NEWS AND NOTES FOR AUGUST 16, 2013
DO THE FASIG-TIPTON TEXAS TWO STEP
It really is easy; here we go: Step 1 – Come to the Texas Yearling Sale; Step 2 – Take advantage of the best value at auction.
Check out what some of our top horsemen have to say:
“Dollar for dollar, the best investment Larry (Hirsch) and I have made over the years have been in Texas Breds…” – Wayne Sanders
“I live in Texas, so I want to be involved here and watch my horses run. Over the years I’ve bought horses like Speedacious and Power Surge…” (This combined purchase totaled $41,500 and earned over $1,000,000) – Carl Moore
Don’t miss out on this year’s crop of future stars representing some of the best value in thoroughbred racing! Be at the Lone Star Park Thoroughbred Sales Pavilion on Monday, August 26th. The sale starts at 5:00 p.m. with cocktails available.
AUCTION TO BENEFIT TWO GREAT CAUSES
Just prior to the start of the FT-TX Yearling Sale, there will be a live auction of artwork to benefit The Paddock Foundation and the Texas Thoroughbred Educational Fund (TTEF).
Items include a framed, autographed photo montage of Flat Out, winner of the 2013 Suburban Handicap and a framed photo montage of 1946 Triple Crown Winner Assault and the 1950 Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes winner Middleground. Both Texas-breds were campaigned by the King Ranch and trained by Max Hirsch.
The Paddock Foundation is a 501C3 charitable organization with a mission to ensure the lifelong welfare of the Thoroughbred horse through supporting rescue, retirement, rehabilitation, retraining and rehoming.
The TTEF provides grants and awards to benefit TTA members and their children to further their educational opportunities.
2014 RACE DATES SET FOR TEXAS RACETRACKS
At a meeting of the Texas Racing Commission (TxRC) this week, the agency approved 2014 race dates for Texas racetracks, comprising 106 Thoroughbred race days, 82 Quarter Horse race days and 10 days of mixed-breed racing.
The Gillespie County Fair in Fredericksburg will again host its traditional eight-day mixed meet with live racing on July 4, 5, 19, and 20 and August 9, 10, 22, and 24.
Laredo Downs was granted a 6-day Quarter Horse meet, with racing to be conducted at the track for the first time on August 22, 23, 24, 29, 30, and 31.
Lone Star Park was approved to host a 50-day Thoroughbred meet running from April 10 to July 12 and a 26-day Quarter Horse meet to run from September 19 through November 15.
A 26-day Thoroughbred meet that will run from September 5 through November 29 was granted to Retama Park, along with a 20-day Quarter Horse meet to be conducted from June 6 through August 9.
The initial 2-day mixed meet at Saddle Brook Park in Amarillo was approved for October 24 and 25.
Sam Houston Race Park was granted a 30-day Thoroughbred meet from January 17 through March 9, along with a 24-day Quarter Horse meet that will run from March 20 through May 11.
Finally, Valle de los Tesoros in McAllen was granted a 6-day Quarter Horse meet with racing to be conducted November 21, 22, 23, 28, 29, and 30.
Inactive racetrack licenses were renewed for Laredo Downs, Laredo Race Park, Longhorn Downs and Manor Downs. Commissioners also voted to establish a time period for which it will consider granting race dates for November 1 – 30, 2015.
Breed splits on simulcast purse money were not on the agenda for this meeting. The next regular meeting is tentatively scheduled for October 8th.
TEXAS FOAL CROP NUMBERS
The Jockey Club’s 2013 Texas State Fact Book indicates that 953 mares were bred to 139 stallions in 2012, which is a decline of 21% and 33%, respectively, from 2011 when 1,211 mares were bred to 207 stallions.
Also reported are 551 registered Texas foals of 2012, a decline of 24% from the 726 registered Texas foals of 2011.
TTA has accredited 421 of the 551 foals of 2012 (76%), and has accredited 523 of the 726 foals of 2011 (72%). Foals of 2012 may continue to be accredited through December 31st for the member fee of $200. After that date, the fee increases to $1500.
MEDICATION UNIFORMITY NOT ACCOMPLISHED YET
During the recent Round Table conference of The Jockey Club, chairman Ogden Mills “Dinny” Phipps said the fact only about 12 racing jurisdictions have committed to the model medication rules proves uniformity in medication hasn’t been achieved.Jockey Club executive vice president and executive director Matt Iuliano said by the end of this year, the organization would like to know where the industry stands. The model medication and penalty rules have passed the boards of the RMTC and ARCI, but now they must be approved state by state.
Phipps recommended that all US jurisdictions at least pledge to adopt the National Uniform Medication Program by January 1, 2014.
NEW MINIMUM PURSE REQUIREMENTS SET FOR GRADE I AND II RACES IN 2014
The Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association’s American Graded Stakes Committee (AGSC) has announced minimum purse levels will be increased to $300,000 for Grade I stakes races and $200,000 for Grade II stakes races. Minimum purses for Grade III, Listed and grade-eligible stakes races will remain at $100,000, $75,000 and $75,000, respectively, for 2014.
The AGSC intends to increase the minimum purse level on U.S. Grade III races to $150,000 in 2015. Listed and grade eligible races will undergo an analysis to determine if any change should be made for 2015.
NOTES: Check out this link for a great article illustrating the life lessons to be learned in the barn: http://www.chronofhorse.com/article/souls-barn-builds …Best wishes for a speedy recovery from surgery for longtime TTA member and former Director Tommy Oliphant of Sabinal…Reminder – as of September 1, our new address will be 4009 Banister Lane, Suite 230, Austin, TX 78704.