There is no telling how high is high for trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. He just keeps climbing. To look back is to recall that he came from his native Barbados to South Florida with two horses in 2011. He was winning his share of races in the early years, but he did not have any connections and he was not making any traction with major owners.
Month: January 2023
Statistics Reflect Steady Growth In Irish Racing And Breeding
Most key statistics for the Irish Thoroughbred racing and breeding industry showed significant gains when compared to the pre-pandemic year of 2019, as the full-year statistics were released by Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) on Thursday.
In the areas of ownership (+17.1%, 4,757), horses-in-training (10,208, +14.1% on 2019), Tote betting (total Tote betting rose +18.3%), and bloodstock sales (€215.4m, +30.3% on 2019 and +17.8% on 2021), figures are well over 2019's. Owner retention rate is now 72.8%, with the number of syndicates increasing for the fourth consecutive year to 825 (+3.4% on 2021 and +24.2% on 2019). 2022 fixtures decreased to 388 from a record of 394 in 2021, but the first half of 2021 saw a readjustment to accommodate point-to-pointers on the racecourse. For the full statistics, please click here.
Suzanne Eade, CEO of Horse Racing Ireland, said, “A strong and stable racing industry reflects well on rural communities in every county on the island and a key driver of our success is the number of horses-in-training which leads directly to employment in the country's racing yards. While the overall number is down slightly on 2021, the figure of 10,208 is well ahead of the 2019 figure which bodes well as we start into a new year.
“Almost seven out of every 10 runners in Ireland (69.8%) won prize-money in Ireland in 2022, 5,686 horses in total, and that's the highest number we've ever reported in this category. It's an important indicator for us because we acknowledge the incredible loyalty displayed by owners to Irish racing during the Covid pandemic.
“While the cost of living continues to be an issue for all industries, we can be confident heading into 2023 that racing remains extremely popular in Ireland with attendances rallying strongly in the second half of 2022. Attracting more than nine out of every 10 people that went racing before the pandemic, back to the racecourse, is a tribute to the work put in by the tracks. It was encouraging to see such strong end-of-year crowds at Navan for Troytown Day and at Fairyhouse for the Drinmore meeting, at Naas, Punchestown and Down Royal to name just a few, and of course a very strong performance at the Leopardstown Christmas Festival. 2023 got off to a great start with an incredible day at a well attended Tramore.
“A number of strong public auctions helped push the overall bloodstock sales figure past the €200m figure for the first time and a return of €215.4m is 30.3% ahead of the 2019 figure and 17.8% up on 2021.”
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South Africa: 3-Year-Old Filly To Make It Snappy In Cape Town Met
Ever since the Cape Town Met (G1) transformed to weight-for-age conditions, it has become a great option for 3-year-olds, and 3-year-old fillies in particular. In 2018 Justin Snaith took advantage of the new rules and Oh Susanna, with the light weight of 113 pounds, became the first 3-year-old filly to win the Met in more than 100 years.
On Saturday morning, trainer Brett Crawford will be looking to emulate that feat when he sends out Make It Snappy to take on South Africa's best at Kenilworth racecourse over 1 1/4 miles. North American handicappers can also make the day 'snappy' by taking advantage of the World Pools being hosted by Hong Kong Jockey Club and live stream the racing action from Kenilworth, South Africa, at skyracingworld.com, via the Sky Racing World App or on FanDuel TV (First Post: 5:00 a.m. ET / 2:00 a.m. PT).
Make It Snappy has been a revelation over the past 12 months. She was narrowly beaten on debut but has since reeled off five successive victories including the SA Fillies Guineas (G1) and the Cartier Paddock Stakes (G1) over 1 1/16 mile where she beat last year's winner and Horse-Of-The-Year Captain's Ransom. She is a natural front runner, perfectly drawn in gate two and with the traditional “Cape Crawl” likely to prevail, Make It Snappy could get a soft lead.
Last year, Kommetdieding and Jet Dark finished first and second respectively and both will be competitive again. However, they have met three times since and Jet Dark has had the edge on all three occasions.
