Blood-Horse

As part of its efforts to support young people who are interested in entering the Thoroughbred industry, The Jockey Club announced Jan. 15 the creation of a structured summer internship program for college students and recent college graduates.

The economic state of New York racing is encouraging, according to industry leaders who spoke at a hearing Jan. 14, but without significant changes going forward, they warned of a dire future.

Magic Millions has achieved a record sale in a remarkable set of circumstances with the final Book 1 session still to come, after three colts made more than a million dollars Jan. 15.

Channel Maker, expected to be honored as America's champion older turf male, is aimed toward two grass races this winter in the Middle East. Co-owner Adam Wachtel said the gelding will race once in Saudi Arabia followed by another race in Dubai.

Great Escape, winner of the Nov. 28 Gran Premio Nacional (G1), has shipped to North America and will join Ignacio Correas' barn at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots next week.

Being quick is a virtue for any Thoroughbred, yet for a 5-year-old mare named Quick (GB), stamina will be of the essence Jan. 17 when she faces eight rivals in the $100,000 Astra Stakes (G3T) at Santa Anita Park.

Alwaysmining, winner of last year's Jennings Stakes at Laurel Park, enters the Jan. 16 contest for new trainer Austin Trites.

The closing session of the Keeneland January Horses of All Ages Sale kept buyers on the edges of their pavilion seats until the last moments Jan. 14 as the final racing and stallion prospects consigned to the four-day sale went through the ring.

The legendary D. Wayne Lukas, 85, has returned to Oaklawn, his winter base for more than a decade, after recently losing another one of his longtime prominent clients in an era of horses going to other trainers, declining foal crops, and COVID-19.

Prominent Peruvian owner/breeder Boris Schwartzman, who lost four stallions more than a year ago during a brutal invasion of his farm, is rebuilding his breeding and racing operation in Kentucky.

Rebel's Romance galloped into the picture for the UAE Derby (G2) with a determined victory Jan. 14 in the UAE Two Thousand Guineas Trial at Meydan.

After five years as chief operating officer/chief financial officer of the Fort Erie Live Racing Consortium, Tom Valiquette will take a step back from some of his COO duties, but will continue to maintain an important executive leadership role.

Brooklyn Strong, winner of the Dec. 5 Remsen Stakes (G2) at Aqueduct Racetrack, will miss the Feb. 6 Withers Stakes (G3) at Aqueduct Racetrack after getting sick, trainer Danny Velazquez said Jan. 14.

Hong Kong owner Tony Fung demonstrated his intent to remain a significant investor in the Australian industry with two seven-figure colts by Not A Single Doubt Jan. 14, the third day of the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

Sports minister Nigel Huddleston wrote to British Horseracing Authority this week to say the government would only be examining whether there was a case for bringing forward the timetable for a review.

Golden Gate Fields horsemen, unable to race there since Nov. 12 following a COVID-19 outbreak at the track, have supported entries for a resumption of racing that begins at the Northern California track Jan. 15.

Santa Anita Park's 10-race card Jan. 16 lacks graded stakes, but not graded stakes winners. Five stakes for California-breds attracted sizable fields that drew graded winners Warren's Showtime, Marckie's Water, Ward 'n Jerry, and Acclimate.

The pace at the start of the Jan. 13 opening session of Book 2 at the Keeneland January Horses of All Ages Sale was somewhat slowed compared to Book 1, but the penultimate day was not without its fast-moving highlights. 

Extravagant Kid, one of the better turf sprinters in Kentucky and Florida the past few years, will return to dirt Jan. 16 when the 8-year-old Kiss the Kid gelding makes a title defense in the $75,000 Sunshine Millions Sprint at Gulfstream Park.

Dual grade 1 stakes winner Got Stormy is pointed to the $125,000 Honey Fox Stakes (G3T) Feb. 27 at Gulfstream Park after breezing a half-mile Jan. 13 in :48 2/5 at Casse Training Center in Ocala.