The weekly TRC industry digest - a round-up of the international racing news from the past week.
Her Majesty now a Hall of Famer
Europe: Queen Elizabeth II has become the first person to gain membership of the new Qipco British Champions Series Hall of Fame in the Special Contributor category, an accolade that her bloodstock and racing advisor John Warren believes would be the source of a “lot of inner pride” for the monarch.
Her entry in the Hall of Fame reads, “The Queen’s lifetime love of horses has never diminished, with her devotion as a passionate fan, an owner, a breeder and an ambassador unwavering.”
It described her as a “treasured figurehead” and a “constant companion and ally [to the sport] since the mid‐1940s” who has been part of racing’s fabric for as long as anyone can remember”.
Since her first victory with Monaveen at Fontwell Park in 1949, the 95-year-old’s purple, gold braid and scarlet silks have recorded more than 1,800 winners and she was named British flat racing’s champion owner in 1957. She has bred and owned the winner of every British Classic - 2000 Guineas, 1000 Guineas, Oaks and St Leger - apart from the Derby.
Ten-time champion trainer Sir Michael Stoute said, “Her Majesty will be thrilled to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. She richly deserves it because her contribution has been enormous. She loves it so much.”
Visit Horseracinghof.com for more information on the Qipco British Champions Series Hall of Fame.
Red-hot jockey Pebble on drink-drive charge
Oceania: Jockey Brett Pebble, who has landed four G1s in Australia already this spring, is reported to have been charged with drink driving.
The 44-year-old, who is currently world #116 in the TRC standings, is due to partner odds-on favourite Incentivise in the Caulfield Cup on Saturday. More here
Poetic Flare to stand in Japan
Europe: Jim Bolger has announced the retirement of stable star Poetic Flare with immediate effect. The veteran Irishman also revealed that the 2000 Guineas and St James’s Palace Stakes winner “will be standing at Shadai [Stud] and will be leaving soon for Japan”.
Following his Classic triumph at Newmarket, the son of Dawn Approach finished sixth and second in the French and Irish 2000 Guineas respectively in the space of six days. He returned to the winner’s enclosure at Royal Ascot and subsequently finished second in both the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood and the Prix Jacques Le Marois at Deauville, and third in the Irish Champion Stakes.
Bolger told TDN: “I’m sure many racegoers will be disappointed not to see him at Ascot, and I am disappointed myself that he is not going there, but it was not possible.
“This is a first for me [sending a horse to stand in Japan], but it is a great opportunity for the horse and I will be supporting him with mares myself, even though it won’t be that straightforward.”
Godolphin USA chief Bell to retire
North America: Godolphin have announced that their long-serving president and racing manager, Jimmy Bell, will retire from his day-to-day involvement at the USA division by the end of the year.
Dan Pride, chief operating officer of Godolphin USA, called Bell the “bedrock that Godolphin USA is built upon” and said he had “faithfully served 20 years moulding us into what we are today”.
John A Bell and wife Jessica founded the farm in 1954 as a Thoroughbred nursery, which the family operated for nearly 50 years. When it was acquired by Sheikh Mohammed in 2001, Jimmy Bell was retained in his current role, which he said has been “nothing short of a dream come true”.
“More special have been the friendships and fellowships I’ve developed with so many folks here at Team Godolphin. It's been my privilege and pleasure to work alongside so many wonderful colleagues,” said Bell, who will remain as an active board member.
Michael Banahan, who has been with the Lexington operation since 1993 and was named Kentucky Farm Manager of the Year in 2019, will transition to the role of director of bloodstock by the end of the year, as well as encompassing Bell’s racing responsibilities.
Colin Keane’s record-breaking season
Europe: Ireland’s champion jockey, Colin Keane, rewrote the history books at the Curragh on Sunday when he surpassed Joseph O'Brien’s record for winners in a season in Ireland with three weeks still to go.
