People | Horse Racing Free Tips

Ed Vaughan Makes The Move To The U.S. For Phoenix Thoroughbreds

Two months after sending out his last runner in Britain, Ed Vaughan has restarted his training career in the United States, where he will have the continued support of owners Phoenix Thoroughbreds.

Vaughan, 47, announced in July that he would be winding up his stable in Newmarket after 16 years, declaring that rising costs and declining prize money levels were making running a training business increasingly unviable.

The 47-year-old signed off when his final runner, Hackness Harry, won at Kempton – but, in an interview with The Owner Breeder, revealed he has set up a new base at Keeneland in Lexington. He hopes to have his first runners in the new year on the Tapeta all-weather surface at Turfway Park in northern Kentucky.

Among a team that could reach a dozen are three horses he was training for the controversial Phoenix Thoroughbreds team, who had separately announced they were quitting Britain amid intense media scrutiny over the organization's funding sources.

“Moving to the US had been on my mind for a long time,” Vaughan told Owner Breeder magazine. “I just needed to work the logistics out. Fortunately some horses that I trained in England have come over to Kentucky.

“It's obviously very exciting,” he went on. “It's a new chapter and it's like I'm starting all over again. I'm definitely not worried though. I've had good support from the right people and the move makes sense.

“With prize-money the way it is in Britain, it just became increasingly difficult to continue training. We'll be racing for some proper prize-money in Kentucky.”

Vaughan trained more than 200 winners in Britain, landing his biggest success this year when Dame Malliot won the Group 2 Princess Of Wales's Stakes in July.

His was one of 11 British stables to train for big-spending Phoenix, the self-styled “world's first regulated thoroughbred fund” which launched in 2017 with strings in the US and Australia as well as Europe.

However, by the time Vaughan handed in his licence, Phoenix had been barred from having runners in France and Britain over concerns about its funding which stemmed from allegations made in a New York court that CEO and founder Amer Abdulaziz was a key money-launderer for a fake $4 billion cryptocurrency scam. Abdulaziz has categorically denied the claims.

Phoenix said 3-year-old maiden War Cross, a $200,000 son of War Front, unraced Kingman filly Lady De Peron, a 275,000gns buy, and Miss Chess, owned by the affiliated Phoenix Ladies Syndicate, had been shipped to the U.S. from Newmarket. Other horses could follow.

“We are delighted that Ed will remain part of the Phoenix team,” Abdulaziz said. “He is an extremely talented trainer and valued advisor who we are sure will be a success in the US. It's doubly pleasing that we can give him some talented horses to work with that he already knows so well. We are very excited for Ed as he embarks on this next chapter of his career.”

This story originally appeared on Horse Racing Planet and is republished here with permission.

The post Ed Vaughan Makes The Move To The U.S. For Phoenix Thoroughbreds appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Joe Appelbaum Re-Elected President Of New York Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association

The New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association today announced the results of its 2020 election for President and Board of Directors. Joe Appelbaum was re-elected to his second term as president.

Incumbent Owner/Directors Tina Bond, Rob Masiello and Aron Yagoda were re-elected as well, with Jon Green and Dan Collins filling the two additional Owner/Director spots. Incumbent Trainer/Directors Leah Gyarmati, John Kimmel, Linda Rice and Richard Schosberg will be joined by Pat Kelly, who most recently served as an alternate to the Board.

“Thank you to all of New York's owners and trainers who took the time to participate in our Election,” Appelbaum said. “Now, more than ever, it is important to make your voice heard. We welcome Jon Green and Dan Collins to the team, and look forward to working on your behalf to promote and protect your interests, the backstretch community, the horses and Thoroughbred industry that is so vital to our state.”

The new NYTHA Board will take office effective Dec. 14, 2020.

NYTHA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

President: Joe Appelbaum

OWNER/DIRECTOR

Tina Marie Bond

Daniel Collins

Jonathan Green

Robert Masiello

Aron S. Yagoda

TRAINER/TRAINER-OWNER/DIRECTOR

Leah Gyarmati

Patrick J. Kelly

John Kimmel, V.M.D.

