Tag Archives: horse racing

AQHA Racing to Begin Microchip Identification

The American Quarter Horse Association will begin the transition to microchips in place of lip tattoos to identify racing American Quarter Horses effective January 1, 2024.

Any horse that was not previously tattooed as of January 1, 2024, will have their microchip number scanned and used as part of the identification verification done by an approved AQHA-contracted identifier. Horses who were identified by tattoo before January 1, 2024, shall be allowed to continue to utilize their tattoo as a means of identification.

The microchip must be ISO compliant. This means the microchip must operate at a radio frequency of 134.2 kHz and contain 15 digits.

Read Microchipping FAQs.

AQHA is currently in the process of building an application to be used by our Identifiers named QHChip, and training will be provided to them soon.

Once a horse is microchipped and inspected by an official identifier, the information will be available on the identification platforms, both in InCompass Solutions and the QHChip app.

Read More.

Meet Thoroughbred Trainers Jena Antonucci and Katie Miranda at EquineEd

Saturday, September 16

On June 10, Jena Antonucci became the first female trainer to win a Triple Crown race by winning the Belmont Stakes with Archangelo. 10 weeks later, she showed the world it was no fluke by winning the $1.25 million Travers Stakes.

Join Thoroughbred trainers Jena Antonucci and Katie Miranda at the Kentucky Horse Park for our September EquineEd lecture series. Jena and Katie are co-owners of horseOlogy, a full-cycle thoroughbred training and ownership organization based in Ocala, Florida that handles everything related to thoroughbred breeding, training, and racing.

EquineEd is a FREE event. Mark your calendar for this Saturday, September 16, 12 p.m. at the Kentucky Horse Park’s Hall of Champions barn. Please enter through the KHP Visitor Center.

Don’t miss EquineEd: A First Saturday Lecture Series!

September 16: Jena Antonucci & Katie Miranda
Thoroughbred Trainers

October 7: Erin O’Keefe
Retired Racehorse Project

November 4: Shelby Hume
Dressage Naturally Instructor

December 2: Museum Round Table featuring:
International Museum of the Horse
American Saddlebred Museum
Keeneland Association
Kentucky Derby Museum

To learn more, visit www.kyhorsepark.com.

Shadwell Impresses in the UK, but Are Denting the US Racing Market

Belmont Stakes, 10 June 2006, winner Jazil, from the Shadwell stables. Photo by Naoki Nakashima – Flickr: Jazil, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=15492695.

United States based horse racing fans will be keeping a keen eye on the Shadwell group’s success over in the British horse racing market.

Following the passing of Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum back in March 2021, racing fans across the world wondered what would happen to the blue and white silks that were a prominent fixture at race meets across the globe, but later in September, Shadwell Stud announced that they would be seriously trimming back their operations and dispersing a majority stake of stock following his death.

This still left an interest in the American race market and back in July, Derrinstown’s Awtaad again proved himself a reliable stud, as daughter Anisette romped home in the Grade 2 San Clemente Stakes at Del Mar. The now Leonard Powell-trained novice impressed everyone when up against fellow talented three-year-old fillies with graded stakes form, yet still managed to power clear by an increasing two-and-a-half lengths to more than justify her pre-race odds of 2/1 favourite. Whilst those odds may drop a little if the group now moves her up to Grade 1 race events, as most now think will happen, for those who like a flutter on their horses, her potential suggests she is very much one to watch, and one to put a small stake on if you feel the need.

Moving back to Shadwell as a whole, instead, they would focus in on key strategic objectives in an effort to maximise a much smaller foot print moving forward. Their statement explained that they were “undertaking a full review of all its activities that will result in important changes for the business. As a result its operations in the UK, Ireland, and the USA will contract, with a focus on quality and competition at the highest level of the sport.”

Plenty of racing commentators had their own thoughts on whether or not this was a sensible business move by the group as they moved forward, but they were clearly staying in the major markets that they were well versed in – but the sticking point was always going to be: could you have greater success with fewer assets?

As per Horse Bet, with a mind to the British racing market in particular, Sheikh Hamdan’s daughter Sheikha Hissa took on the reins under their new, much tighter, business plan, and whilst it has not yet been replicated in other global race markets, their endeavours in Britain are certainly coming to fruition.

