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Parx-Based Trainer Joe Taylor Receives Six-Year Ban

Joe Taylor, who has been among the top trainers at Parx since he began his career about eight years ago, has received a six-year suspension from the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit (HIWU) after two of his horses tested positive for the banned substances clenbuterol and methylphenidate.

According to a posting on the HIWU website, Taylor has admitted the violations and accepted the penalties. However, his attorney, Alan Pincus, raised questions about the positive tests.

“No trainer is going to give his horse two different easily detectable illegal drugs and do it two different times,” Pincus said. “Somebody got to them. Obviously, we can't prove anything. We asked HISA to investigate and they didn't. So what can he do? Their system for banned substances is profoundly unfair. To have any chance at all, you have to prove how it got in there and prove that you were not negligent in letting it get in there. We have suspicions of how the drugs got in there, but we can't prove them. Under their system, you can't win.”

With two horses having tested positive for two different substances, Taylor received 18 months for each offense, which ads up to the six years. He was also fined $12,500 for each offense.

The first positive came when Cajun Cousin (Cajun Breeze) finished seventh in a June 18 claiming race at Parx. Two days later, the Taylor-trained Classy American (Uncle Lino) finished tenth in a starter allowance at Parx.

According to the National Institute of Health's website, methylphenidate “is a powerful central nervous system stimulant with a high potential for abuse in horse racing.” Clenbuterol is a bronchodilator that can treat lower airways disease but also has a steroid-like effect that can help build muscle mass.

Both Cajun Cousin and Classy American will be prohibited from racing for a period of 14 months.

Taylor, who began his career in harness racing, started training Thoroughbreds full time in 2017 when he had 30 winners. His career peaked in 2019 when he won 111 races. He had 103 victories that year at Parx to lead all trainers in the standings. For his career, Taylor has won 327 races from 2,011 starters.

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Andy Waitt Appointed New Clerk Of The Course For Bahrain Turf Club

Andy Waitt has been named as the new clerk of the course for the Bahrain Turf Club. He replaces Neil Mackenzie Ross.

Yusuf Buheji, CEO of the Bahrain Turf Club said, “We are delighted to welcome Andy to the team at the Rashid Equestrian & Horseracing Club. The Club considers the provision of a first-class racing surface to be fundamental to the growth of horseracing in Bahrain, not only from the perspective of attracting international horses but also in terms of raising the standards of our domestic horse population.

“We have made a significant investment in the facilities, developing two separate turf tracks, as well as our extensive training resources, to ensure we provide the best quality surface for all horses and riders.

“Andy has a lot of experience from his time working in England and shares our ambition for the future. Our thanks to Neil Mackenzie Ross for his significant contribution during his nine years working for the Club.”

Previously based at Chelmsford City Racecourse, Waitt began his career in racing at Sandown Park. Later based at Lingfield Park as head groundsman and estates manager, he qualified for clerk of the course in 2005, and held that role at Great Leighs from 2008-2009. He returned to that track to oversee its re-opening as Chelmsford City in 2015.

Waitt said, “I was attracted to the role by the opportunity to work for a progressive racing jurisdiction with long-term plans. I am very much looking forward to the Bahrain International Trophy in November and then the Bahrain Turf Series, which runs from December through to February. I am also thoroughly enjoying getting to know the friendly and accommodating people of Bahrain.”

The BTC hosts the $1-million G2 Bahrain International Trophy every November, as well as The Listed Crown Prince's Cup and Listed The King's Cup in February and March, respectively.

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Hanley Transitions To Senior Bloodstock Consultant As WinStar Farm Makes Key Personnel Changes For 2024

WinStar's David Hanley will transition to Senior Bloodstock Consultant along with several other key personnel moves by the end of the year, the farm said in a press release Thursday morning.
Dr. Natanya Nieman will take on the role of General Manager while she continues her duties as Resident Vet.

“I am excited for Natanya to expand her opportunities here at WinStar. She is a very good horsewoman and having David as a mentor for the foreseeable future will give her the expertise needed to continue to grow here at WinStar,” said Walden. “While she has always been responsible for our horses through her expert veterinary care, Natanya can grow into a top General Manager while learning from one of the best.”

Hanley's new role will focus mainly on bloodstock, matings, and the development of young horses.

