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

“I have been blessed to work for Kenny Troutt for the last 25 years,” said Walden. “Under his visionary leadership we've won a Triple Crown, two Kentucky Derbies, three Belmont Stakes, five Breeders' Cups, and four Eclipse Awards. Kenny has tremendous instincts and together we built a team with a wealth of experience. The success we've achieved has been a collaborative effort and I have loved my time supporting Kenny's vision.

“Timing is everything with a transition of this magnitude,” Walden added. “Early last year, I told the Troutt family my plans of stepping down. Five years ago, I wrote in my journal my number one pick to become the next CEO of WinStar, and that name was Gerry Duffy. I couldn't be happier that he has accepted the role and I look forward to supporting Gerry, David (Hanley), and the entire team during this transition and into the future.”

Regarding the leadership transition and long-term vision for WinStar, Kenny Troutt expressed his gratitude for Walden and the team, as well as his optimism for the years ahead.

“I am so grateful for the team at WinStar, and what they have done for my family,” said Troutt. “We have had tremendous success over the years and are just getting started. I hope to have the farm in the family for years to come. I want to thank Elliott for his leadership over the last 25 years and look forward to the next chapter at WinStar.”

Recognizing the strong foundation already in place, Duffy shared his excitement about the partnership and his respect for the Troutt family's enduring impact on the industry.

“Kenny's vision has always been the driving force at WinStar,” said Duffy. “He calls us to 'Dream Big' and we plan to continue doing just that. I am excited to come back to work with Kenny, Lisa, Preston, the entire Troutt family, and the team at WinStar. It really is the privilege of a lifetime to lead a farm as prestigious as WinStar.”

Reflecting on a tenure marked by significant achievements, Walden, who will remain involved with WinStar in a consultative capacity, shared his thoughts on the farm's evolution and the bright path ahead.

Elliott Walden with Florent Geroux in the WinStar silks | Sarah Andrew

“I am proud of the milestones we've achieved,” Walden said. “The trophies are symbolic of the years of dedication and hard work put forth by the entire WinStar team. I will always be eternally grateful for the relationships we've built, the lives we've changed, and the careers we've helped to launch. Anytime a season ends, there is always an element of uncertainty, however, one thing I am very certain about is WinStar Farm is in great hands. The future couldn't be brighter. As for me, I am excited about the next chapter in my life, and to be able to consult with WinStar into 2027. I am at a career stage where I want to use my skills, knowledge, and experience in a different way, and I look forward to what is next.”

The move is the next step to continue supporting Preston Troutt, who has stepped into a larger role at the farm alongside his father, Kenny. The senior leadership team will consist of: Duffy, CEO/President; David Hanley, senior vice president of bloodstock, who will continue to play a key role in bloodstock decisions; Dr. Natanya Nieman, general manager; and Michael Holmes, CFO.

Duffy began his career in nomination sales with Darley America. Duffy first joined the WinStar team in 2011 when he spent two years as stallion seasons director. His home country of Ireland beckoned, however, and he was hired by Godolphin as its general manager. A return to Kentucky came in 2018, when Duffy assumed the role of farm manager at Stonerside and Raceland Farms prior to his most recent role as CEO of Modon Equestrian in Abu Dhabi, where he was focused on the development of equestrian lifestyle communities.

“What my father, Elliott, and the entire WinStar team have built over the last 25 years is truly remarkable,” said Preston Troutt. “Elliott's leadership has positioned WinStar as one of the premier operations in the industry, and we are deeply grateful for his commitment. As Gerry steps into an expanded leadership role, I have tremendous confidence in what lies ahead. With the team we have in place and the strength of our current roster, WinStar is exceptionally well positioned for the future. I couldn't be more excited about what the next 25 years will bring.”

The post WinStar Farm Tabs Gerry Duffy as Next CEO/President, Elliott Walden to Step Down appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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.

Thomas Hudnut and Damascus Castellanos have been reappointed to the California Horse Racing Board by governor Gavin Newsom.

Porter on Pedigrees

Industry Voices: A 6th Circuit decision involving the Interstate Horse Racing Act could have wide-ranging impact beyond Michigan on regulators, horsemen, and purses.

For the third consecutive year, Bruno Schickedanz topped North American owners by victories with his stable accumulating 151 wins from 1,138 starts in 2025. Godolphin reigned supreme, topping the owner charts by earnings for the fifth year.

