Page 70 - Speedhorse November 2019

The first weekend of October had finally arrived. It was the date we had agreed upon with the Hipodromo de la Punta (San Luis Province) to perform test runs to see the response from breeders, owners, trainers and audience.
It was a success beyond our imagination, and it even surprised the racetrack organizer.
On Oct. 4, a total of 22 colts and fillies born in 2017 arrived to be auctioned on Oct. 6; eight horses to run the Generation 2016 Presentation Stakes; and five horses to run the Criadores Argentinos de Caballos Cuarto de Milla stakes for horses aged 3 years and older.
On Oct. 5, a meeting was held with the racetrack authorities about the continuity and plans for 2020 and beyond. Breeders and owners showed up en masse to be a part of this project, committing themselves to fair play, animal welfare, a nomination program and a huge compromise from all parties involved, among other things. It was shocking to see what a little bit of pampering and interest in the affairs can do to improve the goodwill of everyone involved.
At 4 p.m., early comers got to see the 22 horses that would be auctioned the next day.
At 9 p.m., all were summoned by the racetrack authorities for the breeders and owners welcome dinner.
Oct. 6 was the big day. At noon, the auction started. There was a record attendance, tripling that of the more traditional Thoroughbred auctions. That’s when it started to sink in, not only for us, but for the organizers, that the event was going to be bigger than expected.
CACCM President Ignacio “Nacho” de Mendiguren
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Quarter Horse Racing
by Ignacio “Nacho
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The Hipodromo de la Punta hosted a test event with Quarter Horse races and a horse sale to estimate response from breeders, owners, trainers and fans of the sport. Record crowds showed up.
68 SPEEDHORSE, November 2019