Tag: Keeneland

Notable US-Bred & -Sired Runners in Japan: June 12 & 13, 2021

In this continuing series, we take a look ahead at US-bred and/or conceived runners entered for the upcoming weekend at the tracks on the Japan Racing Association circuit, with a focus on pedigree and/or performance in the sales ring. Here are the horses of interest for this weekend running at Chukyo and Tokyo Racecourses, including the first career start for an immaculately bred son of Tapit who goes out for one of that sire's biggest Japanese-based supporters:

Saturday, June 12, 2021
1st-CKO, ¥9,680,000 ($88k), Maiden, 3yo, 1800m
DANON PULSE (JPN) (c, 3, Malibu Moon–Curlin Hawk, by Curlin) was acquired for $800K in utero at Keeneland November in 2017 a little more than a month after the dam's foal of 2015, Seabhac (Scat Daddy), won the GIII Pilgrim S. on the turf at Belmont Park. Unplaced in a single racetrack appearance, Curlin Hawk–herself a $500K KEESEP yearling–is a half-sister to champion and multiple Classic winner Afleet Alex (Northern Afleet) and to his SW & MGSP full-brother Unforgettable Max. B-Shimokobe Farm

3rd-TOK, ¥9,680,000 ($88k), Maiden, 3yo, 1600m
Darby Dan's overachieving Dialed In is represented by his first Japanese starter in the form of North Hills Co. Ltd.'s NIL ADMIRARI (c, 3, –Into Reality, by Untuttable). A half-brother to the stakes-winning Meadowood (Harlan's Holiday), the March-foaled bay cost $30K at KEENOV in 2018 before maturing into a $130K purchase at the Fasig-Tipton July sale the next summer. One of only five horses to go a quarter-mile in :20 3/5 (bullet was :20 2/5 for American Pharoah's Kyoto debut-winning daughter Russian Samovar), Nil Admirari was hammered down for $275K at last year's OBS March Sale, making him the most expensive colt from that crop. B-Scott Dilworth (KY)

7th-TOK, ¥14,360,000 ($131k), Allowance, 3yo/up, 1600m
ALIENOR (JPN) (f, 3, Nyquist–Land Over Sea, by Bellamy Road) was well-beaten trying the local turf course on her career debut last November, but she shaped as a different proposition altogether when switching to the dirt at Niigata Apr. 18, running out a five-length winner. Her dam, a half-sister to the hard-knocking MGSW $3.2-million winner War Story (Northern Afleet), won the 2016 GII TwinSpires.com Fair Grounds Oaks and was runner-up in that year's GI Longines Kentucky Oaks before selling for $1.3 million with this filly in utero at FTKNOV in 2017. B-Shadai Farm

Sunday, June 13, 2021
5th-TOK, ¥13,400,000 ($122k), Newcomers, 2yo, 1800mT
FIFTY CHEVY (c, 2, Tapit–Stopchargingmaria, by Tale of the Cat) attracted a final bid of $825K from Yuji Hasegawa last fall, the same owner who gave $1.5 million for Vanishing Point, a full-brother to two-time Eclipse Award winner Unique Bella, at the same auction 12 months prior. Winner of the 2014 GI CCA Oaks and GI Alabama S. for owner Mike Repole, Stopchargingmaria was a $3.15-million buyback at that year's FTKNOV sale before being purchased privately by Louise and Kiki Courtelis' Town and Country Farms. Upset winner of the 2015 GI Breeders' Cup Distaff, the mare remained in training through her 5-year-old season and was knocked down to Three Chimneys for $2.8 million at FTKNOV in 2016. She was most recently acquired by Whisper Hill Farm for $4.4 million with this foal in utero at the 2018 FTKNOV sale. Three-year-old filly Stillchargingmaria (Pioneerof the Nile), a $1.9m graduate of FTKNOV and her dam's first produce, won her maiden at Lone Star Park this past April. Coincidentally, Vanishing Point is entered for a Saturday allowance at headquarters. B-Three Chimneys Farm LLC & Whisper Hill Farm LLC (KY)

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Cormac Breathnach Named Keeneland’s Director of Sales Operations

Keeneland has named bloodstock consultant Cormac Breathnach, Ph.D., associated for many years with first Adena Springs and then Airdrie stallions, as its new Director of Sales Operations. Breathnach succeeds Geoffrey Russell, who retired in April after 25 years with Keeneland. Russell will remain in a consulting role with Keeneland through the rest of 2021.

