W. Cothran "Cot" Campbell, whose Dogwood Stable partnerships have helped recruit more than 1,000 owners into Thoroughbred racing, has been named Honor Guest of the Thoroughbred Club of America's 73rd annual Testimonial Dinner. Campbell will be honored at Keeneland Nov. 5.
"The founders of this prestigious award intended it not only to recognize success but to honor those who make contributions," TCA president Benny Williams said in a Sept. 30 release. "Cot certainly fills both criteria. In addition to buying and racing such horses as Preakness winner Summer Squall and champion Storm Song, he has been deeply involved in supporting racing organizations and has always created a positive image for the game."
A successful advertising executive in Atlanta, Campbell began investing in horses with friends. The victory of Mrs. Cornwallis in the 1971 Alcibiades Stakes (gr. II) at Keeneland encouraged growth for the fledgling Dogwood Stable. Campbell developed the stable through partnerships, which set a pattern much imitated in the intervening years.
In 1973, Dogwood became Campbell's full time pursuit. The company, which is headquartered in Aiken, S.C., has invested more than $100 million in bloodstock.
Dealing in the mid-level of the market, Dogwood has mined 65 stakes winners. In addition to Summer Squall and Storm Song, Dogwood has campaigned Eclipse Award winning steeplechaser Inlander, Trippi, Smok'n Frolic, Limehouse, Impeachment, Wallenda, and Nassipour.
Campbell's current participation in racing causes includes chairmanship of the new Sales Integrity Task Force, vice presidency of the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame, and directorship of the Racehorse Referral Program under NTRA Charities. He was an original investor in the National Thoroughbred Association, which segued into the current NTRA, and he is a board member of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association. He is also co-founder and past president of the Georgia Thoroughbred Breeders and Owners Association and co-founder of the Atlanta Steeplechase.
Campbell and his wife Anne established the Dogwood Dominion Award, named for one of his favorite stakes winners, and presents a $5,000 prize annually to a behind-the-scenes individual whose work benefits racing. Campbell has received a variety of previous honors, including the University of Louisville's John W. Galbreath Award for entrepreneurial leadership and the University of Arizona Race Track Industry Program's Clay Puett Award or outstanding contributions to racing.
In addition, Campbell has written two books,
Lightning in a Jar and
Rascals and Racehorses (Eclipse Press), which recall rousing episodes of the Turf as well as educate readers on the sport and business of racing.
Col. E. R. Bradley was the first Honor Guest of the Thoroughbred Club of America's Testimonial Dinner in 1932, and those who followed include William Woodward Sr., Robert J. Kleberg Jr., Walter M. Jeffords Sr., Alfred Vanderbilt, Ogden Mills Phipps, E. P. Taylor, John A. Bell III, John R. Gaines, W. T. Young, Paul Mellon, and three generations of the Hancock family of Claiborne Farm. Robert E. Courtney was Honor Guest last year.
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