by Jonathan Horowitz|01.30.202301.30.2023|1:10pm1:27pm Horowitz On OTTBs Presented by Excel Equine: Grand Lily’s Retirement Plans Pay Off For Her And Her Racing Connections Racehorse trainers will be part of many decisions in their horses’ careers. Dirt or turf. Sprint or route. Put on blinkers or take them off. Trainer Linda Loftin was part of the two biggest decisions someone in racing can make for a horse’s welfare when it comes to Grand Lily. — Number one: when to […]
by Jonathan Horowitz|12.29.2022|10:45am Horowitz On OTTBs Presented by Excel Equine: Finding New Messages For Helping Retired Racehorses If there’s one thing that’s predictable when it comes to horses, it’s that they’re unpredictable. And, that’s a big part of their intrigue and attraction. In 2022, a year when crowds returned to racetracks at full capacity, an 80-1 longshot won the Kentucky Derby and a once-in-a-generation star emerged that was worthy enough to be […]
by Jonathan Horowitz|12.07.202212.07.2022|12:00pm2:30pm Commentary: The Problem With … The Promotion Of The Triple Crown Editor’s Note: This is the latest in a series of commentaries, all of which will begin under the premise of “The problem with …” Rather than to complain, however, as the introductory phrase might suggest, the purpose of these articles is to present the big picture of a major racing issue and create a dialogue […]
by Jonathan Horowitz|11.29.202211.29.2022|1:53pm1:55pm Horowitz On OTTBs Presented by Excel Equine: Prince Of New York Shows New Potential For Marketing Thoroughbred Stallions When Prince of New York arrived at Morning Line Equestrian in Paris, Ky., in the spring of 2021, his new owners needed to come up with a barn name. Chris and Celia Bennings’ first idea was “Pony,” the first letter of each word in the horse’s name. “We thought that would be cute, but then […]
by Jonathan Horowitz|11.09.2022|5:43pm Commentary: The Problem With … The Race To The Breeding Shed Editor’s Note: This is the first in a series of commentaries, all of which will begin under the premise of “The problem with …” Rather than to complain, however, as the introductory phrase might suggest, the purpose of these articles will be to present the big picture of a major racing issue and create a […]
by Jonathan Horowitz|10.27.202210.28.2022|10:07am11:14am Horowitz On OTTBs Presented by Excel Equine: A Partnership Worthy Of A (Godolphin) Blue Ribbon There are many decisions to be made in the life of a racehorse, with no guarantee that they will work out. When 15-year-old Isabel Wells calmly walked 5-year-old chestnut gelding Hieronymus over to the final obstacle of the competitive trail course during the finale of the 2022 Retired Racehorse Project Thoroughbred Makeover and raised a […]
by Jonathan Horowitz|09.29.2022|11:07am Horowitz On OTTBs, Presented By Excel Equine: OTTBs Inspired Fawcett To Jump Into Racehorse Ownership The Retired Racehorse Project Thoroughbred Makeover has led more people to find their next sporthorse at the racetrack, providing more homes and new careers for OTTBs. It also goes the other way, and the off-track Thoroughbreds are inspiring new people to head to the racetrack. Like Samantha Fawcett, a lifelong equestrian from Ontario, Canada, who […]
by Jonathan Horowitz|09.14.2022|4:17pm Horowitz On OTTBs, Presented By Excel Equine: Lessons Learned From AA Two Face…And Mr. Ed I began this column in January 2020 because my goal was to go from announcing horses to riding them. (See “Horowitz’s Unlikely Journey from Broadcasting to Riding Horses”) Specifically, it was to compete with an off-track Thoroughbred at the Retired Racehorse Project Thoroughbred Makeover. Unfortunately, I did not get to compete in the 2020 Thoroughbred […]
by Jonathan Horowitz|08.27.202208.26.2022|12:36pm12:43pm PET Scans Give Horsemen Insight On When To Run – And When Not To Like most major advancements in horse racing, there was an element of chance that came with the development of one of the most effective technologies for ensuring the safety of racehorses. Although it likely won’t be part of the same lore as the coin flip in 1969 that resulted in Penny Chenery receiving the rights […]
by Jonathan Horowitz|08.21.202208.21.2022|3:47pm7:05pm Horowitz: Until It’s Addressed, Irad Ortiz Jr.’s Riding Style Will Put Horses And Riders In Harm’s Way “Life is good” if you’re Irad Ortiz Jr. The three-time Eclipse Award winner as outstanding jockey has won more races than anyone else in the United States in every year since 2017 and currently has more victories than any other rider in America in 2022. These aren’t just any wins. Through Aug. 20, 11 of […]