The 27-year-old achieved his 127th win of the term when landing the listed Testimonial Stakes on 15/8 favourite Power Under Me to exceed O’Brien’s total of eight years ago. Keane quickly doubled up aboard the Sarah Dawson-trained Pretty Boy Floyd in a subsequent handicap to record win number 128.
Ger Lyons, who had provided Keane with 71 of his 128 winners at the time of writing, said, “Colin is a credit to himself, his family, and the whole racing industry. He’s a fine example of what a champion jockey should be.”
Keane, world-ranked #28, admitted his feat “hasn't sunk in and probably won’t until we start on zero next year”. Keane added: “When we got to the hundred earlier in the year, the next logical thing was to try get to 126. The horses have been in great form all year so that’s why it has happened. I’ve been riding for great people and I have a great agent. I wouldn't have achieved it without them."
Purse boost for Gulfstream meet
North America: Gulfstream Park has released its 2021/22 Championship Meet stakes schedule with a total of 76 stakes, 37 of them Graded, worth $14.26 million. The prestigious winter meet will from December 3 through April 3.
The Stronach Group (TSG) also confirmed a purse increase of over a $1 million compared to the previous year, as well as a new race: The $500,000 G3 Pegasus Filly & Mare Turf, to be run on Pegasus World Cup day on January 29.
Purses for all 3-year-old stakes on Gulfstream Park’s Road to the Triple Crown have been increased, most notably the 70th running of the G1 Curlin Florida Derby on April 2.
As Charles Hayward highlighted last week, TSG has installed a new Tapeta course at Gulfstream Park. There are no stakes scheduled for the recently fitted Tapeta track, but the all-weather surface will be employed in the event stakes are transferred from the turf due to inclement conditions.
For more information on Pegasus tickets and festivities for Pegasus World Cup visit pegasusworldcup.com the week of October 11.
Setback ends top sprinter Starman’s track career
Europe: This year’s July Cup winner Starman has been retired to stud following a minor setback in his preparations for this weekend’s Qipco British Champions Sprint Stakes.
He will stand at Tally Ho Stud in Ireland. His owner David Ward will retain a share in the 4-year-old for his stallion career.
Trainer Ed Walker said, “It’s a huge shame as we were really looking forward to Saturday and confirming him to be the champion that he is. I’ve always thought he was the best around and he’s certainly the best I’ve ever trained.”
As the winner of five of his eight starts and earnings of over £476,000, Starman retires as the top-rated sprinter in Europe. And he sits 50th in the TRC Global Horse Rankings. His success in the July Cup gave Walker his first G1 win.
Uncle Mo son Galilean off to stud in New York
North America: Galilean, a multiple stakes-winning son of Uncle Mo, has been retired from racing and will stand the 2022 breeding season for a fee of $7,000 at Hidden Lake Farm in New York.
Galilean was bred in California by Bar C Racing Stables and is out of placed El Prado mare Fresia, a half-sister to G3 Ontario Derby and G3 Seagram Cup Stakes winner His Race to Win. He was bought by West Point Thoroughbreds for $600,000.
Galilean retires with a record of 6-1-3 from 16 starts and boasts a career earnings of $592,522.
Elsewhere In racing …
North America: Bob Baffert’s NYRA disciplinary hearing has been set for January 24. More here
Europe: Three-time Grand National-winning owner Trevor Hemmings has died at the age of 86. More here
North America: Blue Grass Farms Charities will hold its annual fundraiser and gala in Lexington on October 29. More here
Europe: German stallion Lord Of England, sire of 2016 German Derby winner Isfahan and this year’s German Oaks scorer Palmas, has died at the age of 18. More here
North America: NYRA has extended live racing at Belmont Park through Sunday, November 7. More here
North America: Gulfstream Park has suspended jockey Carlos Lugo for 30 days because of a “failure to persevere” in a race with a spike in wagering. More here
North America: A son of Midnight Storm topped the Ocala Breeders’ Sale of October Selected Yearlings at $170,000. More here