Eclipse Awards: Cot Campbell to receive Eclipse of Merit

W. Cothran “Cot” Campbell, who revolutionized racehorse ownership and syndication through his Dogwood Stable, will be honored with the Eclipse Award of Merit for a lifetime of outstanding achievement in Thoroughbred racing, the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, Daily Racing Form, and the National Turf Writers and Broadcasters announced Tuesday.

Campbell, 84, of Aiken, S.C., will receive the Eclipse Award of Merit on Jan. 16 at the 41st Annual Eclipse Awards in Beverly Hills, Calif.

Campbell bought his first racehorse in 1969 and founded Dogwood Stable in 1973, introducing the concept of syndicated racehorse ownership. The concept of group ownership of Thoroughbreds appealed to Campbell because it allowed people the opportunity to participate in the racing world at a reasonable cost. Campbell estimates that Dogwood has brought in approximately 1,200 partners during the past 35 years.

In November of last year, Campbell announced that he was moving into “semi-retirement,” continuing existing partner relationships but not forming new partnerships in 2012.

“This Award of Merit is a blockbuster for me,” said Campbell. “I am surprised, delighted, and very appreciative that it comes my way. It is the highlight of a career that has been exhilarating, to put it mildly.”

Dogwood raced 1990 Preakness Stakes winner Summer Squall and his daughter Storm Song, who won the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies in 1996 and became the stable’s second Eclipse Award winner. Dogwood won its first Eclipse Award in 1987 with the Steeplechaser Inlander.