Horse racing news | Horse Racing Free Tips

Moment of 2020: In Swoop

In Moment of 2020, the staff of TDN Europe reflect on their favourite moments in racing for the year.

In 2019, both Gestut Schlenderhan and the Deutsches Derby celebrated 150th anniversaries. Schlenderhan, Germany’s oldest Thoroughbred stud farm, has enjoyed much success throughout the world and is the leading owner when it comes to its home Derby. That record was extended this year when In Swoop (Ger) became the 19th winner of the race to be owned and bred by the Von Ullmann family, a result made all the sweeter by the fact that the colt is by Schlenderhan’s 2007 Deutsches Derby winner Adlerflug (Ger), a stallion who remains seriously underrated outside Germany. Furthermore, In Swoop’s Classic credentials were completed by his homebred dam Iota (Ger), who won the G1 Preis der Diana and was one of the early stars for her sire Tiger Hill (Ire). The Danehill stallion moved from Schlenderhan to Darley’s Dalham Hall Stud the year after his first-crop daughter claimed the German Oaks.

While being very much a product of the widely respected German breeding programme, In Swoop is trained in Chantilly by Francis Graffard, and he thus became the first French-trained winner of the historic race. Baron Georg Von Ullmann has long been a supporter of French racing, with some of his major stars in the heyday of the late Schlenderhan stallion Monsun (Ger) including Manduro (Ger), Getaway (Ger) and Shirocco (Ger), all of whom were trained by Andre Fabre.

A compact and striking colt far more reminiscent of his grandsire In The Wings (GB) than his leggier, chestnut father Adlerflug, In Swoop only made his debut in May, winning readily at Lyon-Parilly before returning there to take third in the G2 Prix Greffulhe, his prep for his Classic engagement. His scything run from near last to win the 151st Deutsches Derby on only his third start was clearly the high point of his season, but subsequent runner-up finishes behind Mogul (GB) in the G1 Grand Prix de Paris and Sottsass (Fr) in the G1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe entitle him to be considered one of the best of his generation in Europe.

Graffard has already more than proved himself adapt at handling top-class thoroughbreds and he has brought In Swoop along in the gentle manner which allows both the trainer and the team at Gestut Schlenderhan to dream of further international glory in 2021.

The post Moment of 2020: In Swoop appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Meadowlands Winter Meet Survival Handicapping Challenge Returns Jan. 2

The always popular Meadowlands Winter Meet Survival Challenge powered by 123Racing returns Saturday, Jan. 2, 2021. Cash prizes and World Harness Handicapping Championship presented by DerbyWars seats are up for grabs in this free online competition.

Trackmaster will provide Platinum Past Performances for each night of the contest.

The game covers the Meadowlands' Winter Meet and concludes on March 27, 2021.

The winner is determined by the highest total bankroll at the end of the Challenge based on a $2 “across the board” wager [win, place and show] on selections for three designated races each program.

However, to continue in the game, entrants have to “survive” by finishing in-the-money [first through third] with at least one of their selections each day. Failing to do so or not making selections knocks the player out of the game. To aid in the player's survival a “lucky horseshoe” is given. The lucky horseshoe is a “free pass” given to all Challenge participants that allows the player to survive if he does not make selections for a race card or all three of his selections fail to hit the board.

The grand prize is $500 & $1,300 2021 WHHC Spot
The second-place prize is $300 & $1,300 2021 WHHC Spot
The third-place prize is $200 & $1,300 2021 WHHC Spot

The free contest is open to legal residents of the United States and Canada 18 years and older, and all selections must be made through the format provided on the Survival Challenge website page. No selections will be accepted by phone, fax, e-mail or any other means. Trackmaster Platinum Past performances for the three designated races will be provided through the game board.

The deadline for selections each day is 30 minutes before 6 p.m. post time for the first race through March 13th. Post time then switches to 7:15pm for March 19-27th. After 30 minutes to post, all selections are final.

