Gyarmati Surrenders License, Stalls Revoked by NYRA

New York-based trainer Leah Gyarmati voluntarily surrendered her license Mar. 1 and subsequently had her stalls at Belmont revoked by NYRA following separate incidents, according to a story first reported by DRF. Stewards scratched horses she had entered last weekend at Aqueduct and the 12 horses under her care were transferred to her former assistant trainer Marcelo Arenas, who took out his own license in 2021.

Gyarmati told the DRF's David Grening that she failed a breathalyzer after she was awakened by NYRA security when found sleeping in her truck, which was parked by Belmont's training track following training hours. She told Grening she had eaten a sandwich and drank two beers and was napping. Gyarmati, who was ordered by state officials to meet with a substance-abuse counselor by a specific date, indicated she was unable to schedule an appointment by that date and has since met with a counselor and was awaiting the counselor's report.

The DRF said that In a separate incident, a horse trained by Gyarmati reportedly recently exited the track lame and was returned to the barn by Gyarmati's exercise rider and stable employee. According to Gyarmati, she remained at the track with her other horses and later returned to her barn. NYRA contradicted her account to the DRF, citing that officials had to request radiographs of the horse and that she didn't return to the barn until the next morning when the vet returned for a follow-up examination.

“I showed up as soon as the last horse I was training finished training,” Gyarmati told DRF. “I came back to the barn, and the vet was X-raying the horse.”

Gyarmati confirmed to DRF that the horse underwent surgery to have one screw inserted to repair a fractured cannon bone and is convalescing on a farm.

“Following a thorough review of recent incidents, NYRA revoked all stalls previously granted to trainer Leah Gyarmati,” read a statement issued by NYRA spokesman Pat McKenna. “Subsequent to this action, Gyarmati voluntarily surrendered her New York State-issued owner, trainer, and exercise rider licenses and is not currently able to participate in Thoroughbred racing activities. NYRA retains the exclusive right to grant or revoke stall space at its properties at any time.”

Gyarmati, who has been training for 25 years, has never been cited for any violations in New York.

The post Gyarmati Surrenders License, Stalls Revoked by NYRA appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Marcelo Arenas of Leah Gyarmati Stables Named Finalist for Dedication to Racing Award

Congratulations to Marcelo Arenas, one of three finalists in the Dedication to Racing Award category of the Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards (TIEA), presented by Godolphin. Currently the assistant trainer at Leah Gyarmati Stables, Arenas is originally from Chile, where both his father and his grandfather were trainers. He moved to the U.S. two decades ago and worked his way through the ranks of walking hots, grooming, and being a foreman before finally becoming an assistant trainer. He spent 15 years with Gary Contessa before moving to Gyarmati’s barn five years ago. Arenas says horses are his passion and the barn is his second home.

“He is truly an asset to my barn and in these difficult times I don’t know how I would have made it without him,” said Gyarmati. “His experience and, most importantly, his desire to learn and expand his knowledge in the industry is impressive. His love for the game is evident in everything he does.”

Click for the video feature on Arenas done by TIEA.

Other finalists for the Dedication to Racing Award are Gregory Smothers of Niall Brennan Stables and Shawn Autry of McPeek Racing, who will be recognized on these pages tomorrow. The Dedication to Racing Award is presented annually to an individual who has been in the Thoroughbred racing industry for at least 10 years and is a pivotal part of his or her employer’s success.

A total of seven award categories will be honored by TIEA for 2020. Maria Cristina Silva of New York Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association (NYTHA) has already been announced as the winner of the Community Award, while the winners in the other categories will be announced live in a virtual ceremony hosted by Jill Byrne and streamed at the TDN homepage Thursday, Nov. 5, at 12:00 p.m. ET. All finalists will be spotlighted in TDN in the days leading up to the ceremony.

The post Marcelo Arenas of Leah Gyarmati Stables Named Finalist for Dedication to Racing Award appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Verified by MonsterInsights