Tag: Horse Racing

Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards Handed Out At Keeneland Tuesday Night

Winners were named across seven categories with a total of $122,000 awarded at the Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards, now in its eighth year in the United States, which concluded Tuesday evening at Keeneland Racecourse's Entertainment Center, Godolphin said in a press release after the event.

For the first time this year, in addition to the three finalists in each category, two alternates were also chosen and received monetary rewards. Todd Schrupp, FanDuel TV analyst, served as the master of ceremonies.

Tom Law, Saratoga Special Managing Editor and this year's judging panels chair, commented, “The winners and finalists honored at this year's ceremony, along with the alternates, are truly great representatives of the hard-working individuals in our industry. It's been said many times that they are the backbone of the industry that we all love; and it's absolutely true. And speaking for myself, as well as my fellow judges, we'd like to express our admiration for all the nominees and what they do for our sport.”

The Awards are primarily sponsored by Godolphin in partnership with the National HBPA, TOBA, The Jockey Club, and Breeders' Cup. Media partners are the TDN, BloodHorse Publications, Daily Racing Form, The Paulick Report, Fox Sports, Real Players Inside the Backstretch and FanDuel.

This year the awards received additional monetary and collateral support from category sponsors NYRA, 1/ST Racing, Keeneland, Hallway Feeds, NTRA, Hagyard Equine Medical Institute and Churchill Downs.

The winners of the Leadership, Breeding and Racing, the Support Services, as well as the Administration category, will receive a prize of $7,500 to the winner, and their farm/stable also receives $1,000. Two finalists are each awarded $2,500, and their respective farms/stables receive $1,000. Separate from the winner and two finalists, two runners-up receive $2,000 each.

The winner of the Newcomer Award will receive $5,000 and $1,000 to their farm/stable. Two finalists are each awarded $2,500. Two alternates receive $1,000 each.

The winner of the Community Award will receive a prize of $7,500 with an additional prize of $2,500 going to the charity of their choice. The runner-up will receive $2,500. Two alternates will receive $1,500 each.

The full list of winners, finalists and alternates are:
Newcomer Award, sponsored by NYRA
Winner: Dominick Merritt, Exercise Rider, Todd Pletcher
Finalists: Deja Robinson, Ed Brown Society and Nursing Staff Technician with Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital; Sara Gordon, Social Media Manager, Thoroughbred Daily News
Alternates: Adrianne Devaux, Cherie Devaux Racing Stable; Susan Kemper, Coolmore America/Ashford Stud

Support Services Award, sponsored by 1/ST Racing
Winner: Bill Vest, Backside Security Manager, Churchill Downs
Finalists: Rita Cutler, Security Guard, New York Racing Association; Tracy Attfield, Owner, TLore Management
Alternates: Raul Gutierrez, Santa Anita Park; Julie Adair, Farm Owner

Katherine McKee Administration Award, sponsored by Keeneland
Winner: Kelly Danner, Racing Operations Manager, Churchill Downs
Finalists: Jamie Bradley, Office Manager, Steve Asmussen Racing Stable; Samantha McGreevy, Sales Manager, Taylor Made Sales Agency
Alternates: Gwenn Pierce, WB Payson Park, LLC; Eleanor Poppe, New York Race Track Chaplaincy

Dedication to Breeding Award, sponsored by Hallway Feeds
Winner: Jimmy Tate, Assistant Broodmare Manager, WinStar Farm
Finalists: Phillip Hampton, Stallion Groom, Godolphin; Rafael Zambrano, Farm Manager, War Horse Place
Alternates: Harmon Sullivan, New Vocations Racehorse Adoption; Abel Garcia, Four Pillars Holding, LLC

Dedication to Racing Award, sponsored by the NTRA
Winner: Myra “Mickey” Hall, Groom, Herringswell Stables
Finalists: Kathy Sanchez, Assistant Trainer, Tom Amoss Racing Stable; Laura “Tils” Tilbury, Hotwalker, Todd Pletcher Racing Stables
Alternates: Carlos Davila, Craig Wheeler Racing Stable; Moises Morales, Groom

Leadership Award, sponsored by Hagyard Equine Medical Institute
Winner: Manuel Hernandez, Farm Manager, Walmac Farm
Finalists: Gene Guy, Farm Manager, Glencrest Farm; Loretta Lusteg, Assistant Trainer, John C. Kimmel Racing Stable
Alternates: Juan Aguilar, Indian Creek Farm; Christine Jones, Pleasant Acres Stallions

Dr. J. David “Doc” Richardson Community Award, sponsored by Churchill Downs
Winner: Linda Doane, Lifestyle Program Director, The Healing Place/Churchill Downs
Runner-up: Francisco Barrera, Backstretch Employee Service Team
Alternates: Merlin Cano, Backside Learning Center; Diana Varon, Keeneland Racetrack Chaplaincy

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Winter Memories Made And Preserved At Darby Dan

“Multiple graded stakes winner Winter Memories died, and not a peep about it anywhere? Seriously?” Last week's tweet sounded like a salvo.

