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Economic Indicators: Rescheduled 2020 Kentucky Derby Skews September Numbers

Equibase, North American racing's official database, released Tuesday its September 2021 statistics for the industry's economic indicators, including field size, wagering, and other data, along with year-to-date and 2019 and 2020 numbers. The database distributes 2020 and 2021 numbers and includes 2019's data for comparisons to pre-COVID-19 pandemic numbers.

Since the September of 2020 data includes that year's re-scheduled Kentucky Derby, it is no surprise that total wagering in September of 2021 is down significantly, by 12.32 percent. When compared with the year-to-date numbers, however, total wagering shows a positive trend: an increase of 13.80 percent.

Interestingly, the average wagering per race day category does show declines from the first nine months of 2020 compared to the first nine months of 2021, down over 10 percent. This is likely due to the fact that horse racing was one of the only viable sports on which wagering dollars could be spent during 2020, whereas most regular sporting events, and thus wagering on them, resumed during 2021.

When compared to the 2019 year-to-date figures, total wagering in 2021 is up 10.52 percent, a positive trend from pre-pandemic numbers. Race days and the number of races have continued to decrease, while field size is nearly steady at a decline of just 1.63 percent.

September 2021 vs. September 2020
Indicator	September 2021	September 2020	% Change
Wagering on U.S. Races*	$911,921,042	$1,040,000,472	-12.32%
U.S. Purses	$129,274,281	$110,307,205	+17.19%
U.S. Race Days	421	365	+15.34%
U.S. Races	3,365	3,101	+8.51%
U.S. Starts	24,107	24,447	-1.39%
Average Field Size	7.16	7.88	-9.13%
Average Wagering Per Race Day	$2,166,083	$2,849,316	-23.98%
Average Purses Per Race Day	$307,065	$302,212	+1.61%

3rd QTR 2021 vs. 3rd QTR 2020
Indicator	3rd QTR 2021	3rd QTR 2020	% Change
Wagering on U.S. Races*	$3,220,215,555	$3,292,016,515	-2.18%
U.S. Purses	$365,390,507	$305,067,601	+19.77%
U.S. Race Days	1,321	1,208	+9.35%
U.S. Races	10,436	9,989	+4.47%
U.S. Starts	73,324	76,402	-4.03%
Average Field Size	7.03	7.65	-8.14%
Average Wagering Per Race Day	$2,437,710	$2,725,179	-10.55%
Average Purses Per Race Day	$276,601	$252,539	+9.53%

YTD 2021 vs. YTD 2020
Indicator	YTD 2021	YTD 2020	% Change
Wagering on U.S. Races*	$9,498,141,414	$8,346,543,422	+13.80%
U.S. Purses	$880,542,199	$629,236,249	+39.94%
U.S. Race Days	3,202	2,509	+27.62%
U.S. Races	26,228	20,895	+25.52%
U.S. Starts	190,627	164,476	+15.90%
Average Field Size	7.27	7.87	-7.67%
Average Wagering Per Race Day	$2,966,315	$3,326,641	-10.83%
Average Purses Per Race Day	$274,998	$250,792	+9.65%

2019 Comparisons:

September 2021 vs. September 2019
Indicator	September 2021	September 2019	% Change
Wagering on U.S. Races*	$911,921,042	$801,998,134	+13.71%
U.S. Purses	$129,274,281	$118,229,293	+9.34%
U.S. Race Days	421	412	+2.18%
U.S. Races	3,365	3,329	+1.08%
U.S. Starts	24,107	25,231	-4.45%
Average Field Size	7.16	7.58	-5.48%
Average Wagering Per Race Day	$2,166,083	$1,946,597	+11.28%
Average Purses Per Race Day	$307,065	$286,964	+7.00%

3rd QTR 2021 vs. 3rd QTR 2019
Indicator	3rd QTR 2021	3rd QTR 2019	% Change
Wagering on U.S. Races*	$3,220,215,555	$2,921,407,748	+10.23%
U.S. Purses	$365,390,507	$349,864,886	+4.44%
U.S. Race Days	1,321	1,411	-6.38%
U.S. Races	10,436	11,097	-5.96%
U.S. Starts	73,324	80,738	-9.18%
Average Field Size	7.03	7.28	-3.43%
Average Wagering Per Race Day	$2,437,710	$2,070,452	+17.74%
Average Purses Per Race Day	$276,601	$247,955	+11.55%

