Page 56 - January 2017

2016 A YEAR IN REVIEW
January 7
Dasha Freda (Mr Jess Perry-Fearless Freda, Dash For Cash) became the 49th mare to be named an AQHA Dam of Distinction. Bred by Robert Gentry and owned by S-Quarter K, LLC, Dasha Freda ($111,741) is the dam of earners of more that $2.7 million, including World Champion Heza Dasha Fire. Dasha Freda, at 14, is the third-youngest to earn the award and is among the mares with the fewest number of starters with only six. Dasha Freda and her dam, Fearless Freda, are only the 4th mother-daughter pair to earn the award.
January 10
Sunland Park officials suspended live racing for 14 days due to an outbreak of EHV-1, an Equine Herpes Virus. No strain of EHV is transmissible to humans, but this particular strain can cause severe neurological problems in horses. The virus is passed through direct contact from horse to horse or indirectly via humans or inanimate objects. The New Mexico Livestock Board & New Mexico Racing Commission worked with Sunland Park officials to ensure the virus was limited
to the few horses confirmed positive, and government regulatory measures were taken to control the spread of the virus.
January 13
Several tracks were dealing with an EHV-1 threat after a horse that was suspected of having colic instead tested positive for Equine Herpesvirus Myeloencephalopathy (EHM) at Sunland Park. The affected racehorse was claimed on Jan. 9, thus entering a new barn and possibly spreading the virus. Statements were issued from Sunland Park, Retama Park, Turf Paradise and Remington Park, but others tracks have new policies due to the outbreak in order to contain the spread of the potentially fatal virus and to protect the health of the equine population. Trainers and horse haulers were urged to take extreme caution when transporting horses and to properly disinfect and sanitize their trailers if there was any chance they may have transported an exposed horse. Owners and trainers were urged to contact individual tracks regarding their protocols, policies and procedures.
January
January 7
Attorneys for the Texas Horsemen’s Partnership, LLP (THP) filed an “Original Petition for Declaratory Judgment and Application
for Temporary and Permanent Injunction”
in the District Court of Travis County, Texas, against Glen Hegar in
his official capacity as Comptroller of Public Accounts for the State of Texas. The THP requested a judgment from the District Court of Travis County declaring Rider
7 unconstitutional. Rider 7 is a Legislative Budget Board appropriations rider that limits funding of the Texas Racing Commission (TRC).
January 16
Turf Paradise in Phoenix, Arizona, commemorated 60 years of racing with a “Birthday Party”. Fans gathered at the track for free umbrellas, a kid’s fun park, free birthday cake, and more. When Turf Paradise opened its doors in 1956, the surrounding area was dirt roads and desert. The Arizona track is the first sports franchise in the state with one of the longest racing seasons in the United States thanks to Arizona’s great weather. General Manager Vince Francia said, “After 60 years in Arizona, it’s safe to say we’re more than just a fad. As loyal fans and those new to horseracing continue to come to Turf Paradise, we expect to be around for at least another 60 years.”
January 16
One of the greatest barrel horses
of all time, Firewater Fiesta,
passed away. Firewater Fiesta
(Fire Water Flit-Mighty Mindy)
was a Christmas gift to Kelly
Yates from her parents in 1999
and the pair went on to win over
$800,000. The 1994 gray mare
was a 2-Time AQHA Barrel
Horse of the Year, WPRA Reserve World Champion, and qualified to the National Finals Rodeo three times. Retired at the age of 9 after sustaining a career ending injury, Firewater Fiesta went on to become a successful broodmare. In her final days, Firewater Fiesta was owned by Gilmar Garcia, Victor Costa and Wilson Dosso.
January 20
Champion owners Sharon, Rhonda Rae and Dawn List of Double Bar S Ranch, LLC joined 13-time Champion Breeder Ed Allred, leading breeder Dr. Steve Burns DVM, and leading breeder John Andreini as partners for the 2016 Los Alamitos Equine Sale. The Los Alamitos Equine Sale
is widely regarded as one of the nation’s top Quarter Horse sales. Double Bar S Ranch has started over 2,000 horses resulting in earnings of $7.5 million at Los Alamitos since 1998 and stands Carters Cartel and Tac It Like
A Man at Lazy E Ranch in Guthrie, Oklahoma.
54 SPEEDHORSE, January 2017