Horse Racing News

The OBS sale, or Ocala Breeders’ Sales Co, had one of its most successful sales recently when comparing the figures from this year with those from last year. Two year old horses that are in training sold for record prices, and even though the number of horses sold was less than in 2007, the gross revenue made it into the record books. Everyone who attended commented on the electrifying atmosphere that surrounded the March sale, as breeders showed off their best horses and buyers scrambled to enter the highest bids.

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As racing states come under threat of neighboring states using slot machines to increase their income and purses, special stakes races, such as the Pimlico Special, fall onto the chopping block. Last year, the Maryland thoroughbred racing commission cancelled the running of the 2007 Pimlico Special to keep the other big live horse racing events stable. However, because of the history of the race, reshuffling of races has been done to ensure the return of the Pimlico Special to the Preakness program.

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On the 18th of March 1999, a future Cheltenham Festival winner was born. He was set to make history, to bring pride and joy into the lives of many, and to become an inspiration to those in need. Inglis Drever began his racing career in flat horse racing. Named after John Inglis Drever Pottinger, a famous painter from Scotland who passed away in 1986, this magnificent horse only realized his true potential and forte under the watchful eyes of owner, Graham Wylie.

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The first Welfare and Safety of Racehorse Summit was held in October 2006 and was coordinated by the Grayston-Jockey Research Foundation and The Jockey Club. This year the second summit is taking place on the 17th and the 18th of March 2008, and is hosted by the Keeneland Sales Pavilion. Issues and improvements raised at the first summit will be discussed and analyzed. The main goal of the Welfare and Safety of the Racehorse Summit is to make racing safer for horses and to address issues in regard to their health and wellbeing.

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When it comes to the use of steroids in horse racing there has always been an ongoing battle. Keeping races fair and ensuring the health and safety of horses is the primary concern, which has led to an in-depth probe into the use of steroids in the horse racing industry. The new probe has led to a flood of emotions and resistance against the looming decision to ban steroids from the racing industry.

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In the year 1950, the National Museum of Racing’s Hall of Fame started paying tribute to trainers, jockeys and horses that have performed outstandingly and that have contributed positively to the racing industry. This year there are many worthy nominations for inductions into the National Museum of Racing’s Hall of Fame, such as jockeys Alex Solis, Randy Romero and Edgar Prado.

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Since 1955, the New York Racing Association has been in charge of running three of the state’s horse racing tracks, namely Aqueduct, Saratoga Race Course and Belmont Park. In 2006 however, the New York Racing Association, or NYRA, declared bankruptcy and have been operating under the bankruptcy protection act, Chapter 11. At the end of 2007, the franchise held by the NYRA had expired and they continued to operate the thoroughbred horse racing enterprise on an extension, awaiting the outcome of a bid for a renewed franchise.

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Just over a year ago no one would have guessed that the beautiful male horse, getting ready for his first racing start, would be outperforming many of his rivals and making a name for himself. Curlin was bred by Fares Farm and was bought after he won a maiden race at Gulfstream Park. He was transferred to the capable hands of trainer, Steve Asmussen, and is currently waiting to continue his training at Fair Grounds.

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The glitz, glamour and excitement of horse racing has been absent from China since 1949. In a country where gambling is a favorite pastime, many residents in China have resorted to illegal gambling, to partake in a game with Lady Luck. When the communist government came into power in China, many regulations changed, including those related to horse racing, and for years the people of China watched and waited for the day that horse racing would return to their country.

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In the world of horse racing, top honors means receiving the Horse of the Year Award. Horses, owners, trainers and jockeys throw their hearts and efforts into every race to perform at their peak and to be able to be contenders at the end of the year awards. 2007 was definitely a wonderful year for M.Y. Stables, which walked away with many of the most prestigious titles. And one of those horse racing victories, was the Indiana-bred, Basin Banannie, being named the Horse of the Year.

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