Kommetdieding has not won a race since last year's Met. He tried to contest a couple of feature races in Johannesburg but did not appear to adapt to the altitude. He then travelled to Durban for the winter season where he ran well but also failed to find the winner's enclosure. However, he is now back home in the Western Cape, and after a well-deserved rest, the old Kommetdieding seems to be back. He ran second in a warm-up over six furlongs and then placed in two runs over one mile. He is better over 1 1/4 mile and with Gavin Lerena back in the irons, it will be a surprise if he does not fight out the finish.
Another interesting runner is 3-year-old colt Cousin Casey. This Glen Kotzen-trained runner was named Champion 2-Year-Old colt last season and has run well in his two runs as a 3-year-old.
The son of Vercingetorix won the Cape Cup (G2) over one mile and then contested the Cape Guineas (G1) but proved no match for star 3-year-old Charles Dickens. Cousin Casey is likely to prefer this distance and could give the more established runners a run for their money.
The other feature races on the card are the Majorca Stakes (G1) over one mile and the Cape Flying Championship (G1) over five furlongs.
The Kenilworth card will be live-streamed on the new Sky Racing World App, skyracingworld.com and major ADW platforms such as TVG, TwinSpires, Xpressbet, NYRABets, WatchandWager, HPIbet, DRF Bets and AmWager. Wagering is also available via these ADW platforms. Fans can get free access to live-streaming, past performances and expert picks on all races at skyracingworld.com.
The post South Africa: 3-Year-Old Filly To Make It Snappy In Cape Town Met appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
‘A Big Relief’: Florent Geroux Celebrates 2,000th Career Win At Fair Grounds
Jockey Florent Geroux rode his 2,000th career North American winner Thursday at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, piloting Twin Creeks Racing Stables' Warrant (1-5 favorite) to the victory in race 5.
The 36-year-old native of Argentan, France, had closed to within one victory of the milestone in Saturday's first race aboard New Destiny before reaching the mark aboard the Brad Cox-trainee on Thursday. Geroux has been the first call for Cox barn on many of their top horses recently, including Mandaloun and Monomoy Girl. Geroux will pilot Cyberknife for that stable in Saturday's $3 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes (G1) at Gulfstream Park.
“It feels great,” Geroux said. “It's a big relief to be honest. Especially before this weekend with a big day like the Pegasus and being on the favorite, Cyberknife. I can go there and enjoy every moment.”
Geroux's first win came in 2004 at Longchamp on Chopyluz. A graduate of the French riding Academy, Afasec, in 2007 Geroux had a false start in the United States after falling and suffering a broken wrist and two broken vertebrae on opening day at Keeneland. He returned to the U.S. in 2008, making Chicago his home base.
“I would like to thank my family and close friends for their support,” Geroux said. “It is important to have people behind you especially with all the ups and downs in this business, and they have always been cheering for me. Also, all the trainers and owners who gave me the opportunity to reach this number. Brad (trainer Brad Cox) definitely helped. He has been my go-to guy the past few years. Thanks to my agent John Panagot right now, and of course (former agent) Doug Bredar who put me on almost all of those winners. Thanks to them. I love you guys.”
Having joined the local colony in 2013, 540 of his 2,000 wins have come at Fair Grounds, where he holds two riding titles (2015-2016 & 2016-2017). His first crown was earned in 2011 at Hawthorne.
Geroux's father, Dominique Geroux, was a jockey and later a trainer in France.
Having won many of the sport's top races, Geroux scored his first Breeders' Cup victory in the 2014 Sprint aboard Work All Week and has gone on to win six more, including two Distaffs astride Monomoy Girl and the 2017 Classic with Gun Runner.. In 2021 he rode Mandaloun across the line second in the Kentucky Derby, but he was later named the adjudicated winner following the disqualification of Medina Spirit.
On Friday in race 7 at Fair Grounds, Geroux will look to score win number 2,001 aboard the Cox-trainee Strobe.
The post ‘A Big Relief’: Florent Geroux Celebrates 2,000th Career Win At Fair Grounds appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
