Jockey Club | Horse Racing Free Tips

2021 Longines/IFHA International Award of Merit Awarded To Niarchos Family

The Niarchos family received the 2021 Longines and IFHA International Award of Merit, which recognizes distinguished horsemen and horsewomen for lifelong contributions to Thoroughbred racing, at a ceremony Friday, Nov. 5, in Del Mar during Breeders' Cup World Championships weekend.

Maria Niarchos-Gouazé accepted the award on behalf of the family, and representatives from both Longines and the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA), as well as the Breeders' Cup and The Jockey Club, took part in the celebration.

“On behalf of my brothers and myself, I would like to thank Longines, the IFHA, the Breeders' Cup, and The Jockey Club for this great honor,” said Niarchos-Gouazé. “I would also like to thank all of our horses, the jockeys who mainly found the winning post, our trainers, our veterinarians and farriers, and all of the individuals who have worked on the studs and in our trainers' yards.

“In particular, I would like to thank my home team, Alan Cooper and Karen Clark, who have been with us since inception, for their dedication and loyalty, and also Jamie McCalmont and Bill Oppenheim, and those who have worked alongside them. Lastly, and the most deserving of all, I would like to thank my father, Stavros, for his vision.”

As the Official Partner and Official Watch of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA), Swiss watchmaker Longines and the IFHA conjointly created the International Award of Merit in 2013 in order to honor public figures for their outstanding contribution to the world of horse racing. Longines is also an Official Partner, the Official Timekeeper, and the Official Watch of the Breeders' Cup, as well as the title sponsor for this year's Breeders' Cup Classic, Turf, and Distaff.

“We are delighted to celebrate tonight the Niarchos family, whose strong commitment and dedication to Thoroughbred racing have been rewarded by so many remarkable successes over the years,” said Matthieu Baumgartner, Longines Vice President Marketing. “The history of the family proves that equestrian sport is one of passion, a passion that Longines has been sharing for a century and a half. Today, we are the partner of some of the major international institutions, including the IFHA, and provide our timekeeping expertise to prestigious events all around the world in the disciplines show jumping, dressage, eventing, and of course, horse racing.”

Previous winners of the International Award of Merit include John Messara, the owner and chairman of Arrowfield Stud in Australia; the Magnier family and trainer Aidan O'Brien, the driving forces behind Coolmore and the Ballydoyle Racing Stable in Ireland; Yutaka Take, legendary Japanese jockey; the Romanet family, long renowned leaders in both the French and international world of horseracing; Jim Bolger, leading Irish trainer, owner, and breeder; Alec Head, past champion trainer and patriarch of prominent stud farm Haras du Quesnay; Seth Hancock of historic Claiborne Farm in America; and the late Marcel Zarour Atanacio, former chairman of the South American organization for the promotion of Thoroughbreds (OSAF).

“I would like to congratulate the Niarchos family as this year's recipient of the Longines and IFHA International Award of Merit,” said IFHA Chair Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges. “Reflecting upon the significance and the values associated with this award, I am struck by the level of success achieved by the Niarchos family in nearly every corner of the globe, spanning multiple generations.

“On racetrack achievement alone, the Niarchos family would be worthy recipients of this Award, but their steadfast support of our industry is what sets them apart. Their unwavering partnership and development of international racing and breeding is a special feat, and it must be celebrated.”

[Story Continues Below]

The late Stavros Niarchos served as a Greek naval officer in World War II and made his fortune in the shipping business. He first became involved with Thoroughbred racing in the 1950s, took a break, and returned in full force in the 1970s. His first major winner was Pipe of Peace, who won the 1956 Middle Park Stakes.

His daughter Maria took over the family's Thoroughbred business after his death in 1996, and Alan Cooper serves as the family's racing manager. More than 125 Group or Grade 1 winners have been bred and/or campaigned under their banner, and they have been long-time supporters of the Breeders' Cup.

The Niarchos family has won seven Breeders' Cup races with six homebred colts and fillies. Six of those victories have come in the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Mile: Miesque (1987, 1988), Spinning World (1997), Domedriver (2002), Six Perfections (2003), and Karakontie (2014). Additionally, Main Sequence won the G1 Longines Breeders' Cup Turf in 2014. This record as an owner-breeder at the Breeders' Cup makes the Niarchos family one of the event's most successful participants.

