by Natalie Voss

The MeToo sexual harassment movement has yet to find its stride in the horse industry.

In the broader news world, every morning seems to bring a new name of a high-profile man accused of sexual harassment or assault, followed by (sometimes) swift removal of Hollywood stars, producers, political figures, writers, and news anchors from their jobs. As Time magazine put it in its Person of the Year article on ‘Silence Breakers' released last week: “This reckoning appears to have sprung up overnight. But it has actually been simmering for years, decades, centuries. Women have had it with bosses and co-workers who not only cross boundaries but don't even seem to know that boundaries exist. They've had it with the fear of retaliation, of being blackballed, of being fired from a job they can't afford to lose.”

A time when it feels like serial offenders might be hiding behind any well-known name, people have started asking me when this sea change is going to hit the racing business. And I cynically laugh.

It isn't that racing is immune from the problem of harassment. If anything, sexism, and the mistreatment that can sometimes come along with it, are woven into the sport's culture. It was not really that long ago that women were not permitted on the backstretch, only 50 years ago male jockeys refused to ride against women. It was just 39 years ago the Daily Racing Form told Jane Goldstein it didn't hire women, and five years ago top jockey Rosie Napravnik told 60 Minutes she was often told to “stay in the kitchen” by irate railbirds in the course of doing her job.

Read more: Sexual Harassment In Racing And Why The Industry Is Not Ready For ‘Silence Breakers’

Following his success in the Breeders’ Cup Classic last month at Del Mar, Gun Runner is now considered as the best dirt horse in the world today. The four-year-old will get the opportunity to reaffirm that status when he lines up in the richest race on the planet, the Pegasus World Cup, next month.

Gun Runner started his run of four consecutive victories at Churchill Downs back in June where he made all over 1800m. He then showed his class at Saratoga over the same trip in the Whitney Stakes in which his margin of victory was over five lengths.

The distance between Gun Runner and his rivals when crossing the line in the Grade One Woodward Stakes was even bigger in September as he forged clear in the home straight to put ten lengths between himself and Rally Cry who was the best of the rest of the pack in second place.

Steven Asmussen horse’s biggest of his career came at Del Mar as not only was he taking on the defending champion Arrogate in the leading dirt race of the year, he also had to overcome West Coast and Collected. The son of Candy Ride rose to the challenge as he made all at the Californian track to establish himself as a superstar in the sport.

Read more: World’s Best Gun Runner Set for Return in Pegasus World Cup

One of the biggest and best events towards the end of the racing calendar is the Breeder Cup meeting in America. With long distance traveling, hot weather and different surfaces to contend with, the Europeans are often at a disadvantage when trying to compete with the American horses. However, when it comes to the races on turf, Europe holds the key.

The Breeders Cup Filly & Mare Turf is a race the European trainers target and a race they have had success in recently. Last year, Queen’s Trust, trained by Sir Michael Stoute, won the race, partnered by experienced Italian Frankie Dettori. That was a third win in the race for Stoute, one he clearly targets as many of the European trainers do.

Looking ahead to this year’s meeting, the Breeders Cup Filly & Mare Turf has been targeted again by the European trainers, as has the Breeders Cup Turf. It is expected that we will see a strong European challenge in both of these races. It comes as no surprise that these two races are two of the races where European trainers hold the advantage.

Read more: Europeans Hold the Key in Breeders Cup Turf Races

By Marion E. Altieri for Equine Info Exchange

“Screw the men. I’ve got the horse.”

The entire horse racing community is mourning the loss of Helen B. (Penny) Chenery, the driven horsewoman who died on September 16, 2017. Part of the healthy grief process is to talk it out, via the sharing of stories about the beloved, recently-departed. The tales help us make sense of the death, and assure us that—even if only in legend and lore—the one we love lives on.

I am one such person, who needs to tell my story. I’m sharing it because it’s true—because I love Penny--and, that actually through a bizarre twist of fortune—I got to know her in a way that very few others have. I was singled out not because of any great thing I did, but because I was in the right church, at the right time.

If social media is any indication, it appears that half the world population has a Penny Narrative: of meeting her, knowing her—and the usual, Sharing a Sherry/night before a Belmont Stakes anecdote. Many people (most notably, women and grrrlz) met her over the years, and came away from the experience inspired to pursue their racing careers. Indeed, many have been thusly blessed.

Penny meant so much to me personally, for reasons that are multi-layered: she was more than a brilliant businesswoman who showed the way. More than a famous person who taught by example—that it’s OK to be strong, smart; funny, irreverent; well-heeled and wildly earthy—all at the same time.

Read more: Penny Chenery: Mentor, Leader, Supernatural Horsewoman, Klingon Warrior

An opera singer turned horse trainer sings Mozart in the stables, as animals dance and whinny. Heather Main sings to her steeds but insists she is "neither barmy nor living in fairyland" and claims Mozart is the horses' favourite classical composer.

Heather Main, a former opera singer, now trains horses to win races. Island Cloud, a three-year-old filly, is the yard’s leading soprano.

Heather adds: “She has a wonderful voice – a clear, high-pitched whinny. And she loves to dance. Al Kout is our top tenor. He’s an unraced three-year-old that cost us just £11,000. He has lots of class and a grand voice.”

Heather revealed the secret to her success after landing a 440-1 treble with Childesplay (8-1) and Rake’s Progress (6-1) at her local Newbury track, and Fair Selene (6-1) at Chepstow. She followed up with Royal Melody (15-2) at Lingfield a few days later.

Leading equine psychologist Grahame Frank, the “horse mind doctor”, said: “I’ve never heard anything like this before, but it definitely can work. Horses will respond to many things in many ways.

