Hastings' Weekly Winter Round-up
Cold snap continues to delay reopening of Hastings as WYN Racing BC-bred hits the board at Oaklawn
Cold Snap Continues
With snow in the forecast and sub-zero temperatures set to continue over the weekend and beyond, Hastings’ backstretch will continue to be closed to horsemen for a while longer. The next update will be on Wednesday February 12 when, hopefully, there will be warmer weather and better news.
Meanwhile, as is often the case at this time of the year, some trainers have decided to get their teams going under cover ahead of the Hastings’ reopening. Above is the Pat Jarvis-trained three-time Hastings’ winner WIRLY GIRLY (Practical Joke) enjoying some activity and being put through her paces by rider Kuri Powell following a nice, long winter break.
Local Names in the News
Ian Jewell and WYN Racing continued their fine run of recent form at Oaklawn this week when they sent out BC-bred four-year-old maiden LET’S GO CHAMP (Sungold) to finish second in a maiden-claiming contest over a mile-and-sixteenth on the dirt.
Returning 33.40 for a place (and 11.40 for a show), the unfancied LET’S GO CHAMP was always handy under Martin Chuan and led briefly at the furlong pole, showing great tenacity before eventually giving way to the Steve Asmussen-trained and owned winner, TIS CHARMING (Omaha Beach).
WYN Racing paid $29,000 for LET’S GO CHAMP at the 2022 CTHS BC yearling sale, where he was consigned by Mike Anderson, agent.
The Barry Doud-bred son of Sungold is a half-brother to the magnificent BOLD ARCH (Archarcharch), as well as a full-brother to THEY CALL ME TOM, a Century Mile maiden winner last season for trainer Tim Rycroft and owner Dallas Nelson who was also runner-up in last year’s Sadie Diamond Stakes at Hastings.
Jewell has saddled two winners and a second from eight runners since the turn of the year.
Elsewhere, Jaymie Pearman Cruz, formerly assistant to her mum Patty Leaney at Hastings, was back in the winner’s circle at Turf Paradise last week to greet her first winner of the new year in the shape of MOJAVE. The Washington State-bred son of Nationhood was ridden by leading jockey (and Jaymie’s spouse) Alex Cruz. Proud mum Patty is returning the favour as Jaymie’s assistant this winter and eagle-eyed fans will see her standing behind her daughter in the winner’s circle photograph.
MOJAVE, now a nine-year-old, continues to be a loyal servant and is already a two-time winner this year, as well as finishing a narrow runner-up in both his other Turf Paradise starts this season.
Horse Racing Economic Impact Study
As many of you will have seen, a Government-backed online survey, which is part of a wider economic impact study into horse racing in British Columbia, is currently doing the rounds.
This survey, a response by the provincial Government to the HBPA's ongoing discussions aimed at securing a long-term future for our industry, has so far been sent to a random selection of licensed owners, trainers and breeders.
However, no registered owner, trainer or breeder is precluded from participating in the survey and interested parties can easily obtain a link from HBPA director, Gary Johnson, via his email - garycj5460@outlook.com
Please note that the survey link WILL NOT WORK if merely forwarded to someone. You must obtain a specific link from Gary. Simply drop him a line, telling him whether you are an owner, trainer or breeder, and Gary will ping you a survey link back.
Please complete this survey as soon as possible. It is important for our future.
Anyone not registered as an owner, trainer or breeder in BC, but who is involved in the industry in any position, will also have an opportunity to contribute when Mustel, the group administering the survey on behalf of the provincial Government, begins a series of in-person surveys on the backstretch once everyone is returned to Hastings for the new season.
Any queries regarding this survey should be directed to Gary Johnson at the above email.
New Stride News
Calling All History Buffs!
We have been contacted by Natalie Wilson, a history researcher in New Zealand, asking for any information we may have on the life of Canadian horsewoman Jessie MacKenzie (1873 - 1964). If anyone knows anything about the life and times of Jessie, please do reach out and let us know. We’ll then put Natalie in touch with the relevant party.
Greetings from New Zealand.
I am a local history researcher in Oamaru, New Zealand.
I am researching the life story of Jessie MacKenzie, neé Glover, 1873-1964.
I understand she was very well known in horse training circles and was reported as the first woman in North America to receive a trainer's licence.
I have found quite a bit of material in Canadian newspapers, but am wondering if you have any archival material relating to Jessie MacKay?
Many thanks,
Natalie Wilson
Bloodhorse Daily Headlines — Saturday, February 8
Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia announces likely fields for 2025 Saudi Cup meeting
Romantic Warrior to oppose Pegasus champ White Abarrio and Dubai World Cup winner Laurel River in spectacular sixth renewal of $20 million Saudi Cup
Romantic Warrior (IRE), Laurel River (USA) White Abarrio (USA) and Forever Young (JPN) are all on course to clash in a glittering renewal of the $20 million Group 1 Saudi Cup, the highlight of the two-day Saudi Cup meeting on 21-22 February.
Three-time Hong Kong Cup winner Romantic Warrior, who is to be partnered by long-time jockey, James McDonald, will face a new challenge in his first run on dirt. The Danny Shum-trained gelding will take on last year’s Group 1 Dubai World Cup winner Laurel River for trainer Bhupat Seemar and 2024 Group 3 Saudi Derby winner Forever Young, trained by Yoshito Yahagi.
White Abarrio the 2023 Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Classic champion and 2025 Grade 1 Pegasus World Cup winner, now trained by Saffie Joseph, will be making his second trip to Saudi Arabia following a tilt at the same race a year ago.
The strong Japanese contingent is further bolstered by two for trainer Noboru Takagi who fields last year’s Saudi Cup runner-up Ushba Tesoro (JPN) and Wilson Tesoro (JPN), while the Shozo Sasaki-trained Ramjet (JPN) is also set to enter the starting gate.
The Kenny McPeek-trained Rattle N Roll (USA), winner of a domestic Saudi Cup qualifier, the Group 3 Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Cup, will take his place in the line-up alongside the Todd Pletcher-trained Pegasus World Cup runner-up, Locked (USA), forming a formidable USA representation.
Walk Of Stars (GB), who won the Group 1 Al Maktoum Challenge at Meydan last time out, will be a second runner for the UAE’s Seemar, while Facteur Cheval (IRE), who chased Walk Of Stars home in third in the Al Maktoum Challenge, will represent France for trainer Jerome Reynier.