COVID-19

Reserved seating for the elite six-day all-turf meeting at Kentucky Downs in September is now available on the track's website. Kentucky Downs will be back to full capacity for live racing at the meet, which runs Sept. 5, 6, 8, 9, 11 and 12, with its most upscale option yet for reserved seating and dining and the return of free general admission. New to the track's accomodations will be the VIP Chalet, a glass-enclosed, air-conditioned facility with an outdoor terrace providing a spectacular view of the race course and located...

The catalogue for the Tattersalls July Sale is now online, the sales company announced on Tuesday. Scheduled for July 7-9, 853 lots, divided between 742 horses and fillies in and out of training and 110 broodmares-13 with foals at foot, will sell at Park Paddocks in Newmarket over the three-day stand. Past graduates of the sale include recent G1 Doomben Cup hero Zaaki (GB) (Leoridesanimaux {Brz}). Large consignments from owner/breeders Cheveley Park Stud (16), Godolphin (45), Juddmonte Farms (24), Newsells Park Stud, Shadwell Estates (102) and the Royal Studs have...

Owners will once again be welcome at Irish racecourses from June 7, Horse Racing Ireland announced on Wednesday. The news follows on the heels of the Irish Government announcement that up to 200 people can attend outdoor events from next Monday. The last time owners were permitted on racecourses in Ireland was in September of 2020. Two owners per horse will be allowed to attend. There will be designated areas for owners to meet their trainers and jockeys at each track, while winning owners will be permitted to enter the...

The Women Jockey's World Cup has been cancelled for the second year running due to continuing COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. Started at Bro Park in Stockholm, Sweden in 2017, the event is traditionally staged in June and has seen riders from 12 countries compete during the first three editions. Dennis Madsen Svensk Galopp's Director of Racing said, "It is very frustrating to have to cancel the Women Jockeys' World Cup for a second year running. "The international nature of the event requires early planning and even with the concessions that are...

A prize money boost of over £3 million at The Jockey Club racecourses for the remainder of 2021 was announced on Tuesday. This purse increase brings prize money to within 9% of pre-pandemic levels. Total prize money will exceed £42 million this year at all levels of the sport for the 15 racecourses operated by The Jockey Club. This amount is prior to additional funding from the industry's Appearance Money Scheme (AMS). These prize money increases are effective immediately, with the Cazoo Derby Festival gaining £65,000 and a £135,000 boost...

The catalogue for the Arqana Summer Sale, slated for June 30-July 1, is now online. There are 593 lots total set to go through the ring at Deauville, with 81 Flat-bred 2-year-olds set to breeze at Deauville-La Touques Racecouse on June 29 beginning at 1 p.m. Those juveniles are first through the ring at 11 a.m. on June 30, with 156 2- and 3-year-old stores and 23 3-year-olds in training from the Ecurie Centrale dispersal set to follow later that day. On July 1, the breeding portion of the sale...

DONCASTER, UK--It takes more than mere pandemic-induced travel restrictions to blunt the ardour of the bloodstock industry. A new record for turnover and median set the tone for a robust day of trade in Doncaster and, just as would be expected in normal times, the buyers' list at the Arqana Breeze-Up Sale represented many nations, with plenty of help from the Middle East. The familiar duo of Anthony Stroud and David Loder leaned nonchalantly on the parade ring rail to make their play for the Medaglia d'Oro colt who would...

California's Del Mar Thoroughbred Club (DMTC) will open its 2021 summer race meet Friday, July 16, with 100% capacity in its seating areas. All attendees must obtain a seating package, which will include admission and parking passes, in advance. Seats will be on sale online Friday, June 18, with a pre-sale available Thursday, June 17. Reserved seating packages will also be available by phone (858-792-4242) beginning Monday, June 21. Under current California Department of Public Health guidelines, fans will be required to wear masks at Del Mar, except when eating...

Gulfstream Park has relaxed many of its COVID-19 protocols beginning with Friday's card, including open access to outdoor areas, guests not being required to wear face coverings outdoors, and the return of free admission to the apron, walking ring and breezeway. Other changes include the removal of most barriers and temporary plexiglass, no temperature checks at entrances and the welcoming back of families with small children. Guests will still be required to wear face masks inside and to practice social distancing.

Saratoga Race Course will re-open to fans at near full capacity for the 2021 summer meet, NYRA announced Thursday in conjunction with Governor Andrew Cuomo. Season and weekly ticket plans for the 2021 meet, which opens July 15 and continues through Sept. 6, will go on sale June 9 at 10 a.m. at NYRA.com. Season admission passes will also be available for purchase at that time. In order to re-open Saratoga Race Course to fans at near full capacity, NYRA will designate most sections for vaccinated fans only, including the...

Following its cancellation in 2020 due to COVID-19, the Belmont/Elmont Parade will return Saturday, May 29, announced the New York Racing Association, Inc. Named in honor of the late Paul Sapienza, a life-long Elmont resident and former president of the Elmont Chamber of Commerce, who died last November, the parade will kick off at approximately 10 a.m. This year's grand marshals will be Frank Hrbek, a Commissioner in the Elmont Fire District and a scout leader; and Gene Vanhaaren, a veteran and an active member of American Legion Post 1033....

A report titled The future for British breeding and its potential impact on the British racing industry was published by the Thoroughbred Breeders' Association on Tuesday. The report details recommendations to halt the potentially catastrophic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on British racing in the medium and long term. Some of the suggestions in the report are: capitalising on Britain's international reputation for breeding and racing, ensuring a competitive and diverse racing programme and improving the viability of the British breeding industry. In addition, the report recommends united industry action...