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Real Rider Cup Registration Open

Registration is now open for the 2023 Real Rider Cup, a charity show jumping event featuring members of the racing industry competing on off-track Thoroughbreds. Proceeds from the event will once again benefit the Fair Hill Thoroughbred Show, New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program, and the Retired Racehorse Project.

The Real Rider Cup offers two legs of competition, the first leg at Mereworth Farm in Lexington, KY, on Jul. 8 and the second durin the Fair Hill Thoroughbred Show in Elkton, MD, on Sep. 15. Riders will compete both individually and as part of a team formed to represent a particular farm, stable, organization or branch of the industry. All riders pledge to raise a minimum of $1,000, either through donations or sponsorships. Participation will be capped at 30 riders per event.

Each rider will navigate a 2'6″ jumps course at either location, or they can choose to compete at both. The leading riders from each leg will compete head-to-head in a virtual event with online voting to determine the Real Rider Cup Champion. Awards will also be given for top teams and top fund raisers at each leg.

“We are incredibly grateful to all the participants, volunteers and those that have donated and sponsored over the last five years,” Real Rider Cup founder Anita Motion said. “After our record-breaking Real Rider Cup in 2022, we're looking forward to another year of fun competition and fund raising for Thoroughbred aftercare.”

For more information or to register, visit the Real Rider Cup website.

The post Real Rider Cup Registration Open appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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2-Time BC Champ Da Hoss Dies at 30

Dual GI Breeders' Cup Mile Winner, Da Hoss (Gone West–Jolly Saint, by Welsh Saint) died at the Kentucky Horse Park Jan. 2. At the age of 30, the gelding passed away due to infirmities of old age. Da Hoss had been living at the Kentucky Horse Park since January 2000.

“We will miss Da Hoss greatly. He was a fan favorite as he proved that spirit can triumph over adversity,” said Nicole Rivera, Interim Deputy Executive Director of the Kentucky Horse Park. “I would like to extend a special thank you to Rob Willis and the Hall of Champions staff for the great care and affection they showed Da Hoss during his time here at the park.”

Foaled on Jan. 18, 1992, Wall Street Racing Da Hoss as a Keeneland September yearling for $6,000. After racing as a 2-year-old for trainer Kevin Eikleberry and Wall Street Racing, an 85% interest in Da Hoss was sold to Prestonwood Farm. He was shipped to Fair Hill training center to start training with Michael Dickinson and Joan Wakefield.

Only one five horses to win the Breeders' Cup Mile twice, and the only horse to win twice in non-consecutive years, Da Hoss annexed the turf test in 1996 and 1998, the second after returning from an injury. His inspiring finish in the 1998 Mile produced one of Tom Durkin's most memorable race calls, as he exclaimed: “The greatest comeback since Lazarus!”

Added trainer Michael Dickinson of Tapeta Farm, “We all loved him. He was our horse of a lifetime. He brought us so many highs, even with his problems, we knew he would never let us down. He gave his all and loved to win. He was spoiled but deserved to be. He loved going out in one of his grass fields with his best friend Boomer for two or three hours every day. He knew he was special. It was comforting to know he was always well looked after by everyone at the Kentucky Horse Park where he enjoyed a wonderful retirement.”

Da Hoss shared the Kentucky Horse Park Hall of Champions with other Champion horses, including Thoroughbreds Go For Gin, Funny Cide and Point Given, Standardbred pacers Western Dreamer and Won the West, and Standardbred trotter Mr. Muscleman.

Da Hoss will be buried in the Memorial Walk of Champions.

The post 2-Time BC Champ Da Hoss Dies at 30 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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No Injuries in Fair Hill Barn Fire

A Christmas Eve fire completely destroyed a barn at Fair Hill Training Center. The barn houses an outpatient veterinary clinic operated by Dr. Kathleen Anderson and is used part of the year by trainer Michael Matz, but was empty at the time of the fire.

“We appear to have lost everything, but fortunately no horses or people were involved,” Anderson told Paulick Report. “There was a lot of diagnostic equipment: X-rays, ultrasound, the pharmacy, plus medical records.”

Also suffering a barn fire over the holiday weekend was Glencrest Farm. The farm's stallion barn was completely destroyed Christmas morning, according to Paulick Report. While the farm no longer stands stallions, the barn was home to three show horses who perished in the fire.

“Nothing survived,” John Greathouse, Jr. told Paulick Report. “The barn is gone and sadly the horses.”

The barn was leased by Lorna Matthews and Melanie Fransen. Andrea Greathouse established a GoFundMe page to collect donations for the mother and daughter.

“We are asking for help in raising funds towards everything that was lost,” Andrea Greathouse tweeted. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to the three incredible horses that lost their lives and to Lorna and Melanie who have lost so much.”

The cause of both fires is still under investigation.

The post No Injuries in Fair Hill Barn Fire appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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No Horses Or People In Fair Hill Barn Destroyed By Christmas Eve Fire

No people or horses were injured in a Christmas Eve fire that destroyed a barn at Fair Hill Training Center in Elkton, Md.

The barn known as Parlo II West, which housed an outpatient veterinary clinic operated by Dr. Kathleen Anderson and is used for much of the year by trainer Michael Matz, was fully engulfed in flames at about 6:30 p.m. ET on Friday, according to a witness. The fire was under control within 90 minutes, but the damage had been done with little besides the concrete block walls remaining.

Matz, a former Olympic equestrian best known in racing as the trainer of 2006 Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro and 2012 Belmont Stakes winner Union Rags, had moved his stable to Palm Meadows Training Center in Florida for the winter. Anderson was out of town for the Christmas holiday when the fire broke out and she said the clinic closed at around 4 p.m. because of the holiday. The fire did not spread to any other barns.

Anderson said the barn was built in 2005 and had a fire alarm system, fire wall and sprinkler system. The cause of the fire, she said, was not known.

“We appear to have lost everything, but fortunately no horses or people were involved,” said Anderson. “There was a lot of diagnostic equipment: X-rays, ultrasound, the pharmacy, plus medical records.”

A former president of the American Association of Equine Practitioners, Anderson lost her home to a fire in 1997.

“This is the second time around for me,” she said. “The 1997 fire was not pleasant, and this is more tolerable because it's strictly material possessions and we can deal with that. Dealing with the loss of horses or people is far worse.”

Nevertheless, Anderson said, both she and Matz – whom she spoke to by telephone – are “distraught” over the loss.

This is also the second fire at Fair Hill, which had a 40-stall barn destroyed in a 2005 blaze that left 24 horses dead.

Denise Bennett, who is stabled at an adjacent barn, submitted the following video of the fire.

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