Bid Rachel Alexandra a Good Afternoon (and benefit cancer research at the same time)

by Fran Jurga | 1 November 2009 | The Jurga Report at Equisearch.com

Maybe not all eyes are on the Breeders Cup preparations at Santa Anita racetrack in California this week. Plenty of people are keeping an eye on a fund-raising auction being conducted by Kendall-Jackson Wines.

Bidding is currently close to $6000 for a private visit with Herself, champion three-year-old filly Rachel Alexandra, in January. The package includes a trip for two to New Orleans, and two nights in the Windsor Court hotel, as well.

If you've been dying to get close to the superstar, here's your chance, but you'd better hurry--bidding closes on Wednesday. This will be the final item in the auction of her collectibles to benefit the V Foundation. Bottles of her Pinot Noir are still available, though the limited edition collectible bottles signed by Calvin Borel are sold out.

Click here to place your bid.

Magna Tracks Adopt Formal Policy: No Transport to Slaughter or Auction From Our Racetracks

(received via press release)

Magna Entertainment Corporation ("MEC") announced today that it has recently formally adopted a company-wide policy promoting the humane treatment of racehorses. Under the policy, any trainer or owner stabling at an MEC facility who directly or indirectly participates in the transport of a horse from an MEC facility to either a slaughterhouse or an auction house engaged in selling horses for slaughter will be prohibited from having stalls at any MEC facility. The policy also applies to any actions related to the transport of a horse from an MEC facility where the ultimate intended result is the horse's slaughter.

Ron Charles, Chief Operating Officer of MEC and President of Santa Anita Park, commented: "Consistent with the long-standing vision of Frank Stronach and management at our racetracks, the policy signifies the Company's strong intent to deal only with those trainers and owners who have the welfare of racehorses as their primary concern."

Frank Stronach, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of MEC commented, "The goal of the policy is to forewarn industry participants who participate in the slaughter of racehorses that they are not welcome at any of our facilities across the country. I hope other racetrack owners formally adopt similar policies".

MEC is North America's largest owner and operator of horse racetracks. Among the tracks owned in the USA by MEC are Golden Gate and Santa Anita in California, Gulfstream in Florida, Laurel Park and Pimlico in Maryland, Lone Star Park in Texas, The Meadows in Pennsylvania, Portland Meadows in Oregon, Remington Park in Oklahoma, and Thistledown in Ohio.