President's Message

 

A limited amount of racing opportunities and the absence of the 2-year-old sales has created a hardship for people who make a living in this great horse industry.  Fortunately, there appears to be a light at the end of the tunnel.  During the next month, we will see tracks resume racing and the resumption of the 2-year-old sales in the next few months.

 

We will make it through this pandemic!

Jack Sadler, President

Racing Across the Nation

 

Congratulations Mike Keogh

Mike Keogh, who, with his wife, Lou, has spent several winters in Aiken, has been elected into the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame. Keogh was the longtime trainer for Gustav Schickedanz, whose family owns Longleaf Plantation just outside of Aiken.

 

Among the numerous stakes winners Keogh has developed over the years are 2003 Canadian Triple Crown winner Wando, 1999 Queen's Plate winner Woodcarver and Langfuhr, a three time Grade 1 winner including the 1997 Metropolitan Handicap at Belmont Park.  The millionaire Mobile, Grade 2 winner Kathie's Colleen and Grade 2 winner City Boy also reached stardom under Keogh's care. During Mike Keogh's career to date, he has saddled 330 winners and won 60 stakes. His stable has earned $21.5 million.

 

Keogh's major client for many years, Gustave Schickedanz was inducted into the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame in 2009 and received the E.P. Taylor Award recognizing his life-long dedication to racing in Canada in 2019. He was a longtime supporter of the Aiken Trials.

                                                                 Photo Credit:  Barry Borstein

Kip Elser Tests New Zealand Auction Waters

 

Kirkwood Stables' Kip Elser and Joe Miller, who has been with Kern Thoroughbreds in Kentucky for 15 years, have ventured into the pinhook market in New Zealand.

 

Over the years, horses who came up under Kip's program include Kentucky Oaks winners Plum Pretty, Keeper Hill and Gal in a Ruckus.  He also developed Sharp Cat, Royal Anthem, Alphabet Soup and more recently, Coal Front.

 

At the 2018 New Zealand Bloodstock Yearling Sales, Elser and Miller purchased a yearling colt by Tavistock. For NZ$150,000.  In 2019, he was offered at the New Zealand Ready to Run 2-year-old sale bringing NZ$400,000.  Now named Beluga, this 3-year-old gelding finished second in his debut and broke his maiden in his second career start acting like a horse who will appreciate distance racing.

 

In January of this year, Kip and Joe bought two yearlings in New Zealand.  In February, they purchased a third in Australia.  All will be prepared for the next Ready to Run sale.

Track Openings on the Horizon

 

Of course, we all know racing opportunities have been very limited during the past few months.  Racing has been held at Gulfstream, Tampa Bay Downs, Oaklawn Park, Remington Park. Fonner Park and Will Rogers Downs.

 

While Oaklawn did close this past Saturday, fortunately, we are hearing of opening days for more tracks.  Churchill Downs will begin racing May 16.  Charles Town and Mountaineer Park in West Virginia have been granted permission by the state governor to resume racing on May 14.   Golden Gate in California will also reopen May 14.

 

A handful of tracks have set opening days but these are contingent on being granted a "all clear" statement from the state governments.  Santa Anita hopes to re-open May 15, Louisiana Downs on June 6 and Monmouth Park on July 3. Ruidoso Downs in New Mexico also hopes to re-open soon.

 

No word from New York yet.  As of this time, it appears these meets will be held "spectator free".

Hello, Baby!

Foal Photos

Should you have any photos of foals , please share them with us.  We love to put smiles on people's faces!!

Please send to [email protected].

It's Time to Renew