A sampling of other notable international wins for the family as owner or breeder also includes Bago (2004 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe), Divine Proportions (2005 Prix de Diane), Light Shift (2007 English Oaks), Ulysses (2017 Eclipse Stakes and International Stakes, son of Light Shift), Alpha Centauri (2018 Irish Horse of the Year), Study of Man (2018 Prix du Jockey Club), War of Will (2019 Preakness Stakes), and Circus Maximus (2019 St James's Palace Stakes and 2020 Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot).

The post 2021 Longines/IFHA International Award of Merit Awarded To Niarchos Family appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation Named Official Charity Of 2022 Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event

The Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation, traditionally the nation's leading source of private funding for equine medical research that benefits all breeds of horses, has been chosen as the Official Charity of the 2022 Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS Equestrian™ (LRK3DE).

Organized by Equestrian Events Inc. (EEI), the event returns to the Kentucky Horse Park, April 28-May 1. Known as the “Best Weekend All Year,” the event hosts the prestigious Five Star three-day event, the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS Equestrian™, plus a spectacular show jumping Grand Prix, the $225,000 Kentucky CSI3* Invitational Grand Prix presented by Hagyard Equine Medical Institute.

[Story Continues Below]

“We are deeply honored to be selected as the official charity of the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event,” said Dell Hancock, chairman of Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation. “EEI's commitment to helping non-profit organizations should be commended, especially given the financial challenges of the past year. Their generosity will help improve the lives of all horses, from three-day eventers to horses in your backyard.”

Since 1983, the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation has provided more than $27.5 million to fund 366 projects at 44 universities in North America and overseas. Through the years, research funded by Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation and its predecessor (the Grayson Foundation) has uncovered solutions to critical problems affecting horse health as well as clues to numerous other solutions of equine health issues. For more information, visit Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation, Inc.

“Over the years, EEI has maintained a strong commitment to supporting charities that serve the local community and support the equine industry,” said EEI president Mike Cooper. “This year, after so many individuals and organizations stood by us during the challenges presented by COVID-19, we are redoubling our commitment to giving back and we are thrilled to partner with the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation as our official charity.”

As the official charity, Grayson-Jockey Club Research will receive a portion of the proceeds from a special farm-to-table fundraising charity dinner on Thursday, April 28, in the Big Barn at the Kentucky Horse Park. Ticket and other information is available at https://kentuckythreedayevent.com/fundraisingdinner/.

The LRK3DE is a thrilling multi-day competition featuring Olympic-level riders and horses in what can best be described as an equestrian triathlon. Horses and riders compete for $400,000 in prize money in three phases of competition – Dressage, Cross-Country and Show Jumping. LRK3DE is one of only seven annual Five Star three-day events in the world and is the first and longest-running Five Star in the Americas. As the United States' premier event, it also serves as the Land Rover/USEF CCI-5*-L Eventing National Championship presented by MARS Equestrian.

As part of the action-packed weekend, the third annual $225,000 Kentucky CSI3* Invitational Grand Prix presented by Hagyard Equine Medical Institute will take place on Saturday afternoon, April 30, after the cross-country portion of the LRK3DE. Stadium seat tickets for the Grand Prix are just $10 and are available here. There will also be a $36,500 Welcome Speed Cup Ranking Class on Friday in Rolex Stadium, after the day's LRK3DE dressage competition. No stadium seat ticket is required for Friday's Ranking Class. Further information is available at Kentucky CSI3* Invitational Grand Prix.

Tickets for the 2022 Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS Equestrian and the $225,000 Kentucky CSI3* Invitational Grand Prix presented by Hagyard Equine Medical Institute are now on sale! Single-Day and Multi-Day tickets are available. All grounds admission tickets to the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event include general parking and admission to the Kentucky Horse Park and International Trade Fair, but do not include access to the competition in Rolex Stadium on Thursday, Friday and Sunday. Reserved grandstand seating is sold separately from grounds admission and traditionally the best seats sell out, so everyone is encouraged to place orders as early as possible. Grounds admission is free for children 12 years and under with adult ticket purchases.

For a unique world-class Kentucky experience, exclusive Ringside Hospitality Packages are also available, including Patron Plus, Patron Club, and Kentucky Club (Saturday only). Tickets can be ordered online at https://kentuckythreedayevent.com/tickets/ or over the phone (859-254-8123). Further information on the Land Rover Kentucky is available here.

