Hachiko's Pony Conference Dynasty

[Hachiko]

The Mystique of the Royal Calcutta Turf Club

By Lee Evans
The Daily Party
October 4, 2022

The Royal Calcutta Turf Club (RCTC), founded in 1847 in Calcutta, British India (now Kolkata, India), became the premier horse racing organization in India during the British Raj. At one time it was the governing body for almost all courses in the sub-continent, defining and applying the rules that governed the sport. During its heyday the races it organized were among the most important social events of the calendar, opened by the Viceroy of India. During the 1930s the Calcutta Derby Sweeps, organized by the club, was the largest sweepstake in the world. It is still an exclusive private club and still operates the Kolkata Race Course.

The Calcutta Turf Club imported English practices of gambling on races, named the Derby and the St Leger after the English equivalents. The club was organized in 1847 in part to regulate such gambling. A mildly disapproving account from 1866 described the betting practices, which it called "lotteries". In the early days of horse racing in India betting was through a combination of a lottery and an auction. Typically 100 ten-rupee tickets were sold, with the money placed in a pot. A ticket was drawn for each horse in the race. These tickets were auctioned, with the ticket holder getting half the price of the winning bid and the other half going in the pot. Following the race the pot was divided among the holders of tickets for the winning horses.

Parimutuel betting began in 1872.

The Calcutta Turf Club Derby draw was started as a private sweepstake in 1887 by Lord William Beresford. Just after World War I (1914–1918) the sweepstake gave prizes of £75,000, £35,000 and £15,000 for the top three horses in the club's Derby. The Calcutta Derby Sweepstake became famous worldwide, with the pool reaching almost £1,000,000 sterling in 1929 and 1930. 40% of the total pool went to the first prize winner, 20% to the second and 10% to the third. Tickets for unplaced horses also received a share, while the club kept only 10%. The sweep was open only to members of the RCTC, or to friends who could ask members to place a wager. Clumsy methods were developed to make it easier for punters in other countries to place bets, but the Calcutta Derby Sweepstake could not compete with the Irish Hospitals' Sweepstake, introduced in the 1930s, despite the expected pay-out being considerably higher.

The Calcutta Turf Club is now housed in the former home of the Apcar family, a two-story Palladian-style building dating to the early 19th century and maintained in perfect condition. The building has a portico on the north side and a veranda on the south. The floors of the ground level are marble, and the doors made of teak. The vestibule is two stories high, with an elegantly carved wooden staircase leading to the upper floor where the family had their private rooms. The building is at 11 Russell Street. With comfortable leather sofas and armchairs, it is an oasis of calm.

The race course today has three viewing stands. The main pavilion has three tiers, with elaborate turrets and railings of wrought iron. Across the grounds from the stand, to the east of the race course, is the Victoria Memorial, a marble monument to Queen Victoria. The stand is now open to all members of the public. The public can buy tickets to see the races. Races are run on Saturdays most of the year. The Monsoon meet from July to October is followed by the Cold Weather Meet from November to April.

 

[Hachiko]

@TrojanMan and San Diego State lose another shootout, 42-38, to Arizona State. The Aztecs were outgunned, 21-0, in the fourth quarter.

 

[Hachiko]

​

Week 7 Scores...

Twilight Sparkle 103, Ohio State 31
Rainbow Dash 42, Western Michigan 38
Hawai'i 28, Pinkie Pie 23
Applejack Stare 38, Memphis 7

 

[Hachiko]

​

The Mystique of Ngong Racecourse

By Byron Ofahengaue
The Carousel
October 11, 2022

Ngong Racecourse is a racecourse in Nairobi, Kenya. It is the main and currently only thoroughbred racing venue in Kenya. It is located along the Ngong Road near the Lenana School and next to The Nairobi Business Park, beside Ngong Road Forest. It is operated by the Jockey Club of Kenya.

The racecourse was opened 1954, when it replaced the old racecourse in Kariokor, near Nairobi CBD. Ngong Racecourse is nowadays the only racecourse in Kenyan although there were races in other towns, including Eldoret, Nakuru, Nanyuki and Limuru. The first horse racing event in Kenya took place in 1904 in Machakos with Somali ponies.

There are on average 25 race meetings annually of which the most prominent is the annual Kenya Derby, which was first held in 1914. Races are held there on alternate Sundays. Apart from horse racing, the venue has used for cross country running competitions, and it has acted as a special stage for the Safari Rally. It has also been used for Ostrich racing.

The Ngong Race Course and Golf Park is the only horse racing course in East Africa and is owned by the Jockey Club of Kenya with the focus of regulating the Sport of Horse racing in Kenya, while ensuring that it meets International standards. The Jockey Club of Kenya is the governing body of thoroughbred racing.

Ngong Racecourse is situated on Ngong Road towards Karen and has the most beautiful grounds, offering a tranquil setting away from the hustle and bustle of Nairobi. The Racecourse is a very popular wedding destination and annually hosts many other functions such as the Christmas Craft Fair, Concours d’Elégance, Beerfest, Shaggy Dog Show, Heart to Heart Fun Day as well as hosting international artists including South African Johnny Clegg and his band. There are restaurants to cater for everyone, with adequate & secure parking, as well as wash rooms. On most race days, there will entertainment facilities for the children which include bouncing castles, face painting and or a clown.

Race days provide the perfect day out in an environment of leisure and networking opportunities. The grounds also provide a number of exciting opportunities to showcase your brand, increasing brand awareness and visibility, while entertaining your invited Corporate clients during the race meet. Apart from horse racing and golf events, we have Corporate and Social events year round that provide advertisers with exclusive access to showcase their products.

Racing proper started in Kenya around 1904 at the Kariakor area under the auspices of the East African Turf Club which was later renamed The Jockey Club of Kenya in 1921. Kenya then became the first Commonwealth country to allow Sunday racing (previously this was on Friday and Saturday only). It was around the 1950s that racing was relocated to the current Ngong Racecourse and has continued to enjoy steady growth in the industry. Racing from the Ngong Racecourse is now broadcast LIVE to South Africa with daily racing from RSA, UK, Zimbabwe, Singapore and Dubai being broadcast here as well.

 

[Hachiko]

@TrojanMan and San Diego State get back on the winning track, lynching Arizona, 42-19.

 

[Hachiko]

​

Rarity leave Boise in the dust, 85-52

By Lez Gizmo
The Carousel
October 15, 2022

Boy, did they need to keep their Royal side up.

Quarterback Lamont McIntire passed for 362 yards and three touchdowns and halfback Andre Bailey ran for five short touchdowns as Sweetie Belle's Rarity Royals pulverized the Boise State Broncos, 85-52, at Bronco Stadium in Boise, Idaho. Halfback Daniel McDaniel ran for 100 yards and a score, tight end Lewis "Cool Dad" McDougal caught seven passes for 145 yards, wide receiver Leigh Joseph caught six passes for 79 yards and two touchdowns, wideout Adam Sanders caught five passes for 97 yards and a score and wideout Jason "Hazzard of" Dukes caught five passes for 81 yards.

