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Grade 1 Winner Valiance Retired, To Be Offered At Fasig-Tipton November Sale

Valiance, a Grade 1 winning daughter of multiple leading sire Tapit, has been retired from racing and will be offered at Fasig-Tipton's upcoming November Sale on Nov. 9 in Lexington, Ky. Bluewater Sales will consign the 5-year-old mare for owners Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Martin S. Schwartz, and CHC Inc.

Valiance took last year's Grade 1 Spinster Stakes in tremendous style, defeating a top-class field that included two other Grade 1 winners. She followed up that victory with a game second in the Breeders' Cup Distaff to multiple champion Monomoy Girl, finishing ahead of another four Grade 1 winners.

In addition to being a Grade 1 winner on dirt, Valiance won her first three career starts on turf, including Monmouth's Open Mind Stakes as a 3-year-old. Trained throughout her career by Hall of Famer Todd Pletcher, she has career earnings of $809,575.

“Valiance is a top-class race mare and a terrific individual,” commented Pletcher. “She's always been a true professional to train in the morning and was so versatile on the racetrack in the afternoon. She's a good one.”

A $650,000 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Selected Yearling, Valiance carries an elite pedigree to complement her outstanding race record and conformation. Her first dam Last Full Measure, by Empire Maker, captured the G1 Madison Stakes. Her second dam, Lazy Slusan, is a multiple Grade 1 winning distaffer and millionaire.

“Valiance was a stunning yearling with a royal pedigree and she followed through on the racetrack,” said Aron Wellman, President of Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners. “She trained with brilliance, ran with brilliance on turf and dirt at the highest level and provided our partners with huge thrills. She's a rare filly who had impeccable breeding, gorgeous looks, immeasurable talent and that intangible killer instinct to win her races. She is an elite mare who offers the complete package and she is cut out to be an exceptional broodmare.”

Added Fasig-Tipton President Boyd Browning: “Valiance is a rare commodity- she's a Grade 1 winner, her dam is a Grade 1 winner, and her granddam is a Grade 1 winner! In addition, she's by Tapit and a beautiful individual. Her potential as a broodmare is unlimited.”

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Economic Analysis: HHR To Help Grants Pass Downs Have $10.7 Billion Impact Over Next 30 Years

The highly anticipated gaming, entertainment and dining venue, The Flying Lark in Grants Pass, Ore., has released an economic impact study analyzing the horse racing industry in partnership with Grants Pass Downs. Independent agency Hunden Strategic Partners (HSP) identified a significant positive impact in job creation, tax and earnings impact to the local economy, as well as the opportunity to provide funding and stability to the equine industry throughout the region.

The Economic Impact Analysis identified the positive impact to Southern Oregon over the next 30 years, including:

$10.7 billion in net new spending
$3.6 billion in net new earnings
2,007 net new full-time jobs
$361.9 million in tax impact to Oregon

HSP conducted market research and interviews with representatives from local, regional and national organizations to understand the horse racing industry and its impact through three primary components: Grants Pass Downs and the Flying Lark, fair meets, and horse-related spending. The study was designed to determine the economic impact of the horse racing industry in Oregon with the Flying Lark in operation and determine the value of the Flying Lark and Grants Pass Downs within the industry in Oregon.

“The local community was surprised to learn of the significant economic impact the horse racing industry had in Oregon back in the 2012 economic impact study,” said Randy Evers, President of Grants Pass Downs. “While horse racing struggles to survive in other states, today the vision of leaders at both Grants Pass Downs and The Flying Lark will be a major factor for economic growth and stability, most importantly for Southern Oregon, but also the entire state.”

The study discloses the positive impact as industry-changing. The Flying Lark has the unique opportunity to create a legacy, putting Grants Pass and the Josephine County Fairgrounds on the map as a year-round destination. In collaboration with Grants Pass Downs, together they will help restore the horse racing industry, including horse owners, trainers, veterinarians, jockeys, and a wide range of partners, vendors, and suppliers across Oregon. There is a positive cycle of spending and impact between gaming and horse racing.

Historic Horse Racing (HHR) revenues will supplement the industry, including:

Larger purses from pari-mutuel wagering,
Boosted interest in the sport due to greater race quality,
Rising visitation stemming from growing interest,
Improved foal crops as horse ownership becomes more profitable, and
Overall positive trends within the industry.

“The Flying Lark will have a substantial impact on Thoroughbred breeding in Oregon,” said Lynnelle Fox Smith, Executive Director for the Oregon Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association. “By knowing the purses will be sizable and the facility will be successful, breeders will continue investing in broodmares, stallions, and breeding to support Oregon's agriculture.”

The Flying Lark was founded by Grants Pass Native, Travis Boersma, with a commitment to horse racing and Southern Oregon, opening in the winter of 2021. The 35,000 square-foot destination has something for everyone; including Jacks, a full service family restaurant, Longshots sports bar, the Winner's Circle bar located in the center of the state-of-the-art historical horse racing (HHR) terminal floor, based on pari-mutuel wagering, and banquet facilities.

