King Ranch descendant honored

Helen Kleberg Groves, whose family raced 1946 Triple Crown winner Assault, will receive a lifetime achievement award from the Texas Thoroughbred Association during a banquet on June 25. The award coincides with the organization's 50th anniversary celebration and annual conference, which is being held June 23-25 in Marble Falls, Texas.

Groves's family owned King Ranch, which, in addition to Assault, raced Kentucky Derby winner Middleground. Groves still breeds and races horses, some in partnership with her daughter, Helen Alexander, who owns Middlebrook Farms in Lexington, Ky.

The lifetime achievement award, known as the T.I. "Pops" Harkins Award, is given by the board of directors of the TTA. Groves has been a member of the TTA since 1987.