Month: June 2023

KHRC Update on Churchill’s Horse Fatalities

On the heels of both the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) and Churchill Downs updating horsemen and the public Thursday on actions taken regarding the 12 equine deaths since Apr. 27 at the Louisville oval, the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission (KHRC) issued an update of their own Friday afternoon outlining investigative actions already taken and planned to be taken in the future. The statement, which originated from the Commonwealth of Kentucky Public Protection Cabinet, appears in its entirety below:

“The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission (KHRC) takes the safety of all racing participants very seriously. The increased number of horse fatalities in Kentucky is concerning and the KHRC's veteran team continues to explore every known variable that could possibly be contributing factors in these deaths.

“Working daily with Churchill Downs and the Horseracing Safety Authority (HISA), the KHRC has taken the following actions:

  • Opened an investigation into every horse fatality
  • Interviewed jockeys, trainers, owners, grooms and backside workers regarding safety concerns and observations
  • Increased pre-race scrutiny on every horse for racing soundness
  • Participated in roundtable discussions with Churchill Downs' veterinary team, track superintendents and track executives looking for any recurring factor in the incidents.
  • Reached out to California Horse Racing Board Executive Director Scott Chaney for best practices in the event of a rash of equine fatalities
  • Participated in the HISA emergency summit and shared details of daily workouts, investigative interviews
  • Created an executive-level safety steward position to coordinate daily track safety measures. Job details will be posted at KHRC.ky.gov when available.

“Out of an abundance of caution and effective June 7, 2023, Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund purses will be limited to first through fifth place finishers.

“All investigations opened after Apr. 29, 2023 are ongoing, but so far have not identified a common variable between these recent fatalities. The KHRC has not received necropsy reports from the University of Kentucky for any horse fatality after May 2, 2023. Once necropsies are completed and blood analysis is returned, the KHRC veterinary team takes a comprehensive look at all known factors that contributed to that death and compiles those results in a mortality review. As these reviews are completed, they will be made public and posted to the KHRC website at https://khrc.ky.gov/new_docs.aspx?cat=30&menuid=30

“Each completed mortality review will be shared with HISA for further review and recommendations.

“On June 2, 2022, the KHRC entered a voluntary agreement with HISA that grants them authority to oversee racetrack safety. On Mar. 21, 2023, KHRC entered a voluntary agreement with HISA's Anti-Doping and Medication Control (ADMC) Program.

“With these agreements in effect, the KHRC has authority to suspend a license for any violation that threatens the integrity of Kentucky horse racing or the KHRC's ability to protect the racing public except where HISA has preempted state regulations in the areas of 1) track safety, and 2) anti-doping and medication control (“ADMC”).  If a track had violations related to either of these areas, HISA would have jurisdiction.”

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Il Miracolo Finalizes Belmont Prep At Gulfstream

Alexandres LLC's Il Miracolo (Gun Runner) breezed five furlongs at Gulfstream Park Friday morning in preparation for a scheduled start in next Saturday's GI Belmont Stakes.

He was timed in 1:00.88, the fastest clocking of four recorded at the distance. The Antonio Sano trainee is coming off a front-running score at Gulfstream in an optional claiming allowance at a mile May 11 in his first start since finishing sixth to 'TDN Rising Star' Forte in the GI Curlin Florida Derby.

“The horse wants distance and is doing really good, so we'll try,” Sano said.

Marcos Meneses will have the return mount aboard Il Miracolo who is scheduled to ship to Belmont Park Saturday.

The post Il Miracolo Finalizes Belmont Prep At Gulfstream appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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Ghislaine Head Dies at 95

Ghislaine Head, owner-breeder and matriarch of France's famous training dynasty, died on Thursday, June 1 at the age of 95. The news was first reported by Jour de Galop. 

The wife of Alec Head, who died a year ago, Ghislaine was represented on the racecourse by, among others, the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches and Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winner Three Troikas (Fr) (Lyphard), who was trained by her daughter Christiane (Criquette) and ridden to victory by her son Freddy, who was later a successful trainer in his own right.

Alec and Ghislaine Head bought Haras du Quesnay just outside Deauville in 1958 and set about making it into one the country's most famous breeding and stallion operations, with its resident sires over the decades including Le Fabuleux (Fr), Anabaa, Highest Honor (Fr), and the homebred Bering (GB), who was another to race in Head's colours to win the 1986 Prix du Jockey Club.

Paying tribute to her mother in JDG, Criquette Head said, “Mum and Dad were an incredible pair. If Dad took care of the horses, Mum managed all the administrative aspects, in Chantilly as in Quesnay, which was not an easy task, and relations with customers.

“She was a woman of character, very active, undoubtedly ahead of her time. She was also the real pillar of the family…She has always supported us, her children. She has done more than raise us, I would say that she has elevated us.”

Christopher Head, grandson of Alec and Ghislaine, is the trainer of the favourite for Sunday's Prix du Jockey Club, Big Rock (Fr).

Ghislaine Head is survived by her children Freddy, Criquette, Martine, and Patricia, as well as many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. 

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‘TDN Rising Star’ Scylla Runs Up the Score at Churchill

8th-Churchill Downs, $129,430, Alw (NW1X), Opt. Clm ($100,000), 6-2, 3yo, f, 1m, 1:35.27, ft, 8 1/4 lengths.
SCYLLA (f, 3, Tapit–Close Hatches {Ch. Older Mare, MGISW, $2,707,300}, by First Defence) was pounded into 1-3 favoritism to build on a 'TDN Rising Star'-worthy display over six furlongs at Keeneland Apr. 15 and ran away from her dramatically overmatched rivals in the final stages of a one-mile Churchill allowance Friday to score with condescending ease to take a major step in the direction of stakes company. The bay filly settled between horses while racing in the second flight and had about five lengths to make up on the leaders as they raced into the turn. Perhaps a bit flat-footed at the midway point of that bend and pushed along slightly by Javier Castellano, Scylla began to find her best stride nearing the entrance to the stretch, angled out four or five wide, quickly opened daylight and was taken in hand by for the better part of the final 150 yards. Scylla is a full-sister to young Taylor Made stallion Tacitus, MGSW & MGISP, $2,267,350, and is out of the 2014 Eclipse Award-winning older mare, whose five Grade I successes included a spine-tingling defeat of Princess of Sylmar (Majestic Warrior)–with Beholder (Henny Hughes) fourth–in the GI Ogden Phipps S. during her championship season. Close Hatches's full-sister Lockdown won the 2017 Busanda S., was third in that year's GI Kentucky Oaks and GI Cotillion S. and is responsible for SW & GSP Idiomatic (Curlin), but unfortunately passed away in 2022. Scylla has a 2-year-old full-brother named Batten Down, a yearling half-sister by Constitution and an Uncle Mo half-sister that was foaled Mar. 16. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, $129,535. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.
O-Juddmonte; B-Juddmonte Farms Inc (KY); T-William I Mott.

 

 

The post ‘TDN Rising Star’ Scylla Runs Up the Score at Churchill appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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