Features

The fact that a horse named George Baker eventually developed into a winning horse and recently took the John Smith's Handicap, which was hosted at the Leicester Racecourse, is not such an unusual story, as many horses have developed into winners. It is the fact that all involved in the story of this horse are named George Baker that makes it such a remarkable story. And it was the first time that all four George Bakers shared the same victory. George Baker, the horse, is beginning to show that he is indeed a force to be reckoned with.

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The Canadian Triple Crown was only officially being recognized in 1959, thus a horse named Queensway that captured all three races in 1932 did not have her name added to the list of Canadian Triple Crown winners. Since 1959, only seven horses have won the Canadian Triple Crown, which is made up of the Queen's Plate, The Prince of Wales Stakes and the Breeder's stakes. On Sunday, 7 August 2011, another name missed the list of winners by one race, namely Pender Harbour. His jockey, however, will join the others in the history books of the Canadian Triple Crown.

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In 1991 the Cartier Racing Awards were created by Cartier jewelers, and is an awards ceremony for the European horse racing community. Winners of these awards are chosen through a points system, which horses earn through their performance, combined with votes cast by journalists and readers, and recognition is awarded, with the most prestigious award being the Horse of the Year Award. At present a horse by the name of Frankel is leading in the points division in no less than two Cartier Awards categories.

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Curragh Racecourse is the host of the famous Irish Derby that is currently being sponsored by Dubai Duty Free. It is a Group 1 event for three-year-old horses and is run over a distance of 2 414 meters. It was known as the O'Darby Stakes when it was first run in 1817, but discontinued in 1824. In 1848 they tried to bring the race back as the Curragh Derby, but again it failed. The race as we know it today was inaugurated in 186, by the third Earl of Charlemont, the third Earl of Howth and the third Marquess of Drogheda. This popular race is one of Ireland's most prestigious events, and rescheduling of racing for 2012 has seen to it that the race will be moved from its present fixture.

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The Glorious Goodwood Festival will kick off on 26 July 2011 and run through to 30 July 2011, drawing some of the best horses in the industry to its starting gates. There is, however, one race that stands out amongst the rest and that is the 2011 Celebrity Ladies Race. This event will take place on Thursday, 28 July 2011. Audi has kindly sponsored the race, which will generate funds for the Great Ormond Street Hospital. It has been a huge effort from both the celebrities participating, as well as trainers, jockeys and behind-the-scenes staff to ensure that the race goes off smoothly.

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Many of the workers at Canterbury Park have been working at the track for most of their lives and horse owners have been supporting the track faithfully for many years. As with most horse racing facilities, Canterbury Park had to pay for the costs to regulate the track, which it did; but even in spite of this a court ruling was handed down forcing the state agency, the Minnesota Racing Commission, to shut down both Canterbury Park and Running Aces. Thousands now sit without jobs, but they are fighting back with all they have.

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The Arlington Park Mid America Triple consists of three racing events, namely the Arlington Classic, the American Derby and the Secretariat Stakes. Not many horses have been able to obtain this title. The last horse to win all three events was Honor Glide, which won the races in 1997, and before him it was Buckpasser in the year 1966. This year, however, there is a horse that stands a very good chance of securing all three races, namely Willcox Inn.

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The Belmont Stakes was a very disappointing event for Animal Kingdom and his connections. He was a very strong contender for the race, but got bumped just out the starting gates, and the collision almost caused him to fall and his jockey was left holding on for dear life. The pair did manage to correct themselves, but by the time they had settled back into the race, it was too late to make up the ground. More disappointment followed when Animal Kingdom went on to become lame for a few days running, causing great concern.

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Thoroughbred flat horse racing has had magnificent fillies such as Zenyatta and Rachel Alexandra to uplift the industry. While fans are keeping their eyes open for the next talented filly to take on the boys and bring spark to the race track, the pacing horse racing world already has theirs. A beautiful three-year-old filly, named See You At Peelers, has been proving to be the queen of the pacing industry. With her spectacular unbeaten record, it is hoped that fans across the board will take notice of this magnificent horse and her wonderful racing career so far.

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The Royal Ascot Festival is not only a five day spectacular of live horse racing action and entertainment for spectators, but it is a very competitive time for jockeys and trainers wanting to take top honors at the end of the festival. Even though Ryan Moore is contracted to Sir Michael Stoute, he is the number one choice for trainer Aidan O'Brian, trainer for Ballydoyle, if Moore is able to ride. It came down to only two jockeys fighting for the Top Jockey title this year, namely Ryan Moore and Richard Hughes. Moore was able to take the title by a mere nose, leaving Hughes in second position, for the second time.

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