The weekly TRC industry digest - a round-up of the international racing news from the past week.
Death of Alice Headley Chandler
North America: U.S. racing is in mourning after the death of respected Kentucky horsewoman and owner of Mill Ridge Farm, Alice Headley Chandler, at the age of 95.
Chandler founded the Lexington farm in 1962 and built it into one of Kentucky’s major studs, only stepping down from her leadership position in 2008.
“I have lived a blessed life, doing just what I want to do: Associate with the finest horses, clients, friends, and an industry that I love,” Chandler said on her retirement.
She received the 2009 Eclipse Award of Merit for her lifelong contributions to the Thoroughbred industry, and in 2020 was inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame.
Elsewhere, Chandler had served as chair of the University of Kentucky Equine Research Foundation, president of the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association, a director of the Breeders’ Cup, Keeneland Association, Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association, and a member of the Equine Drug Council and the Gluck Research Center. She was recognized by the 2006 Kentucky State Senate for her lifelong dedication to the community and to the equine industry.
Chandler is survived by her husband of 49 years, Dr John Chandler, children Patricia, Mike, Reynolds and Headley, eight grandchildren, and 14 great grandchildren.
Landmark success for Dubawi
Europe: Darley’s world #3 sire Dubawi has become the first British stallion ever to sire 200 stakes winners.
The prolific son of Dubai Millennium reached the historic milestone when Godolphin filly Philomene - a half-sister to 2013 Irish Oaks champion Chicquita and G1 winner Magic Wand – was victorious in the G3 Prix Penelope at Saint-Cloud on Sunday.
The Dalham Hall flagbearer is responsible for 44 top-level winners. His statistics confirm his position as one of the world’s pre-eminent sires: An exceptional 16 percent stakes winners and ten percent Group winners to runners, which is a higher percentage than any other stallion at the same stage of its career.
Kentucky Downs splashing out in purses
North America: For the first time in its 31-year history, the picturesque, European-style Kentucky Downs racecourse is offering three $1 million races during its six-date 2021 meet in September: The G2 Calumet Turf Cup and G3s the Turf Sprint and WinStar Mint Million.
A total of nine Kentucky Downs stakes have received purse hikes and, overall, it will stage 16 stakes worth a track-record total of $10 million, including $4.85 million in purse supplements for registered Kentucky-bred horses.
“Purses are the economic engine of the racing industry, and Kentucky Downs is proud to be a leader helping Kentucky stamp itself as the premier racing circuit in America,” said Ron Winchell, Kentucky Downs’ co-owner. “We’re only six days but winning one of our stakes - or even one of our overnight races - can make the entire year for an owner.
“Many horsemen tell us that money they earn at our meet gets promptly reinvested in the industry the next week at Keeneland’s September Yearling sale. Such investment impacts countless small businesses that are part of Kentucky’s equine agribusiness.”
It’s Tiz The Law again
North America: 2020 Belmont Stakes and Travers Stakes winner Tiz The Law has defended his title as New York-bred Horse of the Year at the New York Thoroughbred Breeders’ (NYTB) annual New York Divisional Championship Awards, held virtually on April 5.
The son of Constitution was also named the top 3-year-old male divisional champion, while his breeder, Twin Creeks Farm, was named the state’s Breeder of the Year. The late Tiznow mare Tizfiz, the dam of Tiz The Law, earned her second straight Broodmare of the Year crown.
World #132 Barclay Tagg was the leading trainer of New York-breds in 2020, an honour he also achieved in 2003. This time around his New York-bred horses won or placed in 14 of 28 starts, including eight victories, and earned $3,620,215. Tiz The Law led the way for Tagg, winning four of six with a second and $2,388,300.
Tiz’s jockey, Manny Franco, defended his title with the most New York-bred earnings and second most New York-bred wins in 2020. Franco racked up 65 New York-bred wins – second only to Jose Lezcano’s 68 – and earned $5,726,164.
Parx aiming for that big-day buzz
North America: Parx Racing has released its 2021 stakes schedule, which features over $5 million in purses, headlined by $1 million G1s the Pennsylvania Derby and Cotillion Stakes, as well as seven other stakes.
The Pennsylvania track was forced to cancel most of its 2020 stakes due to the pandemic, including the Gallant Bob (G2), Turf Monster Stakes (G3T), Dr James Penny Memorial Stakes (G3T), and the Greenwood Cup Stakes (G3).
“Other tracks have had a lot of success both from a wagering standpoint and being able to create a buzz running several of their major races on the same card,” said David Osojnak, director of racing for Parx. “The goal is to continue to expand the Pennsylvania Derby/Cotillion card into one of the premier days in the fall racing schedule.”
Elsewhere in racing …
Oceania: Star Godolphin sprinter Bivouac could be heading for Royal Ascot if he hits his primary target, Saturday’s A$2.5 million TJ Smith Stakes, one of four G1s on the first day of The Championships at Randwick. More here
Europe: Ascot Racecourse has announced that Magnum Ice Cream will be the ‘Official Ice Cream of Royal Ascot’. More here
North America: Churchill Downs has released its annual ‘Kentucky Derby At-Home Menu’ for the 147th Run for the Roses. More here
Europe: Leading German Stallion Adlerflug – world #127 and sire of 2020 German Derby winner and Arc runner-up In Swoop – has died aged 17. More here
North America: The Breeders’ Cup has launched a ‘HorsePlayers Happy Hour Tour’. More here