Europe | Horse Racing Free Tips

Reach For The Moon Injured, Will Return at Three

Her Majesty The Queen's Reach For The Moon (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) sustained an injury during training at Warren Hill on Tuesday and will miss the remainder of 2020, the Racing Post reported. The colt, a winner of the G3 Solario S., is expected to return at three. Second in the G2 Champagne S. to Bayside Boy (Ire) (New Bay {GB}), Reach For The Moon was making his fifth start at Doncaster.

“Unfortunately, Reach For The Moon sustained an injury during a routine canter on Warren Hill and he's currently at the vets being checked out,” John Gosden told the Racing Post. “He's out for the season but we can get him back for 2022.”

The post Reach For The Moon Injured, Will Return at Three appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Ascot Racecourse Releases 2020 Business Summary

The 2020 financial results were announced by Ascot Racecourse on Wednesday. Total turnover was down by 77% due to COVID-19 restrictions with only two racedays being held with spectators and another 18 run behind closed doors. There were also five lost racedays due to the pandemic and one abandonment due to inclement weather. Pandemic insurance and support from the UK Government through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and business rates relief prevented a pre-tax loss of over £31 million. In addition, the staff were restructured to adjust to pandemic trading conditions. At the end of 2020, the gross debt for the racecourse stood at £59.4m compared to 2019's £57.4m. A standby loan facility of £20m until 2023 was arranged through the Government Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan (CLBILS) scheme, but was not drawn down.

Guy Henderson, Chief Executive Officer at Ascot Racecourse, said, “2020 was naturally a difficult year with trading conditions and results severely affected by the Covid-19 restrictions. The financial impact was mitigated by cushions such as the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, Business Rates Relief and pandemic insurance for racing without crowds, but Ascot's financial position and ambitions have suffered a setback.

“Ascot had to reduce fixed costs at the end of 2020. Having to lose dedicated and loyal employees, who had contributed to Ascot's success over recent years, was hard for all concerned. I wish to pay tribute to and thank all our staff for their dedication and commitment in such difficult and uncertain times.

“We also wish to thank all our partners, suppliers, sponsors and various customers for their support.

“Without pandemic insurance this year and with strict limits on crowds at Royal Ascot for the second year, we currently forecast a significant pre-tax loss in 2021. That said, the business is on track to end the year without having to increase debt in 2021. This will provide a solid platform from which to bounce back from the pandemic in 2022 and 2023.

“Prize money and capital investment have inevitably been impacted as a result of the pandemic. We plan to build back on both fronts to pre-Covid levels as prudently and as quickly as practicable from next year. Attracting and rewarding the best quality racing and providing top class facilities are important business priorities.

“Royal Ascot in the Platinum Jubilee year will be a huge celebration and our focus is on delivering a unique event for everyone to enjoy across the globe.”

The post Ascot Racecourse Releases 2020 Business Summary appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Virtual IFHA Conference Looks to Future of Racing

The 2021 International Conference of Horseracing Authorities, organised by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA), will be held virtually for the second year in a row on Oct. 4.

This year's focus will be on global racing's evolution and future challenges, with the conference digitally released on Oct. 7. New IFHA Chair Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges will give the keynote speech, as well as several panel discussions. Some of the topics to be covered in this year's conference include: digitalisation and media; equine welfare; and climate change and sustainability. Rishi Persad will return as a moderator. FOX Sports' Executive Vice President, Head of Strategy and Analytics Michael Mulvihill will discuss digitalisation and media, Racing Victoria Executive Manager Integrity Services Jamie Stier, who also serves as the Chair of the IFHA Horse Welfare Committee, and Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) Chief Executive Di Arbuthnot, who also chairs the International Forum for the Aftercare of Racehorses (IFAR) will speak on equine welfare. Allen Hershkowitz, a Founding Director and Chairman of Sport and Sustainability International, as well as the Environmental Science Advisor to the New York Yankees, will address the threat of climate change.

“Under Louis Romanet's leadership, the Federation has made significant progress in achieving its mission as a vehicle for harnessing our collective efforts for the benefit of the future development and prosperity of Thoroughbred racing,” said Engelbrecht-Bresges. “It is a privilege to commence my term as the second Chair in the Federation's history, and I am energised at the prospect of working with our members and stakeholders to build on the Federation's sound foundations.”

The post Virtual IFHA Conference Looks to Future of Racing appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Group Winner Grocer Jack Highlights Tattersalls Autumn HIT Sale

Group 3 winner Grocer Jack (Ger) (Oasis Dream {GB}) is one of the highlights of the four-day Tattersalls Autumn Horses in Training Sale from Oct. 25-28. One of 1,577 lots catalogued, the 4-year-old colt (lot 738) was second in the G1 Bayerisches Zuchtrennen and is rated 118 by Timeform.

Several recent sale graduates have enjoyed Group 1 success on an international level in 2021, including Salute The Soldier (Ger) (Sepoy {Aus}) and Zaaki (GB) (Leroidesanimaux {Brz}). The catalogue features 80 group and listed performers. Among them are two-time group placed Hierarchy (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}) (lot 1205); Listed Windsor Castle S. winner Chipotle (GB) (Havana Gold {Ire}) (lot 1055); G1 Cazoo St Leger third and fourth The Mediterranean (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) (lot 238) and Interpretation (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) (lot 236); and G1 Melbourne Cup runner-up Tiger Moth (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) (lot 548); listed winner Chalk Stream (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) (lot 666); and G3 March S. winner Dancing King (Ire) (Free Eagle {Ire}) (lot 778).

There are sizable drafts from Juddmonte (10), Coolmore (52), Shadwell (154), Godolphin (20), William Haggas's Somerville Lodge (25), The Castlebridge Consignment (101), Mark Johnston's Kingsley Park (54), Richard Hannon's East Everleigh Stables (51), Andrew Balding's Park House Stables (36), and Roger Varian's Carlburg Stables (32).

Tattersalls Chairman Edmond Mahony said, “The unique diversity of the Tattersalls Autumn Horses in Training Sale is the key to its enduring appeal to both domestic and international buyers. Flying the flag this year for the Autumn Horses in Training Sale is the outstanding Australian multiple Group 1 winner Zaaki, purchased at last year's sale, and this year's catalogue has all the ingredients to appeal to the customary global audience including the significant, high-class consignments from Godolphin, Juddmonte Farms and Shadwell Estates.”

The post Group Winner Grocer Jack Highlights Tattersalls Autumn HIT Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post