Miscellaneous

Many of us give up on our childhood dreams as life and its many challenges often steer us in different directions. But we may find that the memory of those dreams sometimes leads us back to our passions, and with some luck, the chance of realizing them still remains. For Dominic Prince, a forty seven year old journalist in London, the love and passion for horses and the horse racing industry has stayed with him, although the thought of becoming a jockey faded as the years passed by. But earlier this year, he decided to do what it takes to lay down his pen, take up the reins and become a part of the horse racing world he so loves.

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Standardbred Canada have been looking for ways to develop and enhance the harness racing industry in Canada, which led them to creating committees dedicated to researching various sectors of the horse racing industry worldwide. The committees created included Canadian Betting Exchange, Distribution, National Pools and Products, Racing Product Development and Research. The information gathered by these committees has enabled Standardbred Canada to formulate a strategy for the Wagering Action Plan. Using modules that already exist in various international horse racing states, will allow Standardbred Canada to modify them to suit their needs and hopefully breathe new life into harness racing.

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Idaho’s horse racing industry has not seen an increase in interest with regard to the sport in the last few years. But a company by the name of Capitol Racing and Governor Butch Otter believe that they have found a way to revive and assist live horse racing, while attracting the interest of a new generation. But lawmakers in Idaho are a little reserved and concerned about the proposal put before them by Otter and Steve Bieri to legalize pari-mutuel wagering on virtual horse racing events.

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The small town of Malahide, is located in Ireland, a short distance away from the bustling city of Dublin. Not many people have even heard of this quaint town, but in a newly released book by Anne Holland, named The Grand National: The Irish at Aintree, Malahide and one of the best horses in the history of Ireland is mentioned. Through the book, the deserved recognition is given to the town and to a horse that overcame every obstacle in his way, to become a sensation and the hero of Malahide.

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The Haydock Park Racecourse is located in Merseyside, England and is the venue for numerous flat horse racing events, as well as National Hunt racing. They offer spectators great facilities and wonderful horse racing action, hosting twenty nine days of racing. And with the National Hunt racing season kicking off on 6 November 2008, jumps racing enthusiasts can look forward to upcoming events such as the Berfair Chase, Red Square Vodka Gold Cup, Champion Hurdle Trial, Swinton Handicap Hurdle, Peter Marsh Chase and the Rendlesham Hurdle. Starting off relatively relaxed, the Racing Welfare Raceday is merely a warm up of what is to come.

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Now that the dust has settled around the disappointments and shocking conclusions that unfolded at the Breeders’ Cup, hosted at Santa Anita Park Racecourse, there is a new buzz going around in the horse racing industry. Everyone is beginning to speculate and offer opinions on which the likeliest candidates will be for the Horse of the Year Eclipse Award. There are three worthy contenders that immediately come to mind, namely Curlin (current Horse of the Year), Zenyatta and Big Brown. Each of these horses has performed well this year, and as voters start to mull over their choices, it is bound to be a very difficult decision.

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The importance and positive results in the use of stem cell therapy has been proven a number of times, as scientists and researchers work tirelessly to find ways of repairing injuries suffered by horses and not only saving their careers, but also their lives. Tendon, ligament, bone and cartilage damage can be devastating injuries, and even though time off the track and rehabilitation might restore mobility and health, the horse will still be at risk to suffer injuries to the particular area, as the healing process does not restore the injured tissue to its original strength.

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There are two very important and diverse sides to the hosting of the Far Hills Race Meeting. Firstly, it is one of the biggest steeplechase horse racing events of the year, in the industry and is supported in great numbers every year. The second part of the Far Hills Race Meeting is that for the past fifty-four years, this event has been focused on helping the community in general, and in particular, supporting the Somerset Medical Centre located in Somerville. This year, will be no different. The Far Hills Race Meeting will combine phenomenal horse racing, with the opportunity to raise funds for a worthy cause.

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In Australia, one of the most prestigious racing events of the year is the Caulfield Cup. Run at the Caulfield Racecourse, the race covers a distance of 2 400 meters, or twelve furlongs, and is a racing event for three year old horses and over. This year, thousands of spectators and punters will be pinning their hopes on the spectacular Weekend Hussler, to win the Caulfield Cup that has been a part of the horse racing tradition in Australia since 1879. The $2.5 million Caulfield Cup is set to have a magnificent lineup of contenders and to be an unforgettable racing event.

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John Henry was born on 9 March 1975. His owners watched him closely for any traits that could lead them to a name, and as he enjoyed destroying steel buckets, he was named after the world famous legend who was referred to as the Steel-Drivin Man. Because he was not of the best breeding, his owners decided to geld him, being sired by Ole Bob Bowers and out of the mare Once Double. He might not have had the breeding or the perfect conformation for a racehorse, but John Henry was determined to succeed, and became one of the most legendary horses of our time. Not surprisingly, Kentucky Horse Park has honored him by unveiling the John Henry Memorial Statue.

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