The Florida Thoroughbred Breeders' and Owners' Association has reached an agreement to serve as an official partner of the 43rd annual Eclipse Awards, the National Thoroughbred Racing Association announced Jan. 9.
The partnership makes FTBOA the sole title sponsor of a welcome breakfast Jan. 18, the day of the Eclipse Awards to be held later that evening at Gulfstream Park Racing & Casino in Hallandale Beach, Fla.
"This partnership will increase awareness of Florida's many attributes as a place to breed and race Thoroughbreds," said Alex Waldrop, president and CEO of the NTRA. "The state's success is evident in the multiple Eclipse Award finalists bred there, including Horse of the Year candidate Mucho Macho Man , and several more that raced for big purses at Florida tracks."
The Eclipse Awards are presented by Daily Racing Form, Breeders' Cup, and The Stronach Group.
The FTBOA is a not-for-profit association which represents more than 1,300 Thoroughbred breeders and owners who breed, raise, train, and race horses born in the state of Florida.
"The FTBOA is honored and enthusiastic to serve as an Eclipse Award sponsor once again and looks forward to many more years of working with the NTRA, The Stronach Group and Gulfstream in hosting the event annually in the Sunshine State," said Lonny T. Powell, CEO of the FTBOA. "As one of the top breeding and racing jurisdictions in North America, Florida is the perfect place to celebrate and honor the world's champion Thoroughbreds and their connections."
The welcome breakfast is from 8-10 a.m., on the The Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa's third floor. Admission to the casual continental breakfast is open to anyone with a ticket to the Eclipse Awards ceremony.
Tickets to the Eclipse Awards are available for $400 each. Order forms for tickets are available at www.ntra.com. For additional information on tickets or accommodations, please contact Michele Ravencraft of the NTRA at mravencraft@ntra.com.