Left guard Paul Graham led the blockers with six pancakes while right guard John Raymond had five pancakes. Middle linebacker Ben Irons led the defense in tackling with 14 tackles and a sack while cornerback Chris Leonard had 11 tackles and five sacks. Right outside linebacker Tim Ross had six tackles and three sacks while defensive tackle Billy "Boom Boom" Robertson had eight tackles and two sacks.

Rarity continue their season next week at home against North Dakota State.

 

[Hachiko]

​

The Mystique of the Champ de Mars Racecourse

By Byron Ofahengaue
The Carousel
October 18, 2022

The Champ de Mars Racecourse is a thoroughbred horse race track in Port Louis, Mauritius. The Racecourse was inaugurated on 25 June 1812, by The Mauritius Turf Club (MTC) which was founded earlier in the same year by Sir Robert Townsend Farquhar, who was the first British Governor of Mauritius. The Mauritius Turf Club is the oldest horse-racing club in the Southern Hemisphere and the second oldest in the world. The race track follows a very selective right hand oval path and is relatively small in size, with a circumference of 1,298 meters (4,258.5 ft) and width between 12 and 14 meters (39 and 46 feet). The home-straight extends uphill and is 225 meters (738 ft) long. When Mauritius gained independence on 12 March 1968, the event including the flag hoisting ceremony was held here. Since then and for many years, the racecourse has seen the annual celebration of the accession to independence.

Today, the Champ de Mars attracts tens of thousands of people on each racing day during the racing season from late March to early December and has become the ultimate meeting place for racing fanatics from all over the island and even from abroad. The track has also played a fundamental role in propelling horse racing as the most popular sport and form of entertainment among the local population.

Before 1810, the area was a military training ground for French troops. The aim of the founders of the Mauritius Turf Club to set up horse racing at the Champ de Mars was to reconcile the French settlers with the English administration who had conquered the island in December 1810. They were convinced that the convivial atmosphere of horse racing would foster unity between the two communities and ensure social peace and harmony after years of fighting in the Indian Ocean. The new Governor, Sir Robert Farquhar and his wife of French origin, Maria Lautour, actively supported the organization of horse racing, the latter offering the first gold cup after the Club’s history to mark the occasion.

When he came to Mauritius, Colonel Edward Draper enthusiastically promoted horse racing at the Champ de Mars for some twenty years, racing his own thoroughbreds, often riding them in competition, to the point that he became known as the “Father” of the Mauritius Turf Club.

The main road leading to it is a landmark known to racing enthusiasts as “Rue Governement”, Champ de Mars racecourse is nestled at the foot of lovely hills. It is the oldest racecourse in the southern hemisphere and the second oldest in the world. Within its premises stands a statue of King Edward VII by the sculptor Prosper d’Épinay, and the Malartic Tomb, an obelisk to a French governor.

In the 19th century, the only permanent boxes at the Champ de Mars were those reserved for the Governor, the Mayor of Port Louis and MTC officials. Temporary boxes were built and hired on the spot on race days, and over the years, new boxes were erected. In 1906 the MTC purchased a wooden house at 26, Pope Hennessy Street, Port Louis and it served as MTC offices for about forty years. Permanent stands were built in 1909 and they were improved in 1927, 1939 and 1954. During the past decades, new facilities were added while retaining the colonial aspects of the racecourse.

The attendance record at the Champ de Mars was set in 1984 when more than 100,000 people turned up at the Maiden Cup, the most prestigious race in the Mauritian racing calendar. Nippy Regen, owned by the Gujadhur stable, won the race and was ridden by Adrian Walkinshaw.

 

[Hachiko]

Colorado tool @TrojanMan and San Diego State to the cleaners, 48-27.

 

[Hachiko]

​

Week 9 Scores...

Rarity 37, North Dakota State 10
Fluttershy 35, Applejack State 23
Rainbow Dash 31, Pinkie Pie 24

 

[Hachiko]

​

The Mystique of the Selangor Turf Club

By Jeff Oberto
The Daily Dash
October 25, 2022

The Selangor Turf Club is the major horse racing course in Klang Valley, Selangor, Malaysia. The main race course is located at Sungai Besi, 17 km from Kuala Lumpur city centre.

The Selangor Turf Club is one of the three horse racing clubs in Malaysia. Located in the major city of Kuala Lumpur, the Selangor Turf Club hosts about 30 race days a year at the Sungei Besi Racecourse. A racing season begins from January till December. The main feature would be the Triple Crown Series, which carries a grand purse of RM2.7 million. Popularly known as “Where Sprinters Meet Stayers”, the Triple Crown Series is made up of three races featuring different distances like the Tunku Gold Cup race, which is set over a distance of 1,200 metres. The Selangor Gold Cup and the Piala Emas Sultan Selangor races are run over distances of 1,600 metres and 2,000 metres. The first leg starts in February while the second and third legs are held in March and June respectively. At the conclusion of the series, the one horse that captures all the three legs will be entitled to a RM500,000 special bonus and since its inception in 2003, no other horse has manage to capture the honour.

Within the confines of the racecourse there is a cricket ground. The first recorded game held on the ground came in September 2003 when Singapore played Thailand in the Tuanku Ja'afar Cup. The ground held a single first-class fixture in the 2004 Intercontinental Cup between Malaysia and the UAE.

 

[Hachiko]

What a terrible loss. @TrojanMan and San Diego State were outscored by 1-6 Utah, 14-0, in the second quarter and were forced to rally back from 14 points down at the start of the fourth. They fell, 28-23 and are now 2-7 on the year.

 

[Hachiko]

​

Week 10 Scores...

Rarity 28, The Citadel 17
Rainbow Dash 27, Fluttershy 24 (OT)
Applejack State 45, Pinkie Pie 19

 

[Hachiko]

​

The Mystique of Øvrevoll Galoppbane

By John Eisenberg
The Daily Yay
November 2, 2022

Øvrevoll Galoppbane is the only gallop racecourse in Norway.

It is located at Øvrevoll between Østerås (west), Jar (south) and Eiksmarka (north) in Bærum. It has both a turf track and an all-weather track. It was officially opened in 1932 by King Haakon VII and Queen Maud.

The biggest event of the year is the Derby Day, one Sunday at the end of August every year. Øvrevoll Galoppbane has a grandstand with a restaurant, as well as the Stallkroen Restaurant on the north side of the track. Sherryhaugen Café has a good view of the paddock.

In the late 1980s there were plans to build a hotel and a shopping mall near the circuit, to generate more traffic at the racecourse. This was rejected by local authorities. There were talks about moving the entire racecourse to rural Lier in protest, but this did not happen, partly because Norsk Rikstoto did not have finances to back it up. In 1990 the owners announced plans to stay at Øvrevoll, but expand by building a golf course.

