Celebration of the Thoroughbred

Celebration of the Thoroughbred  Image

"CELEBRATION OF THE THOROUGHBRED" TO HIGHLIGHT ECLIPSE AWARD EVE FESTIVITIES

Online Auction Now Open Offering Seasons to Top Stallions, Other Items Gulfstream Park has announced that it will host Celebration of the Thoroughbred, a cocktail party on the evening of Friday, January 18 in honor of the following day’s 42nd annual Eclipse Awards, presented by Daily Racing Form, The Stronach Group and The Breeders’ Cup. Celebration of the Thoroughbred will benefit Gulfstream Thoroughbred Aftercare Program and will be highlighted by live, silent and online auctions featuring breeding opportunities, travel packages, and the art of award-winning photographer Barbara Livingston. Admission to the party is included with an Eclipse Award ticket or party admission can be purchased separately for $100 by contacting Michele Ravencraft of the NTRA. (See contact info below.)

The live auction, hosted by noted equine auctioneer Walt Robertson, will include breeding opportunities to Kitten's Joy and Ghostzapper, racing packages to the 2013 Breeders' Cup and opening weekend at Saratoga, and tickets to the U.S. Open Tennis Championships.

The online auction is now open for bidding at www.biddingforgood.com/gpaftercare Among the items available online are premium racing packages to Keeneland and Del Mar, plus stallion seasons to Harlan’s Holiday, Leroidesanimaux, Macho Uno, Shackleford and many others.
Celebration of the Thoroughbred is one of many fundraising events hosted by Gulfstream during Eclipse Awards week. Charity events will also benefit the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund and The Race for Education.

"Gulfstream Park and The Stronach Group are extremely proud to host the Celebration of the Thoroughbred in conjunction with our other fundraising activities during Eclipse Awards week," said Gulfstream President Timothy Ritvo. "Thoroughbred aftercare is a priority for everyone at Gulfstream and The Stronach Group. The Celebration of the Thoroughbred will be a unique event and another memorable day in the rich history of Gulfstream, Florida racing and the Eclipse Awards."

Racing, sports and travel enthusiasts can pre-register at www.biddingforgood.com/gpaftercare and bid from any location in the world. You can also watch bidding activity and receive updates and alerts. Other items up for bid online include a basketball autographed by Miami Heat President Pat Riley; two-night stays at the Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa (the Official Hotel of the Eclipse Awards), the Hollywood Beach Marriott and the Chesapeake Resort; a case of Kendall-Jackson Wine; a limited edition Peb art box; and a Fred Stone canvas print.

Eclipse Awards are bestowed upon horses and individuals whose outstanding achievements have earned them the title of Champion in their respective categories. Eclipse Award voting takes place among designated representatives of the NTRA, DRF and the National Turf Writers and Broadcasters. Awards also are given to recognize members of the media for outstanding coverage of Thoroughbred racing.

The Eclipse Awards are named after the great 18th-century racehorse and foundation sire Eclipse, who began racing at age five and was undefeated in 18 starts, including eight walkovers. Eclipse sired the winners of 344 races, including three Epsom Derbies.

The Eclipse Awards are presented by Daily Racing Form, The Stronach Group and Breeders’ Cup and produced by the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA). Official Partners of the Eclipse Awards include Adequan, Besilu Stables, Keeneland, Kendall-Jackson, NOA Watches and Roberts Communications. The official hotel of the Eclipse Awards is the Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa.

Tickets to the Eclipse Awards are available for $375 each. Order forms for tickets are available at. http://www.ntra.com/en/eclipse-awards/2012-2013-awards/. Hotel Reservations at the Westin Diplomat can be made at https://www.starwoodmeeting.com/Book/eclipseawards. For additional information, please contact Michele Ravencraft of the NTRA at mravencraft@ntra.com.

The NTRA is a broad-based coalition of horse racing interests consisting of leading Thoroughbred racetracks, owners, breeders, trainers, horseplayers and affiliated horse racing associations, charged with increasing the popularity of horse racing and improving economic conditions for industry participants. The NTRA has offices in Lexington, Ky., and New York City. NTRA press releases appear on the NTRA website, NTRA.com.