retirement | Horse Racing Free Tips

New Lady Pleasantry Arrives At Our Mims Retirement Haven

Our Mims Retirement Haven is pleased to announce the arrival of Pleasantry to the farm. This sweet senior lady has had quite a journey. The stakes-placed mare arrived on May, 19, 2021, to the farm in Paris, Kentucky, via Florida TRAC, where she resided for 11 years.

Born April 15, 1992, Pleasantry is by Cutlass, out of the Master Derby mare Logiealmond. She had 13 starts winning $72,455 and was trained by Hall of Fame trainer Allen Jerkens (who also campaigned War Front, Devil His Due, Belong to Me and many other known names in Thoroughbred history). Pleasantry's breeder/owner also had an illustrious career in the Thoroughbred industry, with the latest winner being Country House, the 2019 Kentucky Derby winner.

Pleasantry has had 12 foals, sired by such names as Rubiano, Wagon Limit and Full Mandate.

Florida TRAC reached out to Our Mims Retirement Haven owner/President Pete Mirabito late last fall, inquiring about an opening for the mare. Diagnosed with Cushings, she wasn't tolerating the Florida heat and humidity. Katie Schmit, TRAC Farm Manager commented on the Florida TRAC Facebook page that Pleasantry has “handled the trip with her usual class and grace and is looking forward to meeting her new friends at her forever home.”

Jimmy Jerkens, the son of Allen Jerkens, trained Pleasantry during winter racing while his father was in Florida. He remembered Pleasantry, sired by Cutlass, who he also remembered well. He said “She was sort of a small chestnut with a white face, and I remember she tried really hard and certainly had 'desire.'” Jimmy was also happy to hear she has a soft landing now at the Haven.

Haven President Pete Mirabito said “Jeanne built Our Mims Retirement Haven for horses like Pleasantry: horses who have contributed to the industry as best they could and are now ready for a forever home where they can roll in the bluegrass and relish in the love and adoration of their fans”. He also added, “I am looking forward to getting to know Pleasantry and watching her find her place among “the ladies of Our Mims”. I am grateful to Florida TRAC for taking such great care of this wonderful soul and to all our loving supporters who keep Jeanne's dream alive.”

“It is very heartbreaking when we lose one of our residents here because we love them all dearly”, said Ann Cheek, OMRH Vice President and Farm Manager. “But the excitement of getting a new 'lady,' knowing she will spend the rest of her life in peace and comfort, always helps with that heartbreak, because they reminded us of what our mission is.”

OMRH became a 501(c)3 nonprofit in 2006: Founded by Jeanne Mirabito. Featured in Barbara Livingston's More Old Friends, the Haven specializes in “restoring health and spirit in aged mares.” The Haven is supported through donations, and its online shop.

Our Mims Retirement Haven is accredited by the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance and the Kentucky Equine Health and Welfare Council. OMRH has received grants from Thoroughbred Charities of America (TCA), After The Finish Line (ATFL) and the Annenberg Foundation.

Current horses include Exciting Bucket, Braggin Rights, Jo Jo's Gypsy, Play Book, Kidnap Katie, My Heart Sez Yes, Theheartofdixie, Alpha Heat, Sweet Ambition, and the OMRH mascot, Tea Bisquit. Our Mims grandson, Elmhurst, arrived at the Haven in October of 2011, and passed at the age of 31 on January 4, 2021.

‘Extremely Fortunate’ Charlie LoPresti Has Stepped Back From Training Racehorses

Though his last starter came in late October last year, trainer Charlie LoPresti told the Daily Racing Form that he “didn't want to make a big deal” about his retirement from the racetrack. The 63-year-old is now enjoying spending more time with his wife, their bird dogs, Quarter Horses, and Angus cattle.

LoPresti's most well-known charge was two-time Horse of the Year and Breeders' Cup Mile winner Wise Dan. The 14-year-old is living out his retirement at his trainer's 200-acre Forest Lane Farm in Athens, Ky.

From the start of his career in 2003, LoPresti compiled a record of 310 wins and over $20 million in earnings.

“The racetrack takes up a whole lot of your time, and if you're not careful, you'll never get to do some of the other things you want to do with your life,” LoPresti told DRF. “I'm extremely fortunate because racing was so good to me. Not only did we have Wise Dan in our barn, but we also had stakes winners like his brother, Successful Dan, and good horses like Turallure and Here Comes Ben. Those were great years, and I take a lot of good memories away from it.”

