Global Views: Maintaining Racing’s Social Licence

In ages past horseracing was accepted as a part of global culture. Initially a pastime of the aristocratic, the invention of syndicates gave opportunity for working people to become a part of the sport. This was a goal that many strove towards and achieved during the twentieth century. The practices within the mystical realm of racing were not questioned; it simply was not done. The dawn of a new millennium has seen society change, animals have been humanised and a group within society now question our practices and the morality behind them. To maintain our social licence, our right to keep racing, we need to answer these questions and make the sport of horseracing a comfortable concept for the wider public.

These questions have been met with outrage and indignation by some within our industry, be they media, horsemen or otherwise. The suggestion has long been that we are pandering to a group that has no understanding of what we do, that cannot fathom the relationship between horse and human. While I agree that this group can lack balanced understanding and comprehension of our relationship with the horses in our care, the outrage and defensiveness we display at this questioning sets us on a dangerous path toward alienation.

A highlight of the British jumps calendar is the Grand National, run at Aintree on Saturday. It was designed as a four-mile-plus slog over daunting obstacles. Heralded as the “ultimate test of horse and rider” fatalities were commonplace until public and political pressure eventually forced the organisers to lessen the jumping test. This occurred in 2013, with the new fence design seeing a less attritional event showcased to the wider public. Still the statesmen lament “it's not the race it was”. Undoubtedly true, but surely a good thing, given the temperament of the wider public?

The whip has long been the subject of conjecture. The image of jockeys with raised swords in a finishing duel is a powerful one, for those unfamiliar with the nuances of horsemanship and horseracing. The adoption of the foam-padded, energy-absorbing whip approved for use in racing occurred in 2003 and 2007, for National Hunt and Flat racing, respectively. In 2011, after extensive research, the whip rules as we know them today were implemented in Great Britain. Recently the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has conducted a public consultation on the use of the whip involving industry participants, non-industry stakeholders and the public, the results of which are due to be presented this month. This review is part of a larger policy being pushed by the BHA regarding equine welfare within horseracing. When this review was announced, we as an industry reacted with indignation at the thought of yet more change to this historical sport. Once again, it was expressed that people who have no knowledge of what we do are interfering.

The torrent of change is not limited to Europe or Great Britain. In America the passing of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) will potentially see an almost complete overhaul in racetrack safety and anti-doping practices in the USA. The reaction from some of the racing community with the passing of this bill has been typically negative. Lawsuits are ongoing against HISA on the grounds of it being unconstitutional, while other industry participants rattle their sabres and cry out homeostasis. This is an industry where the predominant dirt surface sees a higher breakdown rate and regular medication violations. Surely the racing population should be glad of a law that will improve track safety for horses and implement a uniform code of testing and medication procedures? Is it the fear of the unknown? Full details of how the system will work and the financial implications behind it have yet to be revealed.

I have heard some people express the opinion that we need something, but that HISA is not the answer. My response to that is: well, what is? Nobody seems to have an answer to that one. Surely this is a step in the right direction. Even if it isn't the solution, it is a move toward a sport centred around equine welfare and integrity. A sport beyond reproach, one might say.

The twenty-first century seems to move at a pace that Frankel (GB) himself might struggle to lay up with. We face more issues than just those mentioned above. Changes are being made to regulation fences and hurdles across Britain. I think we can all agree that the establishment of the Retraining of Racehorses, Treo Eile and the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance is changing the public's perception on a thoroughbred's life after racing. Diversity is being encouraged and we are opening our doors to participants from all walks of life. Change is a concept that we must embrace. Change is a good thing, and because of it the industry today looks far different than it did in the 1980s and 1990s.

We are judged by the public; we all know the trial by social media concept. In reviewing our practices and changing, when necessary, we are not “pandering”. With global urbanisation, the distance between human and animal has grown. This distance has seen the formation of the animal rights groups, but the public majority neither supports nor denounces racing.

This is the group we are focusing on, and it is essential to our survival. Yes, more change is imminent. That doesn't mean we will capitulate on every point, but I would call on all our participants to welcome the opportunity. It is an opportunity to research and educate, it gives us a chance to ensure the survival and prosperity of both our industry and our sport.