The Shadwell group have now taken eleven wins from 21 races – representing an astonishing 52% success rate – as they focus on quality and calibre of horse, as well as racing competition at the highest level. Their success rate may well be increasing as the current Goodwood series of events continues.

But for the United States market, it again shows the Shadwell group of companies and their connections are determined to make an impact, even if they have scaled back their overall bulk.

This season, sires Anmaat and Diamil have already tasted success and Anisette is the latest in Awtaad’s bloodline to make the headlines, and with nine individual stake winners to his name, he is proving himself to be one of the best value sires in Europe at a ridiculous price of just 5,000 Euros.

Cheltenham Festival 2024: 4 British-Trained Horses to Follow

Photo by Carine06 from UK – Champion Hurdle, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=37285214

The Cheltenham Festival has been dominated by Irish trainers in recent years and that trend looks set to continue when the 2024 meeting is staged.

A quick look at the Cheltenham betting markets for next year’s top races highlights how difficult it will be for British handlers to get into the winners’ enclosure.

Irish-trained horses dominate most of the ante-post markets, particularly in each of the Grade 1 events across the four-day meeting.

However, there are several British-trained horses who have a genuine chance of emerging victorious in March. Here are four we believe can get the job done.

Constitution Hill – Arkle Novices’ Chase

The 2023 Champion Hurdle winner Constitution Hill has plenty of options open to him next season including embarking on a career over bigger obstacles.

Some pundits have suggested he could be aimed at the Gold Cup, but trainer Nicky Henderson will probably resist the temptation to head down that route.

His most likely target is the Arkle Novices’ Chase, although the Champion Chase could be an alternative if he scares away the opposition at novice level.

Whichever race he ends up in at the Festival, Constitution Hill will be a banker bet to get a winner on the board for British trainers.

Jonbon – Ryanair Chase

Henderson could add another winner to his tally in the Ryanair Chase, with his Jonbon likely to take a step up in trip next season.

The big-money purchase has finished second in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle and Arkle Novices’ Chase in the last two years and looks to be a Festival winner in-waiting.

He ended last season with two Grade 1 victories over two miles at Aintree and Sandown, but now looks ready to run over a longer distance.

The Ryanair Chase is the natural target for the horse and he could be tough to beat if he participates in the race in March.

Love Envoi – Mares’ Hurdle

Irish trainers have dominated the Mares’ Hurdle since it was first run in 2008, winning the race on 13 of the 16 occasions it has been staged.

Henry De Bromhead’s Honeysuckle was responsible for two of those victories (2020 & 2023), but her retirement has left the mares’ ranks lacking a superstar.

Love Envoi could be the one to beat having given Honeysuckle a run for her money in this year’s race for trainer Harry Fry.

The horse clearly likes Cheltenham after winning the 2022 Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle and looks a good bet to be extremely competitive next year.

Shishkin – Gold Cup

We return to the Henderson stable for our final recommendation, with Shishkin fancied to emerge as a strong contender in the Gold Cup.

The horse has already run twice at the Festival, but a poor run in the 2022 Champion Chase left connections scratching their heads.

He bounced back to finish second in this year’s Ryanair Chase, and followed up with a victory over 3m1f in the Aintree Bowl Chase.

Shishkin has been crying out to be run over a longer trip and should be a lively contender for the Gold Cup when March comes around.

Markel Jockeys Jumping Set for Spectacular Return to London International Horse Show

The Markel Jockeys Jumping in aid of The Injured Jockeys Fund will be returning to The London International Horse Show for the first time since 2019, featuring some of the most prolific jockeys of Great Britain and Ireland. Back by popular demand, this competition sees jockeys attempt a show jumping course at the famous London Horse Show – often with hilarious results. The 2022 competition will be a girls versus boys format and takes place on the evening of Monday 19 December.

