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Jeffrey Cannizzo Departs New York Thoroughbred Breeders For NYRA Position

New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. (NYTB) announced Tuesday that Jeffrey Cannizzo, Executive Director, will be leaving the organization on January 1st, 2021 to pursue a newly created opportunity with the New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) as Senior Director of Government Affairs.

Jeff has served as Executive Director of NYTB since 2008. Previously, he had a successful 10-year career, working in business development and management consulting for Lockheed Martin, Dell and Microsoft.

“For almost 13 years along with our board of directors, Jeff has been instrumental in navigating the most challenging times for New York Thoroughbred Breeding and Racing. Jeff's knowledge of the industry and his ability to forge consensus among regulators and elected officials has allowed the NYTB to reach new heights as an organization. These attributes will serve him well at NYRA, and we wish him all the best in the future,” said NYTB President, Thomas Gallo.

A search for a new Executive Director will begin immediately.

Jeffrey Cannizzo, NYTB Executive Director said: “New York's breeding industry has flourished over the last decade, and I feel fortunate to have played a role in that success story. I'd like to thank the NYTB Board of Directors for their commitment to those working every single day on the 250 farms throughout New York.” “Thoroughbred racing is responsible for 19,000 jobs and more than $3 billion in annual economic impact to New York,” Cannizzo continued. “The sport creates good jobs in every corner of the state and sustains hundreds of small businesses. NYRA is the engine of that economy and continues to set the standard for safety and integrity at its three historic tracks. I look forward to advocating on their behalf to help shape the future of thoroughbred racing in New York.”

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‘All I Wanted Was A Chance’: 35-Year-Old Apprentice Taking His Shot At Monmouth

At an age when most of those in his profession are already well established, Victor Flores is just starting. But a dream delayed beats one that is not pursued every time in the view of this 35-year-old apprentice jockey.

Flores, who arrived at Monmouth Park from California in early August, will continue to try to make up for lost time – both in his career and this season – with two scheduled mounts on Wednesday's nine-race card that kicks off the final week of the Thoroughbred racing season in New Jersey.

The Meadowlands-at-Monmouth Park meet's closing-day card will be Saturday, Oct. 24.

Flores, who hails from Hidalgo, Mexico, was able to make some inroads at the Monmouth Park meet despite his late arrival. He had a 5-5-4 line from 48 mounts during the meet and has already won a race at the abbreviated Meadowlands-at-Monmouth Park meet.

“I came to Monmouth Park because I thought I could get more opportunities to ride,” said Flores, who spent the first seven months of the year riding in California. “I heard if you work hard the trainers at Monmouth Park will give you a chance. All I wanted was a chance to show what I can do.

“I'm very happy with what I was able to do and I'm grateful to everyone who helped me and gave me a chance and supported me.”

Flores delayed the start of his riding career at first because of college, attending the Autonomous University of Tamaulipas to study animal husbandry.

“In my mind I thought I was going to be a veterinarian,” he said. “My other option was to study the Arts and become an actor.

“After I finished my studies and internships I worked for five years but the work was not enough.”

He then relocated to the United States and took a job in construction and painting in Hilton Head, S.C. and wound up as part of a crew that was sent to California to do a job. It was there, he said, that he saw Hollywood Park Racetrack for the first time. Immediately after his shift was over that day, and bitten by the racetrack bug again, he went to look for a job on the backstretch.

Eventually, the foreman for Jerry Hollendorfer's barn gave him a job galloping horses, which he did for six years. Flores launched his riding career in 2018, doing so without the help of an agent, a challenging endeavor for any jockey. He is now represented by Rudy Rodriguez, Jr.

“I've always loved horses since I was young,” he said. “Once I started galloping them I knew I wanted to be a rider.”

That Flores is still an apprentice after nearly three years of riding is another part of his improbable story. Four months into his riding career he was involved in a spill and suffered a dislocated shoulder that sidelined him for four months. Less than two months after returning he broke his collarbone when the horse he was on went down during a morning work.

“I was wondering `Why me?' ” he said. “Just before that happened, that weekend, I had so many horses (to ride) and several had a chance to win. The falls totaled nine months of me being out.”

