Features

Looming Thoroughbred Safety Hearing

When looking at some of the major tragedies that have taken place over the last few years, names such as Barbaro, George Washington and the latest racing fatality, Eight Belles, jump to mind. Much speculation and criticism regarding horse racing has been in the news lately. This has led the United States House Subcommittee of Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection to call a hearing to investigate and address the public and animal rights organizations’ concerns involving the sport. The Breeding, Drugs and Breakdowns: The State of Thoroughbred Horseracing and the Welfare of the Thoroughbred Racehorse hearing will take place on 19 June 2008.

$1 million World Cup for Sydney

The suburb of Menangle Park is located approximately fifty kilometers from the central business district of Sydney, in Australia. In 1914, the racecourse was opened in Menangle Park and due to its association with the suburb the racecourse changed its name officially a few years after its opening to Menangle Park Racecourse. After years of hosting live horse racing action, Menangle Park Racecourse is set to become home to the harness racing $1 million World Cup.

Belmont too much for Big Brown

The Triple Crown title has once again eluded another hopeful, as it seems that Big Brown was fighting too many struggles at once, which had become too much for this magnificent horse to bear. There are speculations as to the cause of the gentle giant’s inability to pull another major victory out the bag, and unfortunately Saturday was just not Big Brown’s day. The unexpected victory by Da’ Tara, who was followed home by Denis of Cork, Anak Nakal and Ready’s Echo, took everyone by storm.

Zendt Hits 3000

With more than thirty years of harness racing experience, Bill Zendt is a driver and trainer who has enjoyed abundant success at The Meadows. On Tuesday, 3 June 2008, he won the 3000th racing event of his career and looks back on many fond memories. With Fudgjoe crossing the finish line in winning position, it was not only a moment of victory for Bill Zendt but an achievement and joy that was shared by The Meadows.

Zenyatta, The Unstoppable Filly

Zenyatta was born on 1 April 2004 and is the daughter of Street Cry and Vertigineux. She is owned by Jerome Moss and his wife, Ann, and is trained under the patient care of John Shirreffs. So far, this magnificent filly has won all five of her career starts, giving breathtaking performances at every racing event. With her career earnings already at over five hundred thousand dollars, everyone is waiting in anticipation for her next horse racing victory.

Tasmania Shows Off the Best Two Year Olds

Trainers, owners and drivers alike all commented on the high quality of two year old horses that were seen at the Betfair Sweepstakes finals over the weekend. It is hoped that the increase in better bred horses will see an escalation in the harness racing industry in Tasmania. If harness racing performances continue to excite and amaze as it did on Sunday, it will encourage breeders to continue improving the quality of horses. The horses that were seen during the weekend’s racing events are proof of the remarkable advancements and developments within the breeding industry.

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