Hastings' Weekly Winter Round-Up
A new horse for the Racing Club is announced as horse numbers continue to swell at Hastings ahead of next month's "Opening Day"
Racing Club Finds a Way
Bailey’s on the Backstretch
SPRING training has been well on its way for over a month, but Saturday, March 9, 2024, saw the first group of clocked, qualified workouts at Hastings.
Among that first group of 20 horses to work were two noteworthy unraced 3-year-old horses gearing up for their first lifetime start out of the Steve Henson barn. These BC breds have some big shoes to follow as their bloodline siblings have gone on to have great success over the Hastings oval.
2022 BC Derby winner Regal Riot has a promising half-brother, I’m Seeing Red. Completing his first 3/8 of a mile work fifth fastest on the day, the speed and desire to have a quick turn of foot becomes obvious. The biggest key with the dam Regal Red’s foals is keeping them sound of mind. She, along with her offspring, have continued to race well in Vancouver, making Red Rock Farms a sought-out consigner for the annual yearling sale.
With the unfortunate reality of likely having to race together, the “adorable barn pet” Red Russel put up a very impressive first work of the season in a blistering 35.8 seconds. He continues to show similar speed to his dominant half-sister We B Three. Once purchased for a mere $1000, she has spent the majority of her career chasing the superstar, Infinite Patience and doing well holding her own. If Red Russel has half the determination as his sister and continues to show the natural ability, he is one to keep an eye on as we approach opening day on Saturday, April 27.
Don’t Forget!
The annual Thoroughbred Awards Dinner & Hall of Fame Inductions return to the Italian Cultural Centre in April to celebrate the very best of 2023. Tickets are selling quickly, so don't forget to reserve your places now!
Three for the Notebook
Three very different candidates for the notebook this week, with a top-class juvenile whose return to action is highly-anticipated; a veteran “War Horse” with more than 40 starts who clearly thrives on his racing and, at the other end of the scale, an unraced three-year-old whose owner-breeders are impatient to finally see begin a racing career he’s been showing some aptitude for in his morning training — by Nigel Reid
1.VECTOR, 3yo g by Bakken — Datura (Anabaa)
Trainer: Craig MacPherson
Owner/Breeder: Canyon Farms
VECTOR blew everyone away on his debut last August, strolling to a near nine-length maiden victory under Antonio Reyes before going on to finish second in two of the year’s most important juvenile contests (the Jack Diamond Futurity and the Glen Todd Ascot Graduation). The Canyon Farms homebred half-brother to former Jack Diamond winner DAT DAY (among plenty of other winners) should already be in most people’s notebooks and any normal progression over the winter will make him a hard opponent to handle this term.
Trainer Craig MacPherson said: “That was obviously a very exciting debut and he ran so well again in his two other starts. He seems to have done well over the winter and we’re looking forward to see what he can achieve this year.”
2. QUAGMIRE, 8yo g by Storm Victory — Yodeling Ann (Swiss Yodeler)
Trainer: Steve Henson
Owner: Lorie Henson, Helen Klimes, Sharon Pring
Breeder: Helen Klimes, Sharon Pring
QUAGMIRE and his ilk are the unsung heroes of racing. This 44-race veteran, with 11 victories and 16 second-place finishes to his name, is a remarkable testament to both his own extraordinary enthusiasm for the game and the skill of trainer Steve Henson and his team. Quagmire’s tough-of-the-track attitude and durability have earned the eight-year-old plenty of fans along the way and, if familiarity can mean racegoers sometimes take these veteran “War Horses” for granted, Henson is most certainly not one of them.
Steve Henson said: “Horses like him are the reason we get up in the mornings. How could you not look forward to seeing a horse like Quagmire back in action. He never lets anyone down and he represents a lot of what’s great about our sport. Can’t wait to see him race again this year.”
3. QUATRE BAK, 3yo gelding by Bakken — Quatre Cat (Abraaj)
Trainer: Edgar Mendoza
Owner: Dave & Sylvea Gregory
Breeder: Gladys Dittloff, Karen Dittloff, Dave Gregory & Sylvea Gregory
At the other end of the scale is the unraced three-year-old QUATRE BAK. The gelded son of Bakken, who is a half-brother to last season’s CTHS Sales Stakes third, LICORICE, has been patiently brought along by trainer Edgar Mendoza and his team - and his debut can’t come soon enough for his owner-breeders. QUATRE BAK is a perfect example of the dedication and commitment required to raise Thoroughbreds and bring them to a stage where they can begin to hopefully repay the faith put in them by connections.
Owner-breeder Dave Gregory, who along with Sylvea Gregory enjoyed such great success last season with their homebred SOARINGFORTHESUN, said: “So much work and effort goes into them, doesn’t it. When you’re the breeder they become very much part of the family and it’s a huge thrill to watch them develop. He’s a lovely horse, 16.2hh like his mum, and we just want to get cracking with him now.”
New Stride News
Bloodhorse Daily Headlines — Saturday, March 16