“We are excited to have Cormac join the Keeneland sales team as the Director of Sales Operations,” Keeneland Vice President of Sales Tony Lacy said. “I have long admired his professionalism, knowledge, and integrity, which is second to none, and have had the pleasure of watching him develop in the industry and gain the respect of a broad range of professionals. His skill set, personality, and strong work ethic will help evolve Keeneland sales for the future. In addition, his background in research and animal welfare is a valuable asset as we continue to strive to set higher standards for the industry.”

“Geoffrey very generously has been helping us through the transition process to make it as seamless as possible,” Lacy said. “I can never thank him enough for his commitment to Keeneland even in his first stages of retirement. I know Cormac will integrate into this role smoothly with Geoffrey's guidance.”

Breathnach, a native of Ireland, is well known throughout the Thoroughbred racing and breeding sectors. During his more than two decades in the horse industry, he received a doctorate in veterinary science from the Gluck Equine Research Center at the University of Kentucky and spent nearly eight years as the Stallion Seasons and Matings Consultant at Adena Springs before being named the Director of Stallion Nominations at Airdrie Stud in 2017. In addition, he also founded Galway Bloodstock, a consultancy that provides auction representation, racehorse management, and matings analysis.

Breathnach studied biotechnology at National University of Ireland, Galway, then pursued his Ph.D. from the Gluck Center. He completed two post-doctoral studies, first at the veterinary school of the University of Wisconsin-Madison from 2001-2003 before returning to the Gluck Center from 2004-2007. He was the inaugural recipient of the Paul Mellon Postdoctoral Scholarship. He is currently on the board of both the Gluck Foundation, where he is the first graduate of the Gluck Equine Research Center to serve in that capacity, and the Secretariat Center.

“I have spent the last 12 years working with breeders, consignors and buyers on behalf of two of the preeminent stud farms in the Bluegrass, and I am excited to carry those relationships through to this new role with Keeneland,” Breathnach said. “I am grateful for the opportunities I have been given along the way, particularly to Bret Jones and his family for four successful years at Airdrie Stud.”

“Cormac has been such a tremendous contributor to Airdrie Stud, and I know I speak for our entire team when I say how much we will miss him,” Airdrie Stud Vice President Bret Jones said. “Keeneland and our breeding and racing community at large are gaining an advocate of the absolute highest ability and character. He is one of the truly wonderful people in our industry. I am very happy for Cormac to ascend to this important position and will always be grateful for the great friendship we've developed these last four years.”

Keeneland's new Director of Sales Operations lives in Lexington with his wife, Catherine, and their daughter, Anna.

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Keeneland Names Cormac Breathnach As Director Of Sales Operations

Keeneland today named prominent bloodstock consultant Cormac Breathnach, Ph.D., as its new Director of Sales Operations.

Breathnach brings a distinctive set of skills and more than 20 years of horse industry experience to Keeneland, combining bloodstock and pedigree knowledge, practical sales expertise and a doctorate in veterinary science from the Gluck Equine Research Center at the University of Kentucky.

“We are excited to have Cormac join the Keeneland sales team as the Director of Sales Operations,” Keeneland Vice President of Sales Tony Lacy said. “I have long admired his professionalism, knowledge and integrity, which is second to none, and have had the pleasure of watching him develop in the industry and gain the respect of a broad range of professionals. His skill set, personality and strong work ethic will help evolve Keeneland sales for the future. In addition, his background in research and animal welfare is a valuable asset as we continue to strive to set higher standards for the industry.”

Breathnach succeeds Geoffrey Russell, who announced his retirement in April following 25 years with Keeneland. Russell will remain in a consulting role with Keeneland through 2021.

