Handle Up Again, Purses Way Up in November

Betting on U.S. Thoroughbred races was up again year over year in November 2021, while the industry saw a major spike in purses for the month, according to figures released by Equibase Monday. The numbers continue the positive economic trends the sport has seen this year as it continues to emerge from the toll taken by the pandemic.

A total of $961,813,331 was wagered on U.S. races in November, up 7.4% from the November 2020 figure of $895,546,532. The November 2021 number is more flat when compared with November 2019, when $945,843,009 was wagered, but total handle for 2021 has now surpassed $11.4 billion, which is a jump of 12.18% over the total through November in 2020 and a 10.49% improvement on the number from the end of November in 2019. Wagering on U.S. races is likely to top $12 billion by the end of the year, a total that hasn't been reached since 2009, according to statistics from The Jockey Club.

If there is a small caveat to the positive handle numbers, it is that wagering per race day was down significantly in November at $3,305,200, a 17.33% decrease from $3,997,976 in November 2020, and for the year average wagering per race day stands at $2,986,058, a drop of 9.78% from $3,309,845 at this point in 2020. Compared to 2019, however, the 2021 numbers are still a drastic improvement, with the November figure representing a 12.04% jump and the year-to-date number showing a 20.67% increase.

Purses have also seen a dramatic improvement in 2021, although those figures are more of a reversion to the mean of 2019 as opposed to meaningful improvements on pre-pandemic levels. A total of $117,678,625 was paid out this November, a 27.78% improvement on the November 2020 number of $92,095,830, but just a 1.66% increase from the November 2019 total of $115,756,315. For the year, purses have totaled just over $1.1 billion, a huge 36.17% increase from the pandemic-affected number of $812,236,796 through November in 2020, but the 2021 number is essentially flat compared to 2019's purse figures through November.

Field size continues to be a bugaboo for the industry, as average number of horses per race was 7.7 in November, a drop of 7.79% from 8.35 in November 2020, and for the year the number is just 7.33, a 7.34% decrease from 7.91 in 2020. Field size averaged 8 and 7.49 for the month and year, respectively, at this point in 2019.

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Shadwell Draft Propels Final Session as Tattersalls December Ends

Demand for bloodstock continued in Newmarket on Thursday, albeit at a lower price bracket, as Adaalah (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}), a member of the Shadwell draft, brought 82,000gns to top the fourth and final session of the Tattersalls December Mare Sale as the curtain fell on the sales season at Park Paddocks for 2021.

Thanks in part to larger drafts from the aforementioned Shadwell, Juddmonte and Godolphin, the former pair having lost their patrons earlier this year, turnover at the December Mare Sale was in excess of 60 million gns, with 788 lots sold from 964 offered (82%) for an aggregate of 62,412,700gns. This was an improvement of 45% on the sale total from 2020. Both the entire sale's average and median were also up at least 30%, with the former at 79,204gns (+35%) and the latter at 26,000gns (+30%).

Four mares made seven figures led by Waldlied (GB) (New Approach {Ire}) (lot 1839) at 2.2 million gns, and followed by 2-million gns buy Cayenne Pepper (Ire) (Australia {GB}) (lot 1840). Sunday Times (GB) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}) (lot 1810) and Flotus (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) (lot 1798) rounded out the quartet at 1.8 million gns and 1 million gns, respectively.

Consigned as lot 2277, Adaalah, in foal to Eqtidaar (Ire), was purchased by Najd Stud. A daughter of the dual listed winner Muteela (GB) (Dansili {GB}), who was also second in the G3 Supreme S. and G3 Oak Tree S., Adaalah's stakes-winning and dual group-placed granddam Nufoos (GB) (Zafonic) is responsible for G1 Middle Park S. hero Awzaan (GB) (Alhaarth {Ire}), G3 Sweet Solera S. victress Muraaqaba (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) and the stakes-placed Hajras (Ire) (Dubai Destination).

“We don't know plans yet, I need to call Saudi and find out,”said Saud Al Qahtani, who was bidding on behalf of Najd Stud's Prince Faisal bin Khalid bin Abdulaziz. “She may stay here with other mares or she may ship to Saudi. We have also bought lot 1790, Under The Stars (Ire) (300,000gns), who is in-foal to Frankel (GB). They may stay with Ted Voute, who, of course, reared this year's champion Mishriff (Ire) (Make Believe {GB}).

Adaalah's foal of 2021 was knocked down for 15,000gns by BBA Ireland at the Tattersalls December Foal Sale.

“This mare is by Oasis Dream, which was very attractive for us,” continued Al Qahtani, who also signed for two other mares on Thursday, among them Shadwell's winning Etaab (Street Cry {Ire}) (lot 2328), in foal to Muhaarar {GB}, for17,000gns. “He is a good broodmare sire. She has had a very nice foal this year by the same stallion. We are hoping to build a significant operation in Europe.”

Another Shadwell consignee, Sareeha (Ire) (Shamardal), caught the eye of JD Moore at 52,000gns. Lot 2379, out of the winning Saraha (GB) (Dansili {GB}), has one run to her name. The second dam is the Listed Prix Charles Laffitte victress Kareemah (Ire) (Peintre Celebre) and this is the extended family of champion and Shadwell royalty Lahudood (GB) (Singspiel {Ire}).

“She is for a client, we like her profile and she is by Shamardal,” JD Moore said. “She looked green on her start at Chelmsford in September. We will make plans when she gets to her new yard.”