Heading the boys’ team will be 20-time champion National Hunt jockey Sir Anthony ‘AP’ McCoy, who will be seeking to reverse the 2019 result, in which the girls were victorious. From the world of Flat Racing will be Jim Crowley, who started his professional career over fences riding for the stable of show jumping legend Harvey Smith. Since his switch to the flat, Crowley has been crowned champion jockey and won many of the world’s most prestigious races, most recently the Group 1 Juddmonte International Stakes last week aboard Baaeed, currently the highest rated horse in the world.

They will be joined by 2021 champion National Hunt jockey Harry Skelton, son of Olympic double gold medallist Nick Skelton CBE. Skelton will be looking to reclaim the title he won in dramatic circumstances following a bridle malfunction in 2018. Skelton’s wife, Bridget Andrews, will be a pivotal part of the girls’ team, following a successful performance in the 2019 edition. Andrews, a Cheltenham Festival winner, will be seeking to make it a double over her husband, this time at the iconic ExCeL London.

Another husband-and-wife combination likely to go head-to-head at The London International Horse Show will be flat jockeys Tom Marquand and Hollie Doyle. Doyle will head to The London International Horse Show on the back of another record-breaking season, during which she claimed her first Classic win in the French Oaks, becoming the first British female jockey to win a Classic. Doyle holds the record for victories in a single season by a female rider in the UK and will be looking to add to her list of accomplishments in London. Marquand, also a Classic winner having won the St Leger Stakes in 2020, will add to the stellar list of jockeys taking part in the class, described by Clare Balding in 2019 as “the most extraordinary sporting event I’ve ever seen,” with more top-class participants to be announced in due course.

Looking ahead to the 2022 event, McCoy, President of the Injured Jockeys Fund, said: “At one of our previous appearances in the Markel Jockeys Jumping at The London International Horse Show, Olympic gold medallist Nick Skelton resorted to using a cable tie to fix the bridle on Harry’s horse, so let’s hope we are a bit more professional this time around!” He continued, “At our last appearance in 2019, we were beaten by the girls, so we’ll be putting that right this year. In all seriousness though, it’s for a great cause in the Injured Jockeys Fund – and we all love taking part.”

Juliet Redfern, Head of Equine Insurance at Markel, added: “Markel is delighted to be sponsoring this fabulous event, as a specialist equine insurer we are committed to supporting the wider equine industry through various charitable initiatives. We have supported this particular event for six years; it’s great fun, but more importantly provides crucial funds to the Injured Jockeys Fund, a wonderful charity that looks after its own so well.”

Taking place from 15 to 19 December at ExCeL London, The London International Horse Show hosts three FEI World Cup™ competitions in Dressage, Carriage Driving, and Show Jumping, attracting the world’s best equestrian athletes. Spectators can also look forward to entertainment from The Shetland Pony Grand National, Kennel Club Dog Agility, and two international displays, to be announced.

The Markel Jockeys Jumping in aid of the Injured Jockeys Fund will be part of the Show’s thrilling final session, which also includes the five-star London Grand Prix, featuring the finest international show jumping horse and rider combinations.

More information about The London International Horse Show, including how to buy tickets, can be found here.

The London International Horse Show
www.londonhorseshow.com
Niki McEwen / nmcewen@revolutionworld.com

Which Three Competitions in Horse Racing Are Considered to Be the Most Prestigious in the UK?

The history of horse racing in England can be traced all the way back to the 16th century, making it one of the most historic sports and spectator events in the country. Nevertheless, if we only consider horse racing in terms of its role as a sport, we diminish the cultural traditions and historical relevance of the activity.

These world-famous racing events have millions of followers and fans all around the world. Also, if you didn’t know already, this sport along with the events brings in millions of gamblers around the world and as this sport is one of the most popular gambling activities, passionate horse racing fans are constantly looking for new ways to get the best odds, offers, promotions, and much more in order to win the most money. However, if you also have been looking for a new platform, you’re in luck because you can play online at this resource and receive the best odds and promotions for the upcoming horse racing events.

Cheltenham Festival

One of the events in the United Kingdom that is considered to be the most prestigious and oldest is the Cheltenham Festival, which was first held in 1860. The historic event takes place once a year over the course of four days, and it is known for its elegance and style in welcoming the most avid racing fans in the country. The horses are stabled at the world-famous Cheltenham Racecourse in Gloucestershire, which also boasts amenities that are second to none and staff members who are trained to greet guests in the most refined manner possible.

