From Thoroughbred Charities of America
LEXINGTON , Ky. (Dec. 3, 2013) – 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 Saturday, January 4, 2014 at the Keeneland Entertainment Center in Lexington , Ky.
“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 Racecourse 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.”