The weekly TRC industry digest - a round-up of the international racing news from the past week.
Racing rocked as talented young rider drowns in late-night swim
Oceania: Police found the body early on Friday of jockey Chris Caserta, who went missing after going for a late-night swim with a friend on the Gold Coast in Queensland late on Wednesday.
His body was located after a massive air and sea search, which was hampered by rain and high winds, around the Surfers’ Paradise beach, where the pair had swum. The friend, apprentice rider Amy Graham, was reported to be severely distressed after being rescued.
Caserta made an early name for himself on the international stage through Taekwondo, collecting multiple state and national titles and representing Australia in Malaysia and Korea.
He was inducted into Racing Victoria’s Apprentice Jockey Training Program in 2012 and was then apprenticed to trainer Russell Cameron at Flemington.
His maiden metropolitan victory came aboard Sadaqa at Caulfield in April 2017, and in late 2018 he made the move to South Australia to ride for Tony McEvoy.
Caserta had his battles with injury over his career. He was away from the sport for 18 months recovering from a broken leg after a fall in October 2014 and endured another lengthy period on the sidelines after suffering a fractured back from a fall in 2019.
After his return, he relocated to Queensland in December 2020.
Racing Victoria chief executive Giles Thompson, said, “Chris was a very popular member of the jockey cohort and a talented young rider who was always seen with a smile on his face.
“His passing is being felt by many within our industry.”
Victorian Jockeys Association (VJA) Chief Executive, Matt Hyland, said: “Victoria’s jockeys are devastated to learn of Chris’s tragic passing. To lose such a gifted person and talented jockey in such sad circumstances at just 26 years old is extremely difficult to accept.”
Wesley Ward files new motion in fees dispute with Ramsey
North America: The protracted court battle between Wesley Ward and Ken and Sarah Ramsey has seen the U.S. trainer ask a Jessamine County circuit judge in Kentucky to force the sale of 14 racehorses owned by the couple to help pay for outstanding training bills and related expenses.
Ward originally filed a lawsuit last March to recover $974,790. He said in the motion that he had agreed with Ken Ramsey to receive $100,000 per month until the debt was paid. Ramsey, according to court documents, made only one of those payments.
Ward also said he offered to continue racing the 14 horses in his care and apply any purses earned toward the debt but that Ramsey has refused to allow him to enter the horses to race.
In September, Ramsey filed an affidavit that attacked Ward's character.
Ramsey had similar legal issues with trainer Mike Maker for an alleged $905,357 in outstanding debt, although the feuding pair eventually reached a settlement.
Speculation over Verry Elleegant sale after Euro campaign
Oceania: Connections of Melbourne Cup winner Verry Elleegant have confirmed that an international campaign is under consideration for the now 6-year-old that could culminate in a crack at the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe next October.
Many observers believe that this could provide a perfect opportunity for the current world #9 to be sold at auction in the international market in either Europe or the United States at the end of the season. Jomara Bloodstock’s John Carter, a key figure in the ownership group, cautioned that they “haven't thought that far ahead” as they are “focused on racing at the moment”.
Carter did not, however, rule out the Chris Waller-trained mare racing on next season and heading to stud as an 8-year-old.
“The horse has given us so much, so we wouldn’t want to flog her,” he said. “If she's still enjoying it, and she’s obviously got a desire to race and a desire to win, and while she has still got it, why not make the most of it?”
Shadwell mare tops year’s final session at Tattersalls
Europe: A mare from the draft of Shadwell Estates topped the fourth and final session of the Tattersalls December Mares Sale at 82,000 guineas in the final sale of the year at the famous Newmarket venue.
Turnover at the Mares Sale topped 60 million guineas while the turnover for the December Sale, including foals and yearlings, fell marginally short of 100 million guineas.
The mare, Adaalah, is the highest-priced mare or filly sold on the final day of the Tattersalls December Mares Sale since 2012. She was sold in foal to Eqtidaar to Saud Al Qahtani, bidding on behalf of Prince Faisal Bin Khalid Bin Abdulaziz's Najd Stud, who saw off underbidder Ted Durcan in a long bidding dual.
“We don't know plans yet, I need to call Saudi and find out,” said Al Qahtani. “She may stay here with other mares or she may ship to Saudi. We have also bought Under The Stars on Tuesday, who is in-foal to Frankel. They may stay with Ted Voute, who of course reared this year's champion Mishriff.”
Simulcast betting returning at Nevada tracks
North America: Churchill Downs Inc (CDI) and the Nevada Pari-Mutuel Association (NPMA) have reached an agreement that will allow for a resumption in simulcast betting in Nevada this winter on racing from Fair Grounds, Oaklawn Park and Turfway Park.
The NPMA obtains all regulatory approval for off-track pari-mutuel betting and remains the sole Nevada licensed provider of this service. It is a not-for-profit corporation.
CDI-owned or simulcast-managed tracks began being withheld in late 2019 following a dispute over a simulcast wagering fee increase from CDI. It owns both Fair Grounds and Turfway Park, while Oaklawn contracts with the company for simulcasting.
A CDI statement said, “We are thrilled that the Nevada horseplayers will have access to these great products and we look forward to continuing the ongoing discussions with our partners at the NPMA on a long-term arrangement for these tracks.”
Elsewhere In racing …
North America: Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez is to ride full time at Santa Anita this winter for the first time in his career. More here
Oceania: The Jamie Richards-trained multiple G1-winning mare Probabeel has been named New Zealand’s horse of the year. More here
North America: The Queen’s Plate, run in June pre-pandemic, will be run in August once again next year, Woodbine has confirmed. More here
North America: Executive director Michael P Ballezzi has announced his retirement from Pennsylvania Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association. More here