Champion NH Jockey Richard Johnson Retires

Richard Johnson, a four-time champion jockey over jumps, announced his retirement on Saturday. His final ride was a third-place finish aboard Brother Tedd (GB) (Kayf Tara {GB}) in the 5:25 at Newton Abbot. Johnson, who has over 3,800 winners, earned his first title in 2016 after 20-time champion jockey Sir AP McCoy retired. He retained his crown for three more seasons. Johnson was also runner-up to McCoy an additional 16 times in the jockeys' standings. Although he did not win the Grand National, he booted home two winners of the Cheltenham Gold Cup-Looks Like Trouble (Ire) (Zaffaran) (2000) and Native River (Ire) (Indian River {Fr}) (2018). Johnson was awarded an OBE in 2019.

“After nearly 30 years in the saddle, the time has come for me to retire,” Johnson said in a statement. “I have been so extraordinarily lucky to have ridden so many wonderful horses, and for so many incredible trainers and owners. It was particularly important to me to finish on one for Philip and Sarah Hobbs who, like Henry Daly, have supported me for over 20 years. I'll never be able to articulate what their loyalty has meant to me.

“There are so many people to thank who have been part of my journey. Without 'the Duke' and Dinah Nicholson and their remarkable staff, I'd never have got that first leg up. Noel Chance, Peter Bowen and Milton Bradley, thank you for putting your trust in me when I was starting out. Those were the days that shaped my career, with so many people who remain lifelong friends.

“The truth is there are simply too many people to thank on an individual basis, but you know who you are and what you mean to me. To jockeys past and present who I've shared weighing room benches with up-and-down the country, to the valets who have looked after me, to the doctors who've patched me up and to the physios who've put me back together. Without Dave Roberts I'd have never ridden as many winners and without the help of physio Kate Davis in recent years I wouldn't physically have been able to. I salute you all.

“Thank you to the Tote and the ROA for sponsoring me. Thanks to all the fantastic racecourses and staff that put on this great show and to all the media who have been so supportive for so long. To all horseracing fans who we have missed so much this year on our racecourses. Thank you for every cheer, every shout of encouragement, it's given me enormous strength over the years. I am so very grateful to you all.

“To my wonderful family, thank you so much. Mum, Dad and my brother Nick who have always been by my side. Finally, to my wife Fiona and amazing children Willow, Caspar and Percy. Without you nothing would have been possible.”

McCoy paid tribute to Johnson on Twitter. He tweeted, “Sometimes those who challenge us the most teach us the best. You did both to me for over 20 years–I will be forever grateful to you, thanks buddy. When you go home tonight, look in the mirror you'll see what a champion looks like. Enjoy your retirement.”

The post Champion NH Jockey Richard Johnson Retires appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Trainer Paul D’Arcy to Retire on Jan. 27

Paul D'Arcy, who trained Indian Haven (GB) (Indian Ridge {Ire}) to win the G1 Irish 2000 Guineas in 2003, will saddle his final runner at Kempton on Wednesday. The soon-to-be 65-year-old will leg up John Egan on Knight of Kings (GB) (New Approach {Ire}) in the first race, a seven-furlong maiden over the all-weather. Egan was also aboard Indian Haven for his Classic score. A jockey prior to turning his hand to training, D'Arcy began training in 1993.

“I've no regrets, I turn 65 in February and always planned to step away then,” said D'Arcy. “The licence comes up for renewal on Feb. 1, so I don't see any point in renewing it for two weeks. We've been winding down for a while so we're down to five horses now. Those will now be going to John Butler, but I'll still be involved in a small way.”

Knight of Kings will be making his second start at Kempton after an eighth on debut at Wolverhampton on Dec. 27.

“There's no significance in me booking John for the last one, he rode that horse last time,” D'Arcy added. “Indian Haven was a very talented horse, he won the European Free Handicap and the Irish Guineas, but I still think he should have won the English Guineas.

“He was drawn on the fence at Newmarket when they decided to put the stalls against the rail. He just had nowhere to go. We never saw the best of him, he had a cecal dysfunction [form of colic] which was why he retired.

“We also had Edinburgh Knight (Ire) (Selkirk) who won the apprentice handicap on Champions Day, he was very talented, and of course there was Spring Loaded (Ire) (Zebedee {GB}) who was very good on his day. There's been lots of highlights.

“As we never had that many horses we got to know the horses personally, I can look back with pride. Whether we'll leave with a winner I don't know, It would be a dream if he did, but dreams don't tend to come true–I'm a realist. But racing is about dreams.”

The post Trainer Paul D’Arcy to Retire on Jan. 27 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post