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Joe Morris Named Jockeys and Jeans Ambassador

Jockeys and Jeans, a volunteer group dedicated to raising funds for the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund (PDJF), has named Caesars Entertainment Inc. Vice President of Racing Joe Morris as an official Jockeys and Jeans Ambassador. In this role, Morris will advocate for wounded jockeys' financial support, make known the inherent dangers of racing, and help in jockey recovery.

“It's hard putting into context what this level of participation means to horse racing's fallen heroes,” said Barry Pearl, President of Jockeys and Jeans. “It's more than a response to a huge human need and desire to make a difference. It's the recognition by leaders of another major corporation that the advocacy of former injured riders is one of the most significant in the entire horse racing industry and of which Morris knows firsthand as one of the most successful executives this sport has produced.”

Morris added, “The importance of the safety and well-being of our human and equine athletes is of the utmost importance. At Caesars, we believe everyone in our industry should be active in financially assisting our fallen riders and we're honored to take a leadership role with Jockeys and Jeans to support the PDJF and our disabled riders.”

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Woodbine to Designate Land for Soccer Stadium

Woodbine Entertainment is prepared to designate a portion of its 684-acre land at Woodbine Racetrack for the development of a new high-performance training centre and stadium for women's and men's soccer in the heart of Toronto's Rexdale community, it was announced Wednesday.

In working with private investors and various stakeholders, the soccer project would feature an 8,000-seat soccer specific stadium and a 38,000 square foot training facility with a world-class grass pitch that meets FIFA professional standards. The venue would be a destination for national soccer training, hosting international federations preparing for major international events and potentially be a groundbreaking opportunity for the further development of women's soccer in this country, from grassroots to the highest levels of competition.

“With Canada on the brink of qualification for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, the Women's National Team Olympic Gold Medal win, and Canada co-hosting the 2026 World Cup, the time is certainly right for us to show our support for Canada's growing soccer community,” said Jim Lawson, CEO, Woodbine Entertainment. “We see the power of the game in bringing people together and we cannot think of a more complementary sport as we look to further grow and sustain the horse racing industry and the 25,000 jobs it supports throughout the province.”

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Derby Winner Grindstone Passes Away

Grindstone, the winner of the 1996 GI Kentucky Derby, passed away at age 29. The news was reported by Oakhurst Equine of Oregon, which acquired the stallion in 2009.

“RIP Champ,” Oakhurst Equine posted on its Facebook page. “Thank you for providing us with the thrill of a lifetime. You changed our lives when you joined us and will always be missed.”

Grindstone was the oldest living Kentucky Derby winner, a status he enjoyed for just a few days. At age 31, 1994 Kentucky Derby winner Go for Gin died Mar. 8. Silver Charm, the 1997 Derby winner, now holds that distinction. He resides at Old Friends Equine in Georgetown, Ky.

A son of Unbridled who was trained by Wayne Lukas and owned by William T. Young, Grindstone raced just twice as a 2-year-old, winning a June 1, 1995 maiden at Belmont by five lengths. After finishing second in his 3-year-old debut in an allowance race at Santa Anita, he won the GIII Louisiana Derby and then finished second in the GII Arkansas Derby.

Sent off at 5-1 in the Kentucky Derby and ridden by Jerry Bailey, he closed relentlessly in the stretch to nip Cavonnier by a nose at the wire. The photo was so close that Lukas wasn't sure that he had won the race.

“When we hit the wire we erupted,” Lukas said. “Then it hit me right between the eyes–hell, maybe we didn't win it.”

A chip was found in Grindstone's knee after the race and he never ran again. He became the first Derby winner since Bubbling Over in 1926 to be retired after winning the Derby.

“The chip was described to me as being half as big as the end of your little finger,” Young said. “The injury isn't life-threatening, but if he wasn't going to come back to his present form, I didn't want to take the chance of racing him anymore. I said that after we lost Grand Canyon that I wouldn't go through that again.”

Grindstone began his stud career at Young's Overbrook Farm in Kentucky. His most notable offspring was Birdstone, the winner of the 2003 GI Champagne S, the 2004 GI Belmont S. and the 2004 GI Travers S. He also produced Ekolu Place, who made $1,326,760 racing in Japan.

But Grindstone was not particularly successful at stud. When Young died his heirs closed the farm and dispersed the stallions. Not exactly in high demand, Grindstone was acquired by Jack Root, who owns Oakhurst Thoroughbreds, and sent to Oregon. His initial stud fee there was $2,500 and he became the first Derby winner to stand in the Pacific Northwest.

“To have Grindstone, a Kentucky Derby winner, is a dream come true,” Root said in 2014. “I just never thought it would happen to me. It's a thrill of a lifetime.”

The move to Oregon gave him a new lease on life and he was among the top three leading stallions in that state every year from 2009 through 2020.

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Shadwell Donates Six Pensioned Stallions to Old Friends

Six pensioned stallions from Shadwell Farm have been donated to Old Friends Thoroughbred Retirement in Georgetown, Ky. Albertus Maximus, Kayrawan, Intidab, Mustanfar, Dumaani, and Swain were relocated in recent weeks from Shadwell's Nashwan Stud complex to the non-profit organization's farm, joining its 143 other residents, including 1997 Kentucky Derby and Preakness S. winner Silver Charm and Belmont S. winners Birdstone, Touch Gold and Sarava.

“We are so honored that Michael Blowen and his dedicated staff have elected to bring our retired stallions to Old Friends where they join an array of former superstars,” said Shadwell's Gregory Clarke. “In this wonderful facility, they will be available to the public where adoring fans can get up close and personal.”

Following the death of its founder, His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, in March of 2021, Shadwell has undergone a reorganization and downsizing of operations in both the U.S. and Europe. This restructuring has included relocating some stallions and selling a substantial number of its racing and breeding stock.

“We are flattered and privileged that Shadwell would trust us with their magnificent stallions,” said Old Friends President and founder Michael Blowen. “Their support, both financially and in their appreciation of the farm, speaks volumes about their generosity. We accept it as a great tribute to the late Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum and his irreplaceable legacy to Thoroughbred racing and breeding.”

The new residents are:

ALBERTUS MAXIMUS (18), by Old Friends retiree Albert the Great. Winner of the 2009 GI Donn H. and the 2008 GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile, Albertus was retired from racing for stallion duty in 2012.

KAYRAWAN (30), a Shadwell homebred by Mr. Prospector, won the 1996 GII Tom Fool H. He has sired 52 winners, including stakes winner Dubai Sheikh and four stakes-placed runners.

INTIDAB (29), a Shadwell homebred by Phone Trick, was stakes-placed in England and Dubai before coming to the U.S. where he posted graded stakes wins in the GII A Phenomenon H. and the GII True North H.

MUSTANFAR (29), a Shadwell homebred who earned $625,010, won or placed in nine graded stakes, racing on dirt, turf, and synthetic surfaces. The son of Unbridled won the GIII Sycamore Breeders' Cup, the GIII Lexington S., and has sired winners on both dirt and turf.

DUMAANI (31), a Shadwell homebred, is a multiple graded stakes winner by Danzig. His victories include back-to-back editions of the GIII Keeneland Breeders' Cup Mile, which resulted in the Shadwell Turf Mile being sponsored, and run at Keeneland for over 25 years.

SWAIN (30), a son of Nashwan was a champion in both England and Ireland, also placed in two Breeders' Cup events: the 1996 Turf and the 1998 Classic.

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