Linda Rice

Richard E. Schosberg

The post Joe Appelbaum Re-Elected President Of New York Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Tom Marquand Excited About International Jockeys’ Championship, Additional Rides In Hong Kong

Rising British star Tom Marquand will use vital experience gleaned on tight-turning tracks in England and Australia to offset a lack of familiarity with Happy Valley's famed contours when he tackles the LONGINES International Jockeys' Championship on Wednesday, Dec. 9.

Seeking to bookend a phenomenal season, the 22-year-old will partner Very Sweet Orange, Nunchuks, Surrealism and Wind N Grass in the HK$800,000 (about US$103,000) four-race contest and hopes he can share the limelight – and spoils – with partner and fellow jockey Hollie Doyle.

“Fingers crossed we can walk away with a winner or two apiece,” said Marquand, winner of G1 contests in England and Australia this year.

“Some of the tracks in Australia aren't too dissimilar (to Happy Valley) with the tightness and the ground being generally being a little bit quicker than in England.

“But we've got tight tracks in England like Chester. It's on another level to over here perhaps.

“Happy Valley is certainly a different track. It's a test of a jockey and a horse being such a sharp, almost speed-orientated track. So, while it will be a little bit different, very looking forward to tackling it with a great book of rides for both of us.”

Marquand revealed exposure to Hong Kong races via international broadcasts beamed into England provided the framework of his Happy Valley expectations.

“It's (Hong Kong racing) always on our TV and we're lucky to have that understanding of the way the races work, even from England,” Marquand, fresh from a double at Wolverhampton on Saturday, Dec. 5, said.

“(Wolverhampton is) not quite so glamorous as some of the days we've been lucky to have this year but, in all seriousness, it's massive coming into a day's racing like this having your confidence up.

“It's been a busy old year and it's easy to forget the good days I've had at smaller meetings, not just the days at Doncaster and Ascot, for example.”

A former champion apprentice, Marquand has already bettered his previous season-best haul of 136 winners with 141 to date – and he is not finished yet.

Apart from his four LONGINES International Jockeys' Championship mounts, he will also partner Red Majesty in the Class 4 France Handicap (1650m) and PPG (Privately Purchased Griffin) Donc Je Suis in the Class 4 Mauritius Handicap (1200m) at Happy Valley.

The Englishman will take three rides at Sha Tin on Sunday (Dec. 13).

“The Hong Kong Jockey Club has gone to great lengths to get us over so it seemed a shame to go home and not have an opportunity to ride at out Sha Tin as well,” he said.

“By the look of it, I've got three rides – none in the international races, all in the local races as such – but really looking to getting out there on Sunday as well.”

Doyle best's chance in the LONGINES International Jockeys' Championship is the David Hayes-trained Harmony N Blessed in the fourth leg of the series, a Class 3 contest over 1200m.

Hayes is confident the last-start debut winner can again contend.

“He's very professional and he did everything right at Sha Tin,” he said.

“He looks like he likes the Valley. I know he hasn't raced there but his trials have been excellent.

“You never know until they race, but he's a pretty straight-forward horse. He should be OK.

“He's probably eating better now than he was before the first run, so that's a good sign.

“It's a nice competitive race. Good step up, light weight so hopefully he can handle it.”

The dual champion trainer has full confidence in Doyle's ability.

“Her record overseas is too good to be concerned about having her on the horse. I think she'll do a good job,” he said.

Doyle's other jockey championship mounts are Happily Friends, Universal Go Go and Sunny Lad.

Wednesday's LONGINES International Jockeys' Championship meeting at Happy Valley starts at 6.30pm with the running of the Class 5 Australia Handicap (1650m).

The post Tom Marquand Excited About International Jockeys’ Championship, Additional Rides In Hong Kong appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Previous Winner Joao Moreira Predicts ‘Very Even’ Matchup In International Jockeys’ Championship

Joao Moreira predicts a galaxy of international star jockeys will swiftly adapt to Happy Valley's unique contours as 12 of the world's best riders vie for LONGINES International Jockeys' Championship glory on Wednesday, Dec. 9 in Hong Kong.

