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The first stride to the finish line begins in SC
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2025 Events
Nov 22
Aiken Fall Steeplechase
Aiken, SC
Nov 23
Colonial Cup Steeplechase
Camden, SC
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Invite someone to a race.
Photo Credit:
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Abaan Wins Iroquois-G1
Abaan, trained and ridden by the South Carolina Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders member team of Kate and Bernie Dalton, captured the $250,000 Calvin Houghland Iroquois-G1 on May 10th. This is one of only two Grade-1 Stakes on the National Steeplechase schedule. Going three miles over National Hurdles, Abaan defeated the 2024 Eclipse Award champion Snap Decision. Carrying equal weights, Snap Decision was trying to win this race for the fourth time.
During his flat racing career, Abaan had a tendency to be headstrong, wanting to be in front or close to the lead from the beginning. As a steeplechaser, he has learned how to relax early on. In the Iroquois, Abaan trailed the field before advancing to the leader, Snap Decision, approaching the last fence and went on to win by a length.
While racing over jumps, Abaan has recorded 5 wins, 4 seconds, and a third in eleven starts. He has 4 Stakes victories, including the Foxbrook Champion Hurdle, the Carolina Cup, and the Green Pastures Stakes, along with the Iroquois. Abaan has earned $331,710 as a steeplechaser. Abaan was a Grade 3 Stakes winner on the flat, having proved best in the W.L. McKnight in 2022. Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Alex Daigneault Thoroughbreds own him.
On the same program, the Dalton team for the second year in a row won the Green Pastures Stakes this year with China Beach. China Beach took control of the race with a quarter of a mile to run and proved much the best, winning by 5 lengths. This was his third win in a row, having captured the Carolina Cup in March. He is owned by St. Rita Racing.
SCTOBA member trainer Arch Kinsley won a Maiden Special Weight race earlier on the program with SCTOBA member Pierre Manigault’s Bonnebosq by a neck.
Photo Credit: Tod Marks
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Preakness Happenings
On the third Saturday in May, following his second-place finish in the Kentucky Derby, Journalism ran back in the 150th Preakness Stakes-G1 in Baltimore. In one of the most thrilling races one will ever watch, he would not be denied winning by a length after squeezing his way between horses and running down a 5-length leader inside the eighth pole.
The day before, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners (a member of the Journalism ownership group) and Bobby Flay’s Candied won the Allaire DuPont Distaff Stakes. Callie Ikwuezunma, the daughter of SCTOBA President Jack Sadler and Treasurer Susan Sadler, was asked by Aron Wellman, President of Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, to lead Candied into the winner’s circle. What an amazing experience for her!
Hollygrove, a graduate of the Travis Durr Training Center, finished third in the Miss Preakness Stakes-G2 that day.
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South Carolina and the Fasig-Tipton Midlantic Sale
South Carolina Training Centers were active consignors at the Fasig-Tipton Midlantic 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale at the Maryland State Fairgrounds on May 20. Due to inclement weather on previous days, canceling a few training shows, the sale was cut to one day instead of two.
Marcus and Crystal Ryan sold 5 horses bringing a total of $620,000. An Honor A. P. colt brought $300,000 and a filly by the same sire was knocked down for $150,000. They sold a colt by Audible for $100,000. A Rock Your World filly and colts by More Than Ready and Mitole also sold under their Mason Springs banner.
Cary Frommer also sold an Honor A. P. filly for $150,000 and a Mitole colt. The Holly Hill Training Center LLC sold 3 for a total of $204,500 including a Bolt d’Oro filly for $130,000 and 2 colts by Uncle Lino.
Wes Carter had a busy day selling 13 2-year-olds for an aggregate of $384,000. He sold fillies by Engage (2), Hit It a Bomb, Combatant, Fortune Ticket, Mo Town, Central Banker, Tiz the Law and Liam’s Map. Carter also sold a colt by Tapit along with geldings by War of Will and Combatant. James Layden consigned a filly by Mendelssohn and a colt by Maximus Mischief who together were hammered down for $110,000.
| | Congratulations to Rentz Farm |
Congratulations to Randy and Kala Rentz on former student Book’em Danno's thrilling off-the-pace victory in the True North Stakes-G3 on Belmont Stakes at Saratoga Day on June 7. Third early on, Book’em Danno came 4 wide into the stretch and did not hit the front until 70 yards before the finish line. He won by 1 ¼ lengths, recording his lifetime best Equibase speed figure of 119. Recording his sixth career Stakes victory. He has a career record of 8 wins, 3 seconds, and a third in 14 starts, accumulating $1,360,425 in earnings.
On May 12, Randy and Kala Rentz saw two graduates of their breaking program win their debut races at Finger Lakes.
Annunciate, a 3-year-old daughter of Speightstown, dueled for the lead right out of the gate, quickly taking control and won with ease by 3 ¼ lengths. Trained by Jonathan Buckley, she is owned by Windylea Farm.
Swift Bank, a 3-year-old son of Central Banker, stalked the leader, taking over inside the sixteenth pole and proved much the best, crossing the finish line 2 ½ lengths in front. The only first-time starter in the field of 7, Swift Banker is owned and trained by Melanie Giddings.
| Scam Alert
Over the past several months, some SCTBA members have received an email supposedly from me asking for money. This is a scam.
I have asked members to financially support our efforts regarding the South Carolina Equine Advancement Act and renew your yearly membership dues. I have never asked and, of course, NEVER will ask for money for personal use!!
Should you ever receive a questionable e-mail, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me.
Jack Sadler
jack@eclipsetbpartners.com
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About SCTOBA
Our mission is to promote the thoroughbred industry in our state and throughout the region. SCTOBA works to create awareness of the tremendous economic impact the thoroughbred industry has in South Carolina. Our organization is an advocate for the positive aspects of the thoroughbred business --breeding, training and racing. We also provide leadership and solutions to the challenges presented by the thoroughbred business.
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Mr. Jack Sadler, President
101 Ellenton Street SE
Aiken, SC 29803
803-920-9005
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