According to data released Friday by Equibase, handle in 2023 fell by $447,759,362 for a decline of 3.7 percent. Had handle not rebounded in December, which saw a 6.62% increase, the figures would have looked much worse.
Outside of the COVID year of 2020, this was the steepest decline based on percentage of handle since 2011. A total of $11,658,624,859 was wagered in 2023.
“I think we got quite a blip coming out of the pandemic when we were the only game in town,” said Marshall Gramm, an economics professor, horseplayer and the managing partner of Ten Strike Stable. “Now, I think we are feeling the real competition from sports betting. It's proliferated everywhere and at such a cheaper price point. Then we have small field sizes and the quality of the product is deteriorating. A lot of things have come together. The game is getting ever tougher for the real hardcore weekend warriors who would handle a couple hundred thousand to a million a year. They're finding this market to be a lot tougher. It's shark eats shark out there.”
In a surprising development, U.S. purses fell from $1,309,888,791 to $1,305,772,102, for a decline of .31 percent. With so much money being funneled into purses accounts from alternative forms of gambling, purses rose by 35.8% in 2021, the year after COVID. They were up 10.9 percent in 2022. With the casino market pretty saturated in this country, massive year-over-year increases in purses may be a thing of the past.
There was a reduction of 5.48% in the category of U.S. Race Days and a dip of 3.34 percent in U.S. starts.
In a somewhat encouraging development, the average field size actually showed a slight increase from 7.3 to 7.43.
Total all-sources handle for the 2022 Thoroughbred meet at Woodbine was $621,782,346, by a wide margin the largest single-season total in the history of the track. The previous record was $533 million set in 2018.
For the first time since 2019, Woodbine was able to hold a full season of racing. Over the course of 132 live dates, a total of 1,198 races were staged. The 2020 and 2021 seasons were delayed and interrupted to varying degrees by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We're very happy with the results of our 2022 season, our first full season in a few years,” said Jim Lawson, CEO of Woodbine Entertainment. “At the start of the pandemic, I felt that through determination and resiliency–which is the trademark of this industry–we would emerge stronger and this record all-sources handle is evidence we are on the right track.”
Woodbine officials also announced that the track took in a record $515 in foreign handle, surpassing the previous record of $420 million two years ago. The home market area was responsible for $87.2 million in handle.
An average of $519,016 was handled per race in 2022, higher than any pre-COVID season, while fields size was 8.2 runners per race, above the North American average.
“Our Racing Team did a fantastic job despite challenges in putting together competitive and sizable fields,” said Lawson. “Field size directly impacts our wagering and we're constantly looking at ways to keep our numbers healthy.”
Racing returns to the Toronto-area oval Saturday, Apr. 22, 2023. The King's Plate is scheduled for Sunday, Aug. 20.
Further easing in the local COVID restrictions meant that the biggest crowd since January–better than 13,000 racegoers–took in Sunday's BOCHK Jockey Club meeting at Sha Tin in person and were they ever rewarded. Making their seasonal debuts and having a single prep towards next month's Longines Hong Kong International Races, both two-time defending Horse of the Year Golden Sixty (Aus) (Medaglia d'Oro) and last year's champion 4-year-old Romantic Warrior (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}) were outstanding in taking out the G2 Jockey Club Mile and G2 Jockey Club Cup, respectively, while Lucky Sweynesse (NZ) (Sweynesse {Aus}) confirmed the high regard in which he is held with a first victory at group level in the G2 Jockey Club Sprint.
G60 Overcomes Slow Tempo and Chief Rival in Mile
The last time Golden Sixty was as long as even-money was when winning the Hong Kong Classic Cup in February 2020 and you have to go back to September 2019 for the last time he was not favoured in a race. But given the recency and pace advantage possessed by the upstart California Spangle (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}), the tote read Golden Sixty 2.0 (evens) and 1.6 (3-5) on his younger rival. It would prove value in the end.
Allowed to find his footing at the tail of the pack, Golden Sixty was given a typically patient ride by Vincent Ho as California Spangle ambled them along through an opening 800 metres in :49.23. Ho went for Golden Sixty perhaps a few strides earlier than normal and the 7-year-old had the front-runner in his sights at the top of the straight. California Spangle loves a fight as evidenced by his battles with Romantic Warrior in last year's Classic series and, having spent little in transit, had something left when confronted at the 200m. But Golden Sixty, who routinely does things horses just don't do, finished off his race in a wicked :21.32 and clawed back California Spangle–who ran home in :21.60–for the victory while carrying a five-pound penalty.
“It was crawling at first and the turn I knew, around the 600 [metre mark], that Zac [Purton] will pick up the pace for sure, so I was just keeping an eye on what he was doing and I had to come out and make my move earlier,” Ho said. “I knew Golden Sixty would have the heart to run him down but he's only 80 percent fit, so the last bit is his mental toughness. Definitely all credit to him and the team–we're looking forward to December now,” and a chance to match the Hong Kong Mile three-peat of Good Ba Ba (Lear Fan).
