Tag: People

The appointment of Alastair Warwick as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Ascot Racecourse was announced Monday. Warwick joined Ascot in 2008 and most recently held the positions of Managing Director and Acting Chief Executive.

Sir Francis Brooke, His Majesty's Representative at Ascot and Chairman of Ascot Authority (Holdings) Ltd, said:

“I am delighted that Alastair has accepted the position of Chief Executive on a permanent basis. Over the last fifteen years, he has gained the leadership and strategic skills needed for this multifaceted role. He has also played a key part in developing an excellent senior management team.

“Alastair has a deep knowledge of Ascot and the racing industry. In recent years, in addition to being primarily responsible for racecourse operations, Alastair has led vital commercial relationships such as with the Hong Kong Jockey Club and the successful development of the World Pool. In recent months he has also been heavily engaged in wider media and betting rights negotiations, including the delivery of the successful renewal of the ITV terrestrial contract which was announced last week.”

Warwick added:

“I am thrilled to be taking on the role on a permanent basis and would like to thank Francis and his fellow Trustees for the opportunity and for the trust they have placed in me.

“We have an amazing team. From raceday 'Bowler Hat' stewards through to the senior team, everyone has the same aspirations for Ascot.

“During 15 years at Ascot, I have seen some of the best racing in the world and I look forward to welcoming future champions, equine and human.”

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Javier Castellano, a four-time Eclipse Award winning jockey and member of racing's Hall of Fame, was accompanied by friends, family members, and a number of fellow riders on Sunday at Santa Anita Park as he accepted the prestigious George Woolf Memorial Jockey Award Trophy.

The trophy was presented by the track's Senior Vice President and General Manager Nate Newby in a Runhappy Winner's Circle ceremony at the Arcadia, California track.

The Woolf Award has been presented annually by Santa Anita since 1950. Considered one of the most coveted awards in racing, it recognizes those riders whose careers and personal character garner esteem for the individual and sport of Thoroughbred racing. It can only be won once. Joe Bravo won last year's George Woolf Award.

The winner is determined by a vote of jockey's nationwide and is named for one of the greatest big money riders of his era. Other finalists this year were jockeys Daniel Centeno, Terry Houghton, Edwin Maldonado, and Willie Martinez.

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Pablo Morales was forced off his mounts Sunday at Tampa Bay Downs after a freak accident in the starting gate before the first race.

Morales, who was aboard 4-year-old filly Nicolino, suffered a compound fracture of his right pinkie when the horse to his outside, Azulene, reared in her stall and struck Morales's hand on the way down.

The jockey will undergo surgery to determine the full extent of the injury and could miss the remainder of the meet.

Morales is second in the Oldsmar jockey standings with 53 winners, 38 behind runaway leader Samy Camacho.

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Apprentice Yoel Navas launched his riding career in spectacular fashion in Sunday's last race at Gulfstream Park, scoring aboard his very first mount, 35-1 longshot Captain Jack.

The 20-year-old native of Guatemala has worked for Captain Jack's trainer Ian Wilkes as an exercise rider for the past two years.

“He's worked for me for a couple of years,” Wilkes said in the winner's circle. “He's always wanted to be a jock. I brought him along. I thought he was ready to ride.”

Navas gained outside stalking position along the backstretch and into the far turn with Captain Jack in the six-furlong maiden optional claiming race before moving to the lead at the top of the stretch en route to a neck victory in 1:11.65.

Captain Jack ($73.80) is a 3-year-old gelding by McCraken out of the Harlan's Holiday mare Great Family and was bred in Kentucky by Brereton C. Jones. He is campaigned by Lothenbach Stables.

“My goodness. It's very important, this race, for me. The horse ran very well,” Navas said. “Thanks, Ian Wilkes, for the opportunity.”

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