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45-699: Held annually in late July/early August at the Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, New York , the race is named for the Whitney family , whose members were and remain prominent participants and supporters of the sport of Thoroughbred horse racing . The Whitney Stakes is administered by the New York Racing Association . Named after the family that for generations has had so much to do with racing at Saratoga,

90-725: A Thoroughbred . It must also reside permanently at the yard of a trainer licensed by the BHA or a permit holder. Similarly the horse's owner or owners must be registered as owners. Thoroughbred racing is governed on a state-by-state basis in Australia. Racing NSW administers racing in New South Wales , Racing Victoria is the responsible entity in Victoria , the Brisbane Racing Club was an amalgamation in 2009 of

135-423: A "club or association for the promotion and regulation of horse racing." There are scores of national and regional jockey clubs, also called racing associations, worldwide. In addition to thoroughbreds, jockey clubs may race standardbred horses, Quarter Horses , or Arabians . Racing is governed on an All-Ireland basis, with two bodies sharing organising responsibility. The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board

180-556: A fatal injury during the stretch run of the 1990 Breeders Cup Distaff, is buried in the Saratoga Race Course infield. The Saratoga Race Course is a significant contributor to the Saratoga Springs economy. A 2011 economic analysis of the Saratoga Race Course found that visitors of the race track yielded between $ 39 million and $ 55 million annually in direct spending, and a total (a sum of the direct effects and

225-474: A group of 10 partners organized as Sackatoga Stable, and 2008 Kentucky Derby winner Big Brown, owned by IEAH stables, a horse racing hedgefund organization. Historically, most race horses have been bred and raced by their owners. Beginning after World War II , the commercial breeding industry became significantly more important in North America , Europe and Australasia , the result of which being that

270-487: A handful of exceptions. The course was closed in 1896 due to increasing competition among thoroughbred tracks, making the meet at Saratoga not viable that season. Anti-gambling legislation, which had passed in New York, resulted in a cessation in all thoroughbred racing in that state during 1911 and 1912. From 1943 to 1945, racing was curtailed at Saratoga due to travel restrictions during World War II . During those years,

315-463: A monthly retainer or, in North America, a "day rate" to his or her trainer , together with fees for use of the training center or gallops (if the horse is not stabled at a race track), veterinarian and farrier (horseshoer) fees and other expenses such as mortality insurance premiums, stakes entry fees and jockeys' fees. The typical cost of owning a race horse in training for one year is in

360-434: A negative impact on small business owners in the city of Saratoga Springs, as the 2020 meet did not allow in-person spectators at the venue. Thoroughbred horse racing Thoroughbred racing is a sport and industry involving the racing of Thoroughbred horses . It is governed by different national bodies. There are two forms of the sport – flat racing and jump racing, the latter known as National Hunt racing in

405-488: A substantial portion of Thoroughbreds are now sold by their breeders, either at public auction or through private sales. Additionally, owners may acquire Thoroughbreds by "claiming" them out of a race (see discussion of types of races below). A horse runs in the unique colours of its owner. These colours must be registered under the national governing bodies and no two owners may have the same colours. The rights to certain colour arrangements ("cherished colours") are valuable in

450-545: A top race. This is particularly true of national hunt racing . In 1976, Canadian Bound became the first Thoroughbred yearling racehorse ever to be sold for more than US$ 1 million when he was purchased at the Keeneland July sale by Canadians, Ted Burnett and John Sikura Jr. Per the Oxford English Dictionary the concept of a jockey club dates to at least 1775 and is, in the generic,

495-495: Is a Thoroughbred horse racing track located on Union Avenue in Saratoga Springs , New York , United States. Opened in 1863, it is often considered to be the oldest major sporting venue of any kind in the U.S. It is the fourth oldest racetrack after Pleasanton Fairgrounds Racetrack (1858), Freehold Raceway (1854) and Fair Grounds Race Course (1852). The Saratoga meet originally lasted only four days. The meet has been lengthened gradually since that time. From 1962 to 1990,

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540-458: Is distinguished between hurdles races and chases: the former are run over low obstacles and the latter over larger fences that are much more difficult to jump. National Hunt races are started by flag, which means that horses line up at the start behind a tape. Jump racing is popular in the UK, Ireland, France and parts of Central Europe, but only a minor sport or completely unknown in most other regions of