Known for its beautiful natural scenery, parks, outdoor recreation, and wineries in Southern Oregon, The Flying Lark will also open The Wonder Walk. This world-class equine-based art walk will beautifully surround the facility and feature pieces by regional artists that celebrate horses' majestic nature, power and beauty.

About The Flying Lark

Proudly from Grants Pass, Oregon, The Flying Lark is Southern Oregon's premier gaming and entertainment destination, including an inviting family culinary dining experience and the inspiring Wonder Walk outdoor art display, featuring regional artists. The Flying Lark, named after one of the most famous stallions in Oregon's history, was designed for our customers, community and team members to celebrate the past, present and future, with the magic and beauty of horses. For more information and regular updates, visit: TheFlyingLark.com

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European Champion St Mark’s Basilica Retired To Coolmore Stud In Ireland

Last year's European champion 2-year-old and the highest-rated horse in the world this year, St Mark's Basilica, has been retired from racing and will retire to Coolmore for the coming season.

“St Mark's Basilica is possibly the best horse we have ever had in Ballydoyle,” said his trainer Aidan O'Brien. “He relaxes and quickens and has all the determination from Galileo and all the speed from Siyouni.”

St Mark's Basilica was bred by Bob Scarborough and raised at Norelands Stud, like his 2,000 Guineas-winning half-brother Magna Grecia, and was purchased by MV Magnier at Tattersalls October Book 1 for 1.3 million guineas.

Beginning with the Dewhurst last October, he notched up five straight Group 1 successes in three countries. After displaying his trademark turn of foot to great effect in the French Guineas and the Prix du Jockey Club, St Mark's Basilica put up arguably his finest performance in the Eclipse Stakes when scoring by 3 1/2 lengths from the multiple Gr.1-winning older horses Addeybb and Mishriff. Another excellent effort came in the Irish Champion Stakes when he got the better of Breeders' Cup winner Tarnawa and 2,000 Guineas and St. James's Palace Stakes winner Poetic Flare.

“He's the most exciting prospect we've retired from Ballydoyle since his late grandfather Galileo,” said Coolmore's David O'Loughlin. “European champion 2-year-old, the highest-rated 3-year-old in the world, a 1.3 million guineas yearling by a top sire in Siyouni, a half-brother to another brilliant horse in Magna Grecia, both out of Galileo's group-winning 2-year-old Cabaret. He has everything and he'll get terrific support from his owners' broodmare band too.”

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Starlet, Los Alamitos Futurity Headline Winter Stakes Schedule At Los Al

Four stakes for 2-year-olds – including a pair of graded races – highlight the upcoming Winter Thoroughbred meet at Los Alamitos.

The season is scheduled to begin Friday, Dec. 3 and continue through Sunday, Dec. 12.

The $300,000-guaranteed Starlet, a Grade 1 for 2-year-old fillies, will be renewed for the eighth time at Los Alamitos Saturday, Dec. 4, one week before the $200,000 Grade 2 Los Alamitos Futurity. Won a year ago by the Bob Baffert-trained Varda, the Starlet – like the Futurity – will be contested at 1 1/16 miles.

Among the nominees to the Starlet are impressive Del Mar Debutante winner Grace Adler, Dance to the Music, Elm Drive and Eda.

Nominees for the Futurity, which was won a year ago by Spielberg, giving Baffert his seventh consecutive win in the race, include Del Mar Futurity winner Pinehurst, Enbarr, winner of the local Capote Stakes, Pappacap and Rhetoric.

The other two stakes for juveniles will be run at one mile and are ungraded. The $100,000 Soviet Problem – for fillies – will be offered Saturday, Dec. 11 while the $100,000 King Glorious will be run Sunday, Dec. 12. Both are for 2-year-olds bred or sired in California.

Completing the stakes schedule is the Grade 3, $100,000 Bayakoa Stakes for fillies & mares (3-year-olds & up) at 1 1/16 miles. The Bayakoa will be run Sunday, Dec. 5.

The complete LACF Winter Thoroughbred Stakes schedule:

Saturday, Dec. 4 – The Starlet (Grade 1) – 2-Year-Old Fillies – One & One Sixteenth Miles – $300,000-guaranteed

Sunday, Dec. 5 – Bayakoa Stakes (Grade 3) – 3-Year-Olds & Up, Fillies & Mares – One & One Sixteenth Miles – $100,000-guaranteed

Saturday, Dec. 11 – Soviet Problem Stakes – 2-Year-Old Fillies, Bred or Sired in California – One Mile – $100,000-guaranteed

Saturday, Dec. 11 – Los Alamitos Futurity (Grade 2) – 2-Year-Olds – One & One Sixteenth Miles – $200,000-guaranteed

Sunday, Dec. 12 – King Glorious Stakes – 2-Year-Olds, Bred or Sired in California – One Mile – $100,000-guaranteed

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