Belmont Ball to Honor Affirmed and Reeves

Richard Stone Reeves, the international equine artist, and Affirmed, the 1978 Triple Crown winner, will be honored at the Belmont Ball at Belmont Park on June 5.

The event, hosted by the New York Racing Association, will benefit the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation.

Reeves' inspiration for his successful artistic career came in part from witnessing War Admiral's Belmont Stakes victory of 1937, and he has since traveled the world to paint great champions on commission from leading owners and breeders.

"Richard Stone Reeves has served our sport and industry incredibly well with his talent and dedication to the best racing has to offer," said NYRA chairman Barry K. Schwartz. "Mr. Reeves' body of work is an excellent expression of the elegance and beauty we all admire in the Thoroughbred, and to honor him during the week of our classic Belmont Stakes is highly appropriate."

"Mr. Reeves has been very generous over the years to the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation," said Edward L. Bowen president of the organization that has provided more than $10 million to equine research in the last 20 years. "The Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation is pleased to join the New York Racing Association in assigning this unique honor to a unique individual.

"At the same time, we will honor and congratulate Lou and Patrice Wolfson, the owners of Affirmed, on this, the 25th anniversary of his Triple Crown triumphs."

The Belmont Ball will be held Thursday, June 5, Marquee Ten adjacent to the paddock at Belmont Park.