Business
Handle slumps in December as 2024 lags prior year
US wagering handle on Thoroughbred races plummeted 14% in December, as the industry suffered through another down year.
Mike Hopkins steps down after 40 years at Md. Racing Commission
Maryland Racing Commission executive director Mike Hopkins will retire after today, ending a career that spanned 40 years and many industry changes.
Mid-Atlantic 2024 HISA tab up 16% versus 2023
Mid-Atlantic tracks and horsemen will potentially need to contribute more than $17 million to the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) in ’24.
Md. Horse Foundation tabs new development director
The Maryland Horse Foundation announced it has hired Jeanne Schnell as its new Director of Development and Programming.
Off to the Races Radio: Saturday lineup
Off to the Races Radio concludes its season Saturday, November 4 with shows in Virginia and Maryland talking Breeders’ Cup.
Charles Town to boost purses by 10 percent
Overnight purses at Charles Town Races will rise by 10 percent, the track announced, a change taking effect March 23.
Charles Town cancels March 12 card
With severe mid-Atlantic weather, Charles Town Races has canceled its live racing card for Saturday, March 12.
Laurel Park cancels March 12 card
With a freakish winter storm hitting Maryland, Laurel Park has canceled its card for Saturday, March 12.
Shannon Bishop Arvin named NTRA chair
The National Thoroughbred Racing Association has elected Keeneland head Shannon Bishop Arvin as its chairperson.
Racehorse aftercare forum sets agenda
The The International Forum for the Aftercare of Racehorses (IFAR) will hold webinars April 5 and April 19 to discuss aftercare issues.
Colonial Downs to expand stakes program
Colonial Downs’s 27-day racing season this summer will feature 24 stakes with a combined value of $3.5 million, topped by the G3 Virginia Derby.
Charles Town cancels Wednesday card
With a winter storm hitting much of the East Coast hard, Charles Town Races has canceled its evening card.
Stronach Group, PETA call for ban on horse sales to S. Korea
The Stronach Group has joined the animal rights group PETA in calling for a ban on Thoroughbred sales to South Korea until the country ends horse slaughter.
Gofundmes supporting injured jocks Miller, Flores
Gofundme pages have generated significant support for jockeys Jenn Miller and Victor Flores, each of whom suffered a recent serious injury.
Jockeys’ Guild Assembly held virtually
The Jockeys’ Guild’s annual assembly took place December 8 — for the first time, in a virtual environment rather than in-person.
Md. Horse Foundation to hold stallion season auction
Nearly 20 stallions are part of the auction, which will take place online January 1-5 and benefit the Maryland Horse Foundation.
TrackMaster president Siegel to retire
David Siegel, longtime president of Equibase subsidiary TrackMaster, will retire at the end of 2020.
Peace and Justice bonus awarded
Peace and Justice’s son Like a Saltshaker’s stakes victory earlier this year earned his breeders, Diamond B Farm a big bonus – a really big bonus.
Crop rules, more: The week in social media
The ARCI toughens recommended riding crop rules, the Fasig-Tipton mixed sale takes place, and more, in the week in social media.
What’s it worth to vet a horse?
We wondered: what’s it worth to vet a horse? How much of a premium do buyers pay to buy a racehorse at a sale versus claiming? Then we crunched the numbers.
