Monthly Archives: January 2011

Kenilworth Racecourse in Cape Town, South Africa, came alive this weekend with color, fashion, entertainment and outstanding live horse racing action at the annual J&B Met. It is an event that brings approximately fifty thousand horse racing enthusiasts together each year and is seen as one of the country’s most prestigious events. This year, it was held on Saturday, 29 January 2011, and the air was thick with anticipation, excitement and breathtaking victories. It was a day that was enjoyed by all and created a festive atmosphere throughout the entire city.

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It is said that Zenyatta will more than likely go down in the annals of horse racing history as one of the greatest female horses to have ever graced the industry. Retiring from racing uninjured is testament to her spectacular racing ability and care given to her by her owners and trainer. To top it off, she has only been defeated once in twenty career starts. But just when you thought it could not get any better for this filly, she goes on to win the 2010 Eclipse Horse of the Year Award, and is the first horse to receive the new Secretariat Vox Populi (Voice of the People) Award.

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The headquarters of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities is located in Paris, and was founded in 2003. Horse racing industry members from around the world belong to this establishment, and one of its duties is compiling the World Thoroughbred Racehorse Rankings each year. These rankings are the “official assessment of the top performers”, and since 2004, Sea The Stars, foaled in Ireland, has been the top performer of all time, with a points total of 136. This year, a newcomer to the list has been the closest to dethroning Sea The Stars.

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Even when a trainer has unshakable confidence that his efforts will pay off with a win, there are so many variables in horse racing that a 'sure thing' can sometimes turn out to be more than disappointing. But then there are times when a 'sure thing' is just that, and this proved to be the case for trainer Willie Mullins and owner Douglas Taylor when Final Approach proved his trainer and owner's confidence to be valid by claiming first place in the Grade B MCR Hurdle on at Leopardstown on Sunday. This race is run over a distance of two miles and is open to racehorses of age four and above. Superbly coaxed to victory by jockey Paul Townend, Final Approach delivered a superb performance, holding off a field of twenty-six very strong contenders in this prestigious event.

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There are numerous establishments in the United States that are dedicated to the rehabilitation of racehorses and finding them new loving homes. Just because a thoroughbred has come to the end of his or her racing career, does not mean that there is no future for them, no matter what the injury. Rerun is a non-profit organization that is passionate about sending ex-racehorses on a new journey and career as hacking horses, trail horses, show jumpers and dressage horses. Recently a written appeal from the organization hopes to secure the futures of more racehorses.

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