Page 164 - November 2015

LQHBA Fall Mixed Sale Results
The Louisiana Quarter Horse Breeders Association Fall Mixed Sale was held Nov.
7 at the Equine Sales Company Pavilion in Opelousas. Total receipts were $556,450 for 147 horses sold, an increase of 62% compared to
82 horses sold last year for $343,600, while the average price was down 10% and the median price increased 5% from 2014. The co-high-sell- ers at $55,000 were: Hip #221, The Louisiana Lassie (Feature Mr Jess-Louisiana Eye Opener, Mr Eye Opener), consigned by the partnership of Jumonville Farms and Burnett Ranch, LLC and purchased by Jumonville Farms; and Hip #169, Shez The Bomb (Heza Fast Dash-Mornin Jess, Mr Jess Perry), consigned by Live Oaks Farms and purchased by Watson Land & Cattle Co. Jumonville Farms and Watson Land & Cattle Co. were the co-leading buyers of the sale. Jumonville Farms, Agent for Jumonville Farms/Burnett Ranch, LLC and Live Oak Farms were the co-leading consignors/agents, each with 1 horse selling for $55,000. The leading sire was Feature Mr Jess with two which sold for $64,200. The leading sire of yearlings was Heza Fast Dash with two selling for an average of $29,000.
Los Alamitos to Host 2016 Challenge Championships
Los Alamitos Race Course will welcome back the Bank of America Challenge Championship races in 2016. It will be the 11th time the Orange County racetrack has hosted this pres- tigious event. The Bank of America Challenge Championships, which offers more than $1 million in purses and prizes on a single night,
is the year-end culmination of the Challenge program. Regional races are held around the world, giving horses qualifying berths to the Challenge Championships. Los Alamitos most recently hosted the event in 2013, and the track holds the record for most frequent host during the Challenge’s 23-year history.
Vessels Stallion Farm Sold
Located in Bonsall, California, Vessels Stallion Farm has been sold to Ocean Breeze LLC and will be renamed Ocean Breeze Farm. Kevin Dickson, who managed the farm for the Vessels family, will remain with the property. The Vessels family founded Los Alamitos Race Course and established the original Vessels Stallion Farm adjacent to the racetrack in
the late 40’s. The facility had been a leading Quarter Horse and Thoroughbred farm, home to many top stallions including First Down Dash and FDD Dynasty. The stallions still at Vessels, however, were relocated after the death of Frank “Scoop” Vessels in 2010. The remain- ing Vessels Quarter Horses were sold at the Heritage Place Fall Mixed Sale.
Pony riders participated in Betting On A Cure For Breast Cancer Night at Los Alamitos
AQHA Racing Challenge Implements Clenbuterol Testing
AQHA will be implementing hair testing for the Association’s Racing Challenge pro- gram, beginning with the 2016 regional quali- fying races and all championship races. The 2016 Challenge Championships will be held at Los Alamitos, which has been at the forefront of hair testing and addressing industry issues with beta-2 agonists, such as clenbuterol, zilpaterol and ractopamine. AQHA, which recommends a 6-month withdrawal time to avoid a positive hair test for clenbuterol, will release specific details regarding hair collection processes and dates with the 2016 Challenge condition book.
Downs at Albuquerque Ends Meet With Increases in Purses, Handle
The Downs at Albuquerque ended their 55-day split meet Sept. 27 with a 20% increase in purses, paying out more than $9.7 million during its 2015 season. Wagering was up 29% over last year. The Downs has also embarked on a renovation project of its grandstand, including a new entrance on the south end, removing the glass from the seating area, enlarging the saddling paddock and winner’s circle, and raising the apron of the grandstand to make it level with the racetrack.
Ivan Carnero AQHA Jockey Of The Month For September
Jockey Ivan Carnero was
named the AQHA/ Jockeys’ Guild Jockey of the Month for September, a month in which his victories included the $3 million
All American
Futurity-G1 aboard
Jess Good Candy.
The jockey made
a total of 34 starts in September with 4 wins and earnings of $1,635,839, making him the leader of all riders in earnings for the month.
Betting On A Cure at Los Alamitos
Betting On A Cure For Breast Cancer Night at the Races with Susan G. Komen was held at Los Alamitos on Oct. 10. The night featured the Pink Ribbon Allowance, won by Ronald Skeen and Fawna Knight’s 4-year-old gelding Front And Center. The pony riders participated in a “Decorate Your Ride” contest, and the starting gate crew supported the event by wearing the Betting On A Cure shirts. The event raised funds to provide crucial breast health services to the medically underserved and uninsured in Los Angeles County.
Los Alamitos Outrider Najduch To Receive White Horse Award
Eric Najduch,
an outrider at Los
Alamitos Race
Course, will be
presented with the
annual White Horse
Award at the Race
Track Chaplaincy
of America’s 13th
annual White Horse
luncheon. On Nov. 2, 2014, 2-year-old Quarter Horse Walk The Dog broke through the gate and bolted into the infield lake. Najduch jumped in after the gelding, who was exhausted and in danger of drowning, and led him to safety. The award recognizes heroism, service and sacrifice on behalf of individuals and horses in the racing world. The Oct. 29 event included a luncheon, music, and a live and silent auction.
Participants Selected for AQHA Youth Racing Experience
Eight youth were selected to attend the National Youth Racing Experience at Lone Star Park during the Bank of American Challenge Championship in November. The participants, who competed for scholarships, were matched with trainers to experience the daily life of a rac- ing barn. They also attended informational ses- sions on various aspects of the industry, visited the starting gate, jockey’s room and test barn, attended a racing committee meeting, and made field trips to nearby equine establishments.
162 SPEEDHORSE, November 2015
news briefs