Arthur Hancock’s recently published “Dark Horses: A Memoir of Redemption” is a finalist for the 19th Dr. Tony Ryan Book Award. The award was established by businessman and philanthropist Dr. Tony Ryan in 2006 as the Castleton Lyons/Thoroughbred Times award. Dr. Ryan passed away a year later, and his son Shane changed the name of the award to honor his father and has continued to carry on the tradition.
Category Archives: Farm
Favored COMPORT Wins Ellis Park Juvenile Stakes
COMPORT earned his first black-type win in the Ellis Park Juvenile Stakes on Aug. 10. Sent off the heavy favorite in the seven-furlong race, COMPORT ran just off the pace, challenged the leader in the turn, then pulled away to win by a comfortable two lengths. A debut winner also at Ellis, COMPORT placed in the Bashford Manor S. at Churchill Downs in June in his previous start.
Recap of The Saratoga Sale Features Stone Farm Yearlings
Eclipse Award-winning writer Jay Hovdey interviewed Arthur Hancock about the optimistic outlook surrounding horse racing in his recap of The Saratoga Sale for BloodHorse. The article also highlighted the two outstanding individuals sold at that sale in the Stone Farm consignment.
Arthur Hancock Profiled in Kentucky Living Feature
Arthur Hancock was recently profiled in Kentucky Living by Campbell Wood. The article addresses Hancock’s success in the Thoroughbred industry, his interests in the music industry, and his memoir Dark Horses: A Story of Redemption.
Colt by Gun Runner Tops Session at The Saratoga Sale
The top-priced colt on the first day of the recently concluded Saratoga Sale was a son of Champion Gun Runner and was raised and sold by Stone Farm for breeder Bobby Flay. The colt brought a final bid of $2.7 million and was purchased by Winchell Thoroughbreds, who also raced his sire.
LITIGATION Posts Third Consecutive Win
LITIGATION broke his maiden going 5 1/2-furlongs on the dirt by 3 1/2 lengths in late at Churchill Downs. He came back to win an allowance race Ellis Park by the same margin after an awkward start, then on Aug. 4 posted his third Straight win coming from off the pace to take the win at the wire by a nose. His time for the 5 1/5 furlongs was 1.26, three-fifths off the track record.
Arthur Hancock Inducted Into Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame
Arthur Hancock III was inducted as a Pillar of the Turf into the The National Museum of Racing’s Hall of Fame in Saratoga Springs, NY, on Friday, August 1st. The Pillar of the Turf catagory was established in 2013 to recognize non-athletes in Racing’s Hall of Fame to honor individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to Thoroughbred racing. To be considered candidates must be deemed to have represented the sport with indisputable standards of integrity and commitment, through breeding, ownership, innovation, philanthropy, promotion or education.
SHE FEELS PRETTY and PARCHMENT PARTY Post Headline Wins at Belmont Stakes Racing Festival
One day after DONEGAL MOMENTUN won the $300,000 Poker S.-g3 by daylight (see previous post for details), Pin Oak Stud’s PARCHMENT PARTY scored a definitive victory in the $250,000 Belmont Gold Cup S. Two races later, Lael Stables’ SHE FEELS PRETTY dug in for a win in the $75,000 New York S.-G1, and ALL three stakes winners were foaled and raised at Stone Farm.
DONEGAL MOMENTUM Posts First Graded Stakes Win
Donegal Racing’s DONEGAL MOMENTUM pulled away at the quarter pole to earn his first Graded stakes win in the $300,000 Poker S.-G3 on the turf at Saratoga on June 5th. The 4-year-old son of Uncle Mo broke from the outside post, found his stride quickly and took the lead down the backstretch. He excellerated through the turn and scored a comfortable 1 3/4-length win in the one mile race.
CRUDO Impressive in Sir Barton Stakes on Preakness Undercard
Trainer Todd Pletcher admitted he had been looking forward to seeing how 3-year-old CRUDO performed when he had a two-turn opportunity, and the son Justify demonstrated that he was completely comfortable. CRUDO finished fourth in his February debut at Gulfstream after a troubled trip, then came back at Keeneland to win a seven-furlong maiden special by 7 1/4 lengths. Jumped into stakes company in the Sir Barton S. on the Preakness undercard, CRUDO broke alertly to take then lead, maintained that advantage throughout the 1 1/16th-mile race, then drew away in the stretch to win by 7 1/2 lengths.