 

[Hachiko]

1-7 Washington State defeated @TrojanMan and San Diego State, 31-24.

 

[Hachiko]

​

Week 11 Scores...

Twilight Sparkle 63, Fluttershy 7
Rainbow Dash 23, Georgia Southern 9
Wofford 17, Applejack State 3
Rarity 38, Pinkie Pie 20

 

[Hachiko]

​

The Mystique of Leangen Travbane

By Gunther Haas
The Orchard
November 9, 2022

Leangen Travbane is a harness racing course located at Leangen in Trondheim, Norway. The race course is owned by the Norwegian Trotting Association and its parimutuel betting is handled by Norsk Rikstoto. Through this arrangement it is the only equine tote betting establishment in Trøndelag and Møre og Romsdal. The track is 1,000 meters (3,300 ft) long. Compared to the other racecourses in Norway, it has the steepest curves, with a radius of 65 meters (213 ft), and the longest straight before the finish, at 240 meters (790 ft). The venue has stables for 102 permanent and 43 visiting horses. There are various training tracks in the inner section. The venue has floodlights.

Orkdal Tråvklubb was established as the first horse racing club in Norway in 1873, and the first club in Trondheim, Selskabet for kapkjøring i det nordenfjeldske Norge, was established in 1879, with Johan Henrik Spørck as the most enthusiastic founder. He took initiative for the first organized race to be held on the ice of Jonsvatnet that winter, and paid 200 Norwegian krone (NOK) in prize money from his own pocket. Summer races were organized along the closed off section of the Trondhjem–Støren Line, which had been closed between Sluppen and Valset. The organization worked with the breeding of fast trotting horses, and based itself on the Dølahest.

Interest declined from 1895, but rose again from 1904, when Trøndelag Trotting Association (TT) was established, as part of the Norwegian Trotting Association. Its initial race on Jonsvatnet gathered a crowd of 4,000 spectators. Later Vintervannet in Bymarka and Lodgårdsvannet in Melhus were used. However, dependency on cold weather for the execution of races and poor tracks on the ice caused interest in establishing a land track and the association started working with the issue in 1911.

TT moved its races to Lianvatnet from 1925, where it drew up to 6,000 spectators at its events. The association was offered a free lot at Lianmyrene in 1927, but declined. Up until the 1920s equine betting was illegal in Norway and the events and prize money was collected through admission rather than through bets. In 1928 Bjerke Travbane opened in Oslo and the law was changed, allowing for bets to be placed at races there. TT received permission to operate its first six toto races in 1930 and warmbloods competed for the first time.

A committee was established to look into the permanent track case. They eventually concluded that Leangen Søndre would be the most suitable site and planned to purchase 20 hectares (49 acres) of farmland and 6 hectares (15 acres) of forest to build the venue. Plans for the track were devised by engineer Sverre S. Klingenberg and after negotiations a price of NOK 77,500 was agreed upon for the lot. The site at the time a rural location in the municipality of Strinda. Selmer and Blekkan bid for the construction, which was approved by TT's annual meeting on 30 April 1931. During the municipal council's discussion there was a proposal that the contractor would be required to only hire unemployed people from Strinda, but the terms were not approved with five against four council votes.

Construction commenced in May and the venue could open on 5 September, one week after schedule. During the German occupation of Norway Leangen was expropriated by the Wehrmacht and horse racing instead took place at Tempebanen. The popularity of horse-racing saw a dramatic increase during the war, in part because other sports were in a self-imposed shut-down and in part because of the lack of amenities for the general public to spend money on. The venue reopened after the war on 6 October 1946. During the 1950s the inner parts of the track were used as a recreational association football field.

Races at Leangen became part of Norsk Rikstoto tote betting from 1984, allowing for a national betting audience. From the 1990s this was further reorganized with a national network of commissioners. With the new system, all betting on horses in Trøndelag and Møre og Romsdal went to TT and Leangen. In 2008 the region had a revenue of NOK 333 million on betting.

 

[Hachiko]

Here's something for @TrojanMan and San Diego State to smile about: they upset 5-4 Boise State by the score of 35-28.

 

[Hachiko]

​

Week 12 Scores...

Twilight Sparkle 58, Pinkie Pie 0
Applejack State 24, South Dakota 17
Fluttershy 44, Rarity 17
Rainbow Dash 42, Bucknell 14

 

[Hachiko]

​

The Mystique of Täby Racecourse

By Kathy Weingart
The Daily Party
November 16, 2022

Taby Racecourse, (Swedish: Täby Galopp), is a Thoroughbred horse racing venue located in Täby, approximately 15 kilometres north of Stockholm. Taby Racecourse is the premier track in the three Scandinavian countries where racing is run, Denmark, Norway and Sweden. Opened in 1960 and based on the major racecourses in America, its facilities have constantly been up-graded and are now as good as most courses in Europe and unrivalled in Scandinavia.

Racing takes place throughout the year, the variety available varying from dirt racing under lights during the winter and spring to the top flat and jump races in Scandinavia run during the summer and fall.

The course usually stages about 50 days racing a year with the dirt track being used exclusively until May. Racing under floodlights was first staged in 1965 and the formula is now working with considerable success in England at Wolverhampton and other courses in Europe.

The left-handed track was also designed on a similar basis as courses in North America with a dirt track which is about 8 furlongs (one mile) in length on the outside of the turf course. There is also the added attraction of a figure-eight hurdle and steeplechase track on the inside plus stabling nearby.

In recent years Täby Galopp has made a significant impression on the international scene, being the first course outside the five main European countries to stage a Pattern race following the granting of Group 3 status to the Stockholm Cup International in 1994.

The 12 furlong race has regularly attracted good quality horses from the rest of Europe keen to take on the best Scandinavian middle-distance horses. In 1997 Harbour Dues took the prize for Lady Herries before heading down to Australia to run a gallant fourth in the Melbourne Cup. In 2003 Labirinto won the race for France. In 2004, Collier Hill took the prize back to England and came back again to win it in 2006.

In recognition of the quality of racing at the track, a second race, the Täby Open Sprint Championship, was awarded Group 3 status in 1998.

 

[Hachiko]

​

Week 13 Scores...

Twilight Sparkle 59, Rainbow Dash 10
Fluttershy 34, Illinois State 31
Pinkie Pie 27, UC Davis 17
Applejack State 42, Rarity 25

 

[Hachiko]

​

The Mystique of Veliefendi Race Course

By Kathy Weingart
The Daily Party
November 23, 2022

Veliefendi Race Course (Turkish: Veliefendi Hipodromu) is a horse racing track located at Veliefendi neighborhood in Zeytinburnu district of Istanbul, Turkey.

It is country's oldest and biggest race course founded on a former grassland that was historically a farm belonging to Şeyhülislam Veliyüddin Efendi, an 18th-century superior authority of Islam in the Ottoman Empire. The race course was constructed in the years 1912/13 by German specialists upon the initiative of Enver Pasha.

