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2021 Thoroughbred Owner Conference Series Concludes With Aftercare Panel

The 2021 Thoroughbred Owner Conference series held its final session Tuesday, Dec. 7, with a panel focused on the importance of Thoroughbred aftercare. Held virtually this year in lieu of an in-person conference, the series was hosted by The Jockey Club and the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association and presented by Bessemer Trust, Dean Dorton Equine, Stoll Keenon Ogden, and Stonestreet Farm.

The free conference series, which consisted of 10 virtual panels on a range of topics, attracted nearly 1,200 registrants from seven countries. All sessions were recorded and are available to registered guests.

“The 2021 virtual Thoroughbred Owner Conference series has been a remarkable success by just about every measure,” said Gary Falter, project manager for OwnerView. “There have been over 5,500 views of the live and recorded panels, and the feedback from attendees has been incredibly positive.”

Following the success of the 2021 online series, OwnerView plans to continue with another series of ownership panels in 2022. More information on the dates and topics will be released in January.

Tuesday's session was sponsored by Canterbury Park and Gainesway Farm and moderated by Kristin Werner, senior counsel for The Jockey Club and administrator of the Thoroughbred Incentive Program. Panelists were Michael Blowen, founder of Old Friends; Stacie Clark, operations consultant for the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA); and Erin Crady, executive director of the Thoroughbred Charities of America (TCA).

Clark spoke on the work of the TAA, which accredits aftercare organizations and provides funding to support those organizations. She said that she has been heartened by the publicity from positive stories of horses being retrained and rehomed in recent years, giving owners confidence that their horses can thrive off the racetrack.

“What has really been amazing is an owner can come into the sport and know that there is an option for their horses and there is a safety net,” she said.

Blowen agreed, noting that “there's a new awareness not just when these horses are racing and breeding but also when their racing and breeding days are over.”

Old Friends is a sanctuary facility that is home to more than 200 stallions, mares, and geldings that experienced varying levels of success on the racetrack and in the breeding shed. These horses serve as equine ambassadors during public tours of the property, which raise money for the farm's operations.

The TCA provides grants to approved non-profit organizations that work toward improving the lives of Thoroughbred racehorses and the people who care for them. Crady emphasized that racehorse owners should be including aftercare in their business plans from the onset and that it is critical for horses to be retired while they are still sound to maximize their career potential beyond the racetrack.

“Start thinking about your exit strategy before you even have a horse,” she said. “Aftercare should not be an afterthought.

“A sound Thoroughbred is so incredibly versatile. Don't push for that one last race.”

The session started with the presentation of the 2021 New Owner of the Year, sponsored by The Stronach Group and 1/ST RACING, to Boat Racing. Boat Racing owns a handful of horses via yearling sales, 2-year-old in training sales, and pinhooking, but their primary claim to fame came from their significant minority share of Hot Rod Charlie, who won the grade 1 Pennsylvania Derby and grade 2 Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby in 2021. He also placed in this year's Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve and Belmont Stakes presented by NYRA Bets (both grade 1).

“We've fallen in love with this sport and fallen in love with these majestic animals,” said Patrick O'Neill of Boat Racing. “We're hopeful that we'll be a part of this industry for many years to come.”

OwnerView is a joint effort spearheaded by The Jockey Club and the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association to encourage ownership of Thoroughbreds and provide accurate information on aspects of ownership such as trainers, public racing syndicates, the process of purchasing and owning a Thoroughbred, racehorse retirement, and owner licensing.

The need for a central resource to encourage Thoroughbred ownership was identified in the comprehensive economic study of the sport that was commissioned by The Jockey Club and conducted by McKinsey & Company in 2011. The OwnerView site was launched in May 2012.

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CHRB: Medina Spirit Samples Will Be Preserved After Necropsy, Per Standard Procedure

After the untimely death of Kentucky Derby first-place finisher Medina Spirit earlier this week, the California Horse Racing Board informed media that the colt's body would undergo a necropsy — the animal form of an autopsy — as per CHRB policy for all equine deaths that happen on sanctioned properties. According to Dr. Jeff Blea, equine medical director for the CHRB, that procedure will include toxicology, forensics and tissue sampling. Blood and hair samples were removed from the colt's body and in the minutes after the colt's death, Blea said veterinarians on-site were planning to try to obtain a urine sample from the body as well.

Some readers have since wondered whether any of the samples taken as part of the procedure may be preserved for future testing. According to a statement from the CHRB made to the Paulick Report Dec. 8, that is part of standard protocols for all equine necropsies in the state.

“The CHRB has a post-race retention policy for official post-race samples,” said CHRB spokesman Mike Marten. “Under Rule 1859, samples are frozen and retained for possible retrospective analysis. The samples from Medina Spirit have been retained.

“Additionally, regarding separate necropsy samples, fresh/frozen tissues are usually kept for three months, Formalin fixed tissues for five years, and paraffin blocks and slides forever.”

