Blood-Horse

Sam Houston Race Park celebrates the start of its 30th anniversary season Jan. 5. The milestone season will be primarily an on-track and Texas affair due to the ongoing dispute between the Texas Racing Commission and HISA.

The Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association has announced the results of the 2023 election for its 15-member Board of Directors.

A year after setting the earnings record, Irad Ortiz Jr. did it again in 2023 with $39,192,585. He led all jockeys in wins, seconds, and thirds. He was also leading rider by earnings for Belmont Park, Saratoga Race Course, and Santa Anita Park meets.

The Jerome Stakes will be run for the 154th time Jan. 6 at Aqueduct Racetrack, but instead of serving as a showcase for Kentucky Derby (G1) winners it will kick off a series of four somewhat disjointed Triple Crown preps in New York.

Casa Creed resumed breezing Jan. 3 in preparation for a potential trip back to the Middle East for the 1351 Turf Sprint (G2T) in Saudi Arabia Feb. 24.

Racing Post's Martin Stevens returns to the Good Morning Bloodstock hotseat with some bold stallion predictions for the 2024 season.

The filly bred by Clay Scherer is the first foal out of the Gormley mare Hildee John.

Thirteen of the most unforgettable, exciting, and significant events from Thoroughbred racing in North America last year have been nominated for the 2023 FanDuel Racing-NTRA Moment of the Year.

The Backstretch Employee Service Team announced Jan. 3 the appointment of Nancy Underwood as executive director.

Valuable 3-year-old filly Kimochi, the Gary Portelli-trained dual group 1 placegetter, will be offered at the Chairman's Sale in May in a rare opportunity to purchase a filly with elite racing and breeding potential ahead of her.

Chad Summers trainees Clapton and Drew's Gold, both private purchases on behalf of Sheikh Rashid Bin Humaid Al Nuaimi's RRR Racing, continue preparations for overseas outings Jan. 3 at Palm Meadows Training Center in Boynton Beach, Fla.

In conjunction with the Pennsylvania Horse Breeders Association, Wanamaker's has released their third annual Pennsylvania-Bred Sale with 33 horses cataloged. Offerings range from short yearlings to broodmares in foal, and everything in between. 

Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation presents online art exhibit and auction to support the TRF Second Chances Program at Pleasant Valley State Prison.

Kanazawa Horse Park has canceled all activity—including its New Year's meet and off-track betting—through Jan. 5. The track officials noted on the Kanazawa Horse Park website that it will be providing refunds after Jan. 6. 

With the end of 2023, which was the 20th anniversary of the opening of Old Friends, Michael Blowen, founder of the Thoroughbred retirement farm in Georgetown, Ky., in 2003, has announced he will be stepping down as president of the facility.

Wolverhampton's Sunday evening card has attracted a bumper 203 entries, but some trainers have expressed concerns about staffing the fixture.

The online portion of Thoroughbred Charities of America's Stallion Season Auction, presented by Mt. Brilliant Family Foundation, kicks off Jan. 3 at 9 a.m. ET and runs through Jan. 5, with staggered closing times starting at 4 p.m.

A winner of 245 races, 13 of them stakes, with more than $6 million in career purse earnings, O'Keefe passed away Dec. 22 after a courageous battle with bone cancer.

Albaugh Family Stable kicks off 2024 with a stakes victory from their newly turned 3-year-old Catching Freedom in the $300,000 Smarty Jones Stakes Jan. 1 at Oaklawn Park.

The New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association announced Jan. 2 that Andy Belfiore will return as the organization's executive director, effective Jan. 7.