March, 2023 | Horse Racing Free Tips

Japan’s Reigning Horse Of The Year Equinox Back On Turf In Dubai; Breeders’ Cup Turf An Option Later This Year

The spring equinox, traditionally a time of renewal, is perhaps as fitting a moment as any to mark a new era at Meydan.

The Japanese media, omnipresent at every Dubai World Cup since the inaugural meeting at Nad Al Sheba in 1996, returned en masse for the first time since 2019 to witness their record contingent step out in the early hours.

Among 27 horses representing the country this year is the equine Equinox, making his maiden foray abroad for trainer Tetsuya Kimura. Set to contest the Group 1 Longines Dubai Sheema Classic, the reigning Japanese Horse of the Year had an easy bowl around the Meydan dirt ahead of Saturday's 2,400m (1 1/2-mile) test.

“This is his first overseas trip and he's still getting used to his new surroundings, although I think he's getting better day by day and I am happy with how he moved this morning,” Kimura said trackside. “I know that this horse has plenty of talent and I hope that he can live up to the expectations of Japanese race fans by winning the Dubai Sheema Classic.”

Fittingly, it is the first time since 2019 that Japan's leading horse of the previous season will step out on the Dubai World Cup card. Equinox, like that year's Group 1 Dubai Turf (sponsored by DP World) heroine Almond Eye, is raced by Silk Racing with 500 fans sharing in his ownership.

Christophe Lemaire, who rode Almond Eye throughout her career and also partnered Equinox to victories in the Group 1 Tenno Sho (Autumn) at 2,000m and the Group 1 Arima Kinen at 2,500m, retains the ride on Saturday.

“This is a tough race but Christophe knows Meydan and knows this horse so I am not concerned,” Kimura said. “There have been some very good winners of the Dubai Sheema Classic and so I respect how difficult it will be. It is an honor to be here with a horse like Equinox.”

Should he pass his Dubai Sheema Classic test with flying colors, the fan-voted Takarazuka Kinen over 2,200m at Hanshin in June looms as Equinox's next target.

However, Silk Racing chief executive Masashi Yonemoto is already looking further afield with his star colt, although a tilt at the Group 1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (2,400m) at Longchamp in October remains an unlikely option.

“There are quite attractive races at home, such as the Tenno Sho (Autumn) and the Japan Cup,” he told local media. “However, I think the Breeders' Cup Turf is an attractive option. It is important for him to do well here if we are to travel again but I think the Breeders' Cup would be better than the Arc, especially with the ground.

“I think this season is when we will see the best of him and I think this race is a good challenge for him. Hopefully, he can prove he is a great horse.”

Kimura also cast an eye over his Group 1 Dubai World Cup (sponsored by Emirates) runner Geoglyph, who actually boasts a top flight victory over his more established stablemate in last year's Satsuki Sho, the Japanese 2000 Guineas, over 2,000m.

The four-year-old enters off a last-start fourth in the Group 1 Saudi Cup (1,800m) to compatriot Panthalassa and will also be ridden by Lemaire on Saturday.

“I have been very happy with him since he arrived here,” Kimura said. “He was fourth by a close margin and it was his first dirt race so I was satisfied with that performance. I think his experience in Saudi Arabia will help him here.

“He worked well this morning along with Equinox. I think this is a more suitable race, stepping up to 2,000 metres, and I hope that he can run another good race on Saturday.”

Both Equinox and Geoglyph will complete their most testing hit-out of the week tomorrow morning, along with the majority of Japanese contenders.

The post Japan’s Reigning Horse Of The Year Equinox Back On Turf In Dubai; Breeders’ Cup Turf An Option Later This Year appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Vella Joins Woodbine as Horse People Liason

Sovereign Award and Queen's Plate-winning trainer Dan Vella has joined Woodbine as Horse People Liaison. Vella will be a point of contact for owners and trainers as it relates to opportunities and feedback regarding race conditions, track surface matters, backstretch maintenance, equine safety and race day logistics.