The post Global Views: Maintaining Racing’s Social Licence appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

2021 FanDuel Racing-NTRA Moment Of The Year Voting Open

Eleven of the most memorable, significant and reflective events from the last 12 months of Thoroughbred racing in North America are up for the 2021 FanDuel Racing NTRA Moment of the Year, a distinction determined by fan voting and recognized at the Eclipse Awards. Voting is now open on the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) website, NTRA.com, and via Twitter, where every retweet or use of the official hashtag for the moments as presented on the @NTRA account will be counted as one vote.

To vote on the NTRA website, go to: https://www.ntra.com/eclipse-awards/2021-moment-of-the-year/

Votes for the poll must be submitted by February 2 at 11:59 p.m. (ET).

The FanDuel Racing-NTRA Moment of the Year will be revealed during the 51st Annual Eclipse Awards Presented by Fan Duel Racing and Santa Anita Park on February 10, 2022 hosted at Santa Anita Park and streamed on multiple platforms and televised on TVG.

The eligible 2021 moments were selected to illustrate the wide range of human emotions and achievements, as well as outstanding displays of athleticism. Events that fans can choose from are listed chronologically as follows, along with the designated hashtag that can be used to vote:

#FlavienSix – Jockey Flavien Prat wins six consecutive races on the March 12 Santa Anita Park card. Prat, a leading California rider who was born in Melun, France, becomes the first jockey to win six consecutive races at Santa Anita since five-time Eclipse Award-winning jockey Laffit Pincay, Jr. did the same on March 14, 1987. (March 12)

#LetruskaBlossom – Letruska battles back in the final strides to upset two-time Eclipse Award winner Monomoy Girl in the Grade 1 Apple Blossom at Oaklawn Park. Facing Eclipse Award winners Monomoy Girl and Swiss Skydiver in Oaklawn's premier race for older fillies and mares, St. George Stable's Letruska sets the early pace, loses the lead to Monomoy Girl and then rallies to best that foe by a nose. (April 17)

#EssentialBelmont – Essential Quality holds off Hot Rod Charlie in a battle to the wire in the Belmont Stakes. A winner of five of six lifetime starts and coming off an upset loss as the favorite in the Kentucky Derby, Eclipse Award champion Essential Quality regains his winning form by prevailing in a stretch-long battle with Hot Rod Charlie. (June 5)

#AllTimeSteve – Steve Asmussen becomes the all-time winningest trainer. The Hall of Fame trainer adds to his career accomplishments in style on Whitney Day at Saratoga by winning his record-setting 9,446th race, topping the late Dale Baird. (August 7)

#Savage – Firenze Fire savages Yaupon in the Forego Stakes. Unable to get past eventual winner Yaupon in the stretch, Firenze Fire resorts to savaging his foe in front of the large Runhappy Travers Day crowd. (Aug. 28)

#DiversityStepForward – George Leonard becomes the first African American trainer to compete in the Breeders' Cup World Championships. That moment came about when California Angel won the JPMorgan Chase Jessamine WAYI at Keeneland to earn an automatic berth into the Juvenile Fillies Turf. (Nov 5)

#GodolphinApplebyTriple – Yibir wins the Longines Breeders' Cup Turf giving Godolphin and conditioner Charlie Appleby their third winner at the World Championships. In addition to Yibir, Godolphin and Appleby teamed to win Saturday's FanDuel Breeders' Cup Mile with Space Blues and Friday's Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf with Modern Games. (Nov. 5-6)

#JapaneseDuo – Japanese runners Marche Lorraine and Loves Only You win two races on Breeders' Cup Saturday. Breeders' Cup success had eluded Japanese runners as evidenced by an 0-13 record heading into the 2021 Breeders' Cup World Championships. That changes dramatically on November 6 when Marche Lorraine (45-1/Distaff) and Loves Only You (4-1/Filly & Mare Turf) each win for trainer Yoshito Yahagi. (Nov. 6)

#ClassicKnicks – Knicks Go caps a brilliant campaign by winning the Breeders' Cup Classic. Korea Racing Authority's Knicks Go scores impressively over ill-fated Medina Spirit to finish the year on a four-race winning streak for trainer Brad Cox. The 5-year-old son of Paynter amasses three Grade 1 wins in 2021 and earns more than $7.3 million in purse money. (Nov. 6)