“Geoffrey very generously has been helping us through the transition process to make it as seamless as possible,” Lacy said. “I can never thank him enough for his commitment to Keeneland even in his first stages of retirement. I know Cormac will integrate into this role smoothly with Geoffrey's guidance.”

Since 2017, Breathnach has served as Director of Stallion Nominations at Airdrie Stud, which stands such exciting young stallions as Cairo Prince, Collected and Complexity. For nearly eight years prior to his position at Airdrie, he was Stallion Seasons and Matings Consultant at Adena Springs, where he represented Breeders' Cup Classic winners and leading sires Ghostzapper and Awesome Again. Breathnach also founded Galway Bloodstock, a consultancy that has provided a range of services including auction representation, racehorse management and matings analysis.

A native of Galway, Ireland, Breathnach studied biotechnology at National University of Ireland, Galway (NUIG). Following a summer research internship at Alltech in Lexington, he returned to Central Kentucky to earn a Ph.D. in Veterinary Science from the Gluck Equine Research Center in 2001. He completed two post-doctoral studies, first at the veterinary school at the University of Wisconsin-Madison from 2001-2003 before returning to the Gluck Center from 2004-2007. There he was the inaugural recipient of the Paul Mellon Postdoctoral Scholarship.

“It is a great honor to be named Director of Sales Operations at Keeneland,” Breathnach said. “Keeneland is a world-renowned cornerstone of the Thoroughbred industry, and to participate in its progressive mission under (Keeneland President and CEO) Shannon Arvin, Tony Lacy and the talented team already in place is a privilege.

“I have spent the last 12 years working with breeders, consignors and buyers on behalf of two of the preeminent stud farms in the Bluegrass, and I am excited to carry those relationships through to this new role with Keeneland,” Breathnach said. “I am grateful for the opportunities I have been given along the way, particularly to Bret Jones and his family for four successful years at Airdrie Stud.”

“Cormac has been such a tremendous contributor to Airdrie Stud, and I know I speak for our entire team when I say how much we will miss him,” Airdrie Stud Vice President Bret Jones said. “Keeneland and our breeding and racing community at large are gaining an advocate of the absolute highest ability and character. He is one of the truly wonderful people in our industry. I am very happy for Cormac to ascend to this important position and will always be grateful for the great friendship we've developed these last four years.”

Breathnach is on the board of both the Gluck Foundation, where he is the first graduate of the Gluck Equine Research Center to serve in that capacity, and the Secretariat Center. He is a past board member of the Iroquois Hunt Club.

Breathnach and his wife, Catherine, along with their daughter, Anna (9), reside in Lexington.

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Nominations Open For Sixth Annual TIE Awards

Nominations for the 2021 Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards (TIEA) opened June 7 and will close Monday, Aug. 2.

Sheikh Mohammed's Godolphin is the principal sponsor of the awards in association with The Jockey Club, the National Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association (NHBPA), the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association (TOBA) and Breeders' Cup. Godolphin sponsors the Stud and Stable Staff Awards in England, Ireland, France and Australia.

While the 2020 TIE Awards ceremony took place virtually, a result of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, this year's ceremonies are planned as an in-person event in October hosted by Keeneland. Jill Byrne will serve as the master of ceremonies.

This year's award categories will reflect a few changes. First, there will now be one overall “Leadership Award,” combining the previously separated leadership awards in both breeding and racing. Second, a new category, the “Support Services Award,” has been added to reward an individual who works in any non-administrative, support service role in the Thoroughbred industry. Eligible candidates for this award include, but are not limited to: sales positions; auctioneers; gardeners; veterinary practices; farriers; starting gate crew; horse transport; grounds staff at sales companies, farms or racetracks; valets; horse dentists; physiotherapists; etc.

Churchill Downs, Hallway Feeds, Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, I Am Horse Racing, along with Keeneland, will each be sponsoring an award this year.

This year's TIE Awards will offer total prize money of $122,000. The awards will be held in the Keeneland Sales Pavilion Friday, Oct. 15. For more information and to nominate online, please visit www.tiea.org.

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