“Dan is a highly regarded figure on our backstretch that has his finger on the pulse of our racing community,” Jim Lawson, Woodbine Entertainment CEO, said. “Having the ability to add someone like Dan, who has spent over 50 years on our backstretch and enjoyed success at our highest levels, is a big boost for our stakeholder relationships.”

Vella's first stakes victory came in 1985 with Bert James (Dom Alaric {Fr}) in the Sir Barton Stakes. He won his first Queen's Plate with Basqueian (Bounding Basque) in 1994 and a second in 2012 with Strait of Dover (English Channel). He was honored with the Sovereign Award as Canada's outstanding trainer in 1994 and 1995. Overall his runners won over 800 races for $39 million in earnings.

“I am so excited to have this opportunity to work for Woodbine and continue to be involved in the industry and sport that has given me so much,” Vella said.

Vella will begin his new role on Apr. 1.

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Sovereign Award-Winning Trainer Dan Vella Joins Woodbine As Horse People Liason

Woodbine Entertainment has announced the addition of Sovereign Award and Queen's Plate winning trainer Dan Vella as Horse People Liaison.

Vella joins Woodbine in this new position following a training career that spanned several decades, compiling over 800 wins and $39 million in earnings.

“Dan is a highly regarded figure on our backstretch that has his finger on the pulse of our racing community,” said Jim Lawson, CEO, Woodbine Entertainment. “Having the ability to add someone like Dan, who has spent over 50 years on our backstretch and enjoyed success at our highest levels, is a big boost for our stakeholder relationships.”

Leveraging his decades of racing experience, Vella will be a point of contact for owners and trainers as it relates to opportunities and feedback regarding race conditions, track surface matters, backstretch maintenance, equine safety and race day logistics. Vella will report into the Director of Racing.

“I am so excited to have this opportunity to work for Woodbine and continue to be involved in the industry and sport that has given me so much,” said Vella. “I have had the privilege of racing throughout North America and I can say firsthand that Woodbine is a top racetrack operator that has incredibly passionate and talented horse people – all of which contributes to some of the best thoroughbred racing on the continent. I am really looking forward to working with the hardworking and dedicated management team at Woodbine, while also having the opportunity to work with horse people throughout the backstretch that I respect and admire.”

The original introduction to Woodbine for Vella began as a teenager in 1972. Becoming a groom shortly after, Vella groomed Fabe Count in the 1973 Canadian International, famously known as Secretariat's final race.

Cutting his teeth on the Woodbine backstretch, Vella eventually launched a successful training career, working for top owners such as Steve Stavro and Frank Stronach. His first stakes victory came in 1985 with Bert James in the Sir Barton Stakes.

Vella spent 1993 to 1998 training for Stronach, primarily racing in the United States. It was during this time that Vella reached the pinnacle of Canadian racing, winning the 1994 Queen's Plate with Basqueian.

Finding continued success at Woodbine during that timeframe, Vella won the Sovereign Award as Canada's outstanding trainer in 1994 and 1995.

After parting ways with Stronach Stables, Vella remained in the United States before returning to Woodbine in 2003.

In 2012, Vella captured his second Queen's Plate title with Strait of Dover.

In recent years, Vella has continued to collect stakes victories at Woodbine. The Minkster scored a stakes double for the veteran conditioner in 2021, winning the Coronation Futurity and Queenston Stakes, before running in last year's Queen's Plate. Rookie filly Jumpin Junie delivered his final stakes victory in October's Princess Elizabeth.

Vella was elected to the HBPA Board of Directors in 2021 for a three-year term. However, Vella recently resigned from its Board.

Vella will begin his new role on April 1, 2023.

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Forte Continues to Lead Triple Crown Poll Ahead of Major Prep Weekend

Each week, members of the national media vote on the nation's top contenders on the Triple Crown trail in the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) Top Thoroughbred Poll. Week 6 of the 2023 Top 3-Year-Old Thoroughbred Poll conducted by the NTRA covers racing performances through March 21, 2023. The 3-year-old poll represents horses competing up to and through the Triple Crown. Rankings are based on a 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-1 voting system. First place votes are in parentheses.