February, 2023 | Horse Racing Free Tips

Turcotte Saddle Goes on Display Mar. 4

The saddle Ron Turcotte used while riding Secretariat to victory in the 1973 Triple Crown has been acquired by The Jim Irsay Collection and will be on display Mar. 4 at the Downtown Las Vegas Events Center during a free, one-night-only performance of The Jim Irsay Band and exhibition of The Jim Irsay Collection.

Irsay acquired the saddle from the now 81-year-old Turcotte.

“This special saddle represents a most magical time in my racing career and its personal significance to me and my family goes beyond words,” Turcotte said from his home in New Brunswick, Canada. “I have had the privilege of keeping it safe and secure for nearly 50 years, and now it's time to let others enjoy the treasures in my collection as well. I am grateful to The Jim Irsay Collection for recognizing the saddle's historical importance and making it and the Secretariat story available to current and future generations.”

Irsay, owner of the NFL's Indianapolis Colts, has assembled a collection of instruments and items owned and used by some of the greatest artists in music history, including Bob Dylan, The Beatles, Prince, James Brown, Eric Clapton, Sir Elton John, Johnny Cash, Jerry Garcia, Les Paul, Bo Diddley, David Gilmour, Jim Morrison, Pete Townshend, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Kurt Cobain and John Coltrane.

His collection also includes historic items like an 1823 William J. Stone printing of the Declaration of Independence; artifacts and signed documents from numerous U.S. Presidents; handwritten documents and artifacts from women's suffrage pioneer Susan B. Anthony; a Jackie Robinson game-used bat from 1953 (the founding year of the Colts); and Muhammad Ali's championship belt from his victory over George Foreman in the 1974 “Rumble in the Jungle” and his boxing shoes from the 1975 “Thrilla' in Manilla” vs. Joe Frazier.

The Mar. 4 event is free and open to the public, but tickets are required. To reserve a ticket, visit jimirsaycollection.com.

Irsay, who regularly loans items in the collection out to museums and non-profits, has already hosted free exhibitions of the collection in Nashville, Washington, D.C., Austin, Los Angeles, New York City, Chicago, Indianapolis and San Francisco, with more dates planned for 2023.

The post Turcotte Saddle Goes on Display Mar. 4 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Artorius Set For Audacious Royal Ascot And Everest Double

Group 1 winner Artorius (Aus) (Flying Artie {Aus}) will likely return to Royal Ascot this year seeking to better his third-place finish behind Naval Crown (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) in the G1 Diamond Jubilee S. in 2022, co-owner Henry Field of Newgate Farm told TDN Aus/NZ.

“As long as he's going well and he's healthy, that's definitely the plan,” Field said. “He was unluckily beaten last year in the Platinum Jubilee when he was held up at a vital stage, and I think he can go back there. There's no question he's got the ability, and he's more seasoned from the experience.”

Before Ascot, the 4-year-old is set to make his seasonal debut in the G1 Canterbury S. at Royal Randwick on Mar. 4. Leading Hong Kong jockey Zac Purton will be aboard and will ride in his native Australia for the first time since the 2018 G1 Melbourne Cup.

“Artorius is a very important horse to us,” Field said. “He has such an elite profile that we had to think outside the square rider-wise, and Zac is one of the dominant riders anywhere in the world right now. He's probably as good a rider as there's ever been in Hong Kong, and a very strong rider that we thought would suit Artorius nicely.”

Artorius was also third in the G1 Darley July Cup at Newmarket and hasn't run since a sixth-place finish in the G1 Arc Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville on Aug. 7.

The colt will likely return to Australia to contest the G1 Everest S. at Royal Randwick on Oct. 14 in what will likely be his final start in that richest sprint race the world has to offer at A$15.

“I'd say it will be very likely he'll be retired to stud at the end of this season, but I do genuinely believe he is a horse with enough natural ability to win an Everest, so those conversations will be had with the ownership group,” Field said.

Artorius has not won a race since taking the 2021 G1 Blue Diamond S. but has placed in five Group 1s. He won a trial race at Warwick Farm last week in preparation for his comeback. His career line stands at 14-2-3-4 and he has amassed A$1,808,349 in prize-money.

The post Artorius Set For Audacious Royal Ascot And Everest Double appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Exhibition of Secretariat’s Triple Crown Saddle From the Irsay Collection To Debut March 4 In Las Vegas

INDIANAPOLIS, IN. (Feb. 21, 2023)— The Jim Irsay Collection, based in Indianapolis, has acquired the saddle used on legendary racehorse Secretariat when he won the coveted Triple Crown of horse racing – the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes – 50 years ago in 1973.

Registration Open for TOBA Clinic in Ocala

The Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association is hosting a Pedigree & Conformation Clinic Sunday and Monday, Mar. 19-20 in Ocala. The clinic will be held at the Ocala Breeders' Sales and Ocala Stud and will be held in conjunction with the OBS March Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training.

Speakers at the clinic include: Tammy Gantt and George Isaacs; Dr. Johnny Mac Smith, DVM; Marette Farrell (bloodstock agent); Tod Wojciechowski, director of sales for Ocala Breeders' Sales Company; David O'Farrell from Ocala Stud.

To register, visit toba.memberclicks.net/seminars-clinics.

The post Registration Open for TOBA Clinic in Ocala appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post