security | Horse Racing Free Tips

Ascot Assessing Security Plans Ahead Of Royal Meeting

Officials at Ascot are liaising with authorities over security plans for the Royal meeting following the attempted disruption to Saturday's Betfred Derby at Epsom.

Police arrested 31 people on Saturday, including 12 on the racecourse grounds, after Animal Rising announced their intention to “cancel or severely delay” the Derby in the lead up to the race, which went ahead as planned.

Surrey Police confirmed on Sunday that Ben Newman, 32, from Hackney, east London, had been charged with causing public nuisance after running onto the track during the Derby itself.

He appeared at Guildford Magistrates' Court, where he pleaded not guilty to causing public nuisance, on Monday. It comes after he was filmed jumping the fence and sprinting on to the course at Epsom as the race began on Saturday. He was chased by police as the crowd jeered before officers tackled him and pulled him away.

The protest occurred after the Jockey Club, which owns Epsom, was granted an injunction prohibiting the group from intervening in the event, claiming the organisation had made “explicitly clear” that it intended to breach security.

Ascot are looking closely at all security options ahead of the five-day meeting which starts on Tuesday, June 20.

The Berkshire track's director of racing and public affairs, Nick Smith, said, “Epsom did a fantastic job and kept the protesters under control. Anyone who saw the efforts of all involved could not fail to be impressed. Swift and decisive action was taken.

“We will be holding internal discussions and will be liaising with the Jockey Club and the police to develop and deliver our plan over the next few days. Watch this space is all I can say at the moment.”

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Body Cams, Extra Testing, Dedicated Investigators: Breeders’ Cup Reveals Enhanced Security Measures For Baffert Trainees

The LA Times has revealed the specific heightened security measures Bob Baffert trainees will be subjected to in order to compete in the Breeders' Cup World Championships on Nov. 5-6 at Del Mar.

On Sept. 18, the Breeders' Cup said it would be conducting a review process to determine Baffert's status in the wake of a failed drug test by Medina Spirit after the Protonico colt finished first in the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby on May 1.

The Medina Spirit positive test for the corticosteroid betamethasone was the fifth failed drug test by a Baffert runner – and third in a Grade 1 race – over a one-year period dating back to May 2, 2020.

Since Wednesday, Oct. 20, a team of two investigators, three security officers, and one Breeders' Cup executive has been watching Baffert's barn at Santa Anita on a 24-hour basis. When his Breeders' Cup contenders are shipped to Del Mar, a security officer with a body camera will be assigned to each horse. There will also be 24-hour coverage by investigators assigned to Baffert's barn, who will have permission to confiscate medications and review daily treatment/billing records.

On Nov. 2, samples of blood, urine, and hair will be taken from each of Baffert's Breeders' Cup hopefuls. Additional random collections will be performed during the week leading up to the World Championships. Any horse testing positive for therapeutic medications, even those therapeutics within the window for legal use, will be scratched.

“We are happy to accommodate the transparency,” Baffert told the LA Times. “We will care for our horses as we always do and any testing or observation is welcomed.”

Former FBI Agent Rob D’Amico Appointed Chief Security Officer For 1/ST

1/ST has appointed former Federal Bureau of Investigation Supervisory Special Agent Rob D'Amico as Chief Security Officer for the 1/ST group of companies.

D'Amico will lead an integrated security team that will focus on elevating and enforcing safety and integrity protocols across 1/ST businesses. The security team will support and implement best practices for 1/ST RACING, 1/ST TECHNOLOGY, 1/ST EXPERIENCE, 1/ST CONTENT and 1/ST PROPERTIES and will work directly with 1/ST HORSE CARE to achieve the highest safety standards in Thoroughbred horse racing. The appointment of D'Amico as Chief Security Officer provides an increased layer of protection and security oversight on the backstretch, for guests at 1/ST venues and online, for employees and the company's advanced IT systems.

“I am thrilled that Rob has joined our team as Chief Security Officer,” said Belinda Stronach, Chairman and President, 1/ST. “Rob has an extensive and proven track record of collaboration with federal, state, local, and international law enforcement agencies and military that will serve to further complement and reinforce our company's unwavering commitment to integrity. While progress has been made, there is much work to be done to ensure we continue to weed out those in our sport who believe that there is a place for unethical and illegal practices.”

D'Amico has over 26 years of experience and served in the top echelons of federal law enforcement and over 35 years of service to the United States government. Most recently, he served as the FBI's Legal Attaché US Embassy Kabul, running all FBI operations in Afghanistan. D'Amico has participated in some of the United States' most sensitive and highly visible investigations and operations around the world. Highly regarded in the law enforcement and intelligence community, D'Amico has been awarded with both the FBI's and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police's highest medals for meritorious achievement.

“What a great opportunity it is to work with Belinda and her leadership team to make an impact in Thoroughbred horse racing,” said Rob D'Amico, Chief Security Officer, 1/ST. “I look forward to applying my law enforcement and intelligence expertise to protect these magnificent animals and the integrity of the sport while working with the diverse group of companies that make up 1/ST.”

For more information on 1/ST, please visit www.1st.com.

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