Blood-Horse

Grade 1 winner Arthur's Ride has been retired from racing and will be offered as a stallion prospect at the Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale, held Nov. 4-11. He will be consigned by Lane's End.

Maryland horsemen have emerged as meaningful beneficiaries of the collaborative dual-state stakes schedule and new bonus incentives, according to statistics covering the period from June 21-Aug. 23 of this year.

After an increase last season, Fair Grounds' Road to the Kentucky Derby remains valued at $1.875 million. The track's 154th racing season will offer 56 stakes worth $8.65 million.

The Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association will recognize Alan Foreman with the Dr. J. David Richardson Industry Service Award.

Stakes-winning mare Venencia not only faces males, but tries the 1 3/8-mile trip for the first time in the CA$150,000 Singspiel Stakes (G3T) at Woodbine.

After failing to finish better than third during his racing career as Our Prince Charlie, TOBA Sport Horse of the Year Zealand embarked on a second career, and he thrived, showing everyone the athleticism and class that Thoroughbreds can possess.

Scott Lishia, currently director of racing at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows, has been named director of racing and sportsbook for Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course pending customary regulatory approvals.

Exiting a 3 1/4-length victory over three-time grade 1 winner Journalism in the Aug. 30 Pacific Classic (G1) at Del Mar, Fierceness surges from ninth into second place in the latest National Thoroughbred Racing Association Top Thoroughbred Poll.

Last season's King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes (G1) winner Goliath and globetrotting star Rebel's Romance top the bill in a top-class running of Germany's leading weight-for-age race Sept. 7, the Grosser Preis von Baden (G1).

This year has been one of ups and downs in the professional and personal life of 25-year-old trainer Nick Vaccarezza, but he is set up to make history Sept. 6 at Kentucky Downs should Golden Afternoon win the Franklin-Simpson Stakes (G1T).

The Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation announced that Mrs. Lucy Young Hamilton will be presented with the Dinny Phipps Award.

A much-anticipated third showdown between Ombudsman and Delacroix in next week's Irish Champion Stakes (G1) is off after connections of the Godolphin colt have decided to freshen him up for a busy autumn campaign.

Four Star Sales is pleased to announce that George Connolly has joined the company as a bloodstock sales associate. He brings international experience and a broad background in bloodstock and sales. 

Management at Kentucky Downs plans to review the performance of its new timing system after errors were detected in the times for the graded stakes on its Aug. 30 card.

Santa Anita Park's 16-day Autumn Meet begins Sept. 26 with a new wager, the $1 Sunset Pick Six. The Sunset Pick Six will comprise the final three races from both Santa Anita and Gulfstream Park on days that both tracks are running.

An invigorated buying bench drove a lively trade at the Tattersalls Somerville Yearling Sale Sept. 2, where the market was led by a pair of 160,000gns (US$225,037, 1 guinea=US$1.41) purchases.

Maiden Watch: Week of Aug. 25-31

The Sept. 2 Melbourne Cup (G1) nomination stage saw 120 runners confirmed for the two-mile feature on Nov. 4, with a total of 101 local and 19 international horses nominated for the 165th running of the AUS$10 million contest.

The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario concludes its review of a race August 4 at Fort Erie, finding no wrongdoing from anyone involved.

Three horses with an affinity for the undulating, sweeping grass course at Kentucky Downs—local stakes winners Goliad, Brilliant Berti, and Lagynos—square off in a competitive, 13-horse renewal of the Sept. 6 Mint Millions Invitational (G3T).