Jack Connor Named Racing And Analytics Executive For The Thoroughbred Group

Jack Connor was named the new Racing and Analytics Executive of The Thoroughbred Group. He was previously a British Horseracing Authority (BHA) Racing Department senior analyst and a strategy manager at The Jockey Club.

The position is new within The Thoroughbred Group as the organisation develops its remit to provide representation of its five members under UK racing's new industry structure–the Racehorse Owners Association (ROA), the Thoroughbred Breeders Association (TBA), the National Association of Racing Staff (NARS), the Professional Jockeys Association (PJA) and the National Trainers Federation (NTF).

“We are pleased that Jack has agreed to join us as we seek to develop the role of the Thoroughbred Group at industry level,” said Thoroughbred Group Chair Charlie Parker. “We are confident that his analytical expertise and previous experience working with industry stakeholders will make him a great asset to us.”

Added Connor, “I'm delighted to be joining the Thoroughbred Group at this pivotal time for the sport. I'm very much looking forward to working closely with the five participant bodies and their members as we help shape and deliver on the industry's strategy.”

The post Jack Connor Named Racing And Analytics Executive For The Thoroughbred Group appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Potential Royal Runner in Guineas on Coronation Day

The royal colours, which will now be carried by horses under the joint ownership of His Majesty the King and Her Majesty the Queen Consort, could be seen in Classic action on the day of the King's Coronation.

The John and Thady Gosden-trained Slipofthepen (GB), a son of Night Of Thunder (Ire) who was bred by the late Queen, has been given an entry for the G1 QIPCO 2000 Guineas. Out of the 95-rated Free Verse (GB) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}), the colt is a fifth-generation homebred and won his sole start with ease at Kempton in November and also holds an entry for the Derby.

Furthering her links to the turf, The Queen Consort is due to visit the National Horseracing Museum in Newmarket on Mar. 9.

The first two British Classics of the season, the QIPCO-sponsored 2000 and 1000 Guineas on May 6 and 7, have attracted 62 and 64 entries, respectively.

The quintet of Group/Grade 1 winners Auguste Rodin (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), Al Riffa (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), Chaldean (GB), Little Big Bear (Ire) and Victoria Road (Ire) (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}) heads a strong cast for the colts' Classic. Little Big Bear, a son of No Nay Never, was beaten only once in a five-start juvenile campaign culmination in his victory in the G1 Keeenland Phoenix S., and he is currently holding favouritism to give his trainer Aidan O'Brien a potential 11th victory in the race. Of the British-trained entries, Chaldean is currently third favourite to emulate his sire Frankel (GB) by winning the 2000 Guineas.

Those with an interest in sporting art will be pleased to see an entry for the equine Alfred Munnings (Ire), a Dubawi (Ire) half-brother to the Oaks winner Snowfall (Jpn). The great painter Munnings was himself a regular visitor to Newmarket Heath and spent much time down at the start observing and sketching horses as they were called in to line up. The old rubbing house he used as a makeshift studio is still in existence on the gallops behind the Rowley Mile.

The retirement of the G1 Fillies' Mile winner Commissioning (GB) (Kingman {GB}) means that there is one notable omission from the entries for the 1000 Guineas, with the betting market currently co-headed by Coolmore's Meditate (Ire) (No Nay Never) and the Aga Khan's Tahiyra (Ire) (Siyouni {Fr}). Another from the O'Brien stable, Statuette, is third in the list to give her young sire Justify a first Classic winner.

The post Potential Royal Runner in Guineas on Coronation Day appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Sophie Teixeira Joins Auctav As Bloodstock Manager

Sophie Teixeira has joined Auctav as a bloodstock manager, and she will begin her new role on Mar. 1. She will work alongside Toby Jones, Jacob Pritchard Webb for Flat and NH profiles, and Anthony Grueau, who works for the trotting industry.

Holding a Master's in marketing and a Master's Equine Sciences and Business (BESB) degree from AgroDijon Institute, Teixeira interned at Haras de Fresnay-le Buffard and also spent two years working for the International Racing Bureau (IRB). Part of the commercial department of Haras de la Hetraie for another two-year stint, she created International Racing Servies (IRS) in 2017, and also spent several months in Australia perfecting her knowledge of training and sales.

“For the past three years, I have been an exercise rider for Pascal Bary in addition to my activities with the IRB for the Breeders' Cup and the Saudi Cup,” said Teixeira, who was also an ambassador for the Godolphin Staff Awards in 2017. “I am looking forward to working with Auctav, this dynamic and innovative team in the sales sector. I will be based in the Paris area and focus my efforts on training and racing.”

Arnaud AngĂ©liaume, General Manager Auctav, said, “We are delighted that Sophie Teixeira has joined our ranks. Her many skills and international network are tremendous assets for Auctav, which will now have a member directly based next to Paris, close to the major training centres and racecourses where group events are held.”

The post Sophie Teixeira Joins Auctav As Bloodstock Manager appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Saudi Cup Card Earns Highest World Pool Turnover Mark Of 2023

Saturday's Saudi Cup card earned HK$197,800,866 ($25.5m) in globally commingled turnover via pari-mutuel organisations from over 20 countries, the Hong Kong Jockey Club World Pool announced on Tuesday.

The day's showpiece, the $20-million G1 Saudi Cup, was the most bet contest on the day at HK$48,388,160 ($6.2m), higher than any race commingled at either of the first two World Pool racedays of the year in South Africa and Australia. It was won by Japan's Panthalassa (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}). Other highlights included World Pool ambassador Frankie Dettori winning the G3 Riyadh Dirt Sprint aboard Elite Power (Curlin). Yasuhiro Ikeda, the groom of Panthalassa, will receive a cheque for HK$40,000 ($5,100), as his charge's victory was selected as the World Pool Moment of the Day.

Sam Nati, Head of Comminging at the Hong Kong Jockey Club, said, “Hitting almost HK$200million on a six-race card is really positive, particularly with The Saudi Cup itself generating the highest single-race turnover of 2023 so far. The combination of good field sizes, competitive races and a great mix of horses and jockeys from across the globe made the meeting a real spectacle for punters.”

The next World Pool day is on Super Saturday, Mar. 4, in Dubai.

The post Saudi Cup Card Earns Highest World Pool Turnover Mark Of 2023 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Verified by MonsterInsights