The race course hosts also music events. In 2006, Turkish pop singer Nez held a concert.

The race course covers an area of 59.6 ha (147 acres) consisting of facilities for racing, training and barns. The race course has three interleaved tracks as:

• a 2,020 m (2,210 yd) long and 27–36 m (89–118 ft) wide turf oval,
• a 1,870 m (2,050 yd) long and 17.5–19 m (57–62 ft) wide synthetic track for all-weather racing and
• a 1,730 m (1,890 yd) long and 16–17 m (52–56 ft) wide sand oval for training.

The track's seating capacity is 7,600. The complex comprises offices, a museum, an exhibition hall, a racehorse hospital, an apprentice training center as well as social and recreational facilities.

During a race on July 31, 1949, four race horses, including two favourite horses, did not leave the starting gate upon the referee's start sign, and were disqualified. The bettors protested about a possible swindle by the referees and the racehorse owners, and demanded a rerun. As the referee commission rejected the demand, the crowd set the referee tower, the bleachers, the administration and box offices on fire.

In July 1953, bettors threw at horsemen with stones and beat a jockey named Muhacir Ahmet (literally: Ahmet The Immigrant) they believed he had swindled. Two years later local newspapers published about swindels at Veliefendi Race Course, and during a race on July 13, 1955, the bettors stoned the administration building, and Muhacir Ahmet was beaten once again.

In 2008, the track held its first-ever farewell ceremony for a racehorse, honoring Ribella, a popular mare.

 

[Hachiko]

Another win for @TrojanMan and San Diego State! They stun Hawai'i, 45-31 and finish their season a disappoint 4-8 (3-5). Will TM still be around on the Mesa? Stay tuned...

 

[Hachiko]

​

Week 14 Scores...

Twilight Sparkle 84, Applejack State 3
Pinkie Pie 35, Maine 28
Rainbow Dash 44, Rarity 20
Fluttershy 48, VMI 14

 

[Hachiko]

​

The Mystique of Prairie Meadows Racetrack

By Ben Rogers
The Daily Dash
December 1, 2022

Prairie Meadows is a Casino, Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racetrack, and Hotel in Altoona, Iowa. In 1984, Prairie Meadows received a license from the Iowa Racing and Gaming commission to operate a horse racing facility after parimutuel betting was legalized by the state the previous year. In 1987, groundbreaking ceremonies were held for Prairie Meadows.

Prairie Meadows conducted its first day of racing on March 1, 1989. However, the track lost money during its first few years of operation and filed for bankruptcy in November 1991. Live racing was suspended for the 1992 season before revenues from off-track betting allowed racing to resume the following year.

On May 17, 1994, Polk County voters approved a referendum allowing the installation of slot machines at Prairie Meadows. On April 1, 1995, the slot machine casino opened at Prairie Meadows, and by the end of 1996, Prairie Meadows was able to pay off the bonds that were issued by the Polk County Board of Supervisors.

On December 14, 2004, Prairie Meadows added casino game tables after receiving state approval to do so. As a result of the high demand for these tables, the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission approved Prairie Meadows' plans to expand its facility on January 25, 2005. Construction on the $60 million expansion began in September 2005. An addition to the casino opened in August 2006, while two new restaurants and a 1,200-seat concert hall known as "The Meadows" opened in February 2007.

On February 25, 2009, the Prairie Meadows board voted unanimously to solicit third-party proposals for construction and ownership of a 200-room hotel, at the cost of $20 to $25 million. The current timeline would have the hotel opening Jan/Feb of 2012.

Prairie Meadows is owned by Polk County and operated by a local, non-profit, 13-member board of directors. The revenues generated by Prairie Meadows are given to various community projects in the Des Moines area, including construction of the Iowa Events Center complex in downtown Des Moines. Prairie Meadows' gross revenue for the 12-month period ending June 30, 2008, was nearly $193 million. That total ranked second to the Horseshoe Casino in Council Bluffs among Iowa's casinos.

Prairie Meadows has a one mile dirt track with a chute for quarter horses. On site is a casino with 1,900 slot machines and casino game tables featuring games such as poker, roulette, and blackjack. The track area has also hosted free concerts by national musical acts in recent years.

Prairie Meadows runs many stakes and handicaps during its April to October season. During 2010, April 23rd to August 7th will conduct all thoroughbred races, August 13th to September 25th all quarter horse races, and October 1st to October 16th all standardbred races.

The track runs three graded stakes races during the thoroughbred season. They are:

• Grade 2 Cornhusker Handicap
• Grade 3 Iowa Oaks
• Grade 3 Iowa Derby

In addition, other animals such as ostriches have raced in the area.

 

[Hachiko]

Week 15 Scores...

Twilight Sparkle 70, Rarity 14
Fluttershy 24, Pinkie Pie 21
Rainbow Dash 37, Applejack State 34

Week 16 Scores...

No Scores

 

[Hachiko]

​

Bowl Season, 2022 Scores...

BCS National Championship Game
Twilight Sparkle 93, Kansas State 13

San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl
Miami 35, Fluttershy 32

Royal Purple Las Vegas Bowl
Rainbow Dash 56, Boise State 24

 

[Hachiko]

​

The Mystique of Turfway Park

By Rod Rainier
The Daily Yay
January 12, 2023

Turfway Park is an American horse racing track located just outside the city limits to the north of Florence, Kentucky, about 10 miles south of the Ohio River at Cincinnati. The track conducts live Thoroughbred horse racing during three meets each year—Fall, Holiday, and Winter/Spring—and offers year-round simulcast wagering from tracks across the continent.

In 2009, the Horseplayers Association of North America introduced a rating system for 65 Thoroughbred racetracks in North America. Of the top Ten, Turfway was ranked #10.

Turfway Park opened in Florence, Kentucky, in 1959 as Latonia Race Course. The track is located about 10 miles south of the original Latonia in Covington, Kentucky, which hosted Thoroughbred racing from 1883 until it was torn down in 1939. The original Latonia was home to the important Latonia Derby, which rivaled the Kentucky Derby in prestige for many years and shared many of the same horses. The Florence track's name was changed to Turfway Park when Jerry Carroll and his partners purchased the facility in 1986.

In 1999, Carroll sold the track in equal parts to lottery equipment manufacturer GTECH, gaming conglomerate Harrah's Entertainment, and the non-profit Keeneland Association, which operates the Lexington, Kentucky, race track and Thoroughbred auction facility. In 2005, GTECH sold its interests to the other partners, leaving Keeneland and Harrah's with 50-50 interests.

Turfway is home to the Horseshoe Casino Spiral Stakes, established by then-general manager John Battaglia in 1972 as the Spiral Stakes. Battaglia envisioned a race from which 3-year-olds would "spiral up" to the Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland and then to the Kentucky Derby. The race was sponsored from 1982 through 1998 by Jim Beam Distillers, and for one year (1999) by GalleryFurniture.com. Lane's End Farm, one of the world's leading Thoroughbred breeding and sales operations, took over sponsorship in 2002. Horse farm giant Vinery Stables has sponsored since 2011. The race attained Grade II status in 1988 but was later downgraded to Grade III in 2011.