Epsom Derby

The Epsom Derby is a gorgeous annual spectacle that has been running since 1780. It comprises a number of Thoroughbred racehorses competing against one another for the title of the fastest performer. In the month of June, supporters head down to Epsom Downs in Surrey for the event that is aimed to evaluate as “The Derby.” The illustrious competition typically draws in close to 150,000 spectators, and attendees of the event are strongly encouraged to dress appropriately.

That suggests that men’s and women’s fashion should be on par with one another. The dresses the women wear are often very brilliant colours, and they also wear elaborate headpieces. It is customary for males to attend races in top hats and suits, and it is strongly advised that they steer clear of wearing clothing that does not fit well as well as sportswear.

Royal Ascot

Every year in the month of June, the well-known festival brings together hordes of celebrities, members of the royalty, and well-dressed men, women, and children who are all searching for a chance to have a good time and get the attention of some of the most prestigious individuals in the world.

The competition is one of the oldest in the world, making it an unbeatable experience, and the prize money of over six million pounds is unsurpassed. The fact that the Queen has made it a point to attend Royal Ascot each and every year of her reign is another indication of the event’s high quality.

HISA Implementation

The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) has been preparing to implement the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act on July 1, 2022.

There has been an unclear implementation of rules related to the Act. On June 27, seven-term U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa, the second-most senior member of the United States Senate, sent a letter to the Federal Trade Commission and HISA demanding answers to questions about their failure to comply with the enabling federal legislation’s deadline of July 1 for implementation.

Read Sen. Grassley’s letter here.

Sen. Grassley and three other senators, Joni Ernst of Iowa, John Kennedy of Louisiana, and Joe Manchin of West Virginia, are asking for clarification and explanation about HISA’s ability to meet the July 1 deadlines. The senators’ letter points out that neither the FTC nor HISA have the authority to extend the deadline.

While at this time, HISA has indicated that only Thoroughbreds will be covered under the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act, the Authority’s intent is to include all breeds in the future.

It is important that members of the horse racing industry who have concerns regarding the implementation of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act contact their representatives to voice their opinion and let their representatives know of Sen. Grassley’s inquiry.

To find your representatives, visit www.congress.gov/members/find-your-member and enter your zip code.

American Quarter Horse Association
1600 Quarter Horse Drive
Amarillo, TX 79104

The 10 Greatest Jockeys in Horse Racing History

Just like with any other sport, horse racing has its fair share of legends. Many talk extensively about the horses themselves – Seabiscuit, Secretariat, Red Rum, and lots of others – but the jockeys that rode these great beasts to victory are also worthy of commendation. Jockeys guide their horses, understand them on an almost symbiotic level, and help them to unleash their full potential, so it’s important we honour them as well. Here are the 10 greatest jockeys in horse racing history, in no particular order.

  1. Frankie Dettori

No list of the greatest jockeys ever would be complete without Frankie Dettori. Jockeys are, largely speaking, in control of horse races; as trainer Andrew Balding told horse racing betting site Betway, a race victory is down to “the jockeys and the gods”, and nobody has shown more control over their horse than Dettori over the years. He’s the most prestigious winner of the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, having achieved victory in the French race a staggering six times.

  1. Bill Shoemaker

Naturally, we had to include American legend Bill Shoemaker on this list, as he’s quite simply one of the greatest jockeys to ever have lived. Born in 1931, Shoemaker went on to ride eleven different winners of the coveted Triple Crown prize, although he never managed to actually win the prize himself within a single season. Not only did Shoemaker dominate as a jockey, though; he was also one of the most successful horse trainers in the sport after he retired.

  1. Rachael Blackmore

Female jockeys simply don’t get enough appreciation. This is true across the board when it comes to sport; women aren’t shown the same respect and admiration afforded by men, but thanks to jockeys like Rachael Blackmore, we have a feeling all that is about to change. Blackmore rode her first winning horse in 2011, and since then, she’s had an incredible career, achieving victory in Cheltenham in 2019 and grabbing the coveted BBC World Sport Star award in 2021.

