The winter holidays are defined by the joys and challenges of finding gifts for family and friends on your list. For many, a book is a treasure they look forward to unwrapping, one they can snuggle up with on cold winter days. Each year brings a new slate of books to add to your library, stories that immerse readers in names and places both old and new. For the horsey sort, 2023 brought a long list of new books on the sport as we celebrate one epic anniversary and look forward to another in the new year.
Jack Van Berg: A Hall of Famer and a True Horseman
Racing Hall of Fame trainer Jack Van Berg passed away on Dec. 27, 2017, at age 81. The Kentucky Derby-winning trainer who ranks fourth all-time in career wins in North America was profiled by America’s Best Racing correspondent Tom Pedulla in 2014. Van Berg reflected on the influence of his father, Marion, on his superstar horse from the 1980s, Alysheba, and on his enduring passion for the sport.
Violence To Stand For Reduced Fee In 2024
Violence, sire of 2022 champion 2-year-old male Forte, will stand for a reduced stud fee in 2024, Hill 'n' Dale at Xalapa announced in a Sunday night press release. The son of Medaglia d'Oro out of Violent Beauty, by Gone West, will command a fee of $40,000 stands and nurses next year, a reduction from the previously announced fee of $60,000.
“At the end of last breeding season, Violence had a period where he was missing too many of his mares,” said John Sikura, president of Hill 'n' Dale at Xalapa in Paris, Ky. “We raised his fee to not only reflect his racetrack success but to lessen demand for the stallion.
“In evaluating a recent veterinary opinion on the management of his book, we feel confident he can cover a maximum book of 125 mares in 2024. We will accommodate breeders with constant communication regarding the ideal booking schedules for their mares and 'double' all mares if possible.
“Violence is an important sire and we feel this adjustment will allow more breeders to access the horse at a price more than competitive in the marketplace. It's a tough time for breeders with stud fees rising in an ever-polarized market. I think this is good for the stallion and good for breeders.”
For more about Violence, click here.
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Hernandez, D’Amato Take Respective Jockey, Trainer Titles At Del Mar Fall Meet
Juan Hernandez rode 11 winners over the Thanksgiving weekend, vaulting him past Del Mar's defending titleholder, Flavien Prat, and into a lead in the jockey standings that he would never relinquish. He took the Bing Crosby Season title with 21 victories when the fall meet concluded Sunday.
Prat finished second with 19 wins.
Hernandez notched his second fall meet riding crown and fourth title overall at the seaside oval.
Phil D'Amato clinched the trainer title with 14 wins, including four stakes victories. He earned his third straight fall meet title and fourth straight Del Mar trainer title overall.
Peter Miller and Bob Baffert were the closest to D'Amato with eight wins apiece.
Klaravich Stables of Seth Klarman of Boston, Mass. secured the owners title based on earnings thanks to Surge Capacity's run up the rail to win the Matriarch (G1) Sunday. Klaravich and trainer Chad Brown won both Grade 1 races on closing weekend and $360,500 during the Bing Crosby Season.
Reddam Racing had the most wins by an owner with three.
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