Between December 21 and January 19, four times South Carolina training center graduates crossed the finish line first in Stakes races. Simply Joking did it twice!

On December 21, Simply Joking, the only first time starter in the Letellier Stakes at Fair Grounds, proved best in this 2-year-old Stakes race. Last out of the gate she stayed behind horses until she began her rally turning for home. While 5 wide, she caught up to the leader with a furlong to go and out-dueled that one to the wire winning by a neck.

Simply Joking came back on January 18 and remained unbeaten capturing the Silverbulletday Stakes also at Fair Grounds. Simply Joking broke on top and never looked back drawing clear in the stretch crossing the finish line 2 ½ lengths in front. This filly by Practical Joke was developed for her racing career at the Travis Durr Training Center. Kentucky Oaks dreams are on the minds of owners Grantley Acres, Ryan Connor and Berkles0813 and trainer Whit Beckman.

Also on December 21, the Travis Durr graduate, Her Laugh, was a wire-to-wire winner of the Untappable Stakes at Fair Grounds. She won her debut race at Churchill Downs on November 17. In the Untappable Stakes, Her Laugh was in complete control throughout being 2 ½ lengths in front at the finish. She also is a 3- year-old filly by Practical Joke and is owned by Grantley Acres and trained by Whit Beckman as is Simply Joking. More Kentucky Oaks dreams!!

One more former student of the Travis Durr Training Center, Toupie, recorded her fourth Stakes victory, winning the Las Cienegas Stakes-G3 at Santa Anita on January 19. This was her first Graded Stakes victory. She also broke on top and led the field to the finish line being 2 ½ lengths clear at the wire. In 11 career starts, Toupie has recorded 5 wins, 3 second place finishes and a third accumulating $371,775 in earnings.

SCTOBA Annual Meeting

The South Carolina Owners and Breeders Association will hold its annual banquet at the National Steeplechase Museum in Camden on Saturday, February 15.

This is a celebration of the South Carolina thoroughbred industry. We recognize the success of South Carolina-bred runners and breeders. Our guest speaker this year will be Debbie Easter, president of the Virginia Equine Alliance. Debbie played a major role in helping Advance Deposit Wagering be introduced in Virginia. She also helped develop the Virginia Certified program.

Passage of the South Carolina Equine Advancement Act would go a long way towards helping us develop similar programs in our state. We will all benefit hearing Debbie share her experiences. Please attend and bring a friend!!

Aiken Trials on March 15

The month of March 2025 brings racing action to South Carolina. The 82nd Running of the Aiken Trials will take place on March 15. A day filled with Thoroughbred races mixed in with some pony races, it is considered by Aiken residents as the first day of Spring. Over the years, this has been a popular opportunity for 2-year- olds preparing for Keeneland to gain racing experience before a crowd.

Ticketing and parking information can be found at www.aikentrainingtrack.com.

Elloree Trials Returns March 22

The 2025 Elloree Trials will be held on Saturday, March 22nd. The Elloree Trials were first run in 1963 at the Elloree Training Center owned and operated by Franklin “Goree” Smith. The day is a mixture of Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse races.

Tickets will be available at the gate on race day, Cash only. Tickets are $25 per person (Children under 12 admitted for free). To reserve a parking spot please call 803-395-9068.

Aiken Steeplechase

March 22 also marks the beginning of the 2025 National Steeplechase Association season with the 58th Running of the Aiken Spring Steeplechase. The day will begin with one training flat race followed by five hurdle races.

Ticketing and parking information can be found at www.aikensteeplechase.com.

Carolina Cup

On March 29, The 90th Running of the Carolina Cup Races will be held at the Springdale Race Course in Camden. There will be four hurdle events and the final race will be a training flat race.

Ticketing and parking information can be found at www.carolinacup.com.

L’Imperator (FR) Eclipse Finalist

For the second year in a row, an Arch Kingsley trainee was named a finalist in the Steeplechase Eclipse Award category. This time around, L’Imperator (FR) gained the honor of following Merry Maker for 2023. Merry Maker was declared Champion Steeplechaser.

In 2024, L’Imperator made seven starts, all in Stakes races. He won the Grade 1 Beverly R. Steinman Hurdle Handicap at Aqueduct last June. He finished second in the Lonesome Glory Handicap-G1 and third in the Commonwealth Cup Stakes-G1, Carolina Cup Hurdle Stakes, and the Colonial Cup Stakes. L’Imperator also had fourth-place finishes in two more Grade 1 Stakes, the A.P. Smithwick Memorial Handicap and the American Grand National. He is owned by Hudson River Farms.

SCTOBA members Arch, Wendy, and Taylor Kingsley live in Camden, SC. Their farm is the home base for the Kingsley training operation. As a jump jockey, Arch was the 1997 National Champion in races won, and in 1997 and 1999, he was the National Champion in money winnings.



For 2023, the Kingsley-trained Merry Maker was named Eclipse Award Champion Steeplechaser. Merry Maker raced for Hurricana Stable, owned by SCTOBA member Pierre Manigault, who is the driving force behind the Steeplechase of Charleston held in Hollywood, SC annually in November.

South Carolina Equine Advancement Act

The South Carolina Equine Advancement Act bill is moving forward, and we believe will reach the floor of the Senate and then House during the 2025 legislative session. The S.C. Equine Advancement Act is important to the South Carolina equine industry and will help many underfunded equine-based organizations – from nonprofits to high school and college 4-H programs to breeders, trainers, and feed stores – remain in South Carolina and continue to employ rural South Carolinians.



Now is the time to reach out to your representatives and urge them to support our equine industry!!

It's that time!

Time to renew your membership to SCTOBA. Please renew to keep our organization strong.

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