Joe Hirsch Scholarship Established at UK

The University of Kentucky and the National Thoroughbred Racing Association announced the establishment of the Joe Hirsch Scholarship, which annually will provide full, one-year tuition to one student who is interested in pursuing a career in Thoroughbred racing journalism.

The NTRA, Daily Racing Form, Keeneland, The Jockey Club, and other industry groups are providing financial support for the Hirsch Scholarship. The scholarship honors longtime racing reporter and columnist Joe Hirsch, who retired in November 2003 after a 55-year career that included 49 years with the Form.

The Joe Hirsch Scholarship includes a journalism-related internship at a Thoroughbred racing organization. Scholarship candidates must meet a minimum GPA requirement and demonstrate financial need.

"I am thrilled and deeply honored," Hirsch said.

Hirsch founded the National Turf Writers' Association and was its first president. He won numerous awards during his long career, including the Eclipse Award of Merit, the Jockey Club Medal, and the Lord Derby Award, given by the Horse Race Writers of Britain. Hirsch is the author or co-author of five books.

In recent years, Hirsch has been saluted by two of the sport's greatest venues, Saratoga and Churchill Downs, each of which named its press box in his honor.