To login or to register as a first time player, visit www.survival-challenge.com.

The post Meadowlands Winter Meet Survival Handicapping Challenge Returns Jan. 2 appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

NYTB’s Najja Thompson Appointed To NYRA Board Of Directors

New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. (NYTB) has announced that Executive Director Najja Thompson will be appointed, as the NYTB's representative, to the New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) Board of Directors and the New York Breeding and Development Fund Board of Directors made effective at a Dec. 18 meeting of the Board.

Thompson's appointment fills the vacancies created with the resignation of former Executive Director Jeffrey Cannizzo, who will join NYRA on Jan. 1 as Senior Director of Government Affairs.

“I feel very fortunate to represent the interests of breeders in New York with this opportunity,” said Thompson. “The state of New York plays an integral part as a leader in our industry, and I'm honored to play a direct role in continuing to better our sport as a member of both the NYRA and the New York Breeding and Development Fund Board of Directors.”

Thompson, a graduate of Florida State University and Vice-President of the Turf Publicists of America, Inc., has over nine years of experience in the New York horse racing industry. A former employee of the New York Racing Association, Inc. prior to joining the NYTB on Dec. 14. He worked in various roles in the marketing department, communications office, and most recently in the human resources department at NYRA.

“The NYTB Board of Directors is pleased to have Najja represent us on both the NYRA and New York State Development and Breeding Fund Boards,” said Thomas Gallo, President of the NYTB who made the motions to appoint him. “With his background, experience, and expertise he will be able to be an innovative force in synergizing the accomplished members of all boards to forward the interests of breeding and racing in New York. I am confident he will usher us into a new era of strength through unity in building a bigger and better Thoroughbred Horse industry in New York.”

The post NYTB’s Najja Thompson Appointed To NYRA Board Of Directors appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

U.S. Trotting Association Announces Study To Uncover Genetic Causes For Birth Defects

The U.S. Trotting Association announced a collaboration this week with the University of California-Davis Veterinary Genetics Laboratory to learn more about birth defects in Standardbreds.

The USTA is urging owners and managers to submit data and DNA samples to the lab from stillborn foals born in 2021 or those demonstrating obvious defects resulting in euthanasia or surgery. Those defects could include: wry nose, cleft palate, contracted limbs/shoulders, microphthalmia (a disorder where one or both eyes are unusually small), missing or additional limbs, cyclops, or other obvious issues that are not typical in a healthy foal.

The goal of the project, if genetic anomalies can be identified for particular conditions, will be to help guide future breedings to reduce the risk of these conditions, which cause economic and welfare hardships for all involved.

Owners are assured that their horses' identities will remain confidential in the course of the study. Statistical results may be published without identifying a particular animal, owner, or breeder and any published results will be released to the public via the USTA.

The USTA released the following guidance for sample submission:

To participate in the study, a submission form, consent form, blood or hair samples and photos of the foal should be submitted to the USTA. To obtain or get further information on the forms or a DNA test kit, contact Gabby Fleming from USTA Member Services at gabby.fleming@ustrotting.com or by calling toll free (877) 800-USTA (8782).

The forms are also available online at http://bit.ly/Geneticform and http://bit.ly/UCDavisConsent.

Blood samples are preferred; however, hair samples may also be submitted. For hair samples, 20-30 hairs with roots attached should be pulled from mane or tail (no cutting of hair) and placed in a Ziploc bag.

Samples and photos with identification should be sent to:

United States Trotting Association
6130 S. Sunbury Rd.
Westerville, OH 43081
Attention: Gabby Fleming

All samples will be sent to UC Davis Veterinary Genetics Lab for genetic testing.

Participation in the study is voluntary and any participant has the right to withdraw from the study at any time. There is no financial obligation on the part of the participant.

The post U.S. Trotting Association Announces Study To Uncover Genetic Causes For Birth Defects appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post