“David is a critical part of our team that helps us with developing our bloodstock, and the purchasing of our equine athletes at sales,” said Elliott Walden, CEO of WinStar. “This role will give David the opportunity to see more horses off the farm, while still keeping his eye on our young stock at home.”

Serving as General Manager since 2013, Hanley has helped the farm expand its band to over 150 broodmares and 18 stallions with Eclipse Awards for Breeding coming in 2016 and 2020.

On the administrative team, Jack Mullikin will be retiring as CFO at the end of 2023 and Michael Holmes will replace him. Mullikin came to work at WinStar in the first year after a stellar career at Castleton Lyons Farm. He has seen WinStar grow from 415 to 2400 acres.

“We will miss Jack tremendously here at the farm. His loyalty and dedication to WinStar has helped make the farm what it is today,” said Walden. “He has mentored Michael over the last nine years and we are blessed to welcome Michael onto our executive team. He will hit the ground running and do a great job. The future is bright here at WinStar.”

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“Real Quality” On Offer At Tattersalls December Mares Sale

A quintet of Group 1-winning race fillies anchor the 1,062-strong Tattersalls December Mares Sale from Dec. 4-7, headlined by the Sceptre Sessions on Monday, Dec. 4 and Tuesday, Dec. 5.

Inaugurated last year, the Sceptre Sessions feature 1000 Guineas heroine Cachet (Ire) (Aclaim {Ire}) (1433); Pretty Polly S. victress Via Sistina (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) (lot 1788); top-level winners Lezoo (GB) (Zoustar {Aus}) (lot 1776) and Prosperous Voyage (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) (lot 1811), both trained by Ralph Beckett; and South African Grade 1 winner Vernichey (SAf) (Vercingetorix {SAf}) (lot 1802). Prix Vermeille winner Teona (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) (lot 1786), who is in foal to champion sire Frankel (GB), will also go through the ring.

The sale features 33 group and listed-winning race fillies that will be offered across the two Sceptre Sessions. There are also numerous top-class mares carrying their first foals like Group 3 winner Nazanin (Declaratio Of War) (lot 1810) in foal to Frankel (GB). Other lots of note include Cruella De Vill (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) (lot 1540) who is a half-sister to star broodmare Lillie Langtry (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}); Galileo Gal (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) (lot 1789), herself a half-sister to three Classic/Group 1 winners among them Alpha Centauri (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) carrying to New Bay (GB); and a sextet of Group/Grade 1 producers led by Nigh (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) (lot 1823), the dam of Via Sistina, who is in foal to Too Darn Hot (GB).

Large consignments from some of the top owner/breeders are also the order of the sale, with Godolphin's Group 1 winner White Moonstone (Dynaformer) (lot 1398), pregnant to Teofilo (Ire), part of their 46-strong draft. A total of 29 fillies and mares will be offered by Juddmonte, among them the listed-placed Radiator (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) (lot 1511), who is a daughter of Grade I winner Heat Haze (GB) (Green Desert) and a half-sister to top-level winner Mirage Dancer (GB) (Frankel {GB}) in foal to Nathaniel (Ire). A select consignment of eight from Shadwell is highlighted by a full-sister to star filly Taghrooda (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), Taqaareed (Ire) (lot 1638), in foal to Pinatubo (Ire). The Castlebridge Consignment will send 105 lots to Park Paddocks for the sale, including Podium (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) (lot 1727), a full-sister to G1 Irish 1000 Guineas winner Peaceful (Ire) in foal to Wootton Bassett (GB). Barton Sales' 65 lots include a Shamardal half-sister to dual Group 1 winner Emily Upjohn (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) (lot 1379), Hidden Gem (GB), in foal to State Of Rest (Ire).

Tattersalls Chairman Edmond Mahony said, “The Sceptre Sessions at the Tattersalls December Sale were introduced last year to widespread international acclaim and made an immediate impact. This year's Sceptre Sessions look set to follow suit with an outstanding array of Classic and Group 1 winning fillies and producers amongst some of the finest fillies and mares to be offered for sale anywhere in the world.

“In addition to the extraordinary quality showcased in the Sceptre Sessions the Tattersalls December Mares Sale features consignments of real quality from so many of Europe's leading owner/breeders including the much sought after drafts from Godolphin, Juddmonte Farms and Shadwell Estates all of which combine to enhance the reputation of the Tattersalls December Mares Sale as the most influential breeding stock sale in Europe.”

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