585-556: Is generally seen as serving the purpose of gambling rather than identifying the fastest horses, some of the best known races in the world, such as the Grand National or Melbourne Cup are run as handicaps. Flat races can be run under varying distances and on different terms. Historically, the major flat racing countries were Australia, England, Ireland, France and the United States, but other countries, such as Japan and

630-523: Is the rulemaking and enforcement body, whilst Horse Racing Ireland governs and promotes racing. In 2013, Ireland exported more than 4,800 Thoroughbreds to 37 countries worldwide with a total value in excess of €205 million ($ 278 million). This is double the number of horses exported annually from the U.S. In Great Britain , Thoroughbred horse racing is governed by the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) which makes and enforces

675-506: The House of Upsets , and the Graveyard of Champions . Famous race horses to lose at the track: As is the case with the other two tracks operated by the New York Racing Association  – Aqueduct and Belmont Park  – there are three separate tracks in the main course at Saratoga Race Course: Steeplechase races are also run at Saratoga Race Course and take place on

720-826: The Whitney Stakes for three-year-olds and up (a Breeders' Cup Classic "Win and You're In" qualifier). A new addition in recent years has been "twilight racing", where the first race post time is at 2:30 pm on some days, previously 2:45 PM. The 2022 racing season includes 77 stakes races worth $ 22.6 million in total purses. This represents a $ 1.1 million increase over the 2021 season. The following are Graded stakes races run at Saratoga: Grade I Stakes races: Grade II Stakes races: Grade III Stakes races: Ungraded stakes Discontinued Stakes races: Steeplechase: Buried at Clare Court Jogging Track are Fourstardave , Mourjane (IRE), Quick Call and A Phenomenon. Champion filly Go For Wand , who suffered

765-651: The Woodbine Entertainment Group , formerly Ontario Jockey Club. While British Columbia's major venue is Hastings Racecourse with popular events like the annual BC Derby. Thoroughbred racing is divided into two codes: flat racing and jump races. The most significant races are categorised as Group races or Graded stakes races . Every governing body is free to set its own standards, so the quality of races may differ. Horses are also run under different conditions, for example Handicap races , Weight for Age races or Scale-Weight. Although handicapping

810-485: The 1960s, the grandstand was extended, doubling the track's seating capacity. In 1999, Saratoga Race Course was rated as Sports Illustrated's #10 sports venue of the 20th century. On Saturday, June 8, 2024, the 156th running of the Belmont Stakes was held at Saratoga Race Course, due to construction at Belmont Park. Saratoga Race Course has several nicknames: The Spa (for the nearby mineral springs ),

855-521: The 1973 Whitney to Allen Jerkens 's colt, Onion . Six fillies have won the race: Black Maria (1928), Bateau (1929), Esposa (1937), Gallorette (1948), Lady's Secret (1986), and Personal Ensign (1988). In 2007, the Breeders' Cup Ltd. introduced the Breeders' Cup Challenge "Win and You're In" qualification format, under which the winner of the Whitney Stakes automatically qualifies for

900-569: The Oklahoma Track. It allows public viewing of workouts at the track, replicating a former stand from the 19th century. A distinctive feature of Saratoga Race Course's dirt track was the Wilson Mile chute , which branched off from the clubhouse (first) turn at a 90-degree angle. The chute was dismantled after the 1972 season to make room for additional parking, although in 1992 some one-mile dirt races were brought back at approximately

945-782: The Queensland Turf Club and Brisbane Racing Club, and administers racing in Queensland . Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne is home to the Melbourne Cup , the richest "two-mile" handicap in the world, and one of the richest turf races. The race is held on the first Tuesday in November during the Spring Racing Carnival , and is publicised in Australia as "the race that stops a nation". In

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990-644: The Saratoga Trotting Course was built, and hosted its first harness race on August 14. The old harness racing track was located just south of the current Oklahoma Track, and today the area is called Horse Haven. In 1857 the Empire Race Course was opened on an island in the Hudson River near Albany , but was in operation only a short time. On August 3, 1863, casino operator and future congressman John Morrissey organized

