OwnerView creates award for new owners

OwnerView, an industry-led initiative to encourage ownership of Thoroughbreds, has introduced the New Owner of the Year award to honor a newcomer who has been successful in the sport and had a positive impact on racing.

The award will be presented at the Thoroughbred Owner Conference held in January at Gulfstream Park.

Nominees for the award must have owned Thoroughbreds for less than three years, have had an interest in a horse at the time it won a stakes race in 2015, and have had a verifiable owner’s license in 2015. A selection committee of industry personnel and established owners will choose the winner based on the performance of his or her horses and the nominee’s promotion of the sport and humanitarian activities.

The deadline to nominate an owner for the award is Dec. 7.

“There are awards for owners who have been in the industry for a long time, but we wanted to recognize someone who is new to the sport and is making a difference in the industry,” said Gary Falter, vice president of operations for OwnerView. “The Thoroughbred Owner Conference, which is intended for new and long-time owners and will be held during the week leading up to the 45th Annual Eclipse Awards Dinner, is the perfect venue to honor such an individual.”

The Thoroughbred Owner Conference will be held Jan. 11-14, and will feature two days of conference presentations, a welcome reception at Gulfstream Park’s paddock, a gala dinner at Turnberry Isle Resort, a day of racing, and opportunities to network with panelists and industry personnel. The keynote address will be delivered by prominent Thoroughbred owner and sports broadcaster Jim Rome. OwnerView is a joint effort of The Jockey Club and the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association.