Keeneland and Maker’s Mark have a rich history of working hand-in-hand to benefit the community and the horse industry. This year is no exception as the two iconic Kentucky brands today announced the 2020 Maker’s Mark commemorative bottle, with all proceeds to benefit the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund (PDJF), an independent charitable organization that provides financial assistance to jockeys who have sustained debilitating on-track injuries.
2020 Godolphin Flying Start Class Graduates
The 2020 Godolphin Flying Start Class graduated via Zoom Webinar on July 1, Godolphin announced on Wednesday. The two-year programme is accredited by the University College Dublin Michael Smurfit Business School as a Graduate Certificate in Management. The 12 trainees were virtually presented with their graduation certificates by Godolphin USA Chief Operating Officer Dan Pride. Led by Anna Power (Australia) who compiled the highest grade, the 11 other trainees are: Nico Archdale (UK), Lucy Blake (Ireland), Corbin Blumberg (USA), John Bourke (Ireland), Samantha Cripps (USA), Luke Evans (UK), Liza Hendriks (USA), Amelie Lemercier (France), Annise Montplaisir (USA), Niall O’Connor (UK), and Isabella Paul (UK).
“There are few life experiences as all encompassing, as varied and as sustained as the two years of Godolphin Flying Start,” said Godolphin Flying Star Executive Director Clodagh Kavanagh speaking from Kildangan Stud in Ireland on the Thoroughbred Industry Leadership and Management Programme. “As very many graduates have said, it is truly life changing. The development, maturity, and the experiences gained during the programme mean that this group come to graduation today as self-aware, resilient and skilled individuals. Ready to apply their many learnings and ideas to the Thoroughbred industry of which they are now part of the fabric.”
Added Tattersalls Chairman and Godolphin Flying Start Trustee Edmond Mahony, “From early beginnings the course has developed and grown and prospered, not only thanks to its excellent management but also thanks to the exploits of its graduates who are now contributing to our industry as leaders themselves. The course has become a byword for quality and its success has been achieved by the diversity of nationality, age, gender and the personality of its graduates and all involved in Godolphin Flying Start can look back in satisfaction, if not a little pride, at what has been achieved.”
“On behalf of the global Godolphin team I congratulate this graduating class and wish them success and fulfilment,” said Godolphin Ireland Managing Director and Godolphin Flying Start Trustee Joe Osborne.
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Keeneland and Maker’s Mark Team up to Help Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund
Keeneland and Maker’s Mark have announced the 2020 Maker’s Mark commemorative bottle, with all proceeds to benefit the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund (PDJF), an independent charitable organization that provides financial assistance to jockeys who have sustained debilitating on-track injuries.
Each Maker’s Mark bottle has been signed by the five leading active stakes-winning riders at Keeneland–Julien Leparoux, Robby Albarado, John Velazquez, Javier Castellano and Mike Smith–in addition to Maker’s Mark Managing Director Rob Samuels and Keeneland President and CEO Bill Thomason.
The bottle goes on sale July 3 in limited quantities around Kentucky.
“Jockeys are truly some of the best athletes in the world and put their lives on the line every time they mount a horse,” PDJF President Nancy LaSala said. “Because of this, we’re so thrilled that two of Kentucky’s great institutions–Keeneland and Maker’s Mark–have come together in such a creative way to help disabled jockeys who can ride no more.”
“I’ve been involved with several Keeneland and Maker’s Mark bottles that raise funds for worthy causes,” Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith said. “But this one really is where my heart is. Autographing a bottle is such a simple thing to do, and it’s great knowing that I’m playing a small role in helping other riders whose careers were cut short.”
Keeneland and Maker’s Mark formed a partnership in 1997 to create commemorative bottles each year for charitable organizations.
“We are always gratified by the enthusiastic public response to the Maker’s Mark commemorative bottle, and we are so pleased sales this year will benefit the critical work of the PDJF,” Keeneland President and CEO Bill Thomason said.
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War Front Filly An Early Arqana Highlight
As the action switched from the Goffs UK catalogue to Arqana at Doncaster, Grove Stud’s daughter of War Front (lot 224) lit up the ring with a £650,000 final bid from Kerri Radcliffe and U.S.-based owner Larry Best of OXO Equine. The $185,000 Keeneland September yearling is out of the GIII Orchid S. winner Beauty Parlor (Elusive Quality)–not to be confused with the G1 Poule d’Essai des Pouliches winner Beauty Parlour (GB) (Deep Impact {Jpn}).
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