#PinkLloydFinale – Seven-time Canadian Champion Pink Lloyd caps a brilliant career with a victory in the Kennedy Road Stakes at Woodbine. Nine-year-old Pink Lloyd, a fan favorite and 2017 Canadian Horse of the Year, wins the Kennedy Road Stakes for the third time and finishes his career with 29 wins from 38 starts. (Nov. 27)

#TakingFlight – Flightline posts a jaw-dropping performance in the Malibu Stakes to cap a brief but brilliant 3-year-old campaign. Undefeated. Unchallenged. Flightline canters home by 11 ½ lengths in the Malibu, his first Grade 1 attempt. The son of Tapit has won his three career starts by a combined 37 ½ lengths for trainer John Sadler. (Dec. 26)

Fans are permitted to vote for multiple moments but there is a limit of one vote per moment for each Twitter account. Subsequent votes from an account will be disqualified. Votes for the poll must be submitted by February 2 at 11:59 p.m. (ET).

Past Moments of the Year
The first-ever “NTRA Moment of the Year” was the touching scene between Charismatic and jockey Chris Antley following the 1999 Belmont Stakes. The next year's winner was the stretch run of the 2000 Breeders' Cup Classic, which saw Tiznow hold on for a dramatic victory against Giant's Causeway. Tiznow won again the following year as fans selected his stirring repeat victory in the Classic over Sakhee. In 2002, fans cited the passing of the last living Triple Crown winner, Seattle Slew. In 2003, the popular Kentucky Derby win by Funny Cide was selected. Birdstone's upset win in the Belmont Stakes over Smarty Jones took down top honors for 2004. In 2005, fans selected Afleet Alex's spectacular victory in the 2005 Preakness Stakes.

Voters in 2006 chose Barbaro's gallant struggle to recover from his Preakness injury while at the New Bolton Center. The 2007 Moment of the Year was a historic victory by the filly Rags to Riches over Curlin in the Belmont Stakes. In 2008, it was Zenyatta's win in the Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic. Zenyatta “repeated” in 2009 as fans selected her triumph in the Breeders' Cup Classic.

In 2010, fans selected Blame's narrow Breeders' Cup Classic victory over Zenyatta. Drosselmeyer's hard-fought win over Game on Dude in the Breeders' Cup Classic was the public's choice for 2011. For 2012, the recovery of Paynter from near-deadly battles with laminitis and colitis captured the hearts of voters like no other story. In 2013, fans recognized Mucho Macho Man's nose victory in the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic for his popular connections. The 2014 award went to California Chrome's dominant win in Kentucky Derby 140. In 2015 there was a landslide vote in favor of American Pharoah's historic Triple Crown-clinching Belmont Stakes win. In 2016, California Chrome was again part of the winning moment – a dramatic Dubai World Cup victory that came as Victor Espinoza's saddle slipped out from underneath him.

In 2017, the tragic fire at San Luis Rey and the industry's response led the way among the votes cast while Justify's sweep of the Classics to become just the 13th Triple Crown winner was the clear pick the following year. In 2019, Maximum Security's historic disqualification in the 145th Kentucky Derby – the first winner in Derby history to be demoted for a racing infraction— earned the distinction.

In 2020, Authentic's historic win in the 146th Kentucky Derby, run in September and without fans due to the coronavirus pandemic, was voted as the FanDuel Racing-NTRA Moment of the Year.

The post 2021 FanDuel Racing-NTRA Moment Of The Year Voting Open appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Santa Anita’s Clockers’ Corner Reopens To The Public Ahead Of Autumn Meet

With horsemen now preparing for Santa Anita's 2021 Autumn Meet opener on Friday, Oct. 1, Clockers' Corner, the track's popular breakfast destination located at the top of the stretch, has reopened to the public seven days a week.

Replete with a revised breakfast menu that offers something for everyone, Clockers' Corner is open each day from 5 to 10 a.m. An iconic gathering point for horsemen and fans for many decades, Clockers' Corner provides attendees with an up-close look at morning training both on the main track and inner training track with the majestic San Gabriel Mountains serving as a backdrop.

Accessible via Gate 8 off of Baldwin Ave., admission is free to Clockers' Corner and ample seating is available on a first come, first served basis.