The message's verve was driven by a quest for information. The responses underneath that query told the story, as a host of fans who loved and cheered home this gray filly by El Prado (Ire) over a decade ago, posted their sadness after hearing of her loss.

Heading out the Old Frankfort Pike at historic Darby Dan Farm, owner John Phillips made the decision not to issue a press release. He had his reasons. As he said so acutely and with deep emotion, “Actually we put her down May 16. It was time, as her hind suspensories just gave out and she was in pain to stand. She was surrounded by the staff and I held the shank.”

He also divulged that, “While I know she was a recognized mare, the loss was personal, private. We probably should have announced her passing, but that just seemed too commercial to me. Sorry if that offends anyone.”

No one is offended. It's Phillips's right. In the world of commercial Thoroughbred breeding, which at times is only understood as a series of business transactions that are attached to monetary gains and losses, there are still deep-seeded tributaries of emotion that are directly tied to family connections–both human and equine. After all, that nexus is full of blood, sweat and at times, many, many tears. No myths here: only truth. That is what Winter Memories meant to Phillips and Darby Dan.

To hear him tell it, from the very beginning Winter Memories was intimately tied to the family and the stallion farm's staff. It all started Apr. 24, 2008.

“She was born on the day we buried our mother [Joan Phillips],” he said. “She was my mother's favorite color, gray. To say Winter Memories was a sentimental favorite is an understatement.”

Out of Memories of Silver (Silver Hawk)–winner of the 1996 GI Queen Elizabeth II Challenge S. and the 1997 GI Beverly D. S. for Darby Dan–her filly would also head to Jimmy Toner's shedrow.

“Winter Memories was, like her mother Memories of Silver, a keen competitor, but was amazingly kind and gentle,” he said. “Owners always say stuff like that and most don't really know, but she was genuinely affectionate and gentle with people, especially my children.”

If you delve into her pedigree, you find that Memories of Silver was the product of five generations of Darby Dan breeding going back to Golden Trail, who Phillips says, “was a blue hen for our family.”

The Phillips Racing Partnership color-bearer had an unbelievable turn of foot in deep stretch, which Darby Dan's owner has said on several occasions was best exhibited in the GI Garden City S. Sept. 17 at Belmont Park during her 3-year-old season. Her stakes haul also included victories in the GIII Miss Grillo S., the GIII Appalachian S., the GII Lake George S. and a runner-up finish in the GII Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf. The GI Diana S. at Saratoga was her last when she was forced into retirement due to a degenerative bone disease.

“Over the many decades that our family has been the stewards of this land and these equine families, we have been blessed with some incredible equine talent. Although Winter Memories was never declared a champion because we stopped her career after her Diana win in Saratoga, she was without a doubt one of the best fillies I have ever had the privilege of witnessing,” said Phillips.

As a broodmare, Winter Memories produced MGSP Winter Sunset (Tapit) and also her full-sister GISP Seasons. More recently, she is responsible for a 2-year-old colt named American Memories (American Pharoah).

And her last produce of record?

Phillips quickly advised, “Her last foal is a Mendelssohn yearling filly who will never see a sales ring.”

Buried at Darby Dan, Winter Memories rests alongside her mother as a close family member held tight by John Phillips for good reason. She'll also be remembered well every year when her eponymous stakes race goes off each September during the Belmont Park meet.

As the commercial market takes a backseat, now the news is out there. Lest we forget, for the family and the fans, may Winter Memories rest in peace.

The post Winter Memories Made And Preserved At Darby Dan appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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Kentucky Horse Park Hosts Memorial Service For Funny Cide

A memorial service for the late dual Classic winner Funny Cide (Distorted Humor) was held at the Kentucky Horse Park Oct. 8, where the 'gutsy gelding' lived out his retirement at the Hall of Champions on the grounds.

During the event, attended by fans of the New York-bred as well as Sackatoga Stable's Jack Knowlton, officials at the Horse Park announced that a statue of Funny Cide would be added to the Memorial Walk of Champions.

“Funny Cide was a true champion,” said Lee Carter, Kentucky Horse Park President. “Adding this statue allows us to continue to share the story about the Gutsy Gelding with future generations.”

Added Knowlton: “We are on to the next chapter. We're going to work to have a statue that will be fitting for him.”

