NEWS&VIEWS You Can Use


Call Me Goo Wins Breeders Crown Maryland-bred Standardbred trotter Call


Me Goo won the Breeders Crown Mare Trot on October 26 at the Meadowlands in New Jersey. Bred in Brandywine by William Rob- erts, Call Me Goo is by Maryland stallion and world champion GooGoo GaaGaa. She is the fi rst Maryland-sired horse to win a Breeders Crown Final, which is the richest series in har- ness racing. T e win brings Call Me Goo’s earnings closer to the million-dollar mark with her current total earnings to date being $936,518. T e Breeders Crown Mare Trot was her 23rd win in just three years of racing.


Shamrock Farm Selected as New TB Training Center


During a closed session of the Maryland


T oroughbred Racetrack Operating Authority (MTROA) on December 17, it was decided that Shamrock Farm in Woodbine (Carroll County) will be the site for the the new T oroughbred racing training center. MTROA had previously narrowed the site locations down to Shamrock Farm and Michell Farm in Aberdeen. Shamrock was founded by the late Pitts-


burgh Steelers owner Art Rooney, who created the farm as a premiere T oroughbred breeding opperation. According to T e Baltimore Sun, Shamrock


Farm was the popular pick among the State's horsemen, many of which are currently based out of Laurel Park. Shamrock is more closely located to Laurel Park and has direct access to Pimlico via Liberty Road. T e Baltimore Sun stated, "Horsemen envision Shamrock, which already houses a longstanding breeding opera- tion founded by late Pittsburgh Steelers owner Art Rooney, as a pastoral setting that could rival Fair Hill Training Center in Elkton, where some of the state’s top stables are headquartered." T e new training center is expected to cost a minimum of $110 million, which is over 25% of the $400 million in bonds that the State ap- proved for the plan to redevelop Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore. T e preliminary design calls for 16 barns containing 40 stalls each, a veterinary center, and a dormitory with 75 rooms for workers. State offi cials are looking to publish the fa-


cility design and break ground in 2025 with the goal of it being move-in ready by the end


of 2027, which is when the temporary agreement with T e Stronach Group, who owns Laurel Park, to continue training at Laurel Park ex- pires. Laurel Park will contin- ue to host live racing in 2025 and 2026 with live racing moving exclusively to Pimlico in 2027 when renovations are expected to be completed.


MHIB Executive Director Position


of Agriculture (MDA) is hir- ing an Executive


T e Maryland Department Director


for the Maryland Horse In- dustry Board (MHIB), a key role dedicated to promoting Maryland as a premier eques- trian destination and advanc- ing the state’s equine industry. T is position leads the pro- motion and marketing eff orts for the Maryland Horse Park System, collaborates with in- dustry partners, and manages initiatives that support equine health, welfare, and economic growth.


Responsibilities include


leading promotional activities, administering educational grants, managing stable li- censing and inspections, and supervising pro- gram inspectors. T e role also involves over- sight of MHIB operations and partnerships. Interested candidates should submit a re- sume and cover letter to Cassie Shirk at cassie. shirk@maryland.gov. T e deadline for submis- sions is January 15.


Preakness 2025 Preview On December 11, Governor Wes Moore,


Maryland First Lady Dawn Moore, Baltimore City Mayor Brandon M. Scott, and the Sport & Entertainment Corporation of Maryland announced the reimagined Preakness Festival for the 2025 Preakness weekend at Pimlico Race Course. T e new Preakness Festival will run in con- junction with the 150th


running of the Preak-


ness Stakes and includes a mix of free and ticketed cultural events, art activities and other programming at prominent locations across the state. A December 11 press release from Maroon PR stated, “T rough public and pri- vate stakeholder partnerships, the festival will deliver experiences that equitably enhance eco- nomic growth, promote tourism, and inspire civic pride through collaborative work with small, minority-, women- and veteran-owned businesses. “For this to be Maryland’s decade, it has to be Baltimore’s time. We cannot have a grow- ing, thriving state if our state’s largest city isn’t growing and thriving too,” said Governor Moore during the December 11 press confer- ence. “Preakness 150 will be more than a cel- ebration. It will help us build a legacy in this continued...


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www.equiery.com | 800-244-9580 THE EQUIERY YOUR MARYLAND HORSE COUNCIL PUBLICATION | JANUARY 2025 | 9


Congratulations to Susan Kimmell (pictured above) riding Asaph and Cheryl Swing (pictured below) on Mariner who both completed their Century Club rides during PVDA’s November USDF show at the Prince George’s Equestrian Center. photos by Tara Jelenc


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