Sunday, Sha Tin, Hong Kong BOCHK PRIVATE WEALTH JOCKEY CLUB MILE-G2, HK$5,000,000, Sha Tin, 11-20, 3yo/up, 1600mT, 1:34.02, gd.
1–GOLDEN SIXTY (AUS), 128, g, 7, by Medaglia d'Oro 1st Dam: Gaudeamus (GSW-Ire, $179,846), by Distorted Humor 2nd Dam: Leo's Lucky Lady, by Seattle Slew 3rd Dam: Konafa, by Damascus
(A$120,000 Ylg '17 MMGCYS; NZ$300,000 2yo '17 NZBRTR). O-Stanley Chan Ka Leung; B-Asco International Pty Ltd (Qld); T-Francis K W Lui; J-Vincent C Y Ho; HK$2,850,000. Lifetime Record: 2x Horse of the Year, Ch. Middle Distance Horse, Ch. 4yo & MG1SW-HK, 25-22-1-1, HK$116, 250,600. *1/2 to Igitur (Aus) (Helmet {Aus}), SP-Aus; and Rainbow Connection (Aus) (Choisir {Aus}), GSP-Aus. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.Click for the free Equineline.com catalog-style pedigree.
2–California Spangle (Ire), 123, g, 4, Starspangledbanner (Aus)–Pearlitas Passion (Ire), by High Chaparral (Ire). (€150,000 Ylg '19 GOFORB). O-Howard Liang Yum Shing; B-M Enright; T-Tony A S Cruz; J-Zac Purton; HK$1,100,000.
3–Waikuku (Ire), 128, g, 7, Harbour Watch (Ire)–London Plane (Ire), by Danehill Dancer (Ire). (€33,000 Ylg '16 TATSEP). O-Jocelyn Siu Yang Hin Ting; B-Shane Molan; T-John Size; J-Silvestre de Sousa; HK$5750,000.
Margins: NK, 2H, 2 1/4. Odds: 1-1, 3-5, 31-1.
Also Ran: More Than This (GB), Excellent Proposal (Aus), Turin Redsun (GB), Kings Shield. Click for the HKJC.com chart, PPs and sectional timing.
Romantic Warrior Picks Up Where He Left Off
Last seen completing the rare BMW Hong Kong Derby/G1 FWD QE II Cup double, Romantic Warrior saw his return to the races delayed by a wrenched ankle in August, but a pair of stiff 1600-metre trials had him on go and he returned victoriously Sunday.
Ridden positively from the widest barrier by James McDonald–subbing for the recovering Karis Teetan–Romantic Warrior landed in the one-out and one-back spot as recent G3 Sa Sa Ladies' Purse H. winner Money Catcher (NZ) (Ferlax {NZ}) set reasonable fractions. Felt for with about three furlongs to race, Romantic Warrior was finding his best stride approaching the final 400 metres and kicked home strongly to score cosily from perfect-trip Tourbillon Diamond (Aus) (Olympic Glory {Ire}) for a Danny Shum-trained quinella. Senor Toba (Aus) (Toronado {Ire}) stayed on well for third at a trip short of his best.
“First of all, I would just like to send my well wishes to Karis,” said McDonald, winner of this year's G1 W.S. Cox Plate and completing a double on the program. “Obviously, he would [normally] be on this horse and it's a pleasure to be warming the seat for him for when he gets back–and I'm sure he'll be back very shortly. [Romantic Warrior] can only improve off that. I thought he did enough in the end–and probably had enough in the end–but he's a great horse and he knows where that winning post is.”
Sunday, Sha Tin, Hong Kong BOCHK JOCKEY CLUB CUP-G2, HK$5,000,000, Sha Tin, 11-20, 3yo/up, 2000mT, 1:59.23, gd.
1–ROMANTIC WARRIOR (IRE), 128, g, 4, by Acclamation (GB) 1st Dam: Folk Melody (Ire), by Street Cry (Ire) 2nd Dam: Folk Opera (Ire), by Singspiel (Ire) 3rd Dam: Skiphall (GB), by Halling
(300,000gns Ylg '19 TATOCT; HK$4,800,000 HRA '21 HKJUN). O-Peter Lau Pak Fai; B-Corduff Stud & T J Rooney; T-Danny C S Shum; J-James McDonald; HK$2,850,000. Lifetime Record: Ch. 4yo & G1SW-HK, 9-8-0-0, HK$42,815,400. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalog-style pedigree.
2–Tourbillon Diamond (Aus), 123, g, 6, Olympic Glory (Ire)–Modave (NZ), by Montjeu (Ire). (A$7,000 Ylg '18 MMJUN). O-Shum Mak Ling, Jimmy Tang, Bennie Lau Yuk Lung & William Shum Wai Lam; B-Arrowfield Group Pty Ltd (NSW); T-Danny C S Shum; J-Alexis Badel; HK$1,100,000.
3–Senor Toba (Aus), 123, g, 5, Toronado (Ire)–Bahamas (Aus), by Teofilo (Ire). (A$180,000 Ylg '19 INGMAR). O-Willie May Syndicate; B-D Peacock (SA); T-Caspar Fownes; J-Vincent C Y Ho; HK$5750,000.
