Thoroughbred Charities of America will honor John and Debby Oxley with the
TCA Leadership Award and the Retired Racehorse Training Project with the TCA
Industry Service Award at the 24th Annual Select Stallion Season Auction to be
held January 4, 2014 at the Keeneland Entertainment Center in Lexington,
Kentucky.
“John and Debby Oxley and the Retired Racehorse Training Project have made
outstanding contributions to the Thoroughbred industry,” said Dan Rosenberg,
president of TCA. “Both honorees embody the mission of Thoroughbred Charities of
America and it is our honor to recognize them for their tremendous efforts.”
The TCA Leadership Award is presented annually to an organization or
individual whose philanthropic endeavors are consistent with TCA’s mission. Past
award winners include Frank Stronach, Fasig-Tipton, Darley, Todd Pletcher, Roy
and Gretchen Jackson and Bill Casner.
John and Debby Oxley are prominent Thoroughbred owners and breeders with
notable runners including 2001 Kentucky Derby winner Monarchos, 1999 Breeders’
Cup Distaff and Eclipse Award winner Beautiful Pleasure and 1995 Kentucky Oaks
winner Gal in a Ruckus. The couple has been a strong advocate for the
Thoroughbred industry and has supported numerous Thoroughbred aftercare
organizations, backstretch and education programs and research organizations.
“We are deeply honored and humbled by this award,” said John and Debby Oxley.
“The work of TCA is critically important to the Thoroughbred industry and we
enthusiastically support TCA. We commend all TCA recipient organizations, their
staff and volunteers who do the daily work to support and care for retired
Thoroughbreds. Thank you for your dedication.”
The TCA Industry Service Award is presented annually to a current TCA grantee
that exemplifies TCA’s mission. Past award winners include Belmont Child Care
Association, Old Friends, Kentucky Equine Humane Center, Mid-Atlantic Horse
Rescue, New Vocations and Tranquility Farms.
Retired Racehorse Training Project (RRTP), a current recipient of TCA
funding, is an organization dedicated to increasing demand in the sport and
recreation marketplace for Thoroughbred ex-racehorses through public events,
clinics, training publications, videos and internet tools. Its recent
Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium at Pimlico Race Course brought
together the organizations, farms, and individuals who are the bridge to second
careers for these horses while showcasing the talents of Thoroughbreds who had
transitioned from racing to ten different equestrian disciplines.
“Thoroughbred racehorses are the most magnificent animals on the planet, and
there is no group of people we would rather be honored by for our work on their
behalf than the Board of Directors of TCA,” said RRTP president Steuart Pittman.
“Most of us are dumbfounded that Thoroughbreds lost so much of the riding horse
market share in the last three decades to other breeds, but all of us understand
how important it is to take that share back. We believe that with TCA on our
team we will.”
The TCA Stallion Season Auction is the charity’s largest annual fundraiser.
Approximately 200 seasons will be auctioned with the majority of the seasons
offered during the telephone and online portion of the auction. Online bidding
will open at 9 a.m. (EST) on January 2 and continue through 10 a.m. on January
4. Telephone bids will be accepted January 2-3, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and January 4, 9
a.m.–10 a.m. Interested bidders may register to bid by visiting
www.tca.org.
Approximately 10-15 seasons will be sold in a live Select Season Auction on
January 4. Bidders or their authorized agents may bid on the select seasons by
attending the live auction in-person or they may bid on the select seasons
during the telephone and online phase with the highest bidders earning the right
to bid by phone during the live auction. In addition to the seasons, the live
auction will feature non-season lots such as a Triple Crown ticket package, John
Deere mower, tickets for the 2014 Breeders’ Cup and a NASCAR race at the
Kentucky Speedway and much more. A silent auction will also be offered.
For further information regarding the 24th annual TCA Stallion Season Auction
including season donations, sponsorships and advertising please visit
www.tca.org or call (859)
276-4989.
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