Latest news with #Thoroughbred
Indian Express
25-05-2025
- Health
- Indian Express
Brought from Hyderabad, 8 racehorses die mysteriously in Madhya Pradesh, govt launches probe
The Madhya Pradesh government has launched an investigation into the mysterious deaths of eight high-value racehorses — belonging to heritage breeds — that were recently transported from Hyderabad to Raipura village in Jabalpur district. Jabalpur Collector Deepak Saxena ordered the probe after the local veterinary department responded to reports of multiple horse deaths at a private farm in Raipura. Officials are now examining allegations that a total of 57 horses were transferred from Hyderabad to Madhya Pradesh without the required veterinary documentation. Authorities are investigating claims that 'around 57 horses were covertly moved between 29 April and 3 May' by a local resident, Sachin Tiwari, in collaboration with a businessman based in Hyderabad. Among the breeds transported were Marwari and Thoroughbred horses. The Marwari, native to Rajasthan, is distinguished by its inward-curving ears and known for being a hardy riding horse with a natural ambling gait. Thoroughbreds, originally bred in England, are globally renowned for their speed, agility and racing prowess. Marwari horses are often crossed with Thoroughbreds to produce a larger horse with more versatility. According to Prafulla Moon, deputy director of the state veterinary department, four teams were deployed after officials located the horses. 'The horses were transported in a hot atmosphere from Hyderabad. The horses began falling sick due to stress. In total, eight horses have died. We have sent blood samples of 57 horses to a lab in Haryana. The reports of 44 horses have come negative for any infectious disease,' Moon said. Preliminary findings suggest that the animals were housed in inadequate conditions—a cramped cattle shed with insufficient shade and limited space to move. Following public outcry, the National Horse Breeding Society of India dispatched a truck carrying medical supplies to the farm. However, farm owner Sachin Tiwari allegedly barred the vehicle from entering the premises. In response, a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Madhya Pradesh High Court, which is expected to hear the matter in the coming days. The PIL, filed by Jabalpur-based animal rights activist Simran Issar through her advocate Umesh Tripathi, seeks urgent court intervention to 'protect the life of 49 horses' still held at the facility. The petition describes the animals being kept in open fields during a heatwave without adequate access to water, sanitation, or shelter. The petition further claims that one of the respondents—a Hyderabad-based businessman—is the 'kingpin behind sponsoring all big horsing races in the country, with online betting ventures exclusively for the Philippines'. According to the PIL: 'At the peak of this horse racing venture, they have 154 horses for racing. They had 24 horse races everyday according to Manager for these horse races… This horse racing, which is illegal in India, was streamed on an app in the Philippines.' The petition also asserts that the operation fell into neglect after staff salaries were allegedly not paid, leaving '154 horses without food and water'. 'That, in the first week of February, 2025, out of 154 horses only 64 horses were left…That, these remaining horses were loaded on truck and were sent to Jabalpur from Hyderabad in the command and control of Sachin Tiwari,' the PIL stated.
News.com.au
20-05-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Two-year-old blue bloods to clash on debut at Sandown on Wednesday
Wednesday's Thoroughbred Club of Australia Handicap at Sandown could be a showdown between a pair of blue blood two-year-olds. I'mateez, a half-brother to the former superstar sprinter Imperatriz will be up against Samudra, a daughter of Oakleigh Plate winners Snitzel and Pippie. Bookmakers have the Mark Walker -trained Samudra as an odds-on favourite after three jumpout wins while I'mateez is a $17 chance after improving to win his latest jumpout at Cranbourne on May 12. Walker's Melbourne representative Ben Gleeson said the stable had been careful with Samudra, who was a $775,000 yearling purchase. 'She's not an out-and-out two-year-old by any means,' Gleeson said. 'When people see her in the parade ring, they'll see she's a big, strong, scopey type of filly that is certainly going to grow. 'She's taken time to mature body-wise and every time she's had a jumpout, we've just given her that bit of extra time. 'We haven't wanted to push her until she showed us she's ready. But we've been really pleased with her jumpouts.' I'mateez, a son of Golden Slipper winner Capitalist, cost $200,000 as a yearling on the Gold Coast last year. The colt's trainer Alex Rae said the youngster had plenty of speed but needed to answer questions in the last 100m of the $50,000 contest. 'He certainly heads to the races with a good understanding of what his job is, but what happens when the real pressure goes on late in the race, I'm not sure how he's going to respond,' Rae said. 'He'll jump, he'll run and he's pretty one-dimensional so we're not going to do anything out of the ordinary with him. 'He'll probably lead them up and hopefully he'll be strong late, that's the big question. 'It's going to be a tricky race but I suppose, when you've got a horse with the pedigree that he has, I suppose there's some lofty ambitions internally.'
