News and Notes for November 11, 2016

ttastar150WISE WORDS REGARDING BREEDERS’ CUP COMPETITORS
A recent “Hangin’ with Haskin” article in Blood-Horse had this to say about the horses that did not win their race in the Breeders’ Cup:

John Steinbeck wrote, “Somewhere in the world there is a defeat for everyone…Greatness lives in one who triumphs equally over defeat and victory.”

Whether or not you consider California Chrome, Songbird, and all the other great horses, there is no arguing that greatness lives in all of them, whether they were defeated in the Breeders’ Cup or not.

The TTA commends the connections of TEXAS CHROME for sending him to the Breeders’ Cup World Championships. While not a winner in his race there, it has been a tremendous season for which we congratulate owner Keene Thoroughbreds LLC (Danny Keene), trainer J.R. Caldwell, and breeder Craig Upham.

Texas Chrome is now at Remington Park and will likely make his next start at Oaklawn Park.  We are excited to see what 2017 has in store for this great Texas-bred!

TRUMP’S AGRICULTURAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE
An August article on AgView.net announced Donald Trump’s formation of an Agricultural Advisory Committee.  The article states “Donald J. Trump is pleased to announce his new Agricultural Advisory Committee. The men and women on the committee will provide pioneering new ideas to strengthen our nation’s agricultural industry as well as provide support to our rural communities. The formation of the board represents Trump’s endorsement of these individual’s diverse skill sets and ideas that can improve the lives of those in agricultural communities.

“Mr. Trump said, “The members of my agricultural advisory committee represent the best that America can offer to help serve agricultural communities. Many of these officials have been elected by their communities to solve the issues that impact our rural areas every day. I’m very proud to stand with these men and women, and look forward to serving those who serve all Americans from the White House.”

Advisory board members from Texas include Commissioner of Agriculture Sid Miller, former Governor Rick Perry, TTA Life Member Helen Groves, who is the daughter of King Ranch owner Robert Kleberg and a well-known rancher and horsewoman, and Johnny Trotter, a former president of the American Quarter Horse Association.

TTA ONLINE AUCTION OF 2017 STALLION BREEDINGS
The second round of internet bidding for 2017 stallion breedings will open on Tuesday, November 15th  with a bid closing of 5p.m. Central on Friday, December 2nd.  To place your bids, go to https://texasthoroughbred.com/stallion-register/online-stallion-auction/ .

SAM HOUSTON RACE PARK READIES FOR 2017 THOROUGHBRED MEET
January 20th marks opening day of the 32-day Thoroughbred meet at Sam Houston Race Park, and the racing office is busy with preparations.

Stall applications were due by November 1st, and the backside opens on December 9th with training to commence on December 16th.  Condition books and the stakes schedule are available through www.shrp.com.  The telephone number for the racing office is 281.807.8780 and the fax number is 281.807.8701.  The Horsemen’s Relations office can be reached at 281.807.8836.

ROSES TO RIBBONS AT RETAMA ON SATURDAY
Where do you find off-the-track Thoroughbreds for sale? Look no further than the Roses to Ribbons Old Fashioned Horse Fair which was created to make it easy for buyers and sellers to find each other.

At the horse fair, racehorse trainers bring horses ready for a new career up to the saddling paddock. There, prospective buyers can look at a large number of available horses in one place. If a buyer sees a horse that interests them, they make their own deal with the trainer. Some horses are sold right at the event. Other times, prospective buyers will make arrangements to schedule a pre-purchase exam for the horse at a later time. Everything is worked out individually between the buyer and seller. This is not an auction.

The Roses to Ribbons Old Fashioned Horse Fair is a great opportunity to find a prospect at a reasonable price for any discipline.

The next event is Saturday, November 12th at Retama Park, from 10:00 – 1:00 with horses available for viewing in the saddling paddock at 11:00 a.m.

NOTES: We offer our condolences to the family of William Dale Coleman who passed away earlier this week. Many Texas horsemen and women knew Dale both from his time as the stall manager at Lone Star Park and from their racing experiences in other states… At Keeneland this week, Adena Springs Farm purchased Robert and Myrna Luttrell’s 4-year old graded stakes winner Promise Me Silver (Silver City – Uno Mas Promesa) for $325,000… Sing Baby Sing, a grade III-winning son of Unbridled’s Song, has been relocated from Texas to Madison County Thoroughbreds near Macksburg, Iowa, where he will stand for $2,000.