TOBA Awards Dinner to Return to Fasig-Tipton Kentucky

The Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association announced May 23 that the 40th anniversary edition of the TOBA National Awards Dinner will be Saturday, Sept. 6, at Fasig-Tipton in Lexington. 

FanDuel's Scott Hazelton will serve as host, and the evening will include a special live Bluegrass music concert.

The National Awards Dinner honors owners and breeders from 20 states and Canada. Also recognized are the National Owner of the Year and National Owner Finalists, National Breeder of the Year and National Breeder of the Year Finalists, Small Breeder of the Year, Broodmare of the Year, Cot Campbell Racing Partnership of the Year, Dr. J. David Richardson Industry Service Award, Rood & Riddle Sport Horse of the Year, Claiming Crown Horse of the Year, and the recipient of the Robert N. Clay Award. 

"It is a tremendous honor and privilege for us to celebrate the achievements of our sport's leading Thoroughbred owners and breeders," said TOBA president Dan Metzger. "We are grateful to Fasig-Tipton for hosting a special and unique TOBA National Awards Dinner and look forward to what promises to be a fun and memorable evening for our award winners and guests."

This year's celebratory event will feature a more informal feel in terms of recommended "blue jeans, boots, and bling" attire, open seating dining, signature Bluegrass music, and a Kentucky bourbon experience. As part of the TOBA National Awards 40th anniversary, noted cartoonist Remi Bellocq created a signature illustration focusing on the theme of "Cheers to 40 Years" and the informality of this year's celebration. Having drawn cartoons for nearly 40 years and focusing his humor primarily on the world of horse racing, Bellocq has provided feature cartoons to BloodHorse, Thoroughbred Daily News, Florida Horse magazine, and Daily Racing Form as well as private commissions.

Tickets will be available soon online at www.toba.org.