The final report on the horse's death will be made public.

Medina Spirit had just completed a five-furlong workout Monday morning when rider Juan Ochoa felt a change in the Bob Baffert trainee just past the wire and began pulling the horse up. Blea said the colt, owned by Zedan Stables, had already fallen and died when attending veterinarians got to him. Ochoa was uninjured.

Roughly 15 percent of on-track deaths in California are these so-called “sudden deaths” which are not connected to an musculoskeletal injury or illness and happen with no outward signs of anything amiss. Experts suspect many of them are attributable to cardiac problems, but the exact cause can be elusive. Necropsies in these cases can sometimes identify a physical abnormality in a horse's heart, but sometimes the veterinary pathologist is unable to find anything unusual.

Read more about what the goals of a necropsy program in this 2017 Paulick Report feature.

It remains unclear whether The Stronach Group will conduct an independent investigation apart from the CHRB's fact-finding surrounding the horse's death.

“We are awaiting the results of the CHRB investigation and we will wait until the conclusion of that process,” said Dr. Dionne Benson, chief veterinary officer for 1/ST Racing. “We are, however, providing any and all information we have to the CHRB.”

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Dr. Larry Bramlage Receives Coveted AAEP Sage Kester Award

The American Association of Equine Practitioners presented its 2021 Sage Kester “Beyond the Call” Award to renowned equine orthopedic surgeon Dr. Larry Bramlage, DVM, MS, DACVS, for his legacy of service toward the betterment of the veterinary profession, horse health and his local community.

The “Beyond the Call” Award is named in honor of its first recipient, the late Wayne O. “Sage” Kester, DVM, and recognizes a current or former AAEP member who has made significant and long-lasting contributions to equine veterinary medicine and the community. Dr. Bramlage received the award during the December 7 President's Luncheon at the AAEP's 67th Annual Convention in Nashville, Tenn.

A partner at Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington, Ky., Dr. Bramlage has advanced the diagnostics and treatment options for horses with orthopedic disease and injury through groundbreaking research and application into clinical practice. He has shared his extensive knowledge and expertise through numerous peer-reviewed publications, provision of continuing education for veterinary surgeons and other practitioners, and training and mentorship of countless students, interns and residents.

His four decades of distinguished service to the AAEP include a term as president in 2004; participation on 28 different councils, committees and task forces, including chair of the Educational Program Committee in the mid-1990s; and establishment of the popular Kester News Hour session at the annual convention. In 2014, the AAEP presented its Distinguished Service Award to Dr. Bramlage and fellow orthopedic surgeon Dr. C. Wayne McIlwraith for their pivotal contributions over 23 years to the development and growth of the AAEP's award-winning “On Call” program that provides veterinary expertise in support of televised horseracing broadcasts.

Beyond the AAEP, Dr. Bramlage has been active in the American College of Veterinary Surgeons, serving as president in 2007 and on the board of regents and other committees. He also serves on the board of Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation and is a past chair of its Research Advisory Committee. Elected to membership in The Jockey Club in 2002, Dr. Bramlage currently serves as a steward of the organization and member of its Thoroughbred Safety Committee.

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Among his many honors are the 1994 Jockey Club Medal for his contributions to Thoroughbred racing; the 1997 Tierklink Hochmoor Prize for his pioneering work concerning internal fixation of fractures; the British Equine Veterinary Association Special Award of Merit in 2000; AAEP Distinguished Life Member recognition in 2008; and the 2010 American College of Veterinary Surgeons Foundation Legends Award for his development of the fetlock arthrodesis procedure for horses.

A 1975 graduate of Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Bramlage served as an associate professor of equine surgery at The Ohio State University prior to joining Rood & Riddle in 1989. In addition to his considerable industry contributions, Dr. Bramlage is a strong advocate for the needs of neglected and abused children through his support of CASA of Lexington; and he has served on many committees within his church and helped establish its stewardship mission.

‘He’s A Legend’: Pink Lloyd, The People’s Champion, Finds His Forever Home

It was a banner day, literally and figuratively, for the beloved champion and those who had gathered to welcome him to his new home.

The racing rockstar received the warmest of receptions on a cloudy, chilly day at the expansive 100-acre farm in Erin, Ontario, the serene place where over 50 retired Thoroughbreds reside.

A banner heralding Pink Lloyd's arrival waved as the striking chestnut stepped off the van after the 50-minute trek from trainer Robert Tiller's barn on the Woodbine backstretch.

Over one of Canadian racing's most remarkable careers, 'Pinky' made a lasting impression on those fortunate enough to watch him race and the many more who tracked his numerous exploits.

At his new home base with LongRun, one of the continent's most respected horse retirement and adoption organizations, and the first industry-funded adoption program in Canada, he made an impactful first impression on a new group of admirers.

