milestone

Jockey Rajiv Maragh rode his 2000th career winner Friday at Gulfstream Park, piloting Lazio (Bucchero) to victory in Race 3. "This feels pretty surreal when you think about the whole journey since 2000," Maragh told Gulfstream media. "I've come a real long way. I've come from humble beginnings and to be able to achieve this milestone is pretty incredible. I've got to be really thankful for all the support I've had. You don't win 2000 by yourself. There are a lot of people behind the scenes." After a two-year break...

Trainer Greg Foley, a fixture on the Churchill Downs backside for better than 40 years, was represented by his 500th winner beneath the Twin Spires when No Time Left (Not This Time) broke her maiden at third asking at odds of 8-1 Saturday afternoon. A career-long inhabitant of Barn 11 at the Louisville oval, Foley is now tied for eighth on the track's all-time wins list with Bernie Flint. "Churchill Downs has always been home," said Foley, whose first win at the track came on Apr. 27, 1981 with Sky...

The first-ever vineyard harvest occurred at Newsells Park Stud this past week. The 1200-acre estate is the first Thoroughbred stud in Europe to establish a vineyard for premium English sparkling wine. The event was celebrated with hands-on picking and a gathering of Wine Club members and special guests, including Spurs legend Ossie Ardiles. Planted in 2022 on 30 acres of south-facing chalk, 41,000 vines of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier have flourished on the property. The first 'Newsells-grown' sparkling wines are expected beginning in 2028/29. Approximately 30,000 bottles are...

Trainer Wayne Catalano celebrated his 3000th career win Sunday when 4-year-old gelding Alilnalot (Tapiture) won race four at Ellis Park, a $30,000 maiden claimer. Catalano, who began his training career in 1983 following a successful riding career, has seen over 15,000 horses start under his name including the likes of GI Qatar Racing Breeders' Cup Sprint winner Aloha West (Hard Spun) and dual Breeders' Cup winner Stephanie's Kitten (Kitten's Joy). "I've been waiting on this one a long time," said Catalano after the milestone Sunday. "I got to have my...

Eddie Plesa, Jr. secured his 2,500th career training victory with the 3-year-old gelding Raging Fury at Gulfstream Park Apr. 13. TDN's Senior Racing Editor Steve Sherack caught up with the highly respected 74-year-old conditioner for a wide-ranging interview to discuss the milestone victory, his trip to the 2-year-old sales in Ocala this spring, the future of the sport and much more. TDN: Let's start things off with your milestone victory. What does it mean to you to reach 2,500 wins? EP: When you hit a number like that, you take...

5th-Turfway, $68,705, Msw, 2-21, 3yo, f, 1m (AWT), 1:39.64, ft, 3 1/2 lengths. WINNABLE (f, 3, Justify--Mischievousmaximus, by Curlin) became the 2,000th career winner for trainer Ken McPeek with this debut score at Turfway Park Wednesday evening. Overlooked at 14-1 here, the Stoneleigh Farm homebred raced under a snug hold in third, loomed up while three deep on the far turn and took care of business from there to win impressively by 3 1/2 lengths. Mischievousmaximus, a full-sister to Classic winner Exaggerator, was bred to Justify for 2024. Winnable is...

Already the winningest trainer in the history of North American racing, Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen is close to another milestone, his 10,000th career win. Asmussen entered Thursday with 9,997 wins and had only one starter on the day, Flute Master (Gun Runner) in a maiden special weight race at Turfway Park. After a quiet day for the barn, Asmussen's stable will go into overdrive on Friday. He has 13 horses entered in 11 races. His day will begin at Oaklawn Park, where he has entries in seven races....