Frankie Dettori enjoyed a memorable ninth Gold Cup success on his final ride in the race aboard the John and Thady Gosden-trained Courage Mon Ami. The rider, who is to retire at the end of the season, pushed the unbeaten son of Frankel out to defeat Coltrane and land the biggest prize June 22 at Royal Ascot.
Month: June 2023
NYRA Boosts New York-Bred Purses By 30 Percent At Saratoga
The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) today announced a new series of purse increases for registered New York-bred horses competing in open company at the upcoming summer meet at Saratoga Race Course, which will run from Thursday, July 13 through Monday, September 4.
“NYRA is committed to supporting and enhancing the New York-bred program now and in the future,” said Frank Gabriel, NYRA SVP of Racing Operations. “These purse increases reflect the sustained growth of the New York-bred marketplace while also rewarding owners already invested in the program.”
The purse for registered New York-breds running in select open-company races will be 30 percent higher than the purse offered for non-New York-breds. Additionally, New York State Breeding Fund Owner Awards (NYSBFOA) and breeder awards will be paid on top of the 30 percent additional purse for registered New York-breds.
“The opportunity for registered New York-breds to compete for elevated purses in select open company conditions during the Saratoga meet, along with increases in breeder and open company awards provided by the New York State Thoroughbred Breeding & Development Fund reflect the commitment by New York's respective thoroughbred racing stakeholders in continuing to elevate the New York-bred program,” said Najja Thompson, New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. (NYTB) Executive Director. “We are confident much of the money earned from these purse increases will be reinvested in New York-breds, starting with the Fasig-Tipton New York-bred Select Yearlings Sale in August at Saratoga.”
In open maiden special weight races, New York-breds will run for a purse of $136,500 [with up to $23,751 NYSBFOA], while non-New York-breds will compete for a purse of $105,000.
Similarly, in allowance levels, open first-level allowances will offer a New York-bred purse of $149,500 [up to $26,013 NYSBFOA] and a non-New York-bred purse of $115,000; open second-level allowances offering a New York-bred purse of $156,000 [up to $27,144 NYSBFOA] and a non-New York-bred purse of $120,000; and third-level open allowances offering New York-breds $162,500 [up to $28,275 NYSBFOA] and a non-New York-bred purse of $125,000.
“These purse bonuses directly benefit owners of New York-breds by incentivizing them to compete in our open company program,” said Joe Appelbaum, New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association, Inc. (NYTHA) President. “New York-breds have routinely competed and won at all levels throughout the nation. This program provides owners and trainers a real dollars and cents reason to leave the restricted New York-bred program. The benefits will accrue to not only the connections but to field size, handle and ultimately back to the purse account.”
For more information, visit NYRA.com.
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Daughter Of Echelon Set For Newmarket Debut
Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-pedigreed horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Friday's Observations features a daughter of a Group 1 winner.
17.55 Newmarket, Mdn, £8,000, 2yo, f, 7fT
Cheveley Park Stud's GIUDECCA (GB) (Ulysses {Ire}) is a daughter of G1 Matron S. victrix Echelon (GB) (Danehill) and thus a half-sister to G1 Falmouth S. and G1 Sun Chariot S. heroine Integral (GB) (Dalakhani {Ire}). The February-foaled homebred bay is, like the aforementioned distaffers, conditioned by Sir Michael Stoute and encounters five on debut.
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‘I Think Better On The Back Of A Horse’: Tim Hills Approaching 50th Anniversary As A Trainer
If veteran trainer Tim Hills could go back and tell a younger version of himself what to expect in the years ahead the advice would be simple.
“Be prepared for the ups and downs because it's not going to be easy most of the time,” he said. “Back when I started I thought I was a genius. I was naïve. I thought I had all the answers.”
Back when Hills started training is coming up on his 50-year anniversary, and the soon-to-be 71-year-old is still going strong with a 22-horse stable at Monmouth Park. One of his horses – Glitter Up – heads into Saturday's $100,000 Goldwood Stakes at 5½ furlongs on the turf (weather permitting) off a sharp score following a four-month layoff.
For Hills, the 50 years have flown by, he said, since he took out his trainer's license on July 20, 1973 as a 21-year-old who dropped out of the University of New Hampshire after a year to pursue the only job he has ever wanted to do.
“I didn't know that I would do anything else. All I wanted was to be a trainer,” said Hills.
Born and raised in Hollis, New Hampshire, Hills grew up on a 100-acre apple farm that also housed thoroughbreds. He began riding at 8 and still gets up on a pony most mornings on the Monmouth Park backstretch.
“I think better on the back of a horse,” he said. “There's a saying that `there's no time wasted on the back of a horse.' ”
Hills, who has been stabled at Monmouth Park since 1988, has had his share of success over the past half-century with 2,084 career winners.
His best year was 2004 when he set personal bests in starts (585), wins (103) and earnings ($3,075,524).
“I was pretty naïve when I started. I looked like John Denver back then,” he said. “We had immediate success (7-for-22 his first year) and you thought it would always be like that.
“But all of these years later I can say that I still enjoy it. Winning is intoxicating.”
Hills' two best horses, San's the Shadow and Toll Taker, have produced his only graded stakes wins after nearly 14,000 career starters, with both winning Grade 3 stakes.
“It's not frustrating to have not won a Grade 1 or Grade 2 but I think about it,” he said. “It would be nice to get a Grade 1 or Grade 2 if I ever have a horse capable of running and competing at that level. I just don't have the access to that type of horse.”
So he continues to grind away, as he has done most of his career, winning with two of 10 starters so far at the Monmouth meet. Glitter Up, a 4-year-old filly who has done her best work sprinting on the grass, is his latest hope for another stakes winner this weekend. There is rain in the forecast, however.
“If the track is deep and sloppy she won't run,” said Hills, who was named the 2019 recipient of the Virgil “Buddy” Raines Distinguished Achievement Award, the most prestigious honor that Monmouth Park hands out. “She can handle an off track okay, though she is better on the turf. If it comes off and the track is sealed and not too deep or tiring, I'll probably run her.”
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