Blood-Horse

Fresh off a successful 2025 season, The Maryland Jockey Club rings in the New Year Jan. 9, the opening day of the Laurel Park winter meet. In 2025, there were 1,109 races over 119 live racing days at Laurel Park and Pimlico Race Course.

Fourteen countries on five continents will host races from the Breeders' Cup Challenge Series: Win and You're In as the international qualifier for the Breeders' Cup World Championships enters its 20th year in 2026. 

The National Thoroughbred Racing Association, Daily Racing Form, and the National Turf Writers and Broadcasters announced Jan. 8 the winners of the 2025 Media Eclipse Awards in six categories.

Shisospicy is set to begin her 2026 season in Saudi Arabia, competing in the 1351 Turf Sprint (G2T) on Saudi Cup (G1) night Feb. 14.

In the letters to the editor for the Jan. 8 edition of BH Daily, readers react to "Looking Ahead" series and other recent stories.

After a runaway stakes victory at Gulfstream Park in November, Tessellate aims to add to her accomplishments in the $125,000 Gasparilla Stakes Jan. 10 at Tampa Bay Downs.

Sheikh Mohammed's international racing and breeding operation earned $27,288,066 in North America in 2025, making Godolphin the leading individual breeder for the fifth consecutive year.

The online portion of Thoroughbred Charities of America's annual Stallion Season Auction is underway and runs through Jan. 9 with staggered closing times starting at 4 p.m. ET.

In a plan to transition for the future, WinStar Farm announced Jan. 7 that Gerry Duffy will return to become president April 1. Elliott Walden will remain CEO until Oct. 1, with Duffy taking over as CEO and president effective Oct. 1.

The Racehorse Owners Association has launched a new membership designed for people involved in syndicates and racing clubs as part of the aim to improve engagement and representation across all ownership types.

Now live and available in 12 states, tote.monmouthbets.com has been built to set a new standard in the United States ADW market.

Buetane, in only his second start, ran second to subsequent Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) winner Ted Noffey in last year's Hopeful Stakes (G1) and makes his 3-year-old debut in the San Vicente Stakes (G2) Jan. 10 for trainer Bob Baffert.

Frankie Dettori once again treated a bumper crowd to a flying dismount after the legendary rider chalked up another winner on his farewell tour in South America.

A Jan. 6 ruling by a Michigan federal district court granted summary judgment to TwinSpires against the Michigan Gaming Control Board's effort to stop the wagering platform from taking bets made by state residents on out-of-state horse races.

Coinciding with the United States' national celebration of the 250th anniversary of the nation's founding, the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame will mark the occasion with a special exhibition, Racing at the Dawn of the United States.

Amplify Horse Racing is now accepting applications for the Spring 2026 session of its Mentorship Program, an educational initiative connecting youth and young adults with experienced professionals across the Thoroughbred racing and breeding industry.

The Thoroughbred Education and Research Foundation announced Dr. Janet Johnston has joined its Board of Trustees.

Veteran riders Alex Birzer and Orlando Mojica each earned career milestones, leading to the panel of racing experts voting the pair Jockeys of the Week for Dec. 29-Jan. 4.

The Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association announces the full schedule and the opening of registration for its 2026 Spring Pedigree and Conformation Clinic March 9-10 at Ocala Breeders' Sales.

Submissions are now open for local charitable organizations to participate in "Winsday" during Kentucky Derby Week at Churchill Downs April 29.