Turfway Park was also home to the Kentucky Cup Day of Champions, patterned after (and a prep for) the Breeders' Cup World Championships. The card included five stakes, four of them graded, including the Grade II Kentucky Cup Classic, and was traditionally run four weeks before the Breeders' Cup. In 2010, Turfway Park eliminated the Kentucky Cup Day of Champions.

In 2008, the Turfway Park Fall Championship (G3) was named a Breeders' Cup Challenge "Win and You're In" race, with its winner guaranteed a spot in the Breeders' Cup Marathon.

Turfway combined with Churchill Downs and other investors to purchase Dueling Grounds Race Course near Franklin, Kentucky; Turfway retains a small share in the track, since renamed Kentucky Downs.

In 2005, Turfway Park became the first track in North America to install Polytrack, an all-weather product, as a racing surface. The visible component combines silica sand, wax, and various fibers; the hidden drainage component allows water to drain quickly through the surface, eliminating the freeze-and-thaw cycles that plagued the track during its winter meets. With the installation, Turfway's track condition is always officially listed as "fast," no matter the weather.

In 2012, Dan Gilbert's Rock Gaming bought a 40% stake in Turfway Park from Keeneland. Turfway Park was the fictional setting of the 2005 adventure/comedy movie, Racing Stripes. However, no filming took place at Turfway Park; the track was mentioned in name only.

 

[Hachiko]

​

 

[Hachiko]

​

Changes, Changes, Changes!

By Jeff Hudson
The Ponyville Express
January 25, 2023

There are a number of changes that will be going on at a number of Pony Conference schools. First, at Twilight Sparkle University, defensive tackle Carlton Floyd has opted to transfer to Houston, citing lack of playing time. The decision means that the Unicorns will be lacking in terms of depth on the defensive line. Defensive coordinator Momo Kawashima is replaced by Kyle Whittingham, while Yukari Akiyama replaces Scottie Montgomery at offensive coordinator.

Fluttershy is feeling the loss at defensive end, as redshirt freshman Chris Mayes is taking off for South Alabama. Defensive coordinator Ruffin McNeil returns after signing a contract extension. Applejack State will have a new head coach. Big MacIntosh was forced to leave the Acres after an unimpressive 2022 campaign. Ted Roof replaces Big Mac as head coach, while Darrell Hazell is the new offensive coordinator, replacing Tim Albin.

At Rainbow Dash, wide receiver Derrick Peterson is transferring to Toledo after disgust with lack of playing time and development. Despite the loss, offensive coordinator Mike MacIntyre returns to head the Rainbow Dash offense after signing a new contract extension. D.J. Durkin also remains as the head coach after a solid season ended with a bowl victory and a winning season. At Pinkie Pie, defensive coordinator Jim Fleming replaces Kevin Sherrer after the Major Trouble failed to secure a single win in conference play.

Two players are leaving the Rarity College of the Arts, who are feeling the strain after Sweetie Belle was sacked as head coach. Fullback Marcus Walker is taking off for UCLA while right end Pat Rankin is bailing for Akron. As for the coaches, Sweetie Belle was let go by her big sister after a decade in charge of the Royals. Ryne Jones replaces Sweetie as the boss of the Rarity Royals, while Dave Cohen is the new man in charge of the defense after Terry Beverly was sacked.

 

[Hachiko]

Twilight Sparkle projected to finish first in PonyCon in 2023

By Laney Thornwood
The Daily Twilight
July 1, 2023

The Twilight Sparkle Unicorns have been projected by the combined coaches/media poll to finish first in the 2023 Pony Connference in football at the Strong Convocation Center in Ponyville, Calif. The Rainbow Dash Rainbows were picked to finish second, the Fluttershy Spirt were picked to finish third, the Applejack State Appleknockers were picked to finish fourth, the Pinkie Pie Major Trouble were picked to finish fifth, and holding up the rear are the Rarity Royals. Twilight, who claimed all the first place votes, boasts the toughest nonconference schedule, with six games against ranked opponents and all matches being on the road, with the lone exception of the Georgia Bulldogs on Sept. 9.

1. Twilight Sparkle 180
[BCOLOR=#ffffff]2. Rainbow Dash 150[/BCOLOR]
3. Fluttershy 120
4. Applejack State 90
5. Pinkie Pie 60
6. Rarity 30


Twilight Sparkle Unicorns
8/26 at #6 LSU
9/2 at #1 Notre Dame
9/9 vs. #3 Georgia
9/16 at #7 Kansas State
9/23 at #4 Oklahoma
9/30 at #9 Texas A&M
10/7 at Houston
11/4 vs. Fluttershy
11/1 at Pinkie Pie
11/18 vs. Rainbow Dash
11/25 vs. Applejack State
12/2 at Rarity

Rainbow Dash Rainbows
9/2 vs. Georgia State
9/16 vs. South Florida
9/23 at Indiana
10/7 vs. SMU
10/14 vs. #12 Army
10/21 vs. Pinkie Pie
10/28 vs. Fluttershy
11/4 vs. Eastern Washington
11/11 vs. Georgia Southern
11/18 at #2 Twilight Sparkle
11/25 at Rarity
12/2 vs. Applejack State

Fluttershy Spirit
9/2 vs. Maine
9/9 vs. UC Davis
9/16 vs. Tulane
9/23 at Tulsa
9/30 vs. Indiana State
10/21 at Applejack State
10/28 at Rainbow Dash
11/4 at #2 Twilight Sparkle
11/11 vs. Rarity
11/18 vs. Illinois State
11/25 vs. Montana
12/2 vs. Pinkie Pie

Applejack State Appleknockers
9/2 vs. Tulane
9/9 vs. Tulsa
9/16 vs. Memphis
9/23 vs North Carolina
9/30 vs. Furman
10/21 vs. Fluttershy
10/28 vs. Pinkie Pie
11/2 vs. Rhode Island
11/11 vs. North Dakota State
11/18 at Rarity
11/25 at #2 Twilight Sparkle
12/2 at Rainbow Dash

Pinkie Pie Major Trouble
9/2 vs. VMI
9/9 vs. Montana State
9/16 at #12 Army
9/23 vs. Arizona State
10/5 at Florida State
10/21 at Rainbow Dash
10/28 at Applejack State
11/4 vs. Rarity
11/11 vs. #2 Twilight Sparkle
11/18 vs. North Dakota
11/25 vs. Cal Poly
12/2 at Fluttershy

Rarity Royals
9/2 vs. Idaho State
9/9 vs. Villanova
9/16 vs. Oklahoma Statew
9/23 vs. Akron
10/7 vs. Buffalo
10/21 vs. The Citadel
10/28 vs. Northern Arizona
11/4 at Pinkie Pie
11/11 at Fluttershy
11/18 vs. Applejack State
11/23 vs. Rainbow Dash
12/2 vs. #2 Twilight Sparkle

 

[Hachiko]

​

A Question and Answer Session with Corch Travis

By Tohko Fukami
The Daily Yay
July 12, 2023

One of the emerging faces in the Pony Conference is Fluttershy Spirit football offensive coordinator Travis Rountsaville, known on the Utopia Bulletin Board as @Travis7401 and on campus as Corch Travis. Yes, not Coach, Corch. A little unique accent that has made Corch Travis a fan favorite at Fluttershy College, located here in the Everfree Forest. I had the prestigious opportunity to talk with Corch Travis about all things Fluttershy football.