Families are welcome as attendees have an opportunity to interact with some of the top jockeys and trainers in America, many of whom make Clockers' Corner a part of their daily routine.

In addition to a complete breakfast menu that includes coffee, tea and juices, track programs and Daily Racing Form are also offered for sale each racing day.

Santa Anita's 16-day Autumn Meet, which concludes on Oct. 31, will feature a number of Breeders' Cup “Win & You're In” Challenge Race qualifiers over the first two weekends, including the Grade 1, $300,000 American Pharoah and three other stakes on what figures to be an outstanding opening day program.

A prep for horses considering the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint at Del Mar Nov. 6, the Grade 2, $200,000 Eddie D Stakes, which honors retired Hall of Fame jockey Eddie Delahoussaye, marks a return to Santa Anita's iconic Camino Real Turf Course on opening day as 3-year-olds and up will sprint about 6 ½ furlongs down the hillside turf.

First post time throughout the 16-day run, with the exception of Oct. 2, will be at 1 p.m. (First post time for a 10-race card that will include five stakes on Oct. 2 is at 12:30 p.m.)

For additional information regarding Clockers' Corner and Santa Anita's upcoming Autumn Meet, please visit santaanita.com or call (626) 574-RACE.

The post Santa Anita’s Clockers’ Corner Reopens To The Public Ahead Of Autumn Meet appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Racing Fans Get Inside Look At Indiana Grand Backstretch Thanks To Indiana Thoroughbred Alliance

Forty horse racing enthusiasts gathered to tour the backside of Indiana Grand Racing & Casino over the weekend. While enjoying free refreshments, guests were treated to an inside look of a horse racing barn and meet two jockeys-turned-actors, thanks to trainer Brandi Steele and the Indiana Thoroughbred Alliance (ITA).

The barn tour was the first of its type at Indiana Grand since 2019, due to biosecurity and security precautions at the Shelbyville track. Visitors were treated to meeting retired jockey Francisco Torres, winner of more than $68.8 million in lifetime earnings, including 12 graded stakes races. Torres played jockey Braulio Baeza in the ESPN movie “Ruffian” in 2007. Now a jockey's agent at Indiana Grand, Torres shared highlights of his career on and off the track and was open to answering questions.

Fellow retired jockey and movie star, Otto Thorwarth was also on hand for visitors to meet. Thorwarth played jockey Ron Turcotte in the 2010 Disney movie “Secretariat” and returned to Indiana Grand to later become chaplain.

Other speakers included Michael Mann, DVM, track veterinarian at Indiana Grand, Steele and Nate Brannin, managing partner of B&B Stables, a fractional ownership group based out of Indiana.

“I just wanted to give others the opportunity to be on the backside to see what all goes into taking care of these horses,” says Brannin, one of the organizers of the event.

“After a year of restrictions and shutdowns, it was so nice to be amongst the horses and sharing the passion of Hoosier horsemen and women with the fans,” says Christine Cagle, board member of the ITA. “We are very thankful to Indiana Grand and the Indiana Horse Racing Commission for allowing us to host this event.”

Participants were able to feed sweet potatoes to the horses in Steele's barn, take photos with the horses and ask questions varying from the daily routine of racehorses and the track vet's role to how they can become more involved in the industry.

“I believe there are a lot of potential racehorse owners out there, but they just don't know how to get involved,” says Brannin. “I hope this helps spark more interest.”

“Before I became a trainer, I never even thought about being in the horse racing industry,” says Steele, who stepped out on her own as a trainer in 2018 and has earned nearly $925,000 so far. “But after attending a backside barn tour like this and seeing what it was like, I fell in love. And here I still am.”

One lucky attendee had their name drawn for a free VIP experience at Cedar Creek Winery, a staunch supporter of Indiana horse racing, where employees are co-owners with Indiana-bred mare Drinkatthecreek with Michael Lauer Racing. The ITA hopes to offer more opportunities like this in the future, as well as continue their education series this fall and winter by offering more webinars and seminars on a variety of horse husbandry topics.

The post Racing Fans Get Inside Look At Indiana Grand Backstretch Thanks To Indiana Thoroughbred Alliance appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Verified by MonsterInsights