Tag: People

Keeneland has announced that Eric Gustavson, who with his wife, Tamara Hughes Gustavson, owns Spendthrift Farm near Lexington, has been named to its Advisory Board of Directors.

“We welcome Eric Gustavson to the Keeneland Board, where his business skill and marketing acumen will be instrumental as we meet the opportunities and challenges of the future,” Keeneland President and CEO Shannon Arvin said.

Gustavson has played a pivotal role in restoring Spendthrift Farm's storied position as one of the world's premier Thoroughbred breeding operations. Among Spendthrift's talented stallion roster are leading sires Into Mischief, Bolt d'Oro and Omaha Beach; 2020 Horse of the Year Authentic, co-owned by Spendthrift during his racing career; and champions Mitole and Vino Rosso. Gustavson also is a member of The Jockey Club and Breeders' Cup Board of Directors.

Since its first race meet more than 85 years ago, the Keeneland Association has devoted itself to the health and vibrancy of the Thoroughbred industry. The world's largest Thoroughbred auction house, Keeneland conducts five sales a year, in January, April, September and November. Graduates of Keeneland sales dominate racing across the globe at every level. In April and October, Keeneland offers some of the highest caliber and richest Thoroughbred racing in the world. Keeneland hosted the Breeders' Cup World Championships in 2015, 2020 and 2022. Uniquely structured, Keeneland is a privately held company with a not-for-profit mission that returns its earnings to the industry and the community in the form of higher purses and millions of dollars donated in support of horse industry initiatives and charitable contributions for education, research, and health and human services throughout Central Kentucky. Keeneland also maintains Keeneland Library, a world-renowned public research institution with the mission of preserving information about the Thoroughbred industry. To learn more, visit Keeneland.com.

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Legendary jockey Frankie Dettori has confirmed plans to temporarily relocate to America and continue riding on the international circuit.

Dettori said: “I am simply not ready to retire completely. I'm still enjoy riding and want to carry on for a while on the international circuit.

“I have had the most amazing career (based in the UK), and head to British Champions Day (Oct. 21) with some brilliant rides. This will mark my final day riding in Britain, after which I will head to America for the Breeders' Cup and then Melbourne for the Carnival.

“The current plan is to return to ride at Santa Anita in the States at the end of the year. How long I continue race riding overseas and where my American journey takes me, no one can predict but I welcome the challenge in this new chapter.”

Dettori attended a Flying Frankie pop-up along London's South Bank on Thursday to greet the public and encourage fans to try his iconic Flying Dismount, his signature celebration that has made crowds roar for over 30 years. The Flying Frankie pop-up, staged by Great British Racing and QIPCO British Champions Series, also gave the public a chance to celebrate Dettori's illustrious career and say thank you to horseracing's stellar talent.

Dettori, 52, has given sports fans across the world memories that will last a lifetime and has been racing's most famous personality for more than three decades. A dazzling talent, he burst onto the British racing scene in 1985 as a 15-year-old, going on to be crowned Champion Jockey three times and has won almost every major prize in the global horseracing calendar including each of the five British Classics multiple times. In 2016 he reached 3,000 winners aboard Predilection at Newmarket's July racecourse and has since gone on to win a further 365* British races, putting him firmly in the top five of the allcomers list of British based flat jockeys. One of his most celebrated achievements was riding all seven winners of British Festival of Racing Day at Ascot Racecourse on Sept. 28, 1996.

The Italian born jockey has experienced the most remarkable farewell season to end his inspiring career in British racing. Most recently, Dettori achieved a phenomenal 500 winners at Newmarket Racecourse, his home track, winning the Grade 1 Sun Chariot Stakes aboard Inspiral for John and Thady Gosden.

Rod Street, Chief Executive of Great British Racing and QIPCO British Champions Series said: “Frankie has been gift to British racing. He has transcended our sport in a way that few people have and has performed at an elite level for over 30 years. To be at the top of your game as a sportsperson, spanning four decades, is a remarkable feat and few athletes have that longevity.

“Frankie has always brought stardust to the track and his ability to help racing reach new audiences is immeasurable. We are incredibly grateful to him for everything he has done for our sport over the years.”