Tohko: You've been here on this campus a few years, how do you like it?
Travis: Oh, are you kidding me? The people are very nice, very accomodating, and the founder is just someone I love to cuddle every now and then. But Fluttershy College is all about the students. They like to get their education in one of the most student-friendly environments in America. I don't think there is any college as gorgeous as Fluttershy. It's one of a kind.

Tohko: What do you do for a living here in the Forest?
Travis: Actually, I live in nearby Ponyville and I commute via buggy to the campus. I report to Coach [Mike] Canales since he's my boss, and he gives me directions on how to implement our game plan as far as the offense is concerned. I do most of the game-planning for the offense, calling plays and formations, and I also do most of the recruiting work. Recruiting makes or breaks a program, and we've fared well for the most part.

Tohko: Speaking of recruiting, it has to be tough to recruit in the Pony Conference. I mean, you have Twilight Sparkle, the flagship school of the conference, garnering its share, but you are at war with other schools to land the prospect, aren't you?
Travis: Recruiting is not easy in the PonyCon. All six of us—my school, Twilight, Rainbow, AJ [Applejack State], Pinkie [Pie] and Rarity are in a constant war for recruits. We want to do better than the other and it's not easy to have to put up with competition. So sometimes we get what we want, other times we lose out. That's the nature of the beast.

Tohko: Tell us about the good old days of the program.
Travis: Actually, the good old days were recent. The team was coached by Berry Punch, and the Spirit team of the first five years was pretty good. Perhaps the greatest player to come out of Fluttershy is our quarterbacks coach, Cole Porter. He set school records at Fluttershy that can never be surpassed. He's an excellent mentor and his knowledge of the team and the history of this school is why we kept him after the old guard left.

Tohko: Are you ever going to go back to the good old days?
Travis: We never dwell on the past too much. We know how good we are, and we strive to get better. This offense that I coach is not as good as the world-beating sides of the early days of this program. Even if our recruiting class of 2024 was all blue chips, it still would not be as good as the powerhouse teams of the past. What we can only sell as far as we should be concerned is the Fluttershy College experience; the emphasis on playing the game with honor and dignity; and the opportunities to take part in humanitarian efforts for the greater good in the offseason as part of the many service project opportunities we have.

Tohko: What are your goals for every team you coach?
Travis: My goals are the goals set by Coach Canales. 1. Get a winning season (7-5 or better). 2. Finish top three in the PonyCon. 3. Make it to a bowl game. 4. Win the bowl game. The fourth goal cannot happen without the other three being achieved. These are the goals that we set from the start of the season all the way to the end, and we even have it posted in our locker room. If all these goals are met, our season is a success.

​

 

[Hachiko]

​

Twilight Sparkle shine on against LSU, 90-27

By Arisa Matsuda
The Daily Twilight
August 26, 2023

Quarterback Donnie Morris passed for 460 yards and six touchdowns and ran for 362 yards and two more scores as M.A. Larson's Twilight Sparkle Unicorns overpowered the LSU Tigers, 90-27, at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, La. Morris and backup Geoff Gibbs passed for 10 different receivers while halfback Jay Lawrence was used sparingly. Lawrence ran for 61 yards and a touchdown as the primary running back.

Wide receiver Travis Farris caught 11 passes for 132 yards, wide receiver Eric Anderson caught seven passes for 86 yards and a score, wideout Rhett Lake caught seven passes for 99 yards and two touchdowns, wideout Justin Wilcox caught seven passes for 113 yards and two scores and tight end Ramon Concepcion had three catches for 36 yards and two touchdowns.

Wilcox led the blockers with 17 pancakes, Lake had 15 pancakes and Anderson had 10 pancakes. Cornerback Drew Wright led the defense with 18 tackles, middle linebacker Darrell Castillo had 12 tackles and cornerback Walter Miller had 10. Defensive tackle Ricky Thompson, right end Kyle Davis and left end Danny Scott each had two sacks.

Twilight Sparkle improve to 1-0 and return to action next week against Notre Dame.

 

[Hachiko]

​

The Mystique of Caulfield Racecourse

By Shizuka Mogami
The Daily Party
August 29, 2023

Caulfield Racecourse is one of Melbourne, Australia's best-known horse-racing tracks. Commonly known as "The Heath" by local racegoers, it is located eight kilometres from the Melbourne CBD, on the boundary of Caulfield and Caulfield East in Melbourne's south eastern suburbs. It is home to the Melbourne Racing Club.

The track has a triangular shaped layout, comprising three straights, 30 metres wide, with a total circumference of 2080 metres and a finishing straight of 367 metres. All turns have a 4% to 6% banking. Racing takes place in an anti-clockwise direction. The totally glassed in Rupert Clarke stand provides an uninterrupted view of the racecourse.

Caulfield has about 20 racedays each season and hosts some of the Australia's most famous and historic races including the Caulfield Cup, Caulfield Guineas, Blue Diamond Stakes, C F Orr Stakes, Oakleigh Plate, Underwood Stakes and Futurity Stakes.

The racecourse is on Melbourne tram route 3 and the journey takes about 35 minutes from the city centre.

Caulfield railway station is less than a hundred metres from the racecourse and is located on the Frankston, Cranbourne and Pakenham lines. Trains depart every 10 minutes from Flinders Street Station in the Melbourne CBD.

Caulfield Racecourse provides disabled carparks opposite the main entrance on Station Street. Lift access to grandstands and disabled toilets are available. There is also a baby change room and first aid facilities.

Aside from its use for racing, the Caulfield Racecourse is also used by the VCAA to examine students who are unable to attend examinations at their schools as well as by Monash University for end of semester examinations. The UMAT is also held at Caulfield Racecourse.

 

[Hachiko]

Week 2 Scores...

Twilight Sparkle 100, Notre Dame 39
Tulane 35, Applejack State 28
Pinkie Pie 24, VMI 10
Rarity 30, Idaho State 17
Georgia State 45, Rainbow Dash 33
Fluttershy 24, Maine 20

 

[Hachiko]

​

The Mystique of Moonee Valley Racecourse

By Haruka Koumi
The Carousel
September 4, 2023

Moonee Valley Racecourse is a horse-racing track in Melbourne, Australia which hosts races for Thoroughbreds. Located six kilometres from the Melbourne CBD, it is the home of the Moonee Valley Racing Club. It is situated in Moonee Ponds which is a suburb of the City of Moonee Valley.

