Martine Bellocq to receive Pincay Award in August

DEL MAR, Calif. - Martine Bellocq, the trainer who was badly injured when saving horses during the tragic fire at San Luis Rey Downs last December, has been selected as this year's winner of the Laffit Pincay Jr. Award, given annually to those who have served the sport “with integrity, extraordinary dedication, determination and distinction.”

Bellocq will be presented the award on Aug. 18, the day of the Pacific Classic at Del Mar. It will be her first public appearance since the fire.

Bellocq suffered life-threatening burns over much of her body, then had to go through a series of demanding surgeries and subsequently lost a foot due to circulation complications. She and a number of people who performed heroic acts during the fire will be honored Aug. 18.

“When I heard about what Martine went through for her horses, I knew she was meant to be honored in some way for her courage,” Pincay said in a press release put out by Del Mar. “I am so proud to be able to give her this award. She deserves it as the representative of all those brave horsemen who went to their horses instead of running the other way for themselves.”

Bellocq will be joined by her family, including her husband, Pierre, as well as many of the trainers, grooms, and other stable hands who released trapped horses when a fire raced through the training center. The fire claimed the lives of 46 horses.

Also among those to be saluted Aug. 18 will be the staff of the Trifecta Equine Athletic Center, which is located directly across the street from San Luis Rey and whose workers treated more than 100 horses affected by the fire.

The award will be given in a ceremony between races on Pacific Classic Day, and Bellocq will be honored at a special Winners Foundation gathering the night before at the L’Auberge Del Mar hotel.

Tickets are $150 and are tax deductible. They can be purchased at the door on the night of the event. For further information, visit winnersfoundation.org or call (626) 574-6498.