  1. Mike E. Smith

No, we’re not talking about The Fall frontman Mark E. Smith, but the jockey who managed to take a horse to Triple Crown victory in 2018 despite being 52 years old (the man himself, not the horse, of course). Smith is one of a rare breed of jockeys; his biggest career achievement came in his later years rather than when he was a younger man. Despite this, Smith still hasn’t retired, and shows no signs of wanting to do so anytime soon either. Long may he continue riding!

  1. Hayley Turner

Another incredibly prestigious female jockey, Turner has managed to rake in an astounding £8 million in prize money over the course of her career. She was the very first woman to win a flat British Group 1, and she’s also one of the few female jockeys to achieve the feat of riding 100 winners in a single season in 2008. It’s fair to say that if you’re interested in the sport of horse racing and you want equality for everyone, Turner’s is a career you should be following.

  1. Lester Piggott

Not only was Lester Piggott a hugely successful and celebrated jockey, but he was also extremely influential, too. His style of racing has gone on to influence the way in which jockeys ride horses in the modern era of the sport, and there’s a good reason for that. He managed to rack up an incredible nine wins in the Epsom Derby, making him the most celebrated rider in that event’s entire history. He’s even got a whole award ceremony named after him!

  1. Russell Baze

When horse racing pundits and analysts discuss winning jockeys, they will often refer to a “strike rate”, which is a number that shows a jockey’s overall win rate when it comes to winning horses. Russell Baze has a strike rate of nearly 25%, which is a very impressive statistic for the sport. He may not have achieved big wins in some of the sport’s most prestigious competitions, but sometimes, all you need to do to become a successful jockey is simply to prove that you are consistently great.

  1. Nina Carberry

It’s fair to say that Nina Carberry has already achieved “legend” status within the world of horse racing, despite a career that only saw its first win when she was just 21 years old in 2005. She’s retired now, and she’s enjoying her retirement, competing on shows like Ireland’s Dancing with the Stars. In the world of horse racing, Carberry has ridden for famous trainers like Enda Bolger and has also recorded a highly impressive seven victories at the Cheltenham Festival.

  1. Ruby Walsh

Another Irish legend, Ruby Walsh retired in 2019 after a long career, securing a record for the highest number of Cheltenham Festival wins as he did so. He’s ridden legendary horses like the iconic Kauto Star and the famous Hurricane Fly, and he did so as those horses regained cups that they had lost in previous years. Walsh also managed to rack up 59 victories at the National Hunt races, so if you’re looking for a true legend of the sport, it’s hard to find one more decorated than Walsh.

  1. Bryony Frost

The story of Bryony Frost and her beloved horse Frodon will go down in history as one of the most iconic partnerships in horse racing. Together, the two managed to achieve victory at Cheltenham in 2019 during the Ryanair Chase, and they also managed to win the King George VI Chase in 2020. That win helped to make the horse racing public feel more assured that things were going to be alright after a long, strange year, so Frost is something of a public hero for horse racing.

Andrew Balding: 5 to Follow after Royal Ascot

Image from unsplash.com.

Trainer Andrew Balding went into Royal Ascot 2022 with a very strong team assembled for the prestigious five-day meeting.

He had finished joint-top of the trainer standings last time around with four winners, and hopes were high that he could at least match that tally.

Although he recorded just one winner from his 27 runners, there were undoubtedly plenty of positives to take from the event.

Read on as we take a closer look at five Balding-trained horses that we believe are worth following after their Royal Ascot runs.

The Foxes – Chesham Stakes

Balding pinpointed The Foxes as one of his best chances of the week before Royal Ascot and he will be disappointed with the horse’s run.

In an interview with Betway, Balding described the two-year-old as ‘very smart’ and backed him to build on a promising debut at Newbury.

The Foxes ultimately finished ninth in the Chesham Stakes, but it is too early to write him off given Balding’s comments prior to the race.

Coltrane – Ascot Stakes

Coltrane’s victory under jockey Callum Hutchinson in the long-distance Ascot Stakes was the highlight of the week for the Balding stable.