The track is roughly rectangular, with a circumference of 1,805 m and a finishing straight of 173 metres which is the shortest in Australia. The track is constructed of the StrathAyr Turf System, having a lower layer of sand and an upper rootzone layer reinforced with mesh elements. Racing takes place in an anti-clockwise direction, as it does on all Victorian tracks. A 965m harness racing track located inside the turf track was the main metropolitan track for harness racing in Victoria for a number of years. The Moonee Valley grandstands have 12 function rooms, which on non-racedays, can cater for up to 1,200 people.

Moonee Valley Racecourse was established in 1883 by William Samuel Cox, who purchased a farm belonging to John F. Feehan for the purpose of establishing a racetrack. Being entirely freehold land owned by a private club, this separates Moonee Valley from other Melbourne racecourse such as Caulfield and Flemington. Expansion of the racecourse facilities occurred in the 1960s, funded by compensation for land acquired for the construction of the adjacent Tullamarine Freeway. In the 1970s harness racing moved to the Valley, when night trotting relocated from the Royal Melbourne Showgrounds, this continued until its contract ended in February 2010 and events moved to the new Tabcorp Park harness track which opened at Melton in July 2009.

In 2009 the Moonee Valley Racing Club announced their redevelopment plans for the racecourse, with the relocation of the existing grandstands to make way for commercial and residential development. The works were estimated to cost $150 million, with $50 million in profit returning to the club. By 2011 the plans had expanded to cover four 20 storey high residential towers, to provide 2000 apartments and townhouses. Costing $1.4 billion, the racing club would receive $300 million. Local residents and politicians are opposed to the plan.

The racecourse can be reached via the route 59 tram from Elizabeth Street in Melbourne city centre. Moonee Ponds railway station is a ten minute walk from the racecourse and is located on the Craigieburn railway line. Every October the Moonee Valley Racecourse hosts Australasia's richest weight-for-age horse-racing championship, the W.S. Cox Plate. Contested over a distance of 2,040 metres, the race is for three-year-olds and over.

 

[Hachiko]

​

Week 3 Scores...

Twilight Sparkle 87, Georgia 43
Pinkie Pie 55, Montana State 16
Tulsa 24, Applejack State 20
Rarity 26, Villanova 20
Fluttershy 20, UC Davis 13

 

[Hachiko]

​

The Mystique of Morphettville Racecourse

By Aoi Sakurai
The Daily Dash
September 11, 2023

Morphettville Racecourse is the main horse racing track for the Australian state of South Australia. It is situated in the Adelaide suburb of Morphettville, and is about 10 km from the Adelaide city centre. It is home to the South Australian Jockey Club. After years of using facilities at the East Parklands (later known as Victoria Park) rented from the Adelaide City Council, the S.A.J.C. acquired its own freehold property at Morphettville and held its first meeting there on 3 January 1876. A breakaway group, the Adelaide Racing Club continued to hold race meetings at the "Old Adelaide Racecourse".

The course proper at Morphettville is a long, flat course with a circumference of 2307 metres. The track is 32 m wide and features wide turns with a camber of 4% that provide every chance for strong finishers.

The second track, known as "The Parks", was official opened in June 2009. The Morphettville Parks track has a circumference of 2100 metres, and the track is 25 m wide and 5% chamber on the turns. It provides a fair chance for all runners. A chute through the centre of the course that runs between the 850 m and 1550 m points provides for 1250, 1300 and 1400 metre starts.

A retractable winning post with hydraulics enables the SAJC the flexibility to alternate the running of races with minimal damage to both tracks especially with races taking place mid week and increased racing through the winter months. It was installed in 2009, and is a world first.

The Morphettville Racecourse Wetland was an initiative of the Patawalonga Catchment Water Management Board and the South Australian Jockey Club. It was constructed by the Board and the Jockey Club during 2001/2002.

The wetland covers an area of 3.5 hectares, in the middle of the racecourse on the corner of Anzac Highway and Morphett Road. The catchment area for the wetland includes stormwater flow from two drains in Bray Street, south of the racecourse. Water enters a sediment pond where floating litter is collected in a net and large materials settle out. The water is then piped into the wetland, where it travels through a series of deep and shallow marshes. An aquifer storage and recovery system (ASR) has been constructed at the wetland.

The water flowing out of the wetland is ideal for irrigation as it has very low salinity. During winter months, water is captured and pumped into a tertiary limestone aquifer below the racecourse. During the summer months, the water in the aquifer is recovered and used for irrigation. Up to 600 megalitres of water a year is recharged into the aquifer. This exceeds the amount required to irrigate the racecourse.

The racecourse is just off Anzac Highway, Morphett Rd, Morphettville. Entry is via Morphett Rd entrance or Tramway entrance. A taxi rank is located inside the Members' Car Park, where taxis will make pick ups and drop offs throughout the day. The Glenelg Tram operates throughout the day from North Tce, and Victoria Square (Adelaide), through to Moseley Square (Glenelg). The tram stops on Morphett Road adjacent to the Morphettville Racecourse (Stop 12).

Car parking at Morphettville can be found at the following locations: Morphett Road Adjacent to the Members' entrance on the opposite side of the road to the racecourse. Anzac Highway, Morphettville Junction car park, entrance to the racecourse over the tram line.

 

[Hachiko]

@TrojanMan and San Diego State open the 2023 with a 24-7 loss to Northern Illinois.

 

[Hachiko]

More pain for @TrojanMan and San Diego State as they lose a heartbreaker, 31-28, to Washington.

 

[Hachiko]

USC, @TrojanMan's alma mater, smokes San Diego State, 34-24. The Aztecs are 0-3 on the season.

 

[Hachiko]

​

Week 4 Scores...

Twilight Sparkle 94, Kansas State 27
Fluttershy 31, Tulane 24
South Florida 45, Rainbow Dash 20
Pinkie Pie 30, Army 13
Memphis 23, Applejack State 9
Oklahoma State 27, Rarity 19

 

[Hachiko]

​

The Mystique of Randwick Racecourse

By Mari Sasshou
The Orchard
September 18, 2023

Royal Randwick Racecourse is a racecourse for horseracing in the Eastern Suburbs in Sydney, New South Wales. Randwick Racecourse is operated by the Australian Turf Club and known to many Sydney racegoers as headquarters. The racecourse is located approximately six kilometres from the Sydney Central Business District in the suburb of Randwick. Besides horseracing, Randwick Racecourse has been used as a venue for many other events including concerts and religious masses.

