Dr. Patricia Hogan will be honored with the first-ever New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association "EquiStar Award" for her dedication and outstanding work on behalf of New York's retired racehorses.
The EquiStar Award was created by the New York THA to recognize an individual or organization that, through compassion, hard work, and generosity, enriches the New York Thoroughbred industry. Hogan will receive the award in a ceremony at the annual NYTHA PAC Golf Tournament at Rockville Links in Rockville Centre, N.Y., Oct. 11.
Hogan has donated her skill and her time to provide surgical and medical care to dozens of retired racehorses, including those retired through the New York THA's Take The Lead program. Her expert care ensures that the horses will have every chance at healthy and productive lives after their racing careers are over.
"I've known Patty Hogan for more decades than either of us would like to admit," trainer Rick Schosberg, chairman of the New York THA Aftercare Committee, said in a release. "Not only is she one of the top equine surgeons in the world, but she gives back to the industry like no other. Many of our Take The Lead aftercare candidates pay a visit to Patty for a final exam and tune-up to prepare for their second careers, and she does it all this out of the goodness of her heart, to assure these horses are at their very best for their new endeavors. She is a true angel for the industry."
Said New York THA board member Linda Rice: "Patty is the ultimate professional. She serves the equine community very well, and her hands-on common sense approach is second to none. It is a pleasure to work with her, for myself and my clients who trust her judgment."
Hogan, a native of New Jersey, started working with Standardbreds when she was just 10 years old. She earned her veterinary degree at the University of Pennsylvania, and then interned at Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital and served a three-year surgical residency at Texas A&M before opening her own practice, Hogan Equine at Fair Winds Farm, in her home state.
"Horses have been taking care of me my whole life and have given me a career that I love waking up to everyday," Hogan said. "I consider it a real privilege to be in a position to take whatever skills I have and offer them back to horses in need, in order to provide them with an opportunity to move on from racing and enjoy another career.
"It's just my way of 'paying it forward' for the wonderful way that horses have shaped my life."
"We are very pleased to honor Patty with the first Equi-Star Award," New York THA president Rick Violette Jr. said. "There are so many members of the Thoroughbred community who give back with both hands for no other reason than the love of the horse and a passion for our industry.
"Patty certainly doesn't look for accolades, but NYTHA and New York's horsemen and women owe her and people like her a debt of gratitude. We created this award so that we could, in some small measure, show our appreciation."
For information on the EquiStar award ceremony contact the New York THA at (516) 488-2337 via email at abelfiore@nytha.com.
