Monthly Archives: October 2008

In 1947, the United States Harness Writing Association was established, and as it is a media organization, only press members and promoters are permitted to join the association. It was founded by a group of writers that dedicated their time in keeping harness racing events in the news, but their responsibilities toward the harness racing community have expanded past reporting on racing events, as the United States Harness Writing Association are responsible for Harness Racing Hall of Fame candidate selections.

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Originally known as the East Park Racecourse, Hastings Racecourse opened for business in 1889, and has continued the tradition of horse racing and spectacular related events. It is currently owed by a division of the Great Canadian Gaming Corporation and Hasting Racecourse host major horse racing events such as the British Columbia Breeders’ Cup Derby, Ballerina Breeders’ Cup Stakes, Lieutenant Governors Stakes and the British Columbia Breeders’ Cup Oaks. Although nothing has been officially stated, there is talk about a few welcome changes being on the cards for next year.

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Breeders and auctioneers have been feeling the pinch of the economy lately, as is seen by the decrease in sales averages at yearling sales this year. The sales slump has led to many adjustments in the market, and stud owners have also announced that they were reducing fees on some of their stallions. This reduction in fees is a welcome relief to many and Darley America have also recently announced and published their new list of stallion fees. Even though a great number of stallion fees have been adjusted, there are three that have either remained the same or increased.

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The Aintree Racecourse was a hive of activity on Sunday, the 26th of October, as hundreds of spectators filled the racecourse in support of the racing action. One of the anticipated events for the day, was the Old Roan Chase that is run over a distance of two miles and four furlongs and is for five year old horses and older. The Mildmay Course at the Aintree Racecourse was host to the event and a spectacular lineup of contenders was ready for action. But it was the underdog of the horse racing field, Knowhere, that stunned spectators as he charged towards the finish line to take the victory.

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Santa Anita Park Racecourse has been hosting horse racing events since 1934. And this past weekend, it was once again host to one of the biggest horse racing events of the year. The Breeders’ Cup was supported by thousands of enthusiast fans, on the 24th and 25th of October 2008, and they were days of disappointment for some and elation for others, and the major races of the Breeders’ Cup got underway. With each horse racing event on the race card filled with magnificent contenders, it was difficult to predict any of the outcomes, and some results were more shocking than others.

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Majority owner, Jess Jackson, and trainer, Steve Asmussen, had not been eager to enter Curlin into the Breeders’ Cup Classic, purely based on the fact that the Breeders’ Cup was being run on an artificial surface, ProRide, for the first time. Curlin is known to be comfortable on dirt, and never runs on turf, as he is not comfortable on it. On Saturday, 25 October 2008, the surface got the better of Curlin, allowing Raven’s Pass to take the victory, and the beloved champion finishing out of the money for the first time in his horse racing career.

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