Moelises Honored by TOBA with Industry Service Award

Herb and Ellen Moelis, founders of Thoroughbred Charities of America, have been named recipients of the Industry Service Award by the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association it was announced Friday.

The Moelises will be honored by TOBA at their national awards dinner on Sept. 10 at Prince Khalid Abdullah's Juddmonte Farms in Lexington.

TOBA cited the Moelis' roles in founding the organization along with Allaire du Pont, to promote the well being of retired racehorses and the people who work with them.

"Ellen and I are very pleased at how far TCA has come since our first fund raising auction in 1990 when we raised $15,000," said Herb Moelis in a release. "This past year TCA gave grants in excess of $1 million to 82 Thoroughbred organizations in 26 states. Our hope is that our alliance with TOBA will take us to the next level."

"Since its inception, the Thoroughbred Charities of America has grown to become the premier fund raiser for retired racehorses, and other worthy causes in our sport," said TOBA president Dan Metzger. "Herb and Ellen's dedication and leadership in developing the program to national prominence is an outstanding achievement."

Metzger praised the foresight and ongoing commitment of the Moelis in bringing the TCA to national prominence and their generosity to the Thoroughbred community. The annual fund raiser, this year scheduled for Dec. 4 at their CandyLand Farm with a simultaneous auction in Lexington, generates funds for the TCA primarily through donated stallion seasons, artwork and memorabilia. This year the TCA also held a charity golf tournament Aug. 17 at the Saratoga National Golf Course in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.

John Asher will be the guest emcee at the awards dinner, with the entertainment being provided by Three Dog Night. A raffle for four VIP tickets to the 2005 Indianapolis 500 will highlight some of the special items offered that night. Sponsors of this year's awards dinner include The Lexus Store of Lexington, Vina Haras de Pirque, Labrot and Graham, BB&T, Platinum Performance, Holland and Hart, Hillenmeyer Landscape Services, The Blood-Horse, NetJets, John Deere, Nextel, Lexmark and FedEx.

Tickets for the event may be obtained by calling 888–606-TOBA, or 859-276-2291.