Gainesway's Charge It, a son of Tapit, is represented by a colt born at Machmer Hall and a filly born at Darby Dan Farm.

Three Chimneys Farm's homebred Ottinho, a half brother to 2017 Horse of the Year and leading sire Gun Runner, scored in a maiden special weight Dec. 31 at Aqueduct Racetrack. The son of Quality Road prevailed by a head over stablemate Hadrian's Wall.

The online portion of Thoroughbred Charities of America's (TCA) annual Stallion Season Auction presented by the Goodman Family is underway and runs through Friday, Jan. 9, with staggered closing times starting at 4 p.m. ET., the non-profit said via a release on Wednesday.

The TCA's largest fundraiser during the year includes 175 seasons with sires such as Army Mule (by Friesian Fire), Life is Good (by Into Mischief), Flightline (Tapit), and McKinzie (Street Sense) all available for online bidding on Salering.net. The majority of seasons will sell 'no guarantee' however a few will be offered with a 2027 breed back.

A silent auction will also be in the offing.

For a full list of seasons click here and for tickets to the event click here.

The post TCA Annual Stallion Season Auction Off And Running appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Every week, the TDN posts a roundup of the relevant Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) related rulings from around the country.

The following rulings were reported on HISA's “rulings” portal and through the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit's (HIWU) “pending” and “resolved” cases portals.

Among this week's rulings, trainer Jose R. Gonzalez has been suspended 18-months and fined $12,500 as a result of his trainee Discovery N Sight testing positive for the banned bronchodilator Albuterol from an out-of-competition hair sample collected on July 23. His suspension began on January 3.

Other than that the hair sample was collected from Discovery N Sight at Albuquerque Downs at Albuquerque, New Mexico, the case resolution contains few other details.

Though classed a banned substance, Albuterol is permitted only if given as an inhaled bronchodilator, and only if prescribed by a licensed veterinarian in the context of a valid veterinarian-patient-client relationship, according to HISA rules.

As per Equibase, Gonzalez has been training since 2005. He has 441 wins to his name from 3,080 starts.

Resolved ADMC Violations
Dates: 01/06/2026
Licensee: Blaine Wright, trainer
Penalty: 7-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on January 7, 2026; Disqualification of Covered Horses' Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $1,000; imposition of 2 Penalty Points. The following cases treated as one violation. Admission.
Explainer: Medication violations for the presence of Cannabidiol (CBD)–a class B controlled substance–in samples taken from Mr. Executive, who won at Emerald Downs on 8/16/25; from Si That Tiger, who finished second in the Muckleshoot Derby Presented by 1/ST Bet Stakes at Emerald Downs on 8/17/25; and from Clovisconnection, who finished second in the Longacres Mile S. Presented by 1/ST Bet Stakes at Emerald Downs on 8/17/25.

Dates: 01/05/2026
Licensee: Hugo Andrade, trainer
Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Final decision of HIWU.
Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Dexamethasone–a class C controlled substance–in a sample taken from Outkissed, who finished sixth at Mahoning Valley on 11/11/25.

Dates: 01/05/2026
Licensee: Vladimir Ceron, trainer
Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Final decision of HIWU.
Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Betamethasone–a class C controlled substance–in a sample taken from Doncic, who won at Santa Anita on 10/3/25.

Dates: 01/02/2026
Licensee: George Lopez, trainer
Penalty: A written Reprimand (per 9/26/23 HISA Guidance); a fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Admission.
Explainer: Vets' list medication violation for the presence of Omeprazole and Methocarbamol–both class C controlled substances–in a sample taken from Tiz Lissett on 11/26/25.

Dates: 01/02/2026
Licensee: Kieron Magee, trainer
Penalty: 7-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on January 3, 2026; Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $1,000; imposition of 2 Penalty Points. Admission.
Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Acepromazine–a class B controlled substance–in a sample taken from Neolithica, who won at Laurel Park on 10/11/25.

Dates: 01/02/2026
Licensee: Randy Lee Morse, trainer
Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Admission.
Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Methocarbamol–a class C controlled substance–in a sample taken from Allequin Summer, who finished sixth at Keeneland on 10/15/25.