A celebration of Funny Cide's life, the Funny Cide Send-Off, was held at Siros Restaurant in Saratoga Springs Aug. 16. The event featured retired racecaller Tom Durkin, trainer Barclay Tagg, assistant trainer Robin Smullen, and Hall of Fame Jockey Jose Santos. The event raised $12,500, which marks the lead contribution towards the statue.

Anyone wishing to donate to the memorial statue through the Kentucky Horse Park Foundation may do so here.

The post Kentucky Horse Park Hosts Memorial Service For Funny Cide appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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Tony Ann Bests Caravel At The Wire In Thrilling Franklin S. At Keeneland

Tony Ann, a 7-1 shot, outkicked heavily favored Caravel to the wire to earn the first stakes victory of her career in the GII Franklin S. at Keeneland Sunday. Caravel, who began a five-race win streak in last year's Franklin, broke from the rail and found herself chasing dueling pacesetters Twilight Gleaming (Ire) (National Defense {GB}) and B G Warrior (Run Away and Hide) through an opening quarter in :21.09. Tony Ann, who had raced just outside of the favorite early, fell back on the turn as Caravel attempted to reel in the pacesetters. Caravel looked to be spinning her wheels at the top of the stretch, as a resurgent Tony Ann swept to the lead. The champion battled back bravely on the inside, but could not get past Tony Ann.

“It felt like the pace was strong enough, and I was traveling really well behind Caravel, so I was pleased with my trip,” said winning jockey Flavien Prat. “When I tipped her out, she responded really well. I was a bit worried by the sixteenth pole because Caravel came back on us, but she was really game. To go by Caravel you've got to go all out, but she was really game today.”

Trained by California-based Phil D'Amato, Tony Ann was making just her third start of the year after opening the campaign with a runner-up effort in the July 28 Daisycutter S. going five furlongs over the Del Mar lawn. She headed east to be a close-up third after battling on the lead in the Sept. 9 GII AGS Ladies Turf Sprint S. at Kentucky Downs last time out.

Caravel, who followed her win in last year's Franklin with a victory in the GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint, was suffering her second straight loss Sunday.

“The filly tried hard, but we just weren't able to get her head in front today,” said jockey Tyler Gaffalione, who was aboard the beaten favorite. “The fractions were solid, very fast, but I was content with where I was. I think my filly really struggled with the ground a bit today.”

Trainer Brad Cox said a return trip to the Breeders' Cup was still in the plans for Caravel.

“Good run, just came up a touch short,” Cox said. “I am proud of the effort. She likes it here at Keeneland and ran another great race. Breeders' Cup is definitely still something we are pointing towards. We'll see how she comes out of this race and go from there.”

Pedigree Notes:

Tony Ann's dam Never Ever is a half-sister to Grade I winner Cost of Freedom (Cee's Tizzy). She is the eighth graded stakes winner worldwide for her sire, Cairo Prince.

Sunday, Keeneland
FRANKLIN S.-GII, $336,525, Keeneland, 10-15, 3yo/up, f/m, 5 1/2fT, 1:02.42, gd.
1–TONY ANN, 120, m, 5, by Cairo Prince
                1st Dam: Never Ever, by In Excess (Ire)
                2nd Dam: Freedom Dance, by Moscow Ballet
                3rd Dam: In True Form, by Imasmartee
1ST BLACK TYPE WIN, 1ST GRADED STAKES WIN. O-A Venneri Racing, Inc. and Anthony Fanticola; B-Alex Venneri Racing, LLC (KY); T-Philip D'Amato; J-Flavien Prat. $208,863. Lifetime Record: 10-5-1-3, $511,883. Werk Nick Rating: A+++. *Triple Plus* Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Caravel, 124, m, 6, Mizzen Mast–Zeezee Zoomzoom, by Congrats. ($330,000 RNA 3yo '20 WANOCT; $500,000 4yo '21 FTKNOV). O-Qatar Racing LLC, Marc Detampel and Madaket Stables LLC; B-Elizabeth M. Merryman (PA); T-Brad H. Cox. $57,750.
3–Train to Artemus, 120, m, 5, Tapizar–Pay Day Kitten, by Kitten's Joy. 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. O-M and W Stables, LLC; B-Kenneth L. Ramsey & Sarah K. Ramsey (KY); T-Kelly J. Breen. $33,688.
Margins: NK, 3/4, HF. Odds: 7.80, 0.72, 43.20.
Also Ran: Twilight Gleaming (Ire), Wakanaka (Ire), Bay Storm, Linguistic, B G Warrior. Scratched: Star Guest (GB).
Click for the Equibase.com chart and the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.

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