YTD 2021 vs. YTD 2019
Indicator	YTD 2021	YTD 2019	% Change
Wagering on U.S. Races*	$9,498,141,414	$8,594,182,019	+10.52%
U.S. Purses	$880,542,199	$893,867,018	-1.49%
U.S. Race Days	3,202	3,515	-8.90%
U.S. Races	26,228	28,554	-8.15%
U.S. Starts	190,627	210,977	-9.65%
Average Field Size	7.27	7.39	-1.63%
Average Wagering Per Race Day	$2,966,315	$2,445,002	+21.32%
Average Purses Per Race Day	$274,998	$254,301	+8.14%

* Includes worldwide commingled wagering on U.S. races.

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IFHA: Saudi Cup Upgraded To Group 1 Status

The Executive Council of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) met on Oct. 4, 2021 at the offices of France Galop and via Zoom. The meeting was led by new IFHA Chair Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, who succeeded Louis Romanet, longtime Chairman of the Federation. Romanet attended the meeting as Chairman Emeritus.

The meeting also marked the commencement of the terms for Jim Gagliano, Brian Kavanagh, Masayuki Goto, and Horacio Esposito as Vice-Chairs of the IFHA. The Chair and Vice-Chairs of the Federation will serve a three-year mandate from 2021 to 2024.

Further information about the newly elected Chair and Vice-Chairs can be found at https://ifhaonline.org/Default.asp?section=Resources&area=0&story=1090.

Appointments to the Executive Council were approved for Bruce Sherwin, Director of New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing, and Dr Paull Khan, Secretary-General of the European and Mediterranean Horseracing Federation (EMHF), as rotating members representing “developing racing countries”. Sherwin was nominated by the Asian Racing Federation, and Khan by the EMHF, each appointed for a 3-year-term.

Additionally, the Executive Council endorsed the chair and nominations to its Finance Committee and appointed a chair to its Governance Committee. A Commercial and Marketing Committee was formed and its chair selected. And finally, the Executive Council approved the selection of key positions for its global Executive Office.

The Finance Committee's primary objectives are to provide practical advice and assistance in relation to the IFHA's budgeting processes and decisions; financial risk management; internal financial control systems and reporting; external reporting and external audit processes; and general oversight in relation to the financial activities of the IFHA. Jim Lawson, Woodbine Entertainment Group, will chair the Finance Committee. Oscar Bertoletti, CEO of OSAF; Olivier Delloye, CEO of France Galop; Suzanne Eade, Chief Executive for Horse Racing Ireland; and Greg Nichols, Director of Racing Victoria, constitute this committee.

The Governance Committee, to be chaired by BHA Chief Executive Julie Harrington, is tasked with providing the IFHA Executive Council with advice and recommendations in relation to governance matters related to the IFHA and to generally assist the IFHA to maintain good governance practices. Full appointments to the Governance Committees will be announced in December 2021.

A new Committee was established to focus on Commercial and Marketing matters. This Committee will be chaired by Olivier Delloye, with appointments to the committee to be confirmed in due course.

The Executive Council approved the appointment of an Executive Director and three directors to its global Executive Office. Andrew Harding will continue to lead the Executive Office as the Federation's Executive Director. Andrew Chesser, Manager of Registration Services for The Jockey Club (USA) and previously Secretary General for the IFHA; James Ogilvy, Executive Manager, International and Racing Regulation at The Hong Kong Jockey Club and previously Technical Advisor for the IFHA; and Henri Pouret, Managing Director, Racing Operations for France Galop, were all named Directors of the IFHA global Executive Office.

Bahrain and Saudi Arabia Promoted to Part II of the International Cataloguing Standards Book

At the Executive Council meeting, it was also shared that the International Grading and Race Planning Advisory Committee (IRPAC) approved the promotion of Bahrain from Part III to Part II of the ICS Book and the promotion of the Bahrain International Trophy to International Group 3 status in Part I (under the Other Races section). Three races will be included in Part II of the ICS Book and receive international Listed status section). The promotions were ratified by the Society of International Thoroughbred Auctioneers (SITA).

BAHRAIN

Races from Bahrain will be presented as follows in the ICS Book:

In Part I under Other Races

Bahrain International Trophy G3

In Part II

Al Methaq Cup
His Majesty the King's Cup
His Royal Crown Prince Cup

In addition, IRPAC approved promotion of Saudi Arabia from Part III to Part II of the ICS Book and the promotion of six races to International Group Status in Part I (under the Other Races section).

