Page 6 - December 2006 The Game

6 The Game, December 2006 Canada’s Thoroughbred Racing Newspaper
Strange Pair at the Wire?
They weren’t quite naked, but there were a few things missing when apprentice jockey Matt Moore guided Arden Belle to victory in the 7th race at Woodbine on November 4. It was the first win in 11 starts for the D.J. Campbell trained filly who runs for the Salt and Pepper Stable. Because Moore was riding in just his third lifetime pari-mutuel event, he was doing so without the benefit of a whip and Arden Belle is one of the very few racehorses who runs without shoes. No one at Woodbine that day was able to recall a previous occasion when a whipless jockey had won on a shoeless horse.
The stretch run was a bit of an eye-opener. Jockey Todd Kabel, nestled tightly into the curve of Song of the Lark‘s neck, seemed to have the race wrapped up with the favourite, but Arden Belle came barreling up in the middle of the track, with Moore very high in the saddle, practically standing straight up, using both arms in an animated style to urge the horse to its win.
“I was just trying to get to the finish line,” said the
native of Prince Edward Island in a shy, understated fashion. As for the unconventional demonstration of race riding, the 5’7” Moore indicated that, without the whip, he had to create a persuasive strategy.
“I guess I was just compensating for no whip,” he said with a shrug.
Apprentice jockeys are not allowed to carry a whip for their first five races. Moore has now satisfied that quota and brings a stick with him for all his mounts.
There is an ongoing argument about the wisdom of shoeing racehorses. Anne Riddell operates www.barefoothorsecanada.com, which provides material and information about the possible harm to horses from shoeing. According to Riddell, some of the unpleasant consequences of shoes include:
1. Impaired nerve function – the horse’s feet and legs are virtually asleep.
2. Impairs development of the digital cushion and lateral cartilage.
3. Alters hoof temperatures, which in turn puts more stress on the horse’s system and causes tissue necrosis.
4. Causes Raynaud’s Syndrome from the vibration of the nails.
5. Causes severe corium damage and impairs coffin bone development, especially in young horses.
www.barefoothorsecanada.com offers a lot of information about shoeing and trimming and is associated with the American Association of Natural Hoof care Practitioners – www.aanhcp.org.
Equipus Racing Stable
Diana Feuerhelm Thoroughbred Trainer
403-463-7980 • Olds, Alberta geo_diana@hotmail.com
Did You Know....
That Champion mare, Personal Ensign has been pensioned by the Phipps family stating that her age (22) is the reason. Personal Ensign produced a foal, by Forest Wildcat on April 2 of this year, which will be the last of ten foals she has produced as a broodmare. In 1996, she was Broodmare of the Year when her offspring, My Flag, was the winner of three Group 1
races. Her first foal was G1 winner, Miner’s Mark, her second foal was multiple stakes placed winner, Our Emblem (the sire of champion War Emblem). Her third foal, My Flag won four G1 Stakes in 1995 and ‘96 and has gone on herself to produce 2002 champion 2-year-old filly, Storm Flag Flying. Her third G1 winner was Traditionally, a full brother to both Miner’s Mark and Our Emblem (Mr. Prospector). All eight of her horses of racing age are winners with a yearling, Baronial, by Kingmambo, getting ready to follow the winning tradition.
• 2006 Yearling Breaking
• Post Racing Re-Sale • 2-yr-olds in Training For Sale
STATE OF THE ART FACILITIES:
• 1/2 Mile Track • 2 Indoor Arenas • Outdoor Arena • 67 Box Stalls • On-Site Vet & Farrier
$800/month including Board plus Stalls available for outside trainers
So Many to Thank,
So Little Space...
There could never be enough space to show how big our appreciation is for the compassion and vision of all the people who have provided funding for our gallant thoroughbreds to have an enjoyable life after racing.
The horses and people at LongRun Thoroughbred Retirement Society would also like to extend their sincere gratitude
to the sponsors, donors, volunteers and attendees
who made our second annual Gala so successful.
We Look Forward to Your Support and Participation Next Year!
Best Wishes for a Joyful Holiday Season
& Wishing Everyone a Safe & Happy Home in 2007!
Dedicated To Providing Our Thoroughbred Athletes With A Dignified And Loving Retirement
LongRun Thoroughbred Retirement Society www.longrunretirement.com
P.O. Box 156 • 555 Rexdale Blvd., Rexdale, Ontario M9W 5L2 • Tel: 416-675-3993 ext. 3440