1035-571: The UK and steeplechasing in the US. Jump racing can be further divided into hurdling and steeplechasing . Traditionally, racehorses have been owned by wealthy individuals. It has become increasingly common in the last few decades for horses to be owned by syndicates or partnerships. Notable examples include the 2005 Epsom Derby winner Motivator , owned by the Royal Ascot Racing Club, 2003 Kentucky Derby winner Funny Cide, owned by

1080-564: The United Arab Emirates, have emerged in recent decades. Some countries and regions have a long tradition as major breeding centers, namely Ireland and Kentucky. In Europe and Australia, virtually all major races are run on turf (grass) courses, while in the United States, dirt surfaces (or, lately, artificial surfaces such as Polytrack ) are prevalent. In Canada, South America and Asia, both surface types are common. Jump races and steeplechases , called National Hunt racing in

1125-550: The United Kingdom and Ireland, are run over long distances, usually from two miles (3,200 m) up to four and a half miles (7,200 m), and horses carry more weight. Many jump racers, especially those bred in France, are not Thoroughbreds, being classified as AQPS . Novice jumping races involve horses that are starting out a jumping career, including horses that previously were trained in flat racing. National Hunt racing

1170-570: The United States including multiple wins at the Kentucky Derby , the Preakness Stakes , and the Belmont Stakes . The Whitney was raced at a distance of 1 + 1 ⁄ 4 miles from its inception in 1928 until 1955, when the distance was reduced to 1 + 1 ⁄ 8 miles. Until 1940 it was closed to geldings . The inaugural running was won by William R. Coe's two-time Champion Filly , Black Maria . During World War II,

1215-522: The United States, safety regulations and drug restrictions are primarily controlled at the federal level by the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority . Other aspects of racing regulation are highly fragmented. Generally, a racing commission or other state government entity in each U.S. state that conducts racing will license owners, trainers and others involved in the industry, set racing dates, and oversee wagering. Pedigree matters and

1260-595: The Whitney Handicap was first run in 1928. The Whitney family ’s involvement with thoroughbreds began when William Collins Whitney , one of the founders of The Jockey Club, began campaigning racehorses in 1898, bearing the familiar Eton blue-and-brown silks. His legacy was carried on by his son, Harry Payne Whitney , and grandson, Cornelius Vanderbilt “Sonny” Whitney , who died in 1992, with other family members involved under various names including Greentree Stables. Whitney-owned horses have won every major race in

1305-570: The fall running of the Breeders' Cup Classic . In the 2015 listing of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA), the Whitney tied with the Kentucky Derby as the top Grade 1 race in the United States outside of the Breeders' Cup races. Speed record: Most wins: Most wins by an owner: Most wins by a jockey : Most wins by a trainer : Saratoga Race Course Saratoga Race Course

1350-516: The first thoroughbred race card on the Oklahoma Track. After the successful meet ended, Morrissey purchased 125 acres of land across the street from the old standardbred track, built a new grandstand, and dubbed the venue Saratoga Race Course. Among those instrumental to the creation of the new course were John Hunter (later the first chairman of The Jockey Club ), William R. Travers , John Morrissey , and Leonard Jerome . Saratoga Race Course has been in use almost every year since 1864, with only

1395-555: The greatest horses in American racing history have won the Whitney, including Easy Goer , Tom Fool , Dr. Fager , Stymie , Invasor , Slew o' Gold , Alydar , Ancient Title , Key to the Mint , Devil Diver , Eight Thirty , War Admiral , Discovery , Equipoise and Kelso , who won it for the third time in 1965 at the age of eight. The race also saw one of the most dramatic upsets in racing history when Secretariat finished second in

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1440-618: The indirect and induced effects of visitor spending) of $ 67 million and $ 94 million annually. This spending was a result of expenditures for lodging, meals, entertainment, retail, and transportation in Saratoga County. In August 2021, the President of the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce, Todd Shimkus, estimated that the race track had a $ 240 million annual regional economic impact. The COVID-19 pandemic had

1485-414: The inner turf course. The Oklahoma Training Track, which is across Union Avenue from the main course (was originally named Horse Haven), is used for warmups and training. The Oklahoma Training Track site was the location of the track used for racing at the inaugural meet in 1863; the main grandstand was opened at the current site the following year. On August 3, 2013, the new Whitney Viewing Stand opened at