Dates: 01/02/2026
Licensee: Jose Roberto Gonzalez Sr., trainer
Penalty: 18-month period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on January 3, 2026; 60-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Horse, beginning on July 23, 2025; a fine of $12,500. Admission.
Explainer: Vets' list medication violations for the presence of Albuterol–a banned bronchodilator–in a sample taken from Discovery N Sight on 7/23/25.

Pending ADMC Violations

01/06/2026, Matthew P. Sims, trainer: Pending vets' list medication violation for the presence of Dexamethasone–a class C controlled substance–in a sample taken from Le Bien Le Mal, who finished fifth at Turfway Park on 12/4/25.

01/06/2026, Steve Davis, trainer: Pending vets' list medication violation for the presence of Flunixin–a class C controlled substance–in a sample taken from Diamonds R Lucky on 12/2/25.

01/05/2026, Anna Decker, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Methamphetamine–a banned substance–in a sample taken from Long Shorts, who finished seventh at Mahoning Valley on 11/10/25.

01/02/2026, Louis Linder, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Gabapentin and Tramadol–both class B controlled substances–in a sample taken from Yorkville, who finished third at Penn National on 11/19/25.

01/02/2026, Charles Frock, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Gabapentin–a class B controlled substance–in a sample taken from Bond's Belle, who finished second at Laurel Park on 11/16/25.

Violations of Crop Rule
Turf Paradise
Blake Nunnally– violation date January 1; $250 fine, one-day suspension

Oaklawn Park
Johan Roberto Rosado–violation date January 1; $250 fine, no other information

The post Weekly National Rulings Jan. 1-7; Jose R. Gonzalez Suspended 18 Months appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Global Tote, in partnership with the Monmouth Park racetrack, has launched of a new multi-state–and soon-to-be national–Advance Deposit Wagering (ADW) platform called MonmouthBets, according to a press release from BetMakers Technology on Wednesday.

Live and available in 12 states, the new ADW was designed with both casual fans and experienced bettors in mind, and is a site that delivers a modern, intuitive wagering experience supported by industry-leading technology.

Packed with high-quality professional data, including ratings, race comments, individual runner insights, speed maps and free past performances, these tools–previously accessible mainly to sophisticated bettors–are now available free to the broader wagering public.

The platform is currently live in Alabama, Delaware, Florida, Kansas, Louisiana, New Hampshire, Ohio, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Wisconsin and Wyoming, with additional states expected to come online regularly as the rollout continues toward a national footprint.

Customers in eligible states can sign-up and receive a 50% bonus in free bets, up to $200, along with a range of additional promotions planned as the platform continues to evolve.

“We are excited to launch the MonmouthBets brand and give horseplayers across the country more choice, a new technology platform, and greater exposure for the sport of racing,” said Dennis Drazin, CEO of Darby Development, operator of Monmouth Park. “Our partnership with Global Tote and the launch of this new platform represent our commitment to innovation and to delivering the best possible experience for our customers.”

Click here to learn more and access the site's features.

The post Global Tote, Monmouth Park Launch New ADW appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Coinciding with the United States of America's national celebration of the 250 th 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. The presenting sponsor is Adirondack Trust Co. The exhibition will be open through December.

The exhibition opens Saturday, Jan. 10 in the Museum's Link Gallery.

Racing at the Dawn of the United States explores the foundation of thoroughbred racing in America from the colonial period to the emergence of the United States as a new republic in the early 19 th century. The exhibition will invite visitors to learn about the early history of the sport, highlighting key figures, racecourses, and horses of the time. It will feature selections from the Museum's collection in addition to loans from Keeneland Library and other collections.

Some of the exhibition's highlights include:

• A letter referencing a horse race from 1793
• Portraits of notable pioneering racing figures Tregonwell Frampton, Samuel Ogle, and John Tayloe III
• A painting of 20-year-old American Eclipse by Edward Troye
• An advertisement for the sire Bold Briton from 1797
• A selection of early racing trophies, prints, sporting journals, and Revolutionary War items

The Musuem will also offer a behind-the-scenes tour of the exhibit, hosted by the Museum's curator Jessica Cloer, which will be held Wednesday, Jan. 14 at 5:30 p.m. Cloer will detail the process of how the new exhibition was researched and designed to celebrate the nation's 250th anniversary through the lens of racing's roots in America.

For tickets, click here. Tickets are free to all members.

 

The post Racing at the Dawn of The United States Exhibition to Open Jan. 10 at the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.