In 1970, Pope Paul VI celebrated mass at Randwick as part of his pastoral visit to Australia. The Racecourse was also the site of a mass held by Pope John Paul II in 1995 for the Beatification ceremony of Australia's first potential saint Mary MacKillop. It was also the site of the vigil and final mass of World Youth Day 2008 in July 2008. Racing was stopped for several weeks, due to the alterations needed to hold over 400,000 people. This move had been opposed by the Randwick Trainers Association, which holds lease interests over some areas intended to be used for the event. The dispute was resolved, by the federal government and the state government jointly pledging $40 million as reimbursement to the racing industry. The famous racecourse has also appeared in several films, including Mission: Impossible II.

Randwick Racecourse is also used as an exam venue by the University of New South Wales. In addition, the annual Future Music Festival is held at the racecourse.

 

[Hachiko]

0-4! UCLA is the next to defeat @TrojanMan and San Diego State, winning 41-38 in overtime!

 

[Hachiko]

​

Week 5 Scores...

Twilight Sparkle 125, Oklahoma 27
Rainbow Dash 24, Indiana 16
Arizona State 28, Pinkie Pie 19
Fluttershy 31, Tulsa 26
Applejack State 21, North Carolina 7
Rarity 33, Akron 13

 

[Hachiko]

​

The Mystique of Sandown Racecourse

By Mari Sasshou
The Orchard
September 25, 2023

Sandown Racecourse is one of the four horse racing venues located in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Built for the Victoria Amateur Turf Club, it is the only metropolitan racecourse built in the 20th century and was opened before a crowd of 52,000, in June 1965.

Sandown Racecourse is situated 25 kilometres from the Melbourne CBD on the Princes Highway in the suburb of Springvale in the City of Greater Dandenong.

The original course was a turfed oval shape, 1892 metres in circumference and 30 metres wide, with sweeping cambered turns and an uphill home straight of 407 metres.

With the increase in the number of overseas horses being attracted to the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival a Quarantine Centre was established at Sandown Racecourse and used for the first time in 1997.

The Sandown Racecourse also features a motor racing circuit on the outside of the racecourse, referred to as Sandown Raceway.

In October 2001, the Melbourne Racing Club commenced the redevelopment of Sandown Racecourse. This consisted of an additional 30 metre wide home turn and widening of the main straight from 30 to 45 metres, and widening of the turn out of the straight from 30 to 45 metres. This created two turf tracks. The course using the outer home turn and outside 30 metres in the main straight was named Sandown Hillside, and the course comprising the reconfigured inner home turn and full 45 metres wide straight was named Sandown Lakeside. The Lakeside course has a circumference of 1857 metres and a home straight of 407 metres and the Hillside course is 2087 metres in circumference with a home straight of 491 metres. Racing on the reconfigured tracks commenced on 25 January 2003 with the number of meeting hosted at Sandown being increased from 32 to 41 per season.

The Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival traditionally closes with the Sandown Carnival. This carnival features two meetings, Sandown Classic Day and Eclipse Stakes Day in November each year. The course can be reached in 40 minutes, from Flinders Street Station in the city via Sandown Park railway station on the Pakenham and the Cranbourne railway lines.

 

[Hachiko]

@TrojanMan and San Diego State get off the schneid, taking down LSU 38-21.

 

[Hachiko]

​

Week 6 Scores...

Twilight Sparkle 100, Texas A&M 45
Fluttershy 17, Indiana State
Applejack State 40, Furman 7

 

[Hachiko]

​

The Mystique of Warwick Farm Racecourse

By Aoi Sakurai
The Daily Dash
October 2, 2023

Warwick Farm Racecourse is a racecourse at Warwick Farm a south-west suburb of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. It is used as a racecourse for Thoroughbred horse racing.

It is within close walking distance of Warwick Farm railway station. A free bus service between the racecourse and the station is available on racedays. The racecourse was once served by a direct rail link off the Main South line north of Warwick Farm station. Race day special trains from North Sydney and the city were able to bring racegoers to the racecourse entrance. This 1.63 kilometre branch line was owned by the Australian Jockey Club and operated by CityRail and its predecessors. When the AJC decided not to fund maintenance of the line, it closed in August 1990.

In the early 1880s William Alexander Long bought J.H. Stroud's Warwick Park grant north of Liverpool. By 1884 he had also developed his property across the river, Chipping Norton, building stables and tracks. Long lived at Chipping Norton until 1901 when the banks foreclosed on him. His most successful horse Grand Flanneur won the Melbourne Cup in 1880. He sold the Warwick Park estate in 1882 to William Forrester, who changed to name to Warwick Farm to match his initials. He became one of the most successful trainers of his time and in 1889 he and Edwin Oatley were the principals in the formation of the Warwick Farm Racing Club. Forrester owned two Melbourne Cup winners, Gaulus in 1897 and The Grafter in 1898. Forrester died almost destitute not long after his last winner The Watch Dog, won the Ellesmere Stakes at Randwick Racecourse in 1901. Early in the twentieth century the racecourse was owned by Edwin Oatley who died in 1920. His son, Cecil, was the Manager of the property for a number of years, until 1924. Another son, Percy, was Secretary of the Warwick Farm Racing Club from 1906 until 1914. During World War II, the racecourse was utilised as a camp by Australian, American and British armed forces. The camp was known as Camp Warwick and also HMS Golden Hind.

Warwick Farm Raceway was built in the same area in the 1950s. It became a major track in the 1960s and hosted major events such as the Australian Grand Prix, Australian Touring Car Championship and Tasman Series. It hosted the Australian Grand Prix on four occasions in 1963, 1967, 1970 & 1971. In the early 1970s it conducted a round of the South Pacific Series for Production cars. The last major race at Warwick Farm was the final round of the 1973 Australian Touring Car Championship on 15 July and the circuit closed in August.

 

[Hachiko]

​

Week 7 Scores...

Twilight Sparkle 119, Houston 45
Pinkie Pie 34, Florida State 17
Rarity 45, Buffalo 24
Rainbow Dash 41, SMU 20

 

[Hachiko]

​

The Mystique of Hippodrome Wellington

By Aoi Sakurai
The Daily Dash
October 9, 2023

The Hippodrome Wellington (also Wellingtonrenbaan) is a horse racing track in Ostend in the Flemish Region of Belgium built in 1883, renovated in 2011 and named after Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington.

The facility hosts both harness and flat racing events. Starting at the end of June, there's a race day every Monday (until September). Notable among its flat races for Thoroughbred horses was the Grand Prix Prince Rose held annually in July on the Nationale feestdag. Formerly known as the Grand International d'Ostende, it was renamed to honor the great Belgian horse, Prince Rose.

The venue hosted concerts by artists like Michael Jackson (1997), David Bowie (2002) and Bon Jovi (2003) and the 2001 IAAF World Cross Country Championships

In 2004 the center of the race track was converted into a golf course named Wellington Golf Oostende.. It holds 4 golf holes of the total of 9. The golf course is -as you can imagine- closed on race days.

The Royal Galleries of Ostend were built to link the track to King Leopold II of Belgium's villa, allowing the king and his guests to travel between the two without being inconvenienced by rain or wind.

​