Barr Introduces Legislation To Make Racehorse Tax Depreciation Schedule Permanent

U.S. Congressman Andy Barr (KY-06) reintroduced legislation to incentivize investment in Kentucky's signature equine industry. The Equine Tax Fairness Act would make the three-year depreciation schedule permanent for racehorses, regardless of their age when put into service. Currently, Congress must reauthorize this provision in the tax law on an annual basis.

Additionally, this legislation would reduce the holding period for equine assets to be considered long term capital gains, putting them on a level playing field with other similar assets. Congressman Barr's bill is endorsed by the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA), the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association, the Jockey Club, the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association, Keeneland, and the American Horse Council.

“Permanently delivering tax incentives for owners and breeders will strengthen investment in our signature equine industry,” said Congressman Barr, who serves as Co-Chair of the Congressional Horse Caucus. “I want to continue the momentum started with the enactment of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act to push another key industry initiative across the finish line that will help solidify the sport for decades to come.”

“The three-year depreciation of racehorses (similar to other investment assets) is critically important to encourage robust investment in Thoroughbred horses and to maintain the vibrant economy and trade we have seen throughout this Thoroughbred sales cycle and consistently over the past 85 years at Keeneland,” said Shannon Arvin, President and CEO of Keeneland. “We appreciate Congressman Barr's consistent support of this legislation and the entire Thoroughbred industry.”

“Congressman Barr understands the horse racing industry and appreciates the impact this bill would have on attracting and maintaining ownership in racehorses,” said Alex Waldrop, President and CEO of NTRA. “We thank him for introducing the Equine Fairness Act and for helping support an industry that is a job-creating economic engine for his home state of Kentucky and for other states. Both provisions offer a level of tax fairness and flexibility that racehorse owners seek when determining their level of investment. This bill simply is good for business.”

“The Jockey Club wholeheartedly supports the Equine Tax Fairness Act, introduced by Congressman Barr,” said James Gagliano, President of the Jockey Club. “This bill will put horse ownership on par with other investment assets. The three-year depreciation schedule accurately reflects the typical career of a racehorse since nearly three-quarters of foals that race have a career of four years or less. This change has been enacted by Congress on a temporary, year-to-year basis since 2008, and needs to be permanent law.”

You can read the Jockey Club's full statement on the bill here.

“The Kentucky Thoroughbred Association endorses the Equine Tax Fairness Act, and is very grateful to Congressman Andy Barr for introducing it. Kentucky breeders produce foals that become racehorses in 38 states, and the 3-year depreciation encourages racehorse ownership which we know supports 241,000 direct racing sector jobs nationwide as well as the 60,000 direct, indirect and induced jobs in the Commonwealth of Kentucky,” said Chauncey Morris, Executive Director of the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association.

“The Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association fully endorses Congressman Barr's bill to reward investment in our great sport,” said Dan Metzger, President of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association. “We thank him for his consistent support for owners and breeders and the Thoroughbred horse racing industry as a whole.”

“The American Horse Council is pleased to endorse Rep Barr's Equine Tax Bill, which will help ensure growth and investment in the $122 billion equine industry,” said Julie Broadway, President American Horse Council.

The post Barr Introduces Legislation To Make Racehorse Tax Depreciation Schedule Permanent appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Over 35K Horses Now Digitally Tatooed

Over 35,000 Thoroughbreds have now been digitally tattooed, Thoroughbred Racing Protective Bureau (TRPB) announced Thursday. The digital tattoo is an electronic authentication confirming the identity of a horse by a trained TRPB technician.
“Every racing 2-year-old, every 3-year-old and a significant share of 4- year-olds have digital tattoos and by the end of 2021, we estimate that 75% of Thoroughbreds will enter the racetrack paddock with a digital tattoo,” said J. Curtis Linnell, executive vice president, TRPB. “We have 56 TRPB Technicians under contract throughout the United States and Canada and even with the COVID-19 pandemic, they have been able to inspect, document and authenticate the identity of Thoroughbreds before their first lifetime start.”
The digital tattoo process begins when the technician scans the horse's microchip and if correctly reported, the microchip number hyperlinks to The Jockey Club electronic registration information viewed on a tablet.

The post Over 35K Horses Now Digitally Tatooed appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post