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outstanding and wonderful individuals who were members of the board of the Horsemen’s Quarter Horse Racing Association in the early 1970s. As such, the tradition and history of this race as the best in Quarter Horse racing is very important to me and to all of us at Los Alamitos Race Course.” Held since 1972, the Champion of Champions is for three-year-old and older horses and has been the most impactful race in determining the World Champion title, with
31 of the 50 Champion of Champion winners becoming World Champions.
Jockeys and Jeans Elects New Officers
With the retirement of President Barry Pearl, the Jockey and Jeans committee has elected new officers, refilled vacant task assignments, and is planning its Eighth Stallion Season Sale with negotiations at several tracks on
hosting its 10th annual fundraising event. The last event at Caesars Palace on June 24 raised a record of $427,000, bringing the total raised for the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund to $3.6 million. The group made Corey Johnsen its newest Ambassador. The long-time donor, track owner and manager, will provide advice to the committee and continue to advocate for the cause of aiding disabled former jockeys. He joins Brian Elmore, Executive Director of the Indiana Horsemen’s Benevolent & Protective Association, and Joe Morris, Vice President of Racing for Caesars Entertainment, as the three non-jockey Ambassadors. Randy Sampson, CEO and Board Chairman of Canterbury Park, will serve as a committee member. Vice President Dr. Eddie Donnally will serve as Interim President. He was one of five former jockeys who founded the group, and he named it Jockeys and Jeans and decided to turn it into a fundraiser for Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund. He is looking for his replacement as president. Maureen Brown becomes Vice President of Operations and will assist with the day-to-day tasks. Kenny Katz oversaw the event’s
auctions and became the head of Relationships with Hall of Fame Riders. “The PDJF has enjoyed working with the Jockeys and Jeans Committee since the first event at Tampa Bay Downs and watching the efforts of this group grow,” said PDJF Director Nancy LaSala. “The success over the years is driven by the passion and support of so many who donate their time and talent to celebrate and raise awareness
of permanently disabled jockeys.” For more information contact Eddie Donnally at (818) 653-3711, edjockeysandjeans@gmail.com, or Maureen Brown (352) 318-2118, maureen.jockeysandjeans@gmail.com.
Turf Paradise To Run In 2024
According to the Paulick Report, Turf Paradise racetrack issued a press release saying
the Arizona Racing Commission on Dec. 5 unanimously approved its request for a race meet in 2024. The Phoenix track announced it will host a 57-day live meet running from Jan. 29 through May 4, ending months of uncertainty over whether live racing would continue at Turf Paradise. The press release did not reference the proposed purchase of Turf Paradise by Richard Moore and Frank Nickens, who emerged as potential buyers after a previous deal to sell the racetrack property to a developer fell through. A signed contract between Turf Paradise and the Arizona Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association (AzHBPA) listed a four-day-a-week live schedule running Monday through Thursday. Horses will be allowed into the stable area Dec. 18 with training beginning Dec. 26.
Paul Martin Inducted Into Indiana Horse Racing Association Hall of Fame
Longtime President of the Quarter Horse Racing Association of Indiana (QHRAI), Paul Martin was recently inducted into the Indiana Horse Racing Association Hall of Fame. Paul died in May of 2023, and Chris Duke stepped into the role of President of the QHRAI. The
ceremony was held at Harrah’s Hoosier Park, and his wife Julie, daughter Shawna, and son Tyler were in attendance. There was an unveiling of a portrait of Paul, which will join the IHRA Hall of Fame display at Horseshoe Indianapolis. Paul was the 22nd individual inducted into the prestigious group. Paul was also inducted into the QHRAI Hall of Fame and received multiple awards during his career as a salesman for his work
with Sumitomo Corporation before retiring and committing all his time to Quarter Horse racing. Paul was drawn to the Quarter Horse breed through the barrel circuit and saddled his first racehorse in 2000. He campaigned several of the state’s top horses, including WH Design by Dash who is ranked fifth all-time on the list of leading Indiana breds. “Paul was so important to our Quarter Horse racing industry and did so much behind the scenes to ensure the sport continued to grow and flourish,” said Eric Halstrom, Vice President and General Manager of Racing at Horseshoe Indianapolis. “He was the driving force behind bringing the Bank of America Challenge Championships to Indiana in 2022. Paul worked tirelessly for the sport, and his efforts will be felt in this state for many years to come.”
Wyoming Sets 2024 Live Race Dates
The Wyoming Gaming Commission met on Nov. 2 and approved the state’s live race dates for 2024. Energy Downs will race from May
25 through June 30; Wyoming Downs will race from June 8 through Aug. 11; and Sweetwater Downs will race from Aug. 17 through Sept. 29.
Four Sixes Ranch Introduces Nutriments
On Nov. 6, Four Sixes Ranch announced the official release of Four Sixes Ranch Nutriments, a line of equine supplements designed to provide ranch horses, performance horses, racehorses, and trail horses with the nutrition they need to excel in their respective disciplines. The line includes a blend of natural ingredients formulated for horses of any age with nutrition
NEWS BRIEFS
Prized Wagon
Prized Wagon SI 98 (PYC Paint Your Wagon-First Prize Honey, Mr Jess Perry) will stand the 2024 season at Wright Farms in Coweta, Oklahoma for a fee of $1,500 with considerations for approved mares. Prized Wagon won or placed in 10 of 16 career starts and earned $198,936 with five wins and a second in the Black Gold 350 Futurity, a third in the Iowa Double Gold Derby and as a finalist in the Heritage Place Futurity-G1 and Hialeah Derby. Prized Wagon is the sire of three blacktype winners with over $1 million in earnings from limited starters, with his top money earner being Evangeline Downs Futurity-G3 and Jack Brooks Stakes-G3 winner RGS Gold Wagon with $293,105 banked. Owned by Chris Watson and Darrel Edwards, Prized Wagon has sired 30 winners with average earnings per starter of more than $23,600.
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