Champion Australian trainer arrested for using electric shock devices: media
SYDNEY, Australia | AFP | - A Melbourne Cup-winning horse trainer was recently arrested over corruption allegations, local media reported, following a police investigation into the use of electric shock devices to gain a racing edge. Police arrested three men Wednesday morning after raids on several rural properties which netted an unregistered firearm, some cocaine […]
Jockey Victor Espinoza eyeing comeback in mid-February
ARCADIA, Calif. (AP) — Triple Crown-winning jockey Victor Espinoza says doctors have cleared him to resume his Hall of Fame riding career. Espinoza exercised two horses at Santa Anita on Sunday. He has been side-lined since breaking a vertebra in his neck and injuring his left shoulder and arm in a training accident at Del […]
Jockey Kent Desormeaux rides 6,000th career winner
ARCADIA, Calif. (AP) — Jockey Kent Desormeaux rallied X S Gold over the final furlong at Santa Anita to earn his 6,000th career victory. The 48-year-old Hall of Famer won the first race by a head for trainer Jim Cassidy on Sunday to reach the plateau. Desormeaux won his first race at Evangeline Downs in […]
US Triple Crown winner Justify gets Horse of the Year, Irad Ortiz Jnr top jockey
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Justify finished unbeaten, on and off the track. The Triple Crown winner for 2018 added Horse of the Year to his resume, getting the nod over Accelerate for the biggest prize handed out at the Eclipse Awards on Thursday night. Justify didn't race as a 2-year-old, won all six of […]
New Mexico regulators to provide more info on racino process
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico horse racing regulators said Thursday they will comply with a request by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham for more information regarding the selection process for the state's sixth and final license for a racetrack and casino and the five applicants who are in the running. The Democratic governor, who took […]
'3-horse spill' hospitalizes jockeys, 2 horses euthanized in Maryland
LAUREL, Md. (AP) — Authorities say a "three-horse spill" during a race in Maryland sent three jockeys to the hospital and led to two horses being euthanized. An Anne Arundel County Fire Department release says none of the jockeys injured Friday at the Laurel Park racetrack are believed to have suffered life-threatening injuries. News outlets […]
Kentucky Derby purse up to US$3 million; 1st boost in 14 years
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — The Kentucky Derby's purse will be raised to US$3 million this May, an increase of US$1 million and the first boost in 14 years. Churchill Downs said Thursday the winner of the 145th running will receive US$1.86 million. The runner-up will earnUS $600,000, with third place worth US$300,000, fourth place US$150,000 […]
US Horse of Year finalists: Justify, Accelerate, Monomoy Girl
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Justify and Accelerate never got to face off on the track. Instead, they'll duel for Horse of the Year. Justify, Accelerate and Monomoy Girl were the three finalists announced Saturday for Horse of the Year. The top prize will be handed out at the Eclipse Awards on Jan. 24. Justify […]
Jockey Espinoza returns to exercising horses after injury
ARCADIA, Calif. (AP) — Hall of Fame jockey Victor Espinoza has returned to exercising horses at Santa Anita for the first time since being seriously injured in a training accident last summer. The 46-year-old rider was aboard St. Joe Bay for trainer John Sadler on Saturday. Espinoza suffered fractured vertebrae and other serious injuries in […]
Clan Des Obeaux wins thrilling King George VI Chase
LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP) - Clan Des Obeaux powered to a surprise victory in the King George VI Chase on Wednesday under Harry Cobden after a dramatic race at Kempton to give trainer Paul Nicholls his 10th win in the Boxing Day showpiece. The six-year-old, partly owned by legendary former Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson, […]