NBC News
16-05-2025
- Automotive
- NBC News
Pimlico Race Course demolition: Preakness Stakes history, location, track records, renovations
While Baltimore's Historic Pimlico Race Course is being prepared for the 150th running of the Preakness Stakes — which you can watch on NBC or Peacock beginning at 2 p.m. ET on Saturday, with the main event slated for 6:50 p.m. ET — demolition of the venue will begin soon after the last horses leave the oval this weekend. Here is everything you need to know about Pimlico Race Course, its history, why it's being demolished, the plans for renovation and much more. Where is Pimlico Race Course located? Located in Baltimore, Maryland, Pimlico Race Course has traditionally hosted the 'middle jewel' of the Triple Crown, the Preakness Stakes. Pimlico Race Course history Pimlico, nicknamed 'Old Hilltop,' officially opened its doors on October 25, 1870 and first hosted the Preakness Stakes in 1873. In 1890, the Stakes moved from Maryland to a track in New York. The race didn't run from 1891 to 1893, and then moved to a different track in New York until 1908. In 1909, the race returned to Pimlico and has been hosted at the iconic venue ever since. Pimlico is the second oldest racetrack in the country, behind Saratoga, which debuted in upstate New York in 1864. Though the track was renovated in the 1950s, the age of Baltimore's Historic Pimlico Race Course has been a concern for decades. Back in 2019, nearly 7,000 grandstand seats were closed over safety concerns. Renovation plans were discussed but never carried out. The demolition of the renowned Pimlico Race Course marks the end of an era, but the revitalization of the structure marks the beginning of a new era. What is happening with Pimlico race track? On May 7, the state of Maryland released design concepts for a new Pimlico Race Course, which is set to debut in 2027. Demolition is expected to begin in June ahead of a $400 million reconstruction funded by state bonds. The 2026 Preakness Stakes will relocate to Laurel Park, a track that sits about 20 miles south of Pimlico. The 2027 Preakness Stakes are expected to return to Baltimore's revitalized facility. Then, once Pimlico is back up and running, Laurel Park will close for its own redevelopment. As part of the multi-year project, and in addition to the new and improved Pimlico, a new hotel, event space, and state-of-the-art Thoroughbred training center will be built at Shamrock Farm in Woodbine, Maryland, which is located approximately 20 miles west of Pimlico. The site design features a strong new identity with inspiration from popular Baltimore landmarks like the Rawlings Conservatory in Druid Hill Park and the original Pimlico Clubhouse. The state will direct at least $110 million to the new training facility, which will offer 328 pastoral acres to more than 800 boarded horses, housing for backstretch workers and a training track with dimensions identical to Pimlico. The Maryland Stadium Authority, in partnership with The Maryland Jockey Club and the Park Heights community, will oversee the construction of the new race course, as well as the additional amenities. The decision to revitalize Pimlico is an essential step forward to promoting the future of Thoroughbred racing in Maryland, as well as growing local and statewide economies. The new facility will support approximately 500 jobs and over 100 racing days annually. Pimlico currently hosts around 15 racing days per year. 'Today we take another step toward a new, reimagined Pimlico,' said Maryland Governor Wes Moore (Citybiz, May 12, 2025). 'Together, we will continue to drive economic growth in Park Heights, throughout Baltimore, and across the entire state.' Who owns Pimlico Race Course? In April, it was announced that the Maryland Thoroughbred Racetrack Operating Authority, which was created in 2023 to assist in managing Pimlico's transition from private to public ownership, will be dissolved as soon as July 2025. The Maryland Jockey Club will operate under the Maryland Economic Development Corporation (MEDCO). 'We are excited to deliver a new, modern Pimlico for racing fans and the Park Heights community,' said Maryland Stadium Authority Chairman Craig Thompson. 'This work is bigger than a racetrack, as historic and important as it is. This is about bringing hundreds of millions of dollars in state investment to Park Heights and working in partnership with MEDCO and the local community to realize a shared vision for the future.' Despite 1/ST (formerly known as The Stronach Group) transferring operations of Pimlico to the state of Maryland on January 1, 2025, the company is still spearheading the Preakness this year and next year. For 2027 and beyond, Maryland will adopt control over the Stakes. The state will essentially license the event name from 1/ST as part of a long-term agreement. 'It was highly unlikely that a private operator would want to come in because 'What's the upside for a private operator?' They're in the business of making a profit,' said the Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association chairman and CEO Alan Foreman (Blood Horse, March 2024). '[The tracks] don't have gaming in Maryland — they get a small piece of gaming revenue for capital improvement purposes. And there's really no upside for an operator other than they covet the Preakness.' Who holds the track record at Pimlico? It's important to note that there are other races held at Pimlico besides the Preakness Stakes. With that being said, the owner of the track record at Pimlico for 1 3/16 mile distance is Farma Way, with a time of 1:52 2/5 in the 1991 Pimlico Special. Who holds the track record at the Preakness? In 1973, Secretariat secured the Preakness record at 1 3/16 miles, with a time of 1:53 2/5. Note: The Preakness has been staged at seven different distances since its debut in 1873. From 1925 to present day, the distance run is set at 1 3/16 miles. What devices does Peacock support?
