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Ireland To Allow Owners From July 20

In line with government guidelines and re-opening procedures, Horse Racing Ireland has ammended a number of its COVID-19 protocols, and has revealed that from July 20 up to two owners per horse will be allowed on course for their race(s).

Before that, from July 1, the prohibition on racecourse attendees over the age of 70 will be removed; the limit on journalists and photographers will be increased to five from three; one representative of associations whose attendees are permitted to be at race meetings will be allowed; and premier handicaps will be opened to international runners in addition to all black-type races under both codes.

From July 20, two owners per horse will be permitted on course for their race(s) only. At this time, racecourses will be allowed to nominate up to five attendees which could include sponsors and racecourse board/committee members. Social-distanced trophy presentations for feature race will be permitted.

Current health screening and mask requirements will remain in place, and field sizes will remain limited to 18 with the exception of some feature races.

Brian Kavanagh, chief executive of Horse Racing Ireland, said, “Since we resumed racing in Ireland on June 8, the level of care and compliance with the Covid-19 protocols has been excellent and is appreciated by the Covid-19 teams in Horse Racing Ireland and the IHRB. While we’re announcing some easing of the restrictions today, it is very important that everybody continues to comply with the rules on the racecourse around social distancing and face masks, and the requirements around pre-health screening.

“We are delighted to be able to confirm today that owners will be permitted to return to the racecourse on July 20, with certain restrictions. Owners play a key role in Irish racing and their loyalty during this difficult period has been especially noteworthy, and from July 20 two owners per horse will be allowed to access the racecourse to see their horse run. We are working with racecourses around providing safe, achievable catering options for key personnel working at the racecourse and aim to have a consistent offering from July 20.”

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Two-Time Champion Sprinter Roy H Retired

Roy H (More Than Ready), champion sprinter of 2017 and 2018, has been retired at age eight, trainer Peter Miller said in a statement Thursday.

“It is with some sadness but also great joy that we announce the retirement of Roy H from racing,” Miller said. “What can you say about a horse like this who has given us so many thrilling moments? He is the embodiment of class and we will definitely miss seeing him compete. Fortunately, we will not have to miss him for long as he will be retired as a barn pony and remain a very important part of our team. He is a ‘favorite son’ among our staff and the feeling seems to be mutual as Roy H loves to be around the other horses and loves to train.”

Bought for $310,000 at the 2014 Keeneland April 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale, Roy H campaigned for Rockingham Ranch and David Bernsen. He picked up his first stakes win in the 2017 GII True North S. and followed with victories in the GI Santa Anita Sprint Championship S. and GI Breeders’ Cup Sprint. He repeated in both of those events in 2018 and last raced when capturing the GII Palos Verdes S. last January.

“He gave Rockingham Ranch and me a tremendous ride,” Miller added. “It was both an honor and a pleasure to train such a magnificent animal. He is sound and healthy and this seemed like the right time to make this change in his career. We’ve had him since he was a 2-year-old, so watching him grow and mature into a world champion has been a great gift.”

Roy H retires with a record of 23/10-5-2 and earnings of $3,139,765.

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Jockey Juan Gutierrez Bags Four Winners On Opening Day Card At Emerald Downs

Juan Gutierrez was in mid-season form as Emerald Downs launched its 25th season of live racing Wednesday.

Taking aim at Gallyn Mitchell's all-time track record for most wins, Gutierrez rode four winners on the 10-race card capped by a five-length victory on a razor-sharp Makah Lane in the featured $13,600 Muckleshoot Casino Purse for 3-year-olds and up.

Gutierrez, 50, is a 2018 Washington Racing Hall of Fame inductee and appears poised to notch another major milestone in 2020. With four victories Wednesday, Gutierrez boosted his Emerald Downs' win total to 1,377, and is just 42 wins away from Mitchell's mark of 1,419.

Gutierrez scored a natural hat trick with wins aboard Vroysky ($7.20), Benny the Jet ($45) and Freestone ($4.80) in races two, three and four, and finished off the four-bagger aboard Makah Lane ($7.60) in the ninth.

Winner of last year's Washington Cup Sophomore Stakes, Makah Lane tipped his hand as an up and comer in the older horse ranks. Stalking This Great Nation and Wine At Nine through fractions of :22 1/5 and :45.08, Makah Lane advanced three deep into the stretch, powered to the lead a furlong from the wire and won with total authority.

A four-year-old Washington-bred gelding by Atta Boy Roy, Makah Lane has won three of his last five starts and boasts an overall mark of 3-1-0 in seven starts with earnings of $51,143. Bonnie Jenne is trainer and co-owner with husband Wally Jenne and Doug and Nancy McPhee.

Mutuel handle on the 10-race card totaled $1,636,000.

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Two-Time Champion Roy H Retired; Gelding Will Remain Part of Miller’s Barn As Stable Pony

Trainer Peter Miller announced the retirement of two-time Sprint Champion Roy H on Thursday. The 8-year-old gelding won back-to-back editions of the Breeders' Cup Sprint in 2017 and 2018, and retires with $3,139,765 in earnings while winning 10 of 23 starts, including nine of his last 12 races.

“It is with some sadness but also great joy that we announce the retirement of Roy H from racing,” Miller said. “What can you say about a horse like this who has given us so many thrilling moments? He is the embodiment of class and we will definitely miss seeing him compete. Fortunately, we will not have to miss him for long as he will be retired as a barn pony and remain a very important part of our team. He is a 'favorite son' among our staff and the feeling seems to be mutual as Roy H loves to be around the other horses and loves to train.

“He gave Rockingham Ranch and me a tremendous ride. It was both an honor and a pleasure to train such a magnificent animal. He is sound and healthy and this seemed like the right time to make this change in his career. We've had him since he was a 2-year-old, so watching him grow and mature into a world champion has been a great gift.”

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