The Del Mar Turf Club has built its reputation on the equine celebrities that have graced this seaside racetrack since its 1937 opening, with names like Seabiscuit, American Pharoah, and Zenyatta among the winners of its
Defending champion Kristin VanMeter and Hardesty returned to the top of the leaderboard July 11, 2026, as the Real Rider Cup celebrated its 10th anniversary at New Vocations at Mereworth Farm in Lexington, Ky.
The milestone event brought together 30 horse-and-rider combinations for an evening of friendly competition that raised more than $74,000 for Thoroughbred aftercare. The Real Rider Cup’s mission is to connect the racing and equestrian communities while showcasing the adaptability of Thoroughbreds after their racing careers.
Over the years, we’ve seen plenty of horse racing stories adapted to the big screen. But there’s perhaps never been a more raw or authentic look into the personal lives of a jockey and trainer than the film “Brother: A Story of Recovery,” which was released last Friday.
The highly anticipated Del Mar summer meet begins Friday, July 17, kicking off eight weeks of elite Thoroughbred racing at the seaside Southern California track, while East Coast racing action this weekend also has a distinct ocean theme.
The story of the sport of horse racing lies in its places: sprawling expanses of bluegrass nourishing generations, stunning mountain vistas watching over their battles, and timeless towns centered around these equine athletes. Summer brings America to one of those timeless towns, Saratoga Springs, N.Y., where the best that the sport has to offer congregate for new editions of long-running fixture races.