Hindustan Times
03-05-2025
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
Why legendary Secretariat still rules 2025 Kentucky Derby, 52 years later
Secretariat, the legendary Thoroughbred racehorse, has a special connection to the 2025 Kentucky Derby. According to The Courier-Journal in Louisville, every horse racing at Churchill Downs on Saturday descends from the Triple Crown winner. Secretariat sired more than 660 registered foals in his lifetime. He died in 1989. Nicknamed Big Red, Secretariat is an icon in horse racing. He went on to win the Triple Crown in 1973, etching his name in history books. Secretariat won the Derby with a time of 1:59.40, a record to date. The racehorse then won the Preakness Stakes at 1:53 and the Belmont Stakes. Read More: Kentucky Derby 2025: Rain to change odds; here's the new favourite horses at Churchill Downs Born: March 30, 1970, at The Meadow, Doswell, Virginia Died: October 4, 1989, at Claiborne Farm, Paris, Kentucky (age 19, euthanized due to laminitis) Breeder: Meadow Stud (Christopher Chenery) Owner: Meadow Stable (Christopher and Penny Chenery) Trainer: Lucien Laurin Jockey: Primarily Ron Turcotte Color: Chestnut with a white blaze and three white stockings Physical traits: Height: ~16.2 hands (66 inches), per Blood-Horse. Weight: ~1,175 pounds during racing. Stride: Up to 24 feet, one of the longest recorded. Total Races: 21 Record: 16 wins, 3 seconds, 1 third, 1 fourth Earnings: $1,316,808 1972 (2-Year-Old): Sanford Stakes, Hopeful Stakes, Futurity Stakes, Laurel Futurity, Garden State Futurity. Named 1972 Horse of the Year (first 2-year-old to win unanimously). 1973 (3-Year-Old): Bay Shore Stakes, Gotham Stakes (tied track record), Arlington Invitational, Marlboro Cup (world record: 1:45 2/5 for 1 1/8 miles), Man o' War Stakes (course record: 2:24 4/5), Canadian International Stakes. Triple Crown (1973): Kentucky Derby (May 5, 1973, Churchill Downs, 1 1/4 miles): Time: 1:59 2/5 (fastest in history, unbroken as of 2025) Margin: 2 1/2 lengths over Sham Preakness Stakes (May 19, 1973, Pimlico, 1 3/16 miles): Time: 1:53 (corrected in 2012) Margin: 2 1/2 lengths over Sham Belmont Stakes (June 9, 1973, Belmont Park, 1 1/2 miles): Time: 2:24 (world record, unbroken) Margin: 31 lengths Read More: Kentucky Derby 2025: How much do jockeys actually earn? Prize money, payout and more 1973 Horse of the Year Champion Three-Year-Old Colt National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame (1974) Ranked #2 on Blood-Horse's Top 100 U.S. Racehorses (behind Man o' War) Notable Losses: Wood Memorial (third, due to an abscess) Whitney Stakes (second to Onion) Champagne Stakes (disqualified to second) Maiden debut (fourth) Grave Location: Claiborne Farm, Paris, Kentucky Details: Buried whole (a rare honor) with a simple headstone near Bold Ruler and Round Table. Necropsy revealed his massive heart, per Dr. Swerczek.
Yahoo
03-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Churchill Downs: home of the Kentucky Derby
HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT) — Churchill Downs has been the home of the Kentucky Derby since 1875. Officials with the racetrack call it the world's most legendary racetrack. Churchill Downs is located in Louisville, Kentucky on 175 acres and has a one-mile dirt track. A release obtained by Eyewitness News says the track is able to provide a seat to approximately 60,000 people. Churchill Downs also features a series of themed race days during Derby Week, and Kentucky Oaks. The track also conducts Thoroughbred horse racing during three race meets in the Spring, September, and the fall. The track can hold up to 1,400 horses in their barns and stables. The saddling paddock and the stable area also feature a 114-room dormitory for backstretch personnel. Gaming is also a feature of the racetrack. Churchill Downs's website features experts who provide predictions for races. Their website also has instructions on how to place bets. Two horses competing in the 2025 Kentucky Derby are Tri-State natives. East Avenue got his first victory this summer at Ellis Park. Also competing is Owen Almighty, who won the Ellis Park Juvenile. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