1530-542: The meet lasted four weeks and began in late July or early August. In 2010, the meet expanded to 40 racing days, with races held five days per week. It lasts from mid-July through Labor Day in early September. Saratoga Springs was the site of "trials of speed and exhibition of horses" at county fairs as early as 1822. In 1847, in anticipation of the New York State Fair being held in Saratoga that September,

1575-412: The order of £15,000 in the United Kingdom and as much as $ 35,000 at major race tracks in North America. The facilities available to trainers vary enormously. Some trainers have only a few horses in the yard and pay to use other trainers' gallops. Other trainers have every conceivable training asset. It is a feature of racing that a modest establishment often holds its own against the bigger players even in

1620-501: The path from the stables runs through the picnic grounds. There is a mineral spring called the Big Red Spring in the picnic grounds where patrons can partake of the water that made Saratoga Springs famous. A gazebo is a prominent feature of the infield, and a stylized version of the gazebo is part of the Saratoga Race Course logo. Saratoga Race Course is home to several of the most important races in North America. Since 1864,

1665-493: The race was run at Belmont Park from 1943 through 1945, and again once in 1961. Between 1957 and 1969 the race was restricted to horses four years and older. The race then was open to three-year-olds and older until 2019. In 2020 when Saratoga Race Course was closed to the public during the COVID-19 Pandemic , the race was restricted again to four-year-olds and up; the age restriction has remained ever since. Some of

1710-688: The registration of racing colors are the province of The Jockey Club , which maintains the American Stud Book and approves the names of all Thoroughbreds. The National Steeplechase Association is the official sanctioning body of American steeplechase horse racing. Regulation of horse racing in Canada is under the Jockey Club of Canada . There are a few racing venues across Canada, but the major events are mainly in Ontario and managed by

1755-433: The rules, issues licences or permits to trainers and jockeys, and runs the races through their race course officials. The Jockey Club in the UK has been released from its regulatory function but still performs various supporting roles. A significant part of the BHA's work relates to the disciplining of trainers and jockeys, including appeals from decisions made by the course stewards. Disciplinary enquiries usually relate to

1800-399: The running of a horse, for example: failure to run a horse on its merits, interference with other runners, excessive use of the whip. The emergence of internet betting exchanges has created opportunities for the public to lay horses and this development has been associated with some high-profile disciplinary proceedings. In order to run under rules a horse must be registered at Weatherbys as

1845-463: The same location. NYRA announced in January 2022 that the Wilson Mile chute would be rebuilt for the 2022 racing season. The grounds at Saratoga Race Course contain several unique features. Prior to each race, a bell is hand rung at exactly 17 minutes prior to scheduled post time for each race to call the jockeys to the paddock. Patrons can get close up views of the horses being led to the paddock as

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1890-410: The same way that distinctive car registration numbers are of value. It is said that Sue Magnier (owner of George Washington, Galileo etc.) paid £50,000 for her distinctive dark blue colours. If an owner has more than one horse running in the same race then some slight variant in colours is often used (normally a different coloured cap) or the race club colours may be used. The horse owner typically pays

1935-663: The stakes races usually held at Saratoga Race Course were instead contested at Belmont Park . The late 1800s were a period of decline for the Race Course. In 1892 it was purchased by notorious gambler Gottfried "Dutch Fred" Waldbaum, the operator of the notorious Guttenberg racetrack in North Bergen, New Jersey . In 1901, it was purchased by a group of investors led by William Collins Whitney , who made major improvements and restored its reputation. The track's first parimutuel betting machines were installed in 1940. In

1980-745: The track has been the site of the Travers Stakes , the oldest major thoroughbred horse race in the United States . Like the Kentucky Derby , the Travers Stakes is contested on dirt and is open only to three-year-olds, with a purse of $ 1,250,000. Several other major stakes races are held at Saratoga each year as well, including the Alabama Stakes (for three-year-old fillies), the Hopeful Stakes for two-year-olds, and

2025-423: The world. National Hunt flat races (or "bumpers") without fences or hurdles are also staged to provide experience for horses which have not taken part in flat racing . In the world's major Thoroughbred racing countries, breeding of racehorses is a huge industry providing over a million jobs worldwide. While the attention of horseracing fans and the media is focused almost exclusively on the horse's performance on

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