Completing the top three lots was Brook Stud's Golden Wattle (Ire) (Australia {GB}) (lot 2294). Charlie Peate acquired the 3-year-old after she left the ring for 40,000gns. Her dual Group 3-winning dam Chrysanthemum (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}), who was also third in the G1 Pretty Polly S., already has G3 Classic Trial winner Cunco (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) to her credit.

Thursday's session benefitted from Shadwell's offerings, with five of the top 10 lots hailing from that consignment. Of the 163 fillies or mares offered, 105 sold (64%) for a gross of 845,700gns. The average increased to 8,054gns and the median was also up to 5,000gns, gains of 59% and 67%, respectively.

Taking a fortnight of selling into account, a staggering total of 1,667 lots sold from 2,034 offered (82%) across the Tattersalls December Yearling, Foal, and Mare Sales. The gross was 98,781,700gns, up 35% on 2020's 73,353,300gns during the first year of the covid pandemic. The average and median were also higher than their 2020 counterparts-59,257gns average (+20%) and 25,000gns median (+25%).

At the conclusion of the 2021 Tattersalls December Mares Sale, Tattersalls Chairman Edmond Mahony commented, “Beginning with Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale, the 2021 Tattersalls sales season has consistently outperformed expectation and the global demand throughout this week's December Mares Sale has seen the momentum sustained to the very end.

“Record medians at both the December Yearling Sale and December Foal Sale demonstrated the extraordinary depth in all sectors of the market and we have seen that replicated over the past four days with buyers from throughout the world all contributing to a sale which has not only comfortably surpassed last year's returns but also the pre-pandemic levels of 2019.

“The 2021 Tattersalls December Mares Sale has produced turnover well in excess of 60 million guineas, 45% higher than last year, wide-margin gains in average and median, an impressive clearance rate above 80% and an unprecedented 164 fillies and mares which have sold for 100,000 guineas or more. Annual turnover at Tattersalls has leapt from 260 million guineas in 2020 to more than 320 million guineas this year, a figure bettered only twice and a clear demonstration of a wider industry which has quickly regained confidence and vibrance after the rigours of last year.

“The four outstanding seven figure lots, Waldlied, Cayenne Pepper, Sunday Times, and Flotus, all paid tribute to the consistent demand for bloodstock of the highest quality which has been the feature of the 2021 Tattersalls sales season, but the real highlight has been the opportunity to welcome back so many international buyers to Park Paddocks. The Tattersalls December Mares Sale showcases the very best breeding stock to be found in Europe, and the easing of travel restrictions has seen the return of the uniquely international atmosphere to this historic fixture with international buyers competing at all levels of the market. Buyers from America, Australia, France and Japan have been particularly prominent and the throng of overseas participants have faced strong competition throughout from their British and Irish counterparts.

“As well as recognising the massive contribution from the buyers we must also pay tribute to the consignors who every year make the Tattersalls December Sale a highlight of the international bloodstock sales calendar. The major consignments from Godolphin, Juddmonte Farms and Shadwell Estates, as well as the dispersal of Sir Robert Ogden's fillies and mares, proved to be hugely popular and the support of the top consignors from Britain, Ireland and France has yet again been rewarded with the unrelenting global demand which has long been the hallmark of Europe's premier sale of breeding stock.”

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Toys for Tots Back at Aqueduct

Unlike in 2020 when NYRA's Toys for Tots collection was entirely online because the COVID-19 pandemic had closed racing to fans, the 2021 campaign marks a return to a longstanding holiday tradition at Aqueduct, as Marines will be at the Big A on behalf of Toys for Tots to collect new, unwrapped toys that will be given as holiday gifts to disadvantaged children in the community. You can give this year online–and in-person at donation boxes at Aqueduct's main clubhouse entrance, as well as the Turf and Field entrance.

The Marine Toys for Tots Foundation, now in its 74th year of giving, also collects monetary donations, which it uses to purchase toys. Fans can donate here via credit card with a secure one-step process; or by selecting and donating toys via the organization's virtual toy box. You can donate with a check made out to the U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots Foundation, and mailed to: U.S. Marine Corps; Attention: GySgt, John Sardine; 605 Stewart Avenue; Garden City, NY 11530.

“This year, fans will be able to give in person at the track or virtually, allowing us to continue the tradition of working with the Marine Corps Reserve to make sure children throughout New York City and across Long Island receive toys for the holidays,” said Vanessa Rodriguez Payne, NYRA Community Relations Manager. “New York racing fans and our employees have generously supported Toys for Tots for years, and we're thrilled to encourage that giving spirit again in 2021.”

As part of its support of the Toys for Tots Foundation, NYRA is making a financial contribution to the organization. Toys for Tots is also supported by generous contributions from the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association (NYTHA) and thoroughbred owner Harold Lerner.

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Registration Open For ITM Irish Stallion Trail

The 2022 Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Irish Stallion Trail, which includes over 25 participating farms, will last from Jan. 14-15, 2022 and registration for the event is now open. Free to attend, visitors are asked to register for which studs they intend to visit via the ITM website. Due to high demand, it is mandatory to register for a specific date and time slot in order to visit Coolmore Stud. Please note that the dates and format of the Irish Stallion Trail may change due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, visitors are asked to comply with a COVID-19 code of conduct developed by Horse Racing Ireland Health and Safety, wear masks, sanitise hands, and observe social distancing when visiting farms. There will also be no indoor element to the Irish Stallion Trail, so visitors should dress appropriately.

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