Hall of Fame trainer Shug McGaughey has been selected as the Thoroughbred Club of America honored guest, club president Happy Broadbent announced Aug. 7. The club's 82nd testimonial dinner will be held at Keeneland Sept. 29.
"The testimonial dinner was established in 1932 and the distinguished individuals honored by the Thoroughbred Club of America include a number of training legends such as 'Sunny' Jim Fitzsimmons, Horatio Luro, Woody Stephens, Charlie Whittingham, Mack Miller and D. Wayne Lukas," Broadbent said. "Shug McGaughey is one of the greatest trainers of our time, and he deserves to join the distinguished group of horsemen selected for this honor."
Born in Lexington, McGaughey started training at Keeneland in 1979. After working for some notable stables, McGaughey was named trainer for the Phipps Stable in New York in 1985. Just three years later he won the Eclipse Award as outstanding trainer, and in 2004 was inducted into the National Museum of Racing's Hall of Fame.
McGaughey has conditioned four horses that have been inducted into the Hall of Fame: Personal Ensign, Easy Goer, Inside Information, and Lure (who will be inducted Aug. 9). Other champions trained by McGaughey include Heavenly Prize, Queena, Rhythm, Smuggler, Storm Flag Flying, and Vanlandingham.
McGaughey has won nine Breeders' Cup races, tied for second on the all-time list behind Lukas. Earlier this year McGaughey won the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) with Stuart Janney III and Phipps Stable's homebred Orb . McGaughey had previously finished second in the 1989 Kentucky Derby with Easy Goer, who went on to give him his first classic victory in that year's Belmont Stakes (gr. I). McGaughey ranks as the 10th all-time leading trainer by earnings with nearly $120 million.
For tickets to the dinner, please contact Betty Flynn at (859) 254-4282. For more, visit: www.thethoroughbredclub.com