retirement | Horse Racing Free Tips

Retired Jockey Visits Canadian OTTB Organization Close To His Heart

Eurico Rosa da Silva is a retried champion jockey and longtime supporter of LongRun Thoroughbred Retirement Society in Ontario. LongRun has both horses up for adoption and horses that are permanently retired on their farm in Hillsburgh.

A paddock at the 100-acre farm was recently named in da Silva's honor. He visited the farm with wife Dr. Orlaith Clearly and daughters Amelia and Isabella. Some of the mounts Da Silva rode live at the farm, including Something Extra, who won several stakes races with Da Silva aboard.

LongRun is a steppingstone for horses in need of a soft place to land when they retire from racing; the nonprofit relies heavily on fundraising and donations to help as many horses as possible each year. Since the COVID-19 pandemic has greatly affected all facets of racing and aftercare in 2020, they are in need of financial assistance to keep helping the horses.

Da Silva encourages anyone involved in racing to help if they are able. A calendar featuring horses that have gone through the LongRun program and their stories is available for purchase here.

Announcer Keith Jones Retires After 30 Years With Parx Racing

After more than three decades as the voice of Parx Racing, announcer Keith Jones will be stepping away from the microphone at the end of the year. Since 1987, Jones has been the voice of Philadelphia Park/Parx making him the second longest tenured announcer after Tampa Bay Downs' Richard Grunder.

Jones began his career at Garden State Park before moving permanently to Philadelphia Park.

“I'll be forever grateful to the management at Greenwood for affording me an opportunity to pursue a career doing something I've thoroughly enjoyed,” said Jones.

Among an impressive list of achievements, Jones has called more than 60,000 races and 32 Pennsylvania Derbies. He was behind the mic high above the Philadelphia Park oval when a two-year-old Smarty Jones first flashed the talent that would lead to an improbable Triple Crown run in 2004.

“Smarty Jones' second career race in the Nursery Stakes was one of the greatest performances I've seen of any horse here at this race track,” Jones recalled.

Among other greats to grace the track at Parx, Jones ranks 2016 Cotillion winner Songbird and 2014 Kentucky Derby winner California Chrome as two of the most noteworthy horses he's had the honor to call.

Parx Racing Chief Operating Officer, Joe Wilson has worked with Keith for over thirty years.

“The voice of Keith Jones more than any single entity is synonymous with Parx Racing,” said Wilson. “He has always called the races with a dignity and professionalism worthy of the sport. It's hard to imagine someone else calling the Pennsylvania Derby or the Cotillion or even a Tuesday afternoon claiming race.”

It is the people at Parx Jones says he will relish most as he reflects on his career.

“As much pleasure as I've gotten from calling the races, what I'll always treasure most are the relationships—the friendships—that have been so rewarding over the past 34 years. From fellow staff to the many members of our PTHA to our passionate and supportive racing fans, I've had the good fortune to cross paths with an amazing group of people. This track, this job, these people—have been my professional life for a long time and I will miss all of it.”

Jones will be relocating to Texas with his wife, Kelly. Although he will miss his Parx family, he is enthusiastic about the road ahead.

“There's also a lot of excitement and anticipation about what lies ahead and I say thank you to everyone who has shared the journey with me.”

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Stanley Hough, 72, Retires From Training Career For The Second Time

Longtime Thoroughbred trainer Stanley Hough first retired in 2012, but he was coaxed back into the shed row in 2018 by mentee Hunter Rankin on behalf of Kevin Plank's Sagamore Farm. Hough and Rankin, racing manager and president, respectively, had been rebuilding the Sagamore program since 2015, and there were a couple special 2-year-olds Hough wanted to keep a closer eye on.

One of those was Global Campaign, a half-brother to G1 winner Bolt d'Oro. The colt's career got off to a good start in 2019 with wins in the G3 Peter Pan and the G3 Monmouth Cup, but he really blossomed in 2020 with a victory in the Grade 1 Woodward and a third-place finish in the G1 Breeders' Cup Classic. Global Campaign earned a total of $1,321,080 on the track with six wins from 10 starts.

The 4-year-old son of Curlin has since been retired to co-owner WinStar Farm to prepare for a career at stud, however, and Sagamore Farm announced the termination of its horse racing involvement in early November.

Now 72 years old, Hough made the decision to head back into retirement.

“When WinStar decided it was better for the horse to go to stud—because he is being very well received—for me, it was a bittersweet thing, but it helped me make the decision,” Hough told bloodhorse.com. “I still have some horses I own part of and that will go on for a while, but in terms of training, I'm going to let someone else do it. COVID-19 has been hard for everybody, and I've been away from home a lot. I'm not getting any younger, which is obvious, but I decided I would pack it in for good this time.”

Hough's resume at his retirement stands at 2,212 wins from 12,921 starters with total earnings of $47,892,444.

Churchill President Kevin Flanery To Retire At Year’s End

Churchill Downs Incorporated (“CDI” or “the Company”) (Nasdaq: CHDN) announced WednesdayKe that after 11 years at the helm of the world's most legendary racetrack, T. Kevin Flanery has decided to retire as President of Churchill Downs Racetrack at the end of 2020.

Flanery's 15-year tenure at CDI began in December 2005 as vice president of national public affairs. He was named senior vice president of national public affairs and communications in March 2008 before being named the 13th President of Churchill Downs Racetrack and a Senior Vice President of CDI in July 2009.

As President of Churchill Downs Racetrack, Flanery led a number of significant capital investments that greatly improved the live racing experience including permanent track lighting and the Big Board. He also spearheaded major expansion projects including the Paddock Plaza, The Mansion, the Starting Gate Suites and Rooftop Lounge, the Colonnade, the new Infield Gate and, most recently in 2020, the completion of the equine medical center and Matt Winn's Steakhouse.

“Kevin has been a pivotal leader in the growth and evolution of Churchill Downs,” said Bill Carstanjen, CEO of CDI, “not only at the racetrack, but across the Company. His focus on bold capital investments and unmatched fan experiences has had a direct and enduring impact on the success of the Kentucky Derby and his leadership has navigated Churchill Downs Racetrack through many unexpected challenges, not the least of which has been the unforeseen circumstances of 2020. Having worked side by side with Kevin over the last 15 years, I offer sincere gratitude for his friendship and his leadership and we wish him all the best in his retirement. His has been an important and impactful chapter in the history of Churchill Downs Racetrack.”

“It has been an honor to work with a team that constantly strives to protect the legacy of the Kentucky Derby while creating experiences that resonate in our modern world. The ability of my Churchill Downs team to listen to our fans and our horsemen has informed every move we have made to enrich the Kentucky Derby for future generations,” said Flanery. “Having grown up in the area surrounding Churchill Downs Racetrack, I have a deep appreciation for what this place means to so many in our industry and our community. I will forever be grateful to the horsemen, the community and our guests who allowed me the opportunity to impact the rich and vibrant history of Churchill Downs and the unique culture of the neighborhood. I look forward to spending more time with my family and grandchildren and visiting colleagues and friends at Churchill Downs as a fan.”

Flanery came to Churchill Downs following a number of key positions in government and private business, including secretary of the Kentucky Finance and Administration Cabinet, deputy secretary of the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet and president of Hagan Properties.

CDI will immediately begin the search to fill the role of President of Churchill Downs Racetrack. Bill Mudd, President and Chief Operating Officer of CDI, will act as interim President of Churchill Downs Racetrack until a successor is named.

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