a strong red wine in front of a nice fire.

Guilty pleasure outside of racing?

Rugby, I started it not that long ago, but I really enjoy the atmosphere. I am getting ready for World Cup in France.

Race I wish I had been there for…?

The 2011 Cheltenham Gold Cup. That was some battle between Long Run, Kauto Star and Denman.

The post 12 Questions With Arqana’s Thomas Leffray appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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Sorensen Earns Gerry Dilger Equine Scholarship for 2023

The Gerry Dilger Equine Scholarship Foundation announced Elle Sorensen was named one of the 2023 Scholarship winners.  The County Limerick resident will be placed at Hunter Valley Farm in Lexington for the upcoming breeding season. Hunter Valley will provide the scholarship winner the opportunity to learn and develop with a leading thoroughbred boarding and sales consignment operation at the center of Kentucky's bloodstock region.

Hunter Valley Farm co-owner Adrian Regan remarked, “Fergus Galvin and I are really looking forward to welcoming Elle to Kentucky. Hopefully, we can do half as good a job as Gerry did, with educating his students.”

Elle, a third year student, is currently studying equine science at the University of Limerick. While working in Michael Hourigan's national hunt yard at Lisaleen stables during secondary school, she learned the basics of the thoroughbred racing industry. During college, she developed an interest in thoroughbred bloodstock and breeding and gained work and sales experience with leading county Limerick farms Rathmore Stud and Croom House Stud.

Sorenson added, “Thanks to the Gerry Dilger Equine Scholarship Foundation, I have been awarded this amazing opportunity to travel to America and further my knowledge, education, and passion for the industry at Hunter Valley Farm.”

The post Sorensen Earns Gerry Dilger Equine Scholarship for 2023 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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Top 10 Videos of 2022

It was a banner year for TDNtv with over 11.3 million views of our TDN videos and advertisers' commercials. That number exploded from just 4.1 million views last year.

Our videos brought in audiences from all the major horse racing countries, with the U.S. leading the way with 618,461 unique viewers this year, but people tuned in from every corner of the globe (shout out to our 24 viewers in Iceland!). While Kentucky accounted for the most total views by a state this year, New York led the way with 55,624 unique viewers.

Here are our top 10 videos of the year, as watched on our site at TDNtv and our YouTube channel combined. Click the links below to watch.

 

 

  1. Flightline Settles Into New Home at Lane's End. 195,561 views

It should come as no surprise that the most talked-about horse of 2022 would account for our most-watched video. We can't wait to start making features on Flightline's foals in a few years!

  1. Let's Talk: Veterinarians. 127,038 views

Our own Christina Bossinakis joined co-host Gabby Gaudet on their 'Let's Talk' podcast to speak with three of the industry's top veterinarians about the challenges facing today's equine veterinary community.

  1. Vino Rosso's Full Brother Makes Headlines for New Vocations. 121,833 views.

Vino Rosso might have made headlines this year with his first crop of yearlings, but his brother News Carver brought in an audience of his own at New Vocations.

  1. Breeders' Cup Champions Draw a Crowd at Ashford Stud. 95,932 views.

Released just a month ago and still gaining traction, this feature gives viewers a peak at champions Golden Pal and Corniche as they prepare to begin stud duty next year. Stay tuned for more new stallion features in January.

  1. Alpinista A Joy For Those Around Her. 81,800 views.

After her win in the G1 Yorkshire Oaks, we visited Alpinista (GB) at Heath House Stable in Newmarket and spoke with a few of her adoring connections. She would go on to take the G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in impressive fashion.

  1. Blue Grass Winner Zandon Prepares for Kentucky Derby Bid. 81,029 views.

Zandon finished third in this year's Kentucky Derby, and he sure looked spectacular as he prepared for the first Saturday in May at Keeneland.

  1. Baaeed A Star for Ricky Hall. 77,844 views.

There was no mistaking the bond between six-time Group 1 winner Baaeed (GB) and his groom/rider Ricky Hall. We look forward to seeing more of Baaeed at Shadwell's Nunnery Stud.

  1. Colin Brennan Gets Fast Start at Keeneland September. 73,801 views.

Colin Brennan was game for anything for this feature, so we put a mic on him and followed him to the ring as his consignment sold its first pinhook at the Keeneland September Sale. Luckily, the yearling sold well and we didn't have to cut any colorful comments!

  1. Mighty Mitole's First Yearlings to Come to Auction. 71,391 views.

Mitole was a top three first-crop yearling sire this year, and his fast-looking progeny that were showcased in this July feature were a harbinger of their sire's success at the yearling sales.

  1. Hot Rod Charlie Carries Flag for Ever-Growing Hermitage Farm Legacy. 67,786 views. 

Fan-favorite Hot Rod Charlie was raised at a unique farm with a rich history behind it. We toured Hermitage Farm and snagged a few samples at Barn8 Farm Restaurant and Bourbon Bar. Pro tip: it looks like an incredible place to visit during the holidays.

Our TDN Writers' Room podcast brought in more views than ever this year and we're grateful to all of the listeners who tuned in. The two shows that bookended the 2022 Breeders' Cup at Keeneland brought in the most viewers, with the episode with guest Nick Luck just ahead of the world championship meet bringing in 95,836 views and our post-Breeders' Cup episode with Bill Farish performing even better with 96,936 views.

Thank you to all of the trainers, breeders, consignors, farm managers, and everyone in between who was willing to get “mic'd up” and talk with us about these incredible animals. We look forward to what 2023 has in store for TDNtv.

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