February 11, 2022

The 51st Annual Eclipse Awards - honoring Thoroughbred racing’s champions of 2021- were held Thursday at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California. The finalists in 17-categories - including both human and equine - are voted upon by the National Thoroughbred Racing Association member racetrack officials, et., al., the National Turf Writers and Broadcasters, and Daily Racing Form. Collectively, the group represents 245-eligible voters.

The ceremony was televised live on TVG and RTN, and was streamed live on a number of other outlets including America’s Best Racing, DRF, and Equibase, among others. The Eclipse Awards are named after the great 18th-century racehorse and foundation sire Eclipse.

Fanticipate was especially pleased to salute a number of champions and their connections; for their spirit of giving in support of charitable organizations at the Breeders’ Cup World Championships last November, and the Pegasus World Cup this last month. We were truly humbled and honored to have offered much anticipated items for auction, by these super-stars of the industry.

The evening began, honoring the female champions of 2021. And, when St. George Stables’ LETRUSKA was named Champion Older Female, we joined an entire industry in congratulating trainer Fausto Gutierrez on the management of her campaign. Fausto was gracious when accepting the Eclipse, but no more so than when he offered Letruska’s faded-red shadow roll to Fanticipate for auction at the Breeders’ Cup at Del Mar. A truly special donation.

Awards for human achievement in 2021 were next, and to no one’s surprise JOEL ROSARIO was named Champion Jockey. And deservedly so. From 1,083 mounts, Joel rode 228-winners - including 49-graded stakes victories - and earnings of over $32-million. At this year’s Pegasus World Cup, Joel stepped up and donated the jockey pants he wore when partnering KNICKS GO in the $3-million Dirt Invitational. Proceeds from the signed pants benefitted - among others - the PDJF.

The final Eclipse Award in the human achievement categories was that of Champion Trainer. Admittedly, Fanticipate had a favorite of our own. And so when BRAD COX stood to accept his Award, he quite honestly may have heard the cheers emanating from here in Kentucky. Such an honor it was to be around Brad, KNICKS GO, JUST ONE TIME, and his team at Gulfstream Park during Pegasus World Cup week. We’d asked him to part ways with that signature hat of his, in support of Pegasus charities. With class and a willingness to give back to the industry, he did!

But it didn’t end there for Team Cox. KNICKS GO was named Champion Dirt Male, followed soon after by ESSENTIAL QUALITY garnering Champion 3- year-old-male honors.

The night concluded with one final award, that of Horse of the Year. With three Eclipse Awards already in hand, Brad stood one last time to join the connections of KNICKS GO to accept the award on behalf of the now retired stallion standing at Taylor Made Stallions.

Fanticipate is pleased to tip-our-hat to all of the 2021 champions. We wish the human recipients and connections continued success. And we wish all of last night’s equine champions ongoing success and achievement wherever their career’s may lead them. Congratulations all!

Image | Hallway Feeds

February 5, 2022

2022 Pegasus World Cup Gulfstream Park

The 6th renewal of the Pegasus World Cup was run Saturday, January 29, at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Florida. Fanticipate was pleased to join with Pegasus as a Proud Partner of South Florida’s annual leading luxury sports and lifestyle event.

Nationally broadcast on NBC and distributed globally, the Pegasus World Cup was launched as part of 1/ST’s mission to excite, energize and modernize the sport of racing for a new generation of fans. It’s working!

The 2022 edition drew record-setting handle with over $43.8 million wagered on the 12-race program, surpassing the 2020 record of $41.8 million.

As with the Breeders’ Cup alliance, Fanticipate launched its Pegasus World Cup Partnership, offering much anticipated items for auction during the running of the World Cup races. Proceeds benefited the Permanently Disabled Jockeys’ Fund, Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, and Florida Thoroughbred Retirement and Adoptive Care.

Although there were numerous components contributing to the success of the campaign, the outstanding team at 1/ST tops the list. Lead by Jodie Vella- Gregory - 1/ST’s Manager, Office of Innovation - it was all-hands-on-deck from the outset. From Aaron Gryder, Peter Rotondo, and Neil Johnson, to the great Pete Aiello and Eddie Coletti, not a better group to partner with!

Team Fanticipate personnel were deployed to an unseasonably cool south Florida, the week of the World Cup. First on the agenda was a tour of Barn 24 - on the Gulfstream backside - where all of the World Cup starters were stabled. As always, the focus was the procurement of things for in-race fan participation experiences - specifically, "Own a Piece of the ActionTM" items.

Own a piece of the actionTM items are patent protected and distinct from other items because they are being sold before the live race goes off and will be in the race. This allows fans to participate in-race by literally owning a piece of the action!

Horsemen - Brad Cox, Dan Blacker, Saffie Joseph, Jr., Mike Maker, and Robert Falcone, Jr., among others - were eager to support the Pegasus designated charities, pledging unique items including blinkers, shoes, halters and racing bridles.

Not to be outdone, members of the jockey colony stepped up with donations of their own. Pegasus riders - Tyler Gaffalione, Joel Rosario, Javier Castellano, and Julien Leparoux - donated the pants they wore when riding the three signature races on the program.

What an experience, to be a part of a concept that truly represents what is good about this industry. And to have been aligned in a Partnership that not only generated revenue in support of Pegasus charities, but had also significantly increased additional awareness of the event with over 1-million impressions across all Fanticipate social media platforms. Well done everyone, well done!

2021 Breeders’ Cup World Championships The Del Mar Thoroughbred Club

January 25, 2022

The 38th annual Breeders’ Cup World Championships were run November 5-6, 2021, at the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club in Del Mar, California. Fanticipate was pleased to join with Breeders’ Cup as a Proud Partner of one of the world’s most prestigious and influential events in the sport of Thoroughbred racing.

Fanticipate launched its Partnership, offering a series of auctions coinciding with select Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series races, run at Keeneland in October. Then, during Breeders’ Cup week, Fanticipate offered a number of highly anticipated items for auction during the running of the World Championships. Proceeds benefited Breeders’ Cup Charities.

Stefanie Palmieri, Breeders’ Cup Vice President of Events remarked, “Breeders’ Cup is proud to partner with Fanticipate in this exciting new venture in which fans can bid on outstanding memorabilia and experiences coinciding with selected Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series races, and support Breeders’ Cup Charities.”

Team Fanticipate personnel were deployed to the venue - “where the turf meets the surf” - the week leading up to the Championships. First on the agenda was a tour of the Del Mar backside - with a focus on procuring things for in-race fan participation experiences - specifically, "Own a Piece of the ActionTM" items.

Own a piece of the actionTM items are patent protected and distinct from other items because they are being sold before the live race goes off and will be in the race. This allows fans to participate in-race by literally owning a piece of the action!

Horsemen - Doug O’Neill, Phil D’Amato, and Richard Baltas, among others were eager to support Breeders’ Cup Charities, pledging unique items including blinkers, shadow rolls, and saddle towels. Not to be outdone, members of the jockey colony stepped up with donations of their own. Hall of Famer - Mike Smith - donated the pants he wore when piloting Art Collector in the Classic.

By the time the last Champion was crowned, not only had the Partnership generated important revenue in support of Breeders’ Cup Charities, but had significantly increased additional awareness of the event with over 3.5-million impressions across all Fanticipate social media platforms. A Championship day indeed!