BloodHorse story by Tim Sullivan Ray Handal is looking for longevity. He trains his horses with a level of caution not always conducive to keeping clients, but one that has earned him a rare distinction. Now in his 10th year as a trainer, after more than 1,500 starts and more than $13 million in earnings, Handal has yet to have a horse die in his care. Not from racing. Not in training. Not from illness. Not by accident. Not from natural causes.
NY-Bred Breeding Award Rate Increased for 2024
The New York State Thoroughbred Breeding & Development Fund Corporation (the Fund) Board of Directors' unanimously approved a motion during its Dec. 12 meeting to increase the breeder award rates for all New York-breds, the organization announced Tuesday.
The increase, which covers all New York breds competing in the state beginning Jan. 1, was approved by the Fund board due to projected revenue increases expected in the upcoming season.
An increased hold-back rate from 10-15% will also be implemented to ensure the Fund can payout awards up to the new advertised rates.
“This historic increase in breeder awards is monumental news for all breeders currently participating in the New York-bred program. It's another reason why New York remains the top regional state-bred program in the nation and why more breeders should bring their mares to foal in New York,” said New York Thoroughbred Breeders executive Najja Thompson.
The new breeder's awards rate schedule for New York-breds in 2024:
2024 New York-Bred Program Breeder Awards
New York-Sired* '24 Award (% Earned) 2023 Rate
First Place 40% 30%
Second Place 20% 15%
Third Place 10% 15%
Cap per Award $40,000 $40,000
Non-New York-Sired* '24 Award (% Earned) 2023 Rate
First Place 20% 15%
Second Place 10% 7.5%
Third Place 5% 7.5%
Cap per Award $20,000 $20,000
“These bigger better bonuses reward breeders for creating quality race horses,” said the Fund's Tracy Egan. “Board Chairman Brian O'Dwyer encouraged the Board to find away to get award money out the door to award earners as quickly as possible and by hiking breeder awards, we will do that.”
The Fund pays breeder, owner and stallion awards across six pay periods a year: Jan-Feb, Mar-April, May-June, July-August, Sept.-October, November-December.
In conjunction with the these higher awards, 15% will be held back each period, however, are expected to be paid back at the conclusion of the fiscal year.
For more information, visit www.nybreds.com.
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Romantic Warrior To Skip Stewards’ Cup, HK Gold Cup Next
Romantic Warrior (GB) (Acclamation {GB}) , who successfully defended his title in a thrilling renewal of the G1 Longines Hong Kong Cup at Sha Tin Dec. 10, will be given a short break before building back up in time for an appearance in the G1 City Hong Kong Gold Cup Feb. 25. The not-unexpected decision means the 5-year-old will sidestep a clash with Longines Hong Kong Mile winner and three-time Hong Kong Horse of the Year Golden Sixty (Aus) (Medaglia d'Oro) in the G1 Stewards' Cup over 1600 metres Jan. 21.
Romantic Warrior's nose defeat of a never-say-die Luxembourg (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) came just 43 days after his landmark victory in the G1 W. S. Cox Plate in Melbourne, and trainer Danny Shum is focused on not squeezing the lemon dry.
“He looks great, but I feel he will be a little bit tired because it was a hard run, both two races were very hard. He'll have a short break now,” Shum said. “He'll have enough time to recover if we go to the Gold Cup next–2000 metres is his trip, I think that's a better idea. He's easy to train but he won both of those two races with his fighting heart, he uses a lot of energy. I have to look after him because he uses himself a lot, it's better to give him a bit of a break and go again.”
Romantic Warrior has six wins from seven starts over the Sha Tin 2000 metres, his lone blemish coming when beaten by Golden Sixty in last year's Gold Cup. With earnings of nearly HK$120 million, Romantic Warrior is just the third horse to surpass HK$100 million, along with Golden Sixty and Beauty Generation (NZ) (Road to Rock {Aus}).
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Reeves Responds to Gaming Commission’s Appeals Dismissal
Dean Reeves, the owner of recently disqualified Brick Ambush (Laoban), issued a statement Tuesday, following the Gaming Commission's decision to not allow appeals relating to last Saturday's Great White Way S. at Aqueduct. The statement read:
“After receipt of the letter from the NY Gaming commission and further discussion with our attorney Drew Mollica, our trainer Danny Gargan, Patti and I have decided to not to pursue any further action regarding the disqualification of Brick Ambush in the 9th race at Aqueduct on Dec. 16th, 2023.
We maintain our belief that Brick Ambush caused no interference in the race, however, we recognize that all owners who enter a race must adhere to the rules of racing in the State of New York, However it is our hope that by shining light on this unfortunate disqualification we, in someway, help to improve our industry moving forward for the betterment of all of us who love this sport, not only owners, trainers, and jockeys, but those who wager as well.
Patti and I have enjoyed racing in New York, and we value our relationship with everyone at NYRA.
We would like to thank the racing community for all their support and encouragement as a result of this disqualification.”
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