As one of four previous winners of the four-race format in this year's contest, the 2020/21 championship-leading jockey believes Wednesday's competition looms as one of the most even in the event's history – a sentiment echoed by the Brazilian's great championship rival Zac Purton.

“There's no doubt it's going to be a very interesting jockeys' challenge,” Moreira said.

“It looks like the club has done a good job to share the rides to everyone else in a fair way.

“I'm actually happy with the rides I've got. There's no doubt we can have some fun.

“These races are going to be very even races. From the first to the fifth horse, there won't be much difference.

“Luck is going to play a lot of luck in this game.”

Allocated Gouten Of Garo, Royal Racer, Smiling City and Cue The Music, Moreira is impressed by the depth of talent among the visiting riders as Hollie Doyle, Tom Marquand, Ryan Moore, Mickael Barzalona, Pierre-Charles Boudot and William Buick attempt to land the top prize – racing's richest for such a competition – of HK$500,000 (about US$65,000).

“I have no doubt local jockeys have the advantage of riding every day on the city track but don't forget these jockeys are coming over here, they are high quality jockeys and they are able to adapt very quickly, understand and pick up from everybody, even watching replays,” Moreira said.

“I would describe Happy Valley as one of the most difficult places to adapt and get used to but I also don't underestimate these guys that are coming because if they've been selected, there are no doubts they are good jockeys and they are going to get used to it quick and do the best they can on this track straight away.”

Moreira, winner of the LONGINES International Jockeys' Championship in 2012, believes Royal Racer will acquit himself well in the Second Leg of the series, a Class 4 contest over 1650m.

“He actually won very impressively with me on last time. If he's able to able produce what he did last time, I think he's going to be a very hard horse to beat and I would have him as my best ride of the jockeys' challenge,” he said.

“Most of the races on the card, particularly of the jockeys' challenge, seem to be even and if you're lucky enough to get a good run through, you might win with a horse that might not be one of top favourites.

“It seems like Ryan Moore, as usual, gets good rides. Boudot, also, has decent rides.”

Purton, seeking his second victory in the series after the Australian's 2017 triumph, will partner Hey Pal, Fearless Fire, Gift Of Lifeline and Flying Bonus.

“It looks a lot more even this year,” he said.

“I don't have the strongest rides. I have rides that can run some sort of race.

“Hopefully I can have a bit of luck there somewhere and you never know what can happen.”

Doyle will attempt to crown a supreme 2020 with victory aboard last start Sha Tin winner Harmony N Blessed for David Hayes.

The LONGINES International Jockeys' Championship meeting starts at Happy Valley on Wednesday, Dec. 9, with the running of the Class 5 Australia Handicap (1650m) at 6.30pm.

Allocated jockey rides

Alexis Badel (Hong Kong) – Farm Bumper, Gallant Crown, Hang's Decision, Lucky Quality.

Mickael Barzalona (France) – Young Victory, Thunder Stomp, Savaquin, Mehboob.

Pierre-Charles Boudot (France) – Jazz Steed, Maldives, Reel Bizzy, Storm Warnings.

William Buick (Great Britain) – Happy Good Guys, Regency Master, Noble Steed, Beauty Spark.

Neil Callan (Hong Kong) – Winner's Heart, Lady First, Lightning Steed, Meridian Genius.

Hollie Doyle (Great Britain) – Happily Friends, Universal Go Go, Sunny Lad, Harmony N Blessed.

Vincent Ho (Hong Kong) – Travel Datuk, Anonyma, Hall of Champ, What A Legend.

Tom Marquand (Great Britain) – Very Sweet Orange, Nunchuks, Surrealism, Wind N Grass.

Ryan Moore (Great Britain) – Packing Champion, Play Wise, Jolly Honour, Grateful Heart.

Joao Moreira (Hong Kong) – Gouten Of Garo, Royal Racer, Smiling City, Cue The Music.

Zac Purton (Hong Kong) – Hey Pal, Fearless Fire, Gift Of Lifeline, Flying Bonus.

Karis Teetan (Hong Kong) – Oversubscribed, Right Honourable, Helene Wisdom Star, Winston's Lad.

The post Previous Winner Joao Moreira Predicts ‘Very Even’ Matchup In International Jockeys’ Championship appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post