2011 Hall of Fame Finalists

It is that time of the year again, and the final nominees for induction into the National Museum of Racing's Hall of Fame have been announced. The highest votes in each category will determine the inducteesThe prestigious awards ceremony will be held on 12 August 2011 at the Fasig-Tipton Sales Pavilion. There is a special category for those who have been in the industry for more than twenty-five years, and the inductee candidates will be selected by the Historic Review Committee. But as far as horses, jockeys and trainers go, the finalists have been announced and four of the nominees have made the list this year for the first time.

New Sponsor for British Champions Series

The thirty-five event British Champions Series will kick off on 30 April 2011 with the Newmarket Rowley Mile. This year, however, there will be a massive change in regard to purses, as a two year contract has been signed with Qatar International Investment & Projects Development Holding Co. to sponsor the series. This is set to have a historical impact on British horse racing. British Champions Day will also be a landmark experience, with three million pounds in prize money being made available.

Sizing Europe Takes Chase Victory

In 1959, the Queen Mother Champion Chase was inaugurated and forms part of the annual Cheltenham Festival, hosted by the Cheltenham Racecourse. It is National Hunt Chase, and is a Grade 1 event for horses that are five-years-old or older. There are twelve fences for the horses to cross during this 3 219 meter race. After failing to finish due to a strained back injury during the Queen Mother Champion Chase in 2008, Sizing Europe came back on Tuesday, 15 March 2011, to add his name to the list of winners.

High Expectations for Medermit

A great racehorse, foaled in April 1957 and passed away in May 1970, will be remembered as one of the most magnificent steeplechase horses of our life time. Arkle, who was owned by the Duchess of Westminister, Anne Grosvenor, left a huge legacy behind, and today his name is synonymous with one of the Cheltenham Festival’s toughest events. The first race was run in 1946 under the name the Cotswold Chase, but was changed to the Arkle Challenge Trophy in 1969 to pay tribute to the iconic horse. Trainer Alan King firmly believes that he has a horse that will be an ideal candidate to win the 2011 Arkle Challenge Trophy.

Smiling Tiger Shows Magnificent Talent

Smiling Tiger is a four year old colt, sired by Hold That Tiger, that is owned by Alan Klein and Philip Lebherz. He is trained by Jeff Bonde and is a horse that seems to now be getting into his racing gear. Although he is a horse that is known for being kept either in the lead or near the race leader, unforeseen circumstances forced the colt and his jockey to change strategy, and Smiling Tiger did not disappoint. Ridden by Joel Rosario for the first time, both horse and jockey were able to keep their eye on the prize, remain calm and deliver a breathtaking performance at Santa Anita.

Proposed Track for Dayton

The residents of Dayton are excited about Penn National Gaming’s proposal to construct a horse racing track in the town. Even though the residents are already sold on the idea, it will be up to the Ohio Racing Commission to accept the proposal. Penn National Gaming to close down the track in Columbus, Beulah Racecourse, if their proposal for Dayton is approved. Dayton locals see the pending racecourse as an income generating opportunity for their community, and are supporting the proposal one hundred percent.

2011 Presidents Cup

The Presidents Cup is a Group 1 event for pure bred Arabian horses and was hosted at the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club over the weekend. It has a purse amount of Dh1 million and is seen as one of the most prestigious events for Arab horses. Numerous worthy contenders took on the 2 200 meter challenge, but only one horse could reign supreme, namely Seraphin Du Paon. Even though this talented five-year-old is undoubtedly a very successful athlete, participating in such a huge event was still a gamble as it was only his sixth career start.

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