SAUDI ARABIA

Races from Saudi Arabia will be presented as follows in the ICS Book:

In Part I under Other Races

Saudi Cup G1
Neom Turf Cup G3
Saudi Derby G3
STC 1,351 Turf Sprint G3
Riyadh Dirt Sprint G3
Red Sea Turf G3

Saudi Arabia will be included in the ICS book as a Part II country. There are currently no races of Listed status for Saudi Arabia.

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O’Brien: Jockey Shane Foley Should Have Been Given A Month’s Ban For Interference

Trainer Aidan O'Brien spoke to the Racing Post this week about the riding interference rules in Ireland, specifically calling out jockey Shane Foley for his ride in the Matron Stakes at Leopardstown last month. Foley was aboard No Speak Alexander, and switched left to impede O'Brien's trainee Mother Earth. The jockey was given a five-day ban for interference, but O'Brien believed the ban should have been much longer.

“It shouldn't have happened,” O'Brien told the Racing Post. “There aren't many countries in the world where you could get away with that and not get a month's ban because to me that is dangerous riding. If the jockeys are allowed to do those things and are not given severe penalties, it will keep happening.”

Specifically, O'Brien blamed the Irish Horse Racing Board for not taking a stand against unsafe riding.

“It's worse in Ireland than anywhere else and it's letting Irish racing down,” O'Brien explained. “We had the whole world watching Leopardstown and it puts people off backing horses or following racing. I'm not just talking about the big days, I'm talking about every day. You have to be consistent.”

West Virginia Officials Awaiting Split Sample Results On Georgina Baxter-Trained Charles Town Oaks Winner

Georgina Baxter, one of five Florida-based trainers sanctioned on Oct. 1 by Gulfstream Park for violating the track's house rules on clenbuterol, may be in jeopardy of losing her biggest career win after a horse in her care, R Adios Jersey, tested positive for the anti-inflammatory flunixin (trade name Banamine) following the $400,000, Grade 3 Charles Town Oaks in West Virginia on Aug. 27.

West Virginia Racing Commission steward Denver Beckner confirmed the initial finding from Industrial Laboratories in Colorado and said officials are awaiting results of a confirmatory split sample before conducting a hearing to consider possible disqualification of R Adios Jersey and sanctions that could include a fine and/or suspension of Baxter.

R Adios Jersey, a Florida-bred 3-year-old filly by Adios Charlie, is owned by Averill Racing LLC and ATM Racing. Her front-running, 3 1/4-length victory under Paco Lopez was her fourth victory without a defeat. R Adios Jersey earned $230,400 and paid a $12.80 mutuel for the Charles Town Oaks win.

Banamine is a Class 4 drug with a Category C penalty under Association of Racing Commissioners International guidelines. For flunixin, under those guidelines, if the sample tests higher than 5 ng/ml, the recommendation is for a disqualification and loss of purse in the absence of mitigating circumstances. A trainer faces a maximum fine of $1,000 for a first offense in any jurisdiction and a $1,500 fine and 15-day suspension for a second offense in a 365-day period in any jurisdiction, under the ARCI guidelines.

Baxter, a native of England who was a jockey and exercise rider, took over the stable of Ralph Ziadie in 2018 after the latter was denied a license renewal by the Florida Division of Pari-Mutuel Wagering because of multiple medication violations. Ralph's son, Kirk Ziadie, who won numerous South Florida training titles during his career, is serving a six-year license suspension for multiple clenbuterol violations that runs through Jan. 10, 2022.

According to the MyFloridaLicense.com website, Baxter has had six complaints filed against her for Class 4 medication violations since August 2018, most recently on Nov. 5, 2020. She served a 25-day suspension earlier last year for three violations that involved impermissible levels of flunixin and phenylbutazone.

According to Equibase, Baxter has won 132 of 502 starts (26%) and her horses have earned $3,999,741.

On Friday, Baxter was one of five trainers suspended by Gulfstream Park for violating the track's house rules concerning clenbuterol. The bronchodilator was detected in 12 horses from five of the 10 stables tested out-of-competition using hair and blood samples. The other trainers sanctioned were Rohan Crichton, Daniel Pita, Peter Walder, and Gilberto Zerpa.

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