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Churchill Downs Incorporated (“CDI” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq: CHDN) announced Wednesday that Patrick Neely has been named President of Exacta Systems (“Exacta”), a leading provider of technology to support historical horse racing operations. In this role, he will be responsible for the overall strategy and operations of the newly acquired business unit which operates within the Company's TwinSpires segment.

Neely brings with him over 25 years of professional experience in law, advocacy and business development. Most recently, Neely served as the Chief Development Officer for Exacta, where he oversaw the businesses' government affairs and business development strategy. Neely has held numerous local and national political leadership positions and served as the Executive Director of the Kentucky Equine Education Project (KEEP). He holds a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Louisville and a Juris Doctor from Washington University School of Law.

“As CDI continues to lead in the Historical Horse Racing market, Patrick's wealth of experience and knowledge will be invaluable additions to our leadership team,” said Ben Murr, SVP of CDI & President of TwinSpires and Online Gaming. “We look forward to continuing to grow this business with Patrick and the Exacta team.”

“As a founding member of Exacta, I'm thrilled for this opportunity to lead,” said Neely. “I look forward to delivering operational improvements to CDI and continuing to service Exacta's growing portfolio of third-party HHR operators in New Hampshire, Kentucky, Virginia and Wyoming.”

Neely's promotion is effective immediately.

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Stakes races with Breeders' Cup implications highlighted the weekend's racing and top jockey Jose L. Ortiz made the most of riding engagements at Keeneland and Belmont at the Big A. With a total of five stakes wins, three designated Breeders' Cup Win and You're In races, Ortiz was voted Jockey of the Week for Oct. 2 through Oct. 8 by the panel of racing experts.

The honor recognizes jockeys for riding accomplishments and who are members of the Jockeys' Guild, the organization which represents more than 1,050 active, retired and permanently disabled jockeys in the United States.

Ortiz was at Belmont at the Big A on Friday riding Northern Invader for trainer Cherie DeVaux in the Gio Ponti Stakes for 3-year-olds. Northern Invader tracked the leader City Fever through the opening quarter then took over to post a one-length win in 1:35.25 for the one mile turf test.

Ortiz then flew to Lexington on Saturday for Keeneland's opening weekend. Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher gave a leg up to Ortiz aboard the 2-year-old Locked in the Grade 1 Claiborne Breeders' Futurity. Off as the favorite in the field of eight, Locked settled in mid-pack until the final turn when Ortiz made a sweeping move that put Locked on even terms with The Wine Steward. With a furlong to go, Locked took the lead to post a one-half length win in 1:45.06 for 1 1/16-mile contest over the fast main track. The win earned Locked a spot in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile on Nov. 3.

Riding again for Pletcher on Saturday, Ortiz was in the irons aboard Up to the Mark in the G1 Coolmore Turf Mile. Breaking from post position five in the field of nine, Up to the Mark settled off the early pace in seventh with favorite Master of The Seas. The two hooked up in deep stretch after coming from the back of the pack with Up to the Mark just getting up by a nose at the wire in 1:34.18. With the victory, Up to the Mark has an entry into the Breeders' Cup Mile on Nov. 4.

Ortiz was back to Belmont at the Big A on Sunday to ride Book'em Danno for trainer Derek Ryan in the Futurity which was taken off the turf and run on the main track. Off as the favorite in the field of five, Book'em Danno was much the best posting a 6 1/2-length win in 1:09.47 for six furlongs. With the race coming off the turf, a Breeders' Cup panel will determine if the race will still be considered a Win and You're In for the Juvenile Turf Sprint.

Ortiz put an exclamation point on the weekend with an easy win aboard Gerrymander in the Noble Damsel at one mile for fillies and mares. Taken off the turf, the field was scratched down to two with Gerrymander winning in a final time of 1:36.46.

Ortiz outpolled Junior Alvarado with two G1 wins, Javier Castellano with three stakes wins including the G1 E.P. Taylor, Florent Geroux with two G1 wins, and Flavien Prat with two G2 wins.

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