“The second he walked off the trailer, he struck a pose,” said Lauren Millet-Simpson, LongRun's farm manager. “He knows he's special. He's a true professional. He took everything in stride. He knows he's important, but at the same time, he's a gentleman. He likes the attention, but he's also super respectful. It will be really cool to work with a horse like that.”

His entourage on that early December morning at LongRun included Frank Di Giulio, Jr, one of Canadian racing's highest profile owners and lead member of Pink Lloyd's ownership group, Entourage Stable.

Seeing the nine-year-old son of Old Forester settle in nicely to his new surroundings was yet another special moment for Di Giulio.

“He received a great welcome. To see how he was welcomed, the support he's received the last few days, it's overwhelming that's he been so well loved from all over. It's nice to know he'll be at a place where he'll be well looked after, so appreciated, and be able to enjoy himself.”

For Pink Lloyd's connections, it was yet another fairytale ending for the future Canadian Horse Racing Hall of fame inductee.

Less than a week earlier at Woodbine, Pink Lloyd put the finishing touches on an outstanding career with a brilliant score in the Grade 2 Kennedy Road Stakes.

Charging hard down the lane, he roused the crowd to its feet as they feted the decorated star with a chorus of cheers at the wire and then as he made his way to the winner's circle.

Smiles, tears and the highest of praise awaited Pink Lloyd.

“I think it's amazing,” said Tiller in his Kennedy Road post-race interview. “You know, he's a legend. He proved today he was a legend. I didn't think he'd win today. It looked awful tough to me and the only thing I liked was all the speed in the race because I've been saying all along, and not too many people listened, but he loves to run at horses. I was just hoping Rafi [jockey, Rafael Hernandez] would get room. I said at the head of the lane, 'You know what? Here he comes.' We're blessed to win this race and it's a tremendous way to go out. You know he's been Woodbine's horse and he's been Canada's horse.”

It was fitting ending to a racing life that yielded 29 wins, 26 of them stakes, three seconds and two thirds, from 38 starts, 2017 Canadian Horse of the Year honours and over $2.4 million (CDN) in earnings.

His numerous triumphs include four straight (2017-2020) champion male sprinter trophies and a pair of champion older male titles in 2017 and 2019.

In 2017, Pink Lloyd won all eight of his engagements, en route to his Horse of the Year title. He won four consecutive editions of the Vigil Stakes and Jacques Cartier Stakes, along with three triumphs in the Shepperton, Kenora and Kennedy Road.

Not bad for a $30,000 purchase at the 2013 Canadian Premier Yearling Sale.

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Bred by John Carey, Pink Lloyd's popularity isn't likely to wane even though his days of taking on the best sprinters in Canada are over.

The crowd-pleasing gelding will continue to draw big crowds on a new stage.

“I hope people take advantage of it,” said Di Giulio. “I hope he is a nice attraction for LongRun and brings attention to what they do. It really is a win-win for everybody. He's so well loved. Even if people don't know a lot about horse racing, they've heard who Pink Lloyd is. Hopefully, he can attract new fans as well. To see him right up-close, that's a rare chance for a lot of people.”

Photo opportunities with Pink Lloyd for those who visit LongRun won't be an issue for the sought-after celebrity.

“He stands for photos like he knows what he's doing,” noted Di Giulio.

A picture-perfect horse for an organization that continues to play a major role in the welfare of retired Thoroughbreds.

“He is so relaxed and chill,” said Millet-Simpson. “He's never been here before and he doesn't know who I am. I'm holding him, his head is up and he's so proud. He just calmly looked around, took in his surroundings, checked out everything… you can tell how super intelligent he is in the way he looked around when he first got here, checking things out to see what was happening. To have a horse like him with us, it's just wonderful.”

Pink Lloyd's connections, which also includes assistant trainer Tom Lottridge and groom Michelle Gibson, might have to stand in line to reconnect with their beloved horse, but none of them perceive it as a negative.

Knowing that racing fans, young and old, new to the game or longtime supporters, can meet one of the sport's true talents face-to-face, is an honour for those closest to him.

“He's going to be here for many, many years to come,” started Di Giulio. “I'm biased, but I think he's one of the greatest Canadian-breds ever, especially, Ontario-sired, I'm proud of that too. What he's accomplished and his longevity, I think that's what makes any athlete great, is when they can do it over and over again. The Gordie Howes and the Wayne Gretzkys, that's exactly what they did. I think that makes him so special. Knowing he's going to be well looked after is really very comforting. I don't think we could have ended his career any better than the way he did. We got to race him for a long time and watched him accomplish so many great things, so now other people can have their chance to see what it's like to be so up-close with him.”

A rare opportunity, offered Millet-Simpson, to make a connection, even for a brief moment, with a Canadian horse racing icon.

“Fans, they see these horses on the track, but now they get to see this beautiful horse and feed him a carrot. You don't get to do that very often. So, that personal interaction with a great champion, I think it's going to be very cool for people, something they will always remember.”

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