The New York Racing Association announced June 24 significant increases of more than $1.6 million to its purse schedule for the 2022 summer meet at Saratoga Race Course, which opens on Thursday, July 14, and continues through Monday, Sept. 5.

After skipping last week’s Gold Cup (G1) at Royal Ascot, top stayer Trueshan will shoulder a heavy weight, conceding as much as 19 pounds, to the rest of the field in the June 25 Northumberland Plate at Newcastle Racecourse.

Valachi Downs general manager Gareth Downey was left delighted but emotional when Baggy Green—dam of four-time group 1 winner Tofane—was purchased for NZ$1.75 million (US$1,097,432) at the Valachi Downs’ mares dispersal sale.

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American-trained horses may have been shut out from victories this year at Royal Ascot, but perhaps as much as any American participant, Gainesway Farm’s Spendarella won support with her runner-up finish in the Coronation Stakes (G1) June 17.

The Real Rider Cup, a charity show jumping event created by Anita Motion to benefit Thoroughbred aftercare, is bringing the racing and equestrian worlds together in Lexington, Kentucky just ahead of Fasig-Tipton’s July Sale.

NTRA announced the hire of Jordan Bonfitto to serve as NTRA’s director of government affairs. He will be based in the new Washington, D.C. office and will lead the organization’s advocacy efforts with president and CEO Tom Rooney.

Colin Keane is excited to ride Cazoo Derby (G1) third Westover as he chases a first Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby (G1) triumph.

The 2021 Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Mandaloun is scheduled to face one of the sharpest horses in the country in Olympiad when the two vie in the $750,000 Stephen Foster Stakes (G2) at Churchill Downs July 2.

The daughter of Declaration of War is looking to build off of a promising 2021 in which she ran in six graded stakes, including wins in the George E. Mitchell Black-Eyed Susan Stakes (G2) at Pimlico and Iowa Oaks (G3) at Prairie Meadows.