Top News | Horse Racing Free Tips

Butler Appointed To Role of 1/ST President

Aidan Butler, who has served 1/ST RACING AND GAMING as its Chief Executive Officer since September 2022, has been appointed the president of the organization by Belinda Stronach, the Chairwoman and CEO of 1/ST.

According to a release, the expansion of Butler's role into president 'reflects and supports Stronach's mandate of continued growth in the company's racing and gaming assets.' Stronach, the daughter of Frank Stronach, has held the position of president in addition to her other roles since the introduction of 1/ST in 2020.

Butler's primary focus will be on the innovation and diversification of the company's industry leading wagering and gaming assets. He will work closely with the Chief Executive Officers and leadership of the 1/ST RACING AND GAMING, 1/ST TECHNOLOGY, 1/ST CONTENT and 1/ST EXPERIENCE businesses to drive growth and performance and to achieve strategic objectives.

As the CEO of 1/ST RACING AND GAMING, Butler has overseen racing operations at the tracks within the 1/ST portfolio and its training centers while endeavoring to expand the company's gaming footprint to capitalize on the future of sports wagering and gaming. Craig Fravel, Executive Vice-Chairman, 1/ST RACING AND GAMING together with Stephen Screnci, President of Racing & Business Development, 1/ST Racing and Gaming, will assume responsibility for day-to-day racing and training operations.

Butler previously served as Chief Operating Officer, 1/ST RACING and as Chief Strategy Officer for The Stronach Group.

The post Butler Appointed To Role of 1/ST President appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Mitole Colt Tops OBS January Sale Tuesday

A short yearling by Mitole (hip 87) brought top price of $95,000 from Calumet Farm during the first session of the Ocala Breeders' Sales Company's January Winter Mixed Sale Tuesday. Bred by Kathie Maybee, the colt was consigned by Danielle Loya's Silver Oaks Farm. He is out of Wild Hickory (Terrell), a half-sister to multiple graded winner Alert Bay (City Zip). The colt RNA'd for $45,000 at last year's Fasig-Tipton November sale.

During Tuesday's consignor preferred section, 75 horses grossed $1,738,400 for an average of $23,179 and a median of $16,000. Those figures were down from the 2023 section which saw 99 horses sell for $2,696,700 for an average of $27,239 and a median of $20,000.

With 30 horses from the consignor preferred section not sold, the buy-back rate was 28.6%.

In the horses of racing age section, 26 horses sold for $505,000. The average was $19,423 and the median was $11,000. The top-priced racing age offering was an unnamed 3-year-old filly by Enticed (hip 227), who sold as a racing/broodmare prospect for $70,000 to Emerald Sales as agent for K E M Stables. Consigned by Gutierrez Sales, the dark bay is out of Pyrite Storm (Formal Dinner). Richard Gutierrez purchased her for $32,000 at the 2022 Fasig-Tipton October sale.

The OBS Winter sale concludes with an open session beginning at noon Wednesday.

The post Mitole Colt Tops OBS January Sale Tuesday appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Monmouth Park Unveils Haskell Weekend Trainer Bonus

Monmouth Park will offer a weekend-long trainer bonus totaling $150,000 around the track's signature race, the GI Haskell S. Trainers will accumulate points covering races from from July 19 through 21, with $75,000 awarded to the winning trainer.

“This is a great way to expand Haskell Day into Haskell Weekend and provide our fans with an amazing racing experience for three straight days,” said Monmouth Park director of racing and racing secretary John Heims. “While Haskell Day is already circled on many conditioners' calendars, this new bonus will hopefully attract more of the nation's top Thoroughbreds to the Jersey Shore this summer.”

The $150,000 in total bonuses will be awarded as follows: $75,000 (1st); $25,000 (2nd); $20,000 (3rd); $10,000 (4th); $7,500 (5th); and $2,500 (6th-10th).

With over $4 million in purses for the three days, the Haskell Weekend Trainer Challenge will feature eight stakes races: the July 19 Jersey Shore S.; July 20 Haskell, GII United Nations S., GIII Molly Pitcher S., GIII Monmouth Cup, GIII WinStar Matchmaker S., and Wolf Hill S.; as well as the July 21 Regret S.

Points will be awarded based on the race, led by 25 points to the winner of the Haskell, 20 to the runner-up, 15 to third-place finisher, 10 to fourth-place finisher and seven for fifth to last-place finishers.

For all other graded races, points will be awarded to first through last finishers: 18, 15, 10, 8, and 5. All other stakes will offer points of: 12, 9, 7, 5, 4.

Maiden special weights, allowances and handicaps will offer points of: 8, 6, 4, 2 and all other races will offer points of: 5, 3, 2, 1.

The post Monmouth Park Unveils Haskell Weekend Trainer Bonus appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Hardy Joins HISA Horsemen’s Advisory Group

Veterinarian Dr. Michael Hardy has joined the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority's Horsemen's Advisory Group, the organization announced in a release Tuesday. The advisory group of racing industry participants was formed by HISA in 2022 to provide formal feedback to HISA's executive team and standing committees on the implementation and evolution of its Racetrack Safety and Anti-Doping and Medication Control (ADMC) regulations.

“The Horsemen's Advisory Group continues to provide HISA with invaluable input, and we're thrilled to have Dr. Michael Hardy join the group,” said HISA CEO Lisa Lazarus. “In recent months, the group has been having significant conversations revolving around veterinary protocols and scratches, and we believe it would be beneficial to include a regulatory veterinarian in these critical discussions. Having Dr. Hardy's voice as a former regulatory veterinarian with a strong understanding of everything that entails is important to us. We strive to build a program that is fair and considers the perspectives of all stakeholders. We welcome Dr. Hardy to participate and share his insights.”

Hardy, a graduate of Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine, began his career as a racing regulatory veterinarian for the Kentucky Horseracing Commission in 2008. For 11 years, he served as the Chief Association Veterinarian, then transitioned to the role of Safety Director for Horseshoe Indianapolis. He is currently serving as the Executive Director of the Racetrack Medication & Testing Consortium (RMTC). He is also a member of the Breeders' Cup Veterinary Panel, and has served on the Horseracing Testing Laboratory Committee and RegVets Continuing Education Program's Committee for the RMTC.

“It's certainly an honor to be asked to serve the racing industry in this capacity. It goes without saying the role of the equine veterinarian is critical to the success of horse racing,” said Hardy. “I look forward to sharing perspective and insight into the unique responsibilities of the racing regulatory veterinarian. Relentless pursuit of a clean and safe sport for our equine and human athletes demands the collaborative efforts of all involved.”

The post Hardy Joins HISA Horsemen’s Advisory Group appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post