Because of the missed time the California Thoroughbred Racing Commission granted him an extension of 219 days to continue as an apprentice. It's the same number of days he was sidelined for.

His apprenticeship was due to expire July 14, 2020 but was extended through Feb. 18, 2021 – or until he wins 40 races.

He currently has 23 career wins.

“I feel like this year I did get the attention of some trainers at Monmouth, even though I wasn't here very long,” he said. “At first I was only riding a few horses a week. Now it seems like I am getting more chances and I am getting them on live shots. Right now, I just want to ride. The more I ride the better I will get. I hope this is just the start for me.”

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Michelle Payne Makes History Again, Saddling Three Winners And Riding Two At Mornington

Without causing the ripples that followed her historic Melbourne Cup triumph, Michelle Payne made another splash when she sent out her first treble as a trainer on Monday, Oct 19.

Payne, the only person to hold a dual trainer/jockey license in Victoria, registered wins with Think Champayne, Argus and Cape Victory at the Mornington meeting, riding two of them herself – a first-time feat in the state.

“It's really nice,” Payne told Racing.com. “We've got a great team at home and they work really hard.

“It (training) has got its challenges but I love training on the farm at home in Ballarat, Stevie (Payne's brother) is there every day and it's a really good environment.”

The pioneering Payne, 35, became the first woman to ride the winner of the Melbourne Cup when she steered 100-1 shot Prince Of Penzance to victory in 2015.

She took out her training license in 2016 and has trained 33 winners, nearly all of them on the country circuit. She has ridden 763 career winners.

This story was originally published on Horse Racing Planet and is reprinted here with permission. Find more content like this at HorseRacingPlanet.com.

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Retired Champion Jockey Johnny Murtagh Joins Trainer Roster For Aga Khan Studs

The Aga Khan Studs are delighted to announce that Johnny Murtagh is to join their roster of trainers in Ireland alongside Dermot Weld and Michael Halford, and will receive a draft of yearlings this year.

Five-time Irish Champion jockey Johnny Murtagh took out his trainers' license in 2013 and has quickly met with success. The Kildare-based professional recently won his first Group 1 victory as a trainer thanks to Champers Elysees in the Matron Stakes at Leopardstown during Irish Champions Weekend.

During his illustrious career as a jockey, Johnny Murtagh enjoyed success in the most prestigious races, including all the Irish Classics, all the Group 1 contests at Royal Ascot, the Derby, King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes, Breeders' Cup Turf and the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.

Johnny Murtagh was closely associated to the Aga Khan Studs during his period as stable jockey to John Oxx from 1992 until 2003, famously partnering Champion racehorse SINNDAR to dual Derby heroics in Epsom and Ireland, and culminating with victory in the Arc in 2000.

In 1996, Murtagh rode the great TIMARIDA to three wins at the highest level, while other notable horses during this period were KALANISI (Champion Stakes and Breeders' Cup Turf),

Enzeli (Ascot Gold Cup) and Alamshar (Irish Derby and King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes).

The jockey renewed his link with the Aga Khan Studs, as retained jockey for the owner/breeder in 2011 and 2012, and lifted the Prix de Diane in 2012 in the saddle of Valyra. In total, Murtagh rode 16 G1 winners in the green and red silks of H.H. the Aga Khan, and a new chapter in this successful association will begin with his first runners in 2021.

“We have watched Johnny's training career develop over the last few years and undoubtedly 2020 has been a highly successful year for him,” said Pat Downes, manager of the Aga Khan Studs in Ireland. “We are delighted to have the opportunity to have him train for the Aga Khan Studs and we will be sending him some yearlings in the coming weeks. His Highness and Johnny have enjoyed some great days in the past together and hopefully there will be good days to look forward to in the future as well.”

\“I am delighted to renew our partnership with H.H. the Aga Khan and his team,” said Murtagh. “A hugely successful owner/breeder operation worldwide, I look forward to receiving his draft of yearlings here at Fox Covert Stables and hopefully many winners to come, to add to our great association together.“

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