Hutchinson produced a masterful performance aboard the five-year-old to guide him home ahead of the Willie Mullins trained Bring On The Night.

Coltrane is entered in the Northumberland Plate at Newcastle this weekend, but may swerve that race in favour of tackling the Ebor Handicap at York.

Chateau – Windsor Castle Stakes

Chateau was fancied to run well in the Windsor Castle Stakes after recording an excellent victory on his previous outing at Beverley.

He finished fourth in a big field behind Little Big Bear, who was rated as one of trainer Aidan O’Brien’s best horse racing tips of the week.

A step up to six furlongs will probably bring out plenty of improvement in Chateau and he looks well worth following as the season progresses.

Bakeel – Norfolk Stakes

Bakeel was surprisingly sent off at 9/1 in the Norfolk Stakes after recording an impressive course and distance victory on his debut in April.

The Sioux Nation colt was in the front rank at the two-furlong marker, before being slightly outpaced during the latter stages of the race.

He eventually finished in fifth place, and it would be no surprise to see him step up on this effort over a slightly longer distance.

Tactical – Buckingham Palace Stakes

Tactical made a promising return to action after wind surgery at Newmarket in April and looked primed to run a big race in the Buckingham Palace Stakes.

The four-year-old was in rear on the wrong side of the group before being hampered at a crucial stage with two furlongs to run.

He finished off with a rattle to claim sixth place and seems a sure-fire future winner for Balding based on this solid performance.

Leading Jockeys of 2022

Joel Rosario on Tonalist at the 2014 Belmont Stakes.

Horse racing is widely regarded as one of the most dangerous sports in the world; however, these jockeys are driven by a strong desire for horse racing that gives them courage and determination to ride these incredibly fast and strapped horses. Here is a list of the current leading jockeys.

Jockey Number One:

Irad Ortiz, Jr., a 29-year-old Puerto Rican jockey, has been a prominent rider on the New York Thoroughbred horse racing circuit since 2012. Irad comes from a jockey family; his grandfather, also named Irad Ortiz, as well as his uncle and brother, were all successful jockeys. Ortiz was successful from the start, beginning his professional riding career in 2011 and winning 76 of 357 races over the following few months. Irad has achieved great success and is currently ranked first on the leader board.

Jockey Number Two:

Joel Rosario is a 37-year-old jockey who was born on a farm in the Dominican Republic. Joel has won over 3000 races in his career. At the age of 14, he became a pro rider. Joel won six races on a single race card in 2009 and went on to win the world’s richest horse race at the time.

Jockey Number Three:

Flavien Prat is a 29-year-old French-born and raised jockey with over 1000 career victories. Flavien was a thoroughbred racing jockey who was a champion apprentice jockey and Group 1 race winner in France before relocating to the United States in 2015. Flavien has won numerous top races since then, including the Breeders’ Cup events, the Kentucky Derby, and the Preakness Stakes.

Jockey Number Four:

José L. Ortiz is a 28-year-old Puerto Rican jockey who is the younger brother of leader Irad Ortiz. José, like his brother, is a horse racing success story, with over 2000 career victories. José was awarded the Eclipse Award for Outstanding Jockey in 2017. He went on to win the Kentucky Oaks in 2019 and the Preakness Stakes in 2022, his second Triple Crown race win.

Jockey Number 5:

Tyler Gaffalione is a 27-year-old American jockey who has achieved over 1000 career wins and has been voted for the Eclipse Award for the 2015 U.S. Champion Apprentice Jockey. Tyler has managed to win over 200 races each year in his first three seasons. He won the 2019 Preakness Stakes abroad War of Will and was said to be a rising star.

Jokey Number 6:

Luis Saez is a 30-year-old jockey who was born in Panama City. He is a jockey in American Thoroughbred horse racing and has achieved over 2600 career wins. Luis went on to win the world’s richest race in 2020, his first Breeders’ Cup in 2020, and his first American Classic in 2021.

Conclusion:

These are your current top 6 jockeys that are all said to rise even higher. Should you want to place a bet on one of these incredible riders, go and have a look at gambling sites not on gamstop.