TOBA

Edited Press Release The Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association (TOBA) announced Monday that Samantha Smith has been named as its Director of Marketing and Education, effective Feb. 7, 2022. Samantha was most recently the Marketing & Communications Director at the United States Pony Club. She is a graduate of the University of Kentucky and previously served in several capacities at The Jockey Club, including as its Industry Initiatives Specialist. "I am honored to be joining TOBA and look forward to all aspects of this role," Smith said. "I am thrilled...

Automatically downgraded to a Grade II after coming off the turf and being contested on Santa Anita's main track Dec. 26, the GI American Oaks was reinstated to Grade I status after its review by TOBA-directed American Graded Stakes Committee Thursday. Queen Goddess (Empire Maker) won the 1 1/4-mile test for sophomore fillies. Also reinstated by the committee is the GII Santa Anita Mathis Mile S., also run last Sunday. Conversely, the third turf test of the afternoon, the GII San Gabriel S., was automatically downgraded to Grade III status...

Gary Barber was named 2020 National Owner of the Year, Peter Blum National Breeder of the Year and Drumette (Henny Hughes), the dam of two-time champion Monomoy Girl (Tapizar) and last year's GII Risen Star S. winner Mr. Monomoy (Palace Malice), was named Broodmare of the Year at the 36th annual National Awards Dinner at Hill 'n' Dale at Xalapa in Paris, Ky. Saturday evening. Angie Moore took home honors for National Small Breeder of the Year and Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners received the Cot Campbell Racing Partnership of the Year...

The Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association (TOBA) has named its finalists for the TOBA National Owner of the Year. In alphabetical order, the five finalists are Gary Barber; Godolphin; Klaravich Stables; the partnership of Spendthrift Farm LLC, MyRaceHorse Stable, Madaket Stables LLC, and Starlight Racing; and Three Diamonds Farm. The winner will be announced Saturday, Sept. 11, at the TOBA National Awards Dinner at Hill 'n' Dale at Xalapa in Paris, Ky. Motown legend Gladys Knight will perform. TOBA will also honor breeders from 18 states and Canada, as well...

Brant Laue has been re-elected as chairman of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association Board of Trustees, TOBA announced Wednesday. Also joining Laue on the Board of Trustees to serve three-year terms as new members are Barbara Banke, Carrie Brogden and Tim Cohen. Re-elected to three-year terms were current trustees Greg Bensel, Robert Edwards Jr., Tanya Gunther and Walker Hancock. "I thank the trustees for their support," Laue said. "Racing has fared well through the pandemic and some positive trends are continuing in 2021, but the pandemic has created new...

The 36th annual Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association National Awards will be held at Hill 'n' Dale at Xalapa in Paris, KY Saturday, Sept. 11, TOBA announced Monday. Hosted by Gabby Gaudet, the evening will include a special live performance by Motown legend Gladys Knight. The TOBA National Awards honor breeders from 19 states and Canada. Also recognized are the National Owner of the Year and National Owner Finalists, National Breeder of the Year, Small Breeder of the Year, National Broodmare of the Year, Racing Partnership of the Year, Rood...

Last Saturday's Perfect Sting S., originally scheduled as a listed race, was downgraded after coming off the Belmont turf and the American Graded Stakes Committee decided that it will not be reinstated for its 2021 renewal. The race will be recorded as a non-listed black-type race. It is the policy of the American Graded Stakes Committee that a race that is scheduled for the turf course but is moved to the dirt track after the closing of nominations because the turf course is unsuitable for racing and is automatically downgraded...

The GII Pennine Ridge S. at Belmont was downgraded to a Grade III event after coming off the turf last Saturday, according to a TOBA release. The American Graded Stakes Committee reviewed the result and determined that the original Grade II status would not be reinstated. It is the policy of the American Graded Stakes Committee that a race that is scheduled for the turf course, but is moved to the dirt track after the closing of nominations because the turf course is unsuitable for racing, is automatically downgraded one...

Donations from several of last season's sales raised over $100,000 to assist backstretch and farm worker-focused Thoroughbred Charities of America charities. The funds will be awarded to approved grant applicants during TCA's current granting cycle. Heading the 2020 participating sales were Keeneland's September Yearling Sale, November Breeding Stock Sale, and the January Horses of All Ages Sale, which offered buyers the opportunity to donate .05% of their total sale purchases to TCA via a voluntary contribution on their invoices. Fasig-Tipton also made a significant direct contribution in support of these...

The 31st annual Thoroughbred Charities of America Stallion Season Auction, the largest for the organization, is open for bidding. Bidding on over 200 stallion seasons from 14 states kicked off on www.starquine.com and will continue through Jan. 8 with a staggered ending times beginning at 4:30 p.m. EST. Seasons available in the online auction include Gun Runner, Ghostzapper, Palace Malice, Liam's Map, More Than Ready, Speightstown, and many more. View all seasons here. In addition to the online auction, a live auction of select seasons will be held Tuesday, Jan....

The American Graded Stakes Committee of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association released its listing of U.S. graded and listed stakes races for 2021, the results of its annual grading session conducted Dec. 15-16. A single race, the Saratoga Derby Invitational S. at Saratoga, was upgraded to Grade I status for 2021. No races were downgraded from Grade I to Grade II for 2021. The committee evaluated races conducted following the 2019 Breeders' Cup through Mar. 15 as normal, and races conducted after March 15 were evaluated as normal, as...

The Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association (TOBA)'s 35th Annual National Awards ceremony was held virtually on Saturday at Hill 'n' Dale at Xalapa near Paris, Ky. Gabby Gaudet was the host. TOBA's National Owner of the Year title went to Gary Barber, while William S. Farish was named the National Breeder of the Year. Larry Karp of Barlar LLC was honored as National Small Breeder of the Year. Beyond the Waves (Ocean Crest), dam of 2019 Horse of the Year Bricks and Mortar (Giant's Causeway), GSW Emerald Beech (Maria's Mon),...