Ogden Mills "Dinny" Phipps, who retired as chairman of The Jockey Club Aug. 8, was given The Jockey Club Medal the following day during the organization's Round Table conference in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.
Phipps, who took over as chairman in February 1983, as usual made the introductions during the Aug. 9 Round Table. He will be replaced by Stuart Janney III, who has served as vice chairman since 2010.
Phipps received a standing ovation after Janney announced he would be honored with the medal.
"He's not much for fanfare, especially fanfare that focuses on him," Janney said. "He has believed for a long time that The Jockey Club should be more than a breed registry."
Under Phipps, The Jockey Club has taken on a much larger role in Thoroughbred racing. After the Round Table, Janney, who was elected chairman by the organization's board of stewards during an Aug. 8 meeting, said his mission is simple.
"As I see it, we need to get done all the stuff we've announced that is important," Janney said. "Dinny has involved me in everything that has gone on. We've jointly done a lot of things and I completely believe in what we've been doing. What I would look to do is push on with the force we've shown."
Phipps has long been a proponent of equine medication reform, and at last year's Round Table said The Jockey Club was prepared to advocate on the federal level. Earlier this year, the organization spearheaded an effort for introduction of federal legislation that would grant the United States Anti-Doping Agency oversight of medication, drug testing, and enforcement.
