Permanent Trophy Donated for Ogden Phipps Handicap

A George IV Silver Gilt Cup and Cover has been donated by F. Gorevic & Son to serve as the permanent trophy for the newly renamed $300,000 Ogden Phipps Handicap (gr. I).

The 1 1/16-mile race on the dirt for fillies and mares will be contested for the first time on June 22. The Ogden Phipps Handicap was formerly named the Hempstead.

At its May meeting, the Board of Trustees of the New York Racing Association elected to rename the race in honor of Phipps, who passed away in April at the age of 93.

Phipps won the Hempstead twice, with his undefeated champion filly Personal Ensign in 1988 and with Fantastic Find in 1990.

F. Gorevic & Son provide the vast majority of the owner trophies for NYRA. Charles Gorevic and his son, Roger, donated the specific trophy because of Phipps' fondness for it. The cup, valued at more than $20,000, was made in Birmingham, England in 1822.

A special base was made for the cup which will have the winning horse's name engraved on it each year. The trophy will be used in the winner's circle presentation following each running of the Ogden Phipps Handicap.