“This lady has found a remarkable formula that’s doing well for her and long may it last. Being relaxed like this is one thing, but the horse must still have the ability to do the job.”

Holding a trainer’s license led Heather to abandon her busy stage career, which included solo performances at the Royal Albert Hall and The Barbican. Heather, 49, says: “I’ve just taken in an unnamed bay sprinter that is showing excellent promise. “He’s got a decent voice and has responded brilliantly to my Mozart bits.”

Read more: The Amazing Horse Trainer Who Sings Opera to Her Horses

by Marion E. Altieri

The concept of Equestricon has been around for eons: that is to say, it’s long been a dream of many in Thoroughbred horse racing to create a convention for race fans and professionals, to gather—to exchange ideas and business cards—and to bang heads, as it were, to educate, elucidate and find ways to move the sport healthily into the 21st Century.

A trio consisting of wife-and-husband team, Kathryn Sharp and Justin Nicholson, with colleague, Dan Tordjman rose up out of the throngs of racing pros and fans: together, they invested money, time and energy to make the long-awaited fan convention happen in August, in Saratoga Springs, New York. It happens that this summer in Saratoga, horse racing is going through some severe scrutiny—most of it shouted into bullhorns, by people who know neither horses nor the sport and industry. Empty kettles do make the most noise.

The first-ever horse racing convention could not have been better timed: even though the event was over a year in the making, and its three parents could not have known that the sport would need a shot in the flank, right now—the racing gods conspired to give this unique gift of beauty, elegance, excitement and camaraderie to race fans and professionals at this exact moment in time.

Racing’s professional community came together to assure that fans (and, hopefully, new fans) experienced The Best that our sport has to offer: Official Charity Partner, Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance was joined by the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame; Daily Racing Form and Breeders’ Cup (Signature Sponsors), and Sponsors, West Point Thoroughbreds, Horse Country and The Stronach Group…a list too long to name all in an article of this size. So suffice it to say—the industry was behind Equestricon, 100%.

Read more: Equestricon 2017: Racing News, Views — and an EIE Scoop

The Shergar Cup is a unique event in the world of horse racing as the meeting at Ascot in the UK attracts the best jockeys from across the globe in a team competition. The latest renewal was won by Great Britain and Ireland in what was another fantastic celebration of the sport’s leading riders.

GBI ended the meeting on 86 points and were led by former British Champion Jockey Jamie Spencer who has had a solid season so far. The year could get better for the 37-year-old as he will be on board one of the fancied runners for the final British Classics of 2017 next when month when he rides Raheen House who is 10/1 in the horse racing betting for the Doncaster contest.

Spencer was alongside Neil Callan and Fran Berry as they won three of the six races at Ascot. The GBI captain got his team off to the perfect start when he rode Stake Acclaim to success in the opening race of the card. Berry then caused a surprise in the Shergar Cup Challenge when 12/1 shot Great Hall landed the spoils, while the trophy was secured in the Shergar Cup Sprint as Berry came home in front with Golden Apollo.

Berry’s double meant that he claimed the Alistair Haggis Silver Saddle Trophy which is an award given to the jockey which accumulated the most points on the day. It is the second time in the Irishman’s career that he has ended the Shergar Cup meeting as the most valuable jockey as he also lifted the prize in 2010 when Ireland had their own team.

Read more: Shergar Cup Proves A Success Once Again

Highland Reel bounced back from the disappointment of Royal Ascot last season by claiming victory at the Prince of Wales's Stakes.

The Irish horse finished second in his first appearance at the famous racecourse as he was beaten out narrowly by Dartmouth in the Hardwicke Stakes. However, the five-year-old was able to respond on his return to the event with another term of experience under his belt, and he put forward an excellent performance to secure a comfortable victory.

Highland Reel went off at 9/4 with bookmakers including Sportsbet. Events such as Royal Ascot offer a diverse range of betting options for punters, but in a busy summer of action, you can pick your sport with to perhaps enjoy a flutter away from the track.

However, with horses displaying the great form that Highland Reel has shown, it's easy to see the popularity that a week at Ascot can bring, although the grind has been real for all involved in the Irish's horses development.

Read more: Highland Reel Earns Redemption at Royal Ascot

Barney Roy avenged his defeat at the hands of Churchill at the 2000 Guineas by claiming victory at the St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot. Richard Hannon Jr's charge was considered the outsider to Churchill, who was the overwhelming favourite to win the meet in his quest to emulate past greats. However, Barney Roy produced an outstanding performance to come through the field and finish with a flourish down the stretch to secure the crown.

Aiden O'Brien's charge failed to mount even a challenge for the victory as he could only muster a fourth-place finish - a disappointing result for the Irish horse that seemed on a charge to produce one of the great flat seasons to emulate the success of Galileo Gold.

Now the battleground has changed, with Churchill now in need to a victory to sway the balance of power back in his direction, although there are defining moments left in the campaign.

Barney Roy's victory has livened up the flat season, with now two top competitors striving to be remembered as the dominant horse of the term.

Both trainers will be working vigorously to get their charges ready for the challenges ahead as the next major showdown is scheduled for the end of July at Glorious Goodwood at the Sussex Stakes, although Ribchester is now considered the leading contender following his success at the Queen Anne Stakes in the early horse racing betting odds.

We'll now look back at the careers of both horses that competed at the St James's Palace Stakes along with Ribchester to see how they've been put on a collision course.

Read more: Barney Roy, Churchill, and Ribchester Set for Showdown at Sussex Stakes