The National Thoroughbred Racing Association and Daily Racing Form announced Monday the creation of the Joe Hirsch Scholarship, named after the legendary DRF columnist who will retire later this month after 55 years of covering Thoroughbred racing. The annual scholarship will be used towards college education costs and will be funded by NTRA Charities and Daily Racing Form. Other industry organizations, including The Jockey Club and Keeneland, will assist in the establishment of the scholarship. The scholarship will also include a Joe Hirsch Internship, whereby winners will take part in an internship at a Thoroughbred racing- or journalism-related organization. "Few individuals have had as positive an impact on our industry as Joe Hirsch," said NTRA commissioner Tim Smith. "His words are an eloquent chronicling of horseracing's last half century, and yet it is his character and his enthusiasm for helping newcomers to the racing beat that many of us will remember most. So it is entirely fitting that this scholarship will honor Joe by continuing to help racing newcomers for years to come."
"Joe Hirsch's greatest legacy perhaps will be the enthusiastic and endless help over the years he provided to hundreds of writers who came onto the horse racing beat," said Daily Racing From chairman and publisher Steven Crist. "It is with great joy that we establish this annual scholarship and internship program, which is the ultimate honor to Joe by continuing his love of helping others."