Jarryd Barca

Bristol, Melbourne

Assistant Editor at ESPN

Assistant Editor @ESPNAusNZ

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Articles

2025 AFL position group rankings: Best, worst defence, forwards, and midfields

Feb 16, 2025 | espn.com.au | Jarryd Barca

It's always easy in footy circles, especially during preseason, to label a team as 'formidable' or 'bound to struggle'. But a lot of surprising truths can emerge when every club is meticulously dissected and ranked against each other. Here are position-by-position rankings for all 18 AFL clubs, covering the backline, forward line, and midfield.
2024 Melbourne Cup Day tips: Who should you back in every race?

Nov 3, 2024 | espn.com | Jarryd Barca

We're back! It's the race that stops the nation and, in 2024, it's going to be another classic. Last year's favourite Vauban returns -- along with stablemate Absurde -- hoping to improve on his underwhelming run in 2023, while Chris Waller's Buckaroo is Australia's best hope. But there are plenty more races to sink your teeth into. Not sure who to back? Not to worry, as we take you through the best selections and some value runners in Tuesday's 10-race card at the glorious Flemington racecourse.
2024 Melbourne Cup Day tips: Who should you back in every race?

Nov 3, 2024 | espn.com.au | Jarryd Barca

We're back! It's the race that stops the nation and, in 2024, it's going to be another classic. Last year's favourite Vauban returns -- along with stablemate Absurde -- hoping to improve on his underwhelming run in 2023, while Chris Waller's Buckaroo is Australia's best hope. But there are plenty more races to sink your teeth into. Not sure who to back? Not to worry, as we take you through the best selections and some value runners in Tuesday's 10-race card at the glorious Flemington racecourse.
U.S. horse racing deaths up slightly in 2023, per HISA report

Apr 3, 2024 | espn.com | Jarryd Barca

Horse racing deaths in the United States increased slightly in 2023 from 2022, according to the annual report released Wednesday by the federally mandated agency that began regulating the sport two years ago. The Horse Racing Integrity and Safety Authority reported 1.32 deaths per 1,000 starts last year, up from 1.25 tracked by the Equine Injury Database the previous year. The number at the 50 HISA-accredited tracks had a rate of 1.23 per 1,000 compared to 1.63 at others across the country.
Owner of Bob Baffert-trained Muth sues Churchill Downs

Apr 3, 2024 | espn.com | Jarryd Barca

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- The owner of Arkansas Derby winner Muth has sued Churchill Downs Inc. and is seeking a temporary injunction against what it called the track's "illegal" ban of Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert that keeps the colt he trained from competing in next month's 150th Kentucky Derby.
Laurel River wins $12M Dubai World Cup by record 8 1/2 lengths

Mar 30, 2024 | espn.com | Jarryd Barca

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates -- Laurel River rallied to win the $12 million Dubai World Cup by a record-setting 8 1/2 lengths on Saturday at Meydan Racecourse. Breaking from the far outside post in the field of 12, Laurel River and jockey Tadhg O'Shea surged into the lead at the midway point of the 1 1/4-mile race. Laurel River broke the old winning margin of six lengths set by Dubai Millennium in 2000 at Nad al Sheba. He covered the distance in 2:21.31 and paid $20.70.
Maryland lawmakers weigh new plan to rebuild Pimlico Race Course

Mar 14, 2024 | espn.com | Jarryd Barca

ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- A new plan to rebuild Baltimore's storied but deteriorating Pimlico Race Course and transfer the track to state control is making a late charge down the stretch of Maryland's legislative session. The measure, released Thursday with less than a month to go in the session, would use $400 million in state bonds to rebuild the home of the second jewel of horse racing's Triple Crown, the Preakness Stakes.
'Positive' Rugby AU summit but held Rebels mess intensifies

Mar 5, 2024 | espn.co.uk | Sam Bruce |Jarryd Barca

Rugby Australia brought multiple stakeholders together in Melbourne for a two-day summit to map out a long-term strategic vision for the game as concerns grow the governing body could soon wind up in court over its dispute with Melbourne Rebels and Rugby Victoria. Stakeholders from across the Australian rugby spectrum gathered in the Victorian capital after Super Round, where all 12 Super Rugby Pacific teams contested fixtures over the weekend.
Belmont Park renovations to be completed by 2026 Belmont Stakes

Mar 4, 2024 | espn.com | Jarryd Barca

Renovations to Belmont Park are expected to pave the way for the racetrack to host the Belmont Stakes in June 2026. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul unveiled a construction timeline Monday that includes the $455 million project being fully completed by fall of that year, which could allow the Breeders' Cup to return to the remade New York track as soon as 2026, if not long after.
Stuck between hope and disaster: Rebels win but 'shattering' reality still looms

Mar 1, 2024 | espn.com.au | Jarryd Barca

As the Super Rugby Pacific season continues to unfold, the Melbourne Rebels find themselves stuck in a precarious position between on-field hope and off-field turmoil, their Round 2 triumph over the Western Force delivering only momentary relief from the harrowing financial struggles that hang over the club like a dark cloud.