Aidan O’Brien labeled Magical the “dream mare” after the brilliant seven-time group 1 winner was retired to join the broodmare band at Coolmore Stud.

The National Thoroughbred Racing Association noted that federal legislation approved Dec. 21 by the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate contains key tax reform and COVID-19 relief provisions beneficial to the horse breeding and racing industry. 

After the Senate approved the Horse Racing Integrity and Safety Act late Dec. 21, the coalition of industry and animal welfare groups that backed it after years of effort expressed their eagerness for its implementation.

Santa Anita Park has announced a distinguished group of five finalists for the 2021 George Woolf Memorial Jockey Award. They include Alex Birzer, Jorge Martin Bourdieu, Kendrick Carmouche, Aaron Gryder, and Deshawn Parker.

Edward Seltzer and Beverly Anderson’s Eres Tu, unbeaten in two starts since returning from more than a year layoff, goes after her third straight win and second in a stakes in the $150,000 Allaire du Pont (G3) Dec. 26 at Laurel Park.

Mucho Gusto has only raced twice in 2020 but it’s been a highly productive campaign, resulting in earnings of more than $3.1 million.

Graded stakes winner Name Changer, son of emerging sire of sires Uncle Mo, has been retired to stud at Peter Kazamias’ Kaz Hill Farm in Middletown, N.Y.

Large fields, a record Pick Six pool and payoff, a fourth consecutive sweep of the Grade I Starlet and Grade II Los Alamitos Futurity for Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert were among the highlights of the 11-day Thoroughbred meet.

The Kentucky Equine Education Project, Kentucky’s equine economic advocate, announced the hire of an equine education coordinator.

Expert Eye’s first foals have proven popular at Goffs’ rescheduled November Sale in recent days, and there were further family updates when his Kingman half brother got off the mark at Newcastle Dec. 21.

Top-ranked turf sire English Channel is $163,157 ahead of runner-up Kitten’s Joy but turf stakes worth $1.2 million are still to be run through Dec. 31.

A little Christmas magic was sprinkled on the Goffs sales complex on Sunday night

Sunset Dec. 21 brought a rare astrological phenomenon into the skies over Goffs’ sales complex. Said to be a portent of greatness, buyers of the mares sold under its celestial light will certainly be hoping it is a good sign. 

Tapizar colt continues to show precociousness displayed in pre-sale workout at Ocala Breeders’ Sales.

Season 4 of the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame’s popular live webcam series Foal Patrol will debut online at www.foalpatrol.com on Tuesday, Dec. 29.

With Congress including the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act in an omnibus bill crafted around a funding package that would prevent a government shutdown, the industry landmark legislation appears poised to become reality.

Notable maiden winners this week included several high-priced buys, as well as several homebreds.

The ceremony will be released on multiple digital platforms, including the social media accounts from Longines and the IFHA.

Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races was able to again establish a new annual record for wagering volume per race—the sixth consecutive year it has done so.  

The parade of impressive Todd Pletcher-trained maiden special weight winners into Gulfstream Park’s winner’s circle continued Dec. 20 following a sharp debut score by Shadwell Stable’s Zaajel.