(Edited press release)
At the Indiana Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders’ Association’s annual members meeting at Indiana Downs March 8, horseman Eddie Martin presented breed development director Jacki Brown with the organization’s 2008 Blood-Horse Julep Cup Award for outstanding contribution to the state’s Thoroughbred industry.
Brown has served local horsemen for more than 12 years, overseeing the budgeting and disbursements of the breed development fund; directing the planning, development, and implementation of the Indiana Thoroughbred Breed Development program; and carrying out the business of mare, foal, and stallion registrations each year.
Also at the meeting, ITOBA awarded a racing statue to the family of the late Randy Graf, a board member and past vice-president of ITOBA who passed away in January at age 54. The statue was presented by Gale Bess in honor of Graf’s service to the organization.
Those re-elected at this year's meeting to serve another term on the board of directors were Bess, Crystal Chapple, Wanda Garst, Lester Schaefer, John Schaub, Trevor Schaub, and Duane Swingley. Newly elected directors were Dennis Bialaszewski, Jay Holden, Michael Lauer, and Eddie Martin.