Page 10 - June 2005 The Game

10 The Game, June 2005 Your Thoroughbred Racing Community Newspaper
Hastings HorsemenTravel to Dubai
by Jackie Humber
So how does a group of horsepeople from Hastings end up in the middle of the desert in Dubai, where they were entertained by belly- dancers and traditional singers while feasting on the foods of the world? Well, it was thanks to Jane Foxwell and a little bit of the luck of the Irish.
The “Hastings group” at a restaurant in Dubai in March 2005.
Back row from left: Sal Mohammed, Gary Powys-libbe, Eleanor VandenBorn, & Dr. Mario Trillo - Front row: Margureite Powys-libbe and Jane Foxwell
Jane Foxwell is a
horseowner from Hastings
racecourse that helped
organize the 12 day trip for herself and six other horsemen to travel to Dubai to witness the richest race in the world; The Dubai World Cup.
The Hastings group included Dr. Mario Trillo, a veterinarian from Hastings, horse- owners Gary and Margureite Powys-libbe, Sal Mohammed, breeder and horseowner Eric Kropenhoffer, Eleanor VandenBorn and Jane Foxwell.
Once in Dubai the group joined a 40 member Irish club which travels the globe attending prestigious races. This is the second trip for Foxwell.
"I went three years ago with the Irish group and I had a lot of fun. I'm going to try to go once every three years now.” said Foxwell.
The Dubai World Cup is the world’s richest race with a purse of $6 million dollars. This year marks the 10th running of the race. The inaugural winner was the legendary American horse, Cigar.
Apart from attending the race, the group had quite an adventurous time in Dubai.
Luck was on their side when the Irish group arranged a tour of Sheik Hamads stable. He is the younger brother of Sheik Maktoum of Godolphin Racing. Everyone was impressed with the grand facilities and horses.
"It reeks of class. I was impressed with the way the foreman inspects every horse before it went out to train", said Hastings member Mohammed. Foxwell was more impressed with the immaculate condition of the tack rooms. "The stalls are so large and in the tack rooms, every bridle was lined up in a straight row with all the buckles shining. Even the stirrups were shining. The barns are so luxurious. It was amazing", exclaimed Foxwell.
Dr. Trillo mainly enjoyed the horses. "I was very impressed with the parade of well-bred expensive horses that competed in all the races", he said.
Foxwell also noted that each horse in the barn has four or five grooms to tend to their every need.
During the trip both groups toured the famous ‘hotel made of gold’. The hotel is not open to foreigners however because the manager was from Galway Ireland, the Irish group (including the Hastings group) were allowed to tour the grand hotel.
Most of the group members agreed that the highlight of the trip had to be the Night in the Desert event. Two hundred people were invited by Sheik Maktoum to spend a night in the desert. Under a group of large tents the guests were entertained by belly-dancers and traditional music which was sung by children. They feasted on foods from around the world and drank all the wine they wanted.
"It was fantastic. All the food I could eat and all the wine I could drink", said Mohammed. Foxwell also enjoyed herself. "It was one big event after the other.” said Foxwell.
To top off the adventure, the group was in attendance at Nad Al Sheba racetrack when the American horse, Roses in May, picked up the winning purse of $3.6 million dollars for winning the Dubai World Cup.
Recently published in The Thoroughbred Times, Owner Ken Ramsey confirmed that he sold a majority interest of Roses in May to a Japanese entity and Roses in May will stand stud in Japan starting in 2006.
The Hastings group hopes to return to Dubai for more adventures in the future.
Great Pay Day for Jim a.k.a. Giacomo
When Jim Ellis saw the name Giacomo in the line-up for the 2005 running of the Kentucky Derby, it made him think of an old school teacher of his who had fought in the war and was one of 10 Scotsman who learned to speak the Italian language. Jim was always interested in history and found his teacher’s stories fascinating and asked what his own name was in Italian, the teacher replied “Giacomo”.
Known as Jimmy the Roofer on the backstretch at Woodbine, Jim was not one to make a sentimental bet, so he scoured the Form looking for a reason why he should not bet his namesake. After looking at all the other candidates Jim said, “this horse shouldn’t be 50-1. He is by Holy Bull and with Mike Smith aboard, he should come into this race and probably run the best race of his life!”
And that he did.
Giacomo won the 2005 Kentucky Derby and Jim had made quite a substantial bet however there was only one problem....Twenty minutes before the race Jim realized that he had misplaced the ticket he had purchased earlier in the day. He approached the mutuel clerk to explain his plight and with the help of Head Mutuel Clerk
Pamela they traced the initial bet and locked it in the system before the race letting Jim know that if the horse came in his bet would stand.
The winning bet was worth $68,000 and thanks to the amazing system at Woodbine Jim will be receiving his payout within three months.
Jim, who is a single father of two children, currently works for trainer Laurie Silvera helping out in the barn before going off to work at his own roofing business. With the money he plans to pay off some of his mortgage and debts and take the kids to Florida.
Jim says that he is not a big gambler however he is always looking for a live longshot, “You can do well if you pick the right horse.” says Jim, who proved that sentimental bets are sometimes worth the gamble.
Jimmy
“the Roofer” Ellis wanted to thank everyone who helped and everyone who cheered for him after winning big with his bet on Giacomo in the Kentucky Derby.
How do you think Jesus would fit in with the average racetrack's backstretch? First of all, it depends on your image of Jesus. Many people have a picture of Jesus as a sort of holy man, walking around in solemn fashion, full of wisdom with flowing robes and hair. Check out most portrayals of Jesus in churches, books or bibles, and you'll see a very North American Christ with blue eyes and long brown hair. As Mark Twain said, "God created us in His image and we have returned the favour."
Fact is, Jesus would be right at home on a backstretch. At least twice in the bible He is mentioned as to have ridden horses. (One was an unbroken yearling- maybe he should be breaking colts this fall!). He walked in parts of the country that most people wouldn't, so I don't think He'd mind manure on His sandals.
During Jesus' time on earth, He was accused of many things. Some thought was supposed to be the warrior leader to save the nation of Israel against their
oppressors. Others felt He was the prophet Elijah. Fact is, He was a man of the people and He liked nothing better than hanging out and eating with working men and women. Because of this, He was accused of being a glutton and a drunk for eating with tax collectors and sinners (Matthew 11:19 and Luke 7:34). He hardly fit with what people thought the Messiah should be.
This summer, we want to follow Jesus' example by hosting Tuesday Night Bar-B-Q's. Instead of Chapel, we want to enjoy the summer evenings the way we think Jesus would- with music, food and people. In June, July and August we will devote the 14th, 12th and 9th to an opportunity to enjoy the weather and one another's company. They will be on the patio outside the kitchen or in the parking
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lot outside the rec room. Hope to see you there.
One more thing: hopefully by press time, the Chaplaincy will have an office above the kitchen, in the same area as Long Run and the Fire Marshall. Thank you WEG.
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