A list of auction items and sites will be published on Oct. 18 and posted on the Breeders' Cup Web site, www.breederscup.com
The National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) and Breeders' Cup Limited announced revised plans for their fundraising activities in connection with the NTRA Charities - New York Heroes Fund, including a series of charity auctions to replace the previously scheduled, black-tie Breeders' Cup Charity Gala Oct. 26. The Heroes Fund aids the families of rescue workers and other victims of the Sept. 11 attacks on the United States.Plans call for auctions to be held at the Oct. 24 National Turf Writers Dinner in Mineola, N.Y., the post-race reception at the Breeders' Cup Marquee at Belmont on Oct. 27 and at the Breeders' Cup hospitality site at The Plaza Hotel in New York. Auction items will include a number of sports memorabilia and sports ticket items, including Michael Jordan's Oct. 30 comeback game at Madison Square Garden, as well as other items donated by NTRA sponsors and supporters."We have been nearly overwhelmed by the industry's generosity and response to the Heroes Fund," said Van Clief. "Some of the auction items are truly extraordinary, and the new plan will help us maximize the charitable proceeds."The NTRA and NYRA also will contribute a portion of each paid admission and a percentage of all revenue from the World Thoroughbred Championships, as well as all auction proceeds, to the Heroes Fund.Other auction items include a John Deere lawn tractor; a Kobe Bryant-autographed basketball; cigar humidors finished with racing scenes created by artist Daniel Sigal; a Faberge hand-painted Limoges porcelain egg; an autographed montage of the 1950s "Rat Pack;" a signed and framed photo of Muhammad Ali, George Foreman, Ken Norton, Larry Holmes and Joe Frazier; tickets to the 2002 U.S. Open; an autographed helmet worn by Joe Namath; a New York Yankees VIP package with field box seats, VIP parking and dinner for four at the Yankee Club; apparel bearing the New York Police Department insignia; and paintings by equine artists John T. Berry and Anthony Alonso.In addition, a special live auction, conducted by Fasig-Tipton, will be held on Nov. 10 at the Thoroughbred sales company's Newtown Paddocks in Lexington in conjunction with its Stallion Access Sale of Seasons. Live auction items include breeding seasons to Point Given, Unbridled's Song, Artax and Free House, a walk-on part in the upcoming film "Seabiscuit," the original oil painting by Larry Wheeler used to create the 2001 Breeders' Cup commemorative poster and ticket and hospitality packages to the 2002 Breeders' Cup, Triple Crown and Final Four.