Margins: 1 1/4, 3/4, HF. Odds: 6-5, 77-10, 8-1.
Also Ran: Ka Ying Star (GB), Money Catcher (NZ), Panfield (Chi), Beauty Joy (Aus), Savvy Nine (Fr), Russian Emperor (Ire). Click for the HKJC.com chart, PPs and sectional timing.
Redemption For Lucky Sweynesse
While the progressive Lucky Sweynesse may have been somewhat disappointing when failing to take advantage of an 11-pound weight concession from champion sprinter Wellington (Aus) (All Too Hard {Aus}) in the G2 Premier Bowl H. four weeks ago, the 4-year-old turned the tables Sunday with a determined victory in the Jockey Club Sprint.
Asked for some early speed by Zac Purton, Lucky Sweynesse secured a good spot in centerfield as triple-digit longshots Kurpany (Fr) (Mayson {GB}) and Computer Patch (Aus) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}) ensured a good gallop. In the slipstream of the odds-on Wellington as they raced into the final three furlongs, Lucky Sweynesse was pulled out about seven wide off the home corner and rolled up outside of Wellington at the 200-metre mark. But Wellington could find no more soon after and Lucky Sweynesse went on with it to score narrowly. Lucky Patch (NZ) (El Roca {Aus}), last year's G1 Longines Hong Kong Sprint favourite who went down in that nasty fall, finished gamely for second, while Duke Wai (NZ) (Per Incanto) came from well back to complete a New Zealand-bred 1-2-3. The winner covered his final half-mile in :43.62.
“I thought it was a soft win. He's done a good job, he's a horse on the way up,” said Purton. “He didn't begin that great. I didn't have any option but to take the spot I got, which worked out well with the way the race was run.”
Sunday, Sha Tin, Hong Kong BOCHK PRIVATE BANKING JOCKEY CLUB SPRINT-G2, HK$5,000,000, Sha Tin, 11-20, 3yo/up, 1200mT, 1:07.55, gd.
1–LUCKY SWEYNESSE (NZ), 123, g, 4, by Sweynesse (Aus) 1st Dam: Madonna Mia (NZ) (SW-NZ, $134,764), by Red Clubs (Ire) 2nd Dam: Hill of Hope (Aus), by Danehill 3rd Dam: Macozie (Aus), by Marscay (Aus) 1ST GROUP WIN. 1ST STAKES WIN. (NZ$90,000 2yo '20 NZBRTR). O-Cheng Ming Leung; B-P L Dombroski, Explosive Breeding Ltd & S A Sharrock; T-Manfred K L Man; J-Zac Purton; HK$2,850,000. Lifetime Record: 10-7-2-1, HK$12,752,200. *Full to Signora Nera (Aus), G1SP-Aus, GSP-NZ, $145,027. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalog-style pedigree.
2–Lucky Patch (NZ), 123, g, 6, El Roca (Aus)–Gould (Aus), by Danehill Dancer (Ire). (A$40,000 Ylg '18 MMJUN). O-Patch Syndicate; B-G Harvey; T-Pierre P C Ng; J-Jerry C L Chau; HK$1,100,000.
3–Duke Wai (NZ), 123, g, 7, Per Incanto–Swan Lake (NZ), by Green Perfume. (NZ$40,000 Wlg '16 NZBMAY; NZ$45,000 Ylg '17 NZBFEB; NZ$70,000 RNA 2yo '17 NZBRTR). O-Herman Wai Ho Man; B-Waikato Stud Ltd; T-Pierre P C Ng; J-Harry Bentley; HK$5750,000.
Margins: NK, 1, HF. Odds: 7-2, 30-1, 68-1.
Also Ran: Sight Success (Aus), Cordyceps Six (Aus), Wellington (Aus), Stronger (Aus), Sky Field (Aus), Super Wealthy (Aus), Courier Wonder (NZ), Computer Patch (Aus), Winning Dreamer (NZ), Kurpany (Fr), Master Eight (Aus). Click for the HKJC.com chart, PPs and sectional timing.
Privat 3 Money, the first truly digital alternative to private banking in the UK, has been announced as the new title partner for the Goffs London Sale. Held at Kensington Palace Gardens on June 13, the eve of Royal Ascot, the sale is accepting entries in the coming weeks. This is the first edition since 2019, as the sale was not held during the pandemic.
Goffs Group Chief Executive Henry Beeby said, “We are delighted to welcome Privat 3 Money as the new title partner to Goffs London Sale. P3 offer expertise and innovation in a traditional market which very much aligns with the ethos of the London Sale, while there is a natural affinity between P3 and our clientele.
“Anticipation for this year's sale is high, with the international bloodstock community set to reunite in Central London for the first time since 2019, and reports from our agents Jacob West and Mark Player predict significant numbers of American and Australian buyers attending in the hope of securing Royal Ascot runners along with strong interest from closer to home.”
