The Forest Heath District Council officials have pledged £700,000 for funding a horse racing museum that was proposed to be set up to become one of the major tourist attractions in the area.

The Home of Horseracing project which will be built in Newmarket is scheduled to be open to the public by April of 2012. The establishment is deemed to be a world class museum for the horse racing industry wherein priceless works of art in relation with horse racing will be displayed.

The district council currently owns the buildings which date from way back from the reign of King Charles II, touted as the founder of organized horse racing.

The horse racing museum is said to cost £11 million with other funds coming from other councils who agreed to help in making this dream a reality.

Budget problems in the state of Michigan has become a major reason behind the struggles of the horse racing programs in the state, resulting to shortening of horse racing schedules this year and retrenchment of employees.

Layoffs were announced late last week by the Office of the Racing Commissioner based on the executive order released by State Governor Jennifer Granholm. Racing Commissioner spokesperson Liana Bennett said that about 159 racing dates at the four tracks is considered to be cut off as part of the plan. Bennett herself got a layoff notice from the department.

The budget-balancing process has become a challenge for officials with many state employees getting the boot. The Office of the Racing Commissioner is planning to slash off its budget by at least $1.4 million.

As of now, horse racing associations are coming up with alternative solutions to resolve the problem. However, as long as there’s no viable alternative, the original plan continues. Even neighboring states are also suffering due to the global financial crisis.

There are five large horse racing tracks in the State of Michigan. These are Mount Pleasant Meadows, Northville Downs, Sports Creek Raceway, Pinnacle Race Course and Hazel Park Harness Raceway.

A $10,000-worth barrel racing horse was reportedly stolen from a parish in Louisiana while the owners of were out of town. This was revealed by investigators headed by Carnie Burcham of the Livestock Brand Commission.

Burcham said that it is almost impossible for the horse to just get out of the DeSoto Parish stall by herself because the halter and lead ropes were also gone which means someone guided the horse out.

The Smith family, which owns the 16-year old bay mare named “Mimi,” usually keeps their six horses in the ranch located at the northern part of Loganspart. The daughters usually compete in barrel racings events in the state.

Burcham believes that whoever stole the barrel racing horse knew where it was being kept because the stealing took a short amount of time. She added that well-trained horses can easily be sold at a cheaper price. It could easily sell for $1,000 for those who need quick cash.

The investigator revealed that stealing of barrel racing horses in the area is not that uncommon. There were at least six incidents for the past year. Despite the presence of microchips, the horses were never recovered. As of now, the investigation is ongoing with the authorities asking the public for support.

Defending Australian International Three-Day Event winner Heath Ryan was surprisingly eliminated in the dressage phase of this week’s competition. According to reports, his horse Mystery Whisper appeared to be spooked which could have contributed to the loss.

Ryan’s bid for another title was interrupted after Mystery Whisper went out of the dressage arena in Rymill Park in Adelaide.

The New South Wales-based champion dominated this event in 2006 due to the brilliant performance of his horse Flame. The competition was not held last year due to the outbreak of equine influenza in Australia.

The shocking loss paved way for 2005 champion Megan Jones to win the dressage test with the penalty count of 49.1.

Sharing the second place honors were Christopher Burton and Natalia Davis while Marcia Williamson settled for fourth place.

Meanwhile, in the CCI 2-star dressage competition, Lauren Balcomb finished with a penalty count of 45.50 to take the win followed by George Sheridan. In the CIC 2-star dressage event, Shane Rose clinched the win after getting a penalty score of 46.60. Rose was a one-time Olympic silver medalist in the discipline.

Several events are still scheduled to take place at Rymill Park.

In 2007, the Equine Influenza ravaged Australia’s horse racing scene. The industry has barely recovered from the huge losses they experienced. Now, they are once again met with news that the virus has resurfaced. Sydney’s quarantine center has confirmed a case of equine influenza. This has sent waves of fear throughout the Australian racing scene.

Equine influenza is a serious sickness among horse. It makes them unable to race and some even die from the infection. That is why it is only understandable why so many racing horse owners and sponsors are afraid for the health of their mounts and their pockets.

The threat resurfaced because a horse in Australia’s Eastern River racing circuit tested negative and positive for the disease. The horse in question is still undergoing laboratory tests and racing officials are hoping for good results. A Minister for the Australian racing industry Ian McDonald said that the entire horse racing community is hoping that the horse tests negative.

“It sent shivers down the spine of anyone that is associated with trying to manage this disease,” said McDonald.

He also advised that horse owners submit their race horses for voluntary vaccination against the Equine flu. The Australian horse racing authority is also in talks as to whether or not they should make vaccination mandatory.

A regulation banning steroids use on horses has been approved in Kentucky.

Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear was the one to approve the regulation. Testing on race horses will begin before the Fall Racing season. The horses will be tested for common steroids such as testosterone, nandrolone and boldenone. The regulation will affect both Standardbred and Thoroughbred racing.

Governor Beshear has been quoted saying: “This is a historic day in Kentucky racing. This action demonstrates our commitment to ensuring the integrity of racing and the safety of its competitors.”

Beshear has also announced that no testing will be done during the first month of the ban. Horse Racing officials go on to say that horse owners should not interpret the 30 day period as a chance to pump their horses with steroids. Instead it is a time for them to allow the horses to work the steroids out of their system so that they test negative come race day. Owners with race horses found positive for steroids will be facing serious disciplinary action. Some of them may even be banned from the competitions for life.

The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission has also advised Kentucky veterinarians against injecting horses with anabolic steroids. Racing horses in Kentucky may only receive steroids on a therapeutic basis.