nyra | Horse Racing Free Tips

Veteran Racer Red Knight Arrives At Old Friends

GISW Red Knight (Pure Prize) arrived safely at his new home on Tuesday, Nov. 7 at Old Friends in Georgetown, Kentucky, the retirement farm said in a release Friday morning.

Bred, raced and donated by owner Tom Egan of Trinity Farm, the 9-year-old Red Knight was a stalwart campaigner over 38 races in which he was 12-9-2 with total earnings tallying at $1,886,338.

The highlight of his lengthy career came this year when he won the GI Man o' War S. at Belmont Park May 13, becoming just the third 9-year old to win a Grade I race in New York.

“He has a big personality,” Egan said. “He likes people, but he doesn't suffer fools, whether they're grooms or exercise riders.”

Egan went on to thank trainer Mike Maker, who he believes made all the difference last year after he took over for Bill Mott, and helped the veteran runner capture the Man o' War S.

“I stalked Tom Egan ever since the Saratoga meet concerning Red Knight,” said Old Friends President, Michael Blowen. “I adored Red Knight and knew that, at nine, his racing career was nearing the end. Tom was gracious enough to acknowledge my adoration and, now, his wonderful horse is here. What could be better?”

The post Veteran Racer Red Knight Arrives At Old Friends appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

NYRA Raises Purses For 2024 New York-Bred Foal Crop

Beginning on Jan. 1, 2026, New York-bred overnight races for 2-year-olds on the NYRA circuit will offer purse amounts matching the race's open-company counterpart, which will directly benefit the state's 2024 foal crop and pave the way to compete for some of the richest purses of any state-bred program in the nation, the association said in a release Wednesday.

At the 2023 summer meet at Saratoga Race Course, maiden races restricted to New York-bred 2-year-olds featured a purse of $88,000 compared to a purse of $105,000 offered for 2-year-olds competing in an open-company maiden event.

While this purse increase will impact only the 2024 New York-bred foal crop, NYRA intends to further expand purse parity for additional categories of New York-bred races in the future.

In 2022, NYRA conducted 556 races exclusively for registered New York-breds with purses totaling $42,366,000. Among those races were 56 stakes with $8,725,000 of purse money on offer. NYRA holds three high profile NY-bred showcase days annually, highlighted by New York Showcase Day at Saratoga Race Course. In 2023, Saratoga Showcase Day was run on the Sunday of Travers Weekend and featured a whopping 113 NY-breds competing in 11 races, including six stakes worth a combined $1.25 million.

As a result of the partnership between NYRA and FOX Sports, nearly every NY-bred contest is broadcast live to a national audience on the FOX Sports family of networks. Both Saratoga Live and America's Day at the Races, which are produced by NYRA, have generated sustained ratings growth since they were launched nationally in 2016.

“The New York-bred program is critically important to the future of thoroughbred racing in New York State,” said Dave O'Rourke, NYRA President & CEO. “This new purse structure increases the value of the upcoming foal crop of New York-breds, and reflects NYRA's commitment to the owners, breeders and trainers who choose to breed and race in New York.”

Beyond the rich purses offered by NYRA, a variety of owner, breeder and stallion awards are available to those who breed and race in New York. These lucrative incentives serve as a significant benefit to thoroughbred breeding farms across the state, which create and sustain thousands of jobs in every corner of New York.

“This initiative is a strong signal to the bloodstock market on why you should breed and foal in New York, and own a New York-bred to race,” said Najja Thompson, Executive Director of the New York Thoroughbred Breeders. “New York-breds compete and win at the highest levels, and NYRA's consistent support guarantees more opportunities than ever for New York State's breeders and owners.”

New York State has adopted rules that expand the reach of the New York-bred awards and benefits by clarifying a pathway for non-resident mares to gain residency status. According to the rule changes, a non-resident mare purchased in foal through public auction is deemed a resident mare provided the mare is purchased for at least $50,000 in the public auction; is present in the state of New York within 15 days after a sale in North America and 60 days at any public auction sale abroad; the foal is foaled in New York; and the mare thereafter is continuously in residence in New York from within 120 days after her last cover in the year of conception of another foal and remains in residency until foaling.

“It pays to participate in the New York-bred program,” added Thompson. “And bringing a mare back to New York is a valuable proposition, especially for the 2024 foaling season.”

The post NYRA Raises Purses For 2024 New York-Bred Foal Crop appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

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

The post Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards Handed Out At Keeneland Tuesday Night appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Judge Throws Out PETA-Backed Lawsuit that Sought to Block Loan to NYRA for Belmont Renovations

An Albany County Court Judge has dismissed a lawsuit from two New York taxpayers backed by PETA that attempted to block the State of New York from loaning NYRA $455 million that is earmarked for the construction of a new Belmont Park.

The new Belmont Park is expected to open for the 2026 spring meet.

The plaintiffs, Jannette Patterson and John Dileonardo, had argued that the New York State Constitution prohibited the state from giving or loaning state funds to any private corporation. The lawsuit, filed in June, was announced by PETA. Its press release issued at the time said the organization was “hoping to prevent a shady deal to fund a private entertainment business with money from New York taxpayers.”

“No responsible private lender would make such a staggering loan to NYRA,” read the original complaint.

But Judge Peter Lynch ruled that the state can issue loans where the loan is predominantly for a public purpose, which, he wrote, was the case with the rebuilding of Belmont Park.

“It is well settled that the constitutional prohibition against State loans to private entities or for private undertakings is not applicable where the loan is for a predominantly a public purpose, and private benefit, if any, is incidental,” Lynch wrote in his decision. “This interpretation of the constitution does not constitute an unauthorized and unlimited grant of an 'exception' to the prohibition, distinct from the enumerated exceptions set forth in NY Constitution, article VII, § 8 (1) and (2). To the contrary, where the appropriation is in furtherance of a predominantly public purpose it simply may not be construed as a private loan or undertaking in the first instance. Funding the renovation of Belmont Park Racetrack constitutes just such a public purpose!”

Lynch referenced a case where a court ruled that the state could contribute $600 million to the $1.4 billion it cost to rebuild the Buffalo Bills Stadium.

“Horse racing fans who attend Belmont Park are no different than football fans who attend the Buffalo Bills stadium,” he wrote. “They are part of the community, and their ability to enjoy the sport of their choice improves their quality of life. Considering Plaintiff's claim that the horse racing industry is in economic straits, it is manifest that the Legislature's funding plan to modernize.”

“The construction of a new Belmont Park will create thousands of jobs, generate billions in economic activity and secure the future of Thoroughbred racing in New York State,” NYRA spokesman Patrick McKenna said after the decision was announced. “This decision recognizes the importance of this transformational project, which will deliver the world-class Belmont Park that New Yorkers deserve.”

NYRA was one of five defendants in the suit. The others were the State of New York; The New York State Assembly; Governor Kathy Hochul and State Comptroller Thomas P. Dinapoli.

The plaintiffs had asked for a preliminary injunction that would have halted the loan. Lynch denied that motion and dismissed the plaintiffs' complaint.

In their complaint, Patterson, Dileonardo and PETA tried to portray racing as a dying sport that did not deserve what amounted to a huge financial shot in the arm from the state. It said that attendance had dropped by 88% since 1978 and that taxes paid to the state from racing had fallen by 90% between 1970 and 2019. The suit called racing a “moribund industry that has seen 41 long-established racetracks shut down in the United States since 2000.”

The post Judge Throws Out PETA-Backed Lawsuit that Sought to Block Loan to NYRA for Belmont Renovations appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post