More than $400,000 was raised through ticket sales, sponsorships, and auctions of stallion seasons and other items during the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation gala Aug. 5 in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.
Organizers said more than 450 people attended the dinner dance and fundraiser, which was hosted by Carolyn Conley and Tom Durkin.
Earle Mack presented Ogden Mills "Dinny" Phipps with the Earle Mack Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation Champion Award. The award, in its second year, is presented to a recipient who made significant contributions toward improving the safety and welfare of Thoroughbred horses during and after their racing careers.
"As chairman of The Jockey Club and a descendant of a great racing and breeding family, Dinny Phipps has stepped up to the complex, real-world issues facing our industry in its toughest times," Mack said.
"I am very honored to receive this award from the TRF, especially from Earle Mack, who has championed so many important causes," Phipps said in accepting the award. "The Jockey Club will continue its support of the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation and its corrections-based vocations training programs as well as other equine welfare and retirement efforts."
During the auction Chester and Mary Broman purchased live-foal seasons to Medaglia d'Oro and Kitten's Joy for $105,000 and $45,000 respectively. A 2013 season to Ghostzapper brought a winning bid of $22,000 from Patricia Moseley.
Stuart Grant was the high bidder for a VIP visit to the Grammy Awards and the set of NCIS. Rajiv Maragh was high bidder on a trip to see Dancing with the Stars; Barbara Banke will be "Up Close and Personal with the Boston Red Sox"; and Avram Freedburg was the high bidder for a portrait of his horse by renowned artist Leslie Priggen.