January, 2024 | Horse Racing Free Tips

Applications Open for 2024 Thoroughbred Makeover

Applications are now being accepted for the 2024 Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium, presented by Thoroughbred Charities of America, according to a Tuesday release from the Retired Racehorse Project. The application can be accessed at theRRP.org and must be completed by 5 p.m. EST Jan. 19. Accepted trainers will be announced no later than Feb. 15.

Entering its 10th year at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, the Thoroughbred Makeover features competition in 10 disciplines for recently retired Thoroughbreds in their first year of retraining for a career after racing. A competition division is also open to recently retired broodmares exiting the bloodstock industry.

Horses and their trainers may compete in one or two disciplines of their choice, including Barrel Racing, Competitive Trail, Dressage, Eventing, Field Hunter, Polo, Ranch Work, Show Hunter, Show Jumper and Freestyle (a freeform discipline showcasing skills of the trainer's choosing).

Horses and trainers will compete for more than $110,000 in total prize money, plus the title of Thoroughbred Makeover Champion, at the Kentucky Horse Park Oct. 9-12.

The post Applications Open for 2024 Thoroughbred Makeover appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Lymphoma Claims Florida Stallion Uncle Chuck At Age Six

Uncle Chuck, a half-brother to Maclean's Music standing in Florida, was euthanized on Dec. 22 after he was found to have an untreatable form of lymphoma, BloodHorse reports.

The 6-year-old son of Uncle Mo stood two seasons at Journeyman Stud in Ocala, Fla., and he shuttled to Argentina for two Southern Hemisphere breeding seasons. He was among Florida's most active stallions during both of his seasons at stud, and his first foals are yearlings of 2024.

Bred in Kentucky by Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings, Uncle Chuck is out of the Unbridled's Song mare Forest Music, making him a half-brother to the popular sire Maclean's Music.

Uncle Chuck was trained by Bob Baffert for the partnership of Michael Pegram, Karl Watson, and Paul Weitman. He won on debut by seven lengths in June of his 3-year-old season, then he followed up with a four-length score in the Grade 3 Los Alamitos Derby. He then made one final out-of-the-money start in the G1 Travers Stakes to finish his career.

Belfiore Returns as NYTHA Executive Director

Andy Belfiore will be returning as the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association's executive director, effective Jan. 7, the organization announced Tuesday.

“Andy has a wealth of experience in all facets of the racing industry,” said newly elected NYTHA President Tina Bond. “In addition to her knowledge base, Andy's devotion to equine welfare and aftercare are especially crucial in this period of our sport. We are very pleased that she will be rejoining the NYTHA team.”

Belfiore started her career in racing on the backstretch at Belmont Park, working as a hotwalker, groom and exercise rider, before joining the Rick Violette stable as assistant trainer. After six years as Violette's assistant, she moved to the frontside at the track, and spent five years in the communications and marketing departments at the New York Racing Association.

Belfiore left NYRA in 1993 to take the post as editor in chief at the Thoroughbred Daily News. During her tenure, the TDN grew from a four-page publication with just a few hundred subscribers to a leader in the Thoroughbred industry. Named Director of Communications for NYTHA in December, 2011, and Executive Director in September, 2015, she was instrumental in the creation of the TAKE2 and TAKE THE LEAD Programs.

She returns to New York after serving as Executive Director of the Florida Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association for two years.

“This is an exciting time to be a part of the racing industry in New York,” said Belfiore. “I thank the NYTHA Board and President Tina Bond for the opportunity, and I am looking forward to working with such a great team.”

The post Belfiore Returns as NYTHA Executive Director appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Maryland Horse Foundation Launches Winter Clothing Drive

The Maryland Horse Foundation will kick off the new year with a clothing drive to collect warm winter clothing and riding attire that will be distributed to young equestrians in need this winter season. The clothing drive will run from Jan. 2 until the end of March.

Recommended items are new or gently used hats, gloves, scarves, pants, sweatshirts, long-sleeve shirts, tights, socks, breeches, jodhpurs, and boots. All sizes are accepted. Items will be donated to Baltimore-county based programs that offer riding instruction to low-income students.

Unwrapped items may be dropped off inside the Maryland Horse Library & Education Center located at 321 Main Street in Reisterstown, Maryland. The Library & Education Center is open from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Inquiries about donations or clothing distribution can be directed to Jeanne Schnell via email at jeanne@marylandthoroughbred.com or (410) 252-2100 extension 113.

The post Maryland Horse Foundation Launches Winter Clothing Drive appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post