Elizabeth M. Merryman, who bred Caravel, winner of the $1 million Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (G1) on Nov. 5 at Keeneland Race Course, has been named the 2022 recipient of the John Deere Award, in recognition of the breeders who participated this year in the Breeders' Cup Challenge Series: Win and You're In and in the Breeders' Cup World Championships.
The John Deere Award, presented by Breeders' Cup Limited and NTRA Advantage, emphasizes the contributions of breeders to the Breeders' Cup program. The industry's breeders and nominators provide funding for the purses of the World Championships through the annual nominations of foals and stallions.
NTRA Advantage and John Deere will award a John Deere TS Gator Utility Vehicle to Ms. Merryman.
This year's John Deere Award winner was determined by a drawing from all breeders who won either a Breeders' Cup World Championships race or a Breeders' Cup Challenge Series race.
Caravel, a 5-year-old Pennsylvania-bred mare by Mizzen Mast out of Zeezee Zoomzoom by Congrats, won the 5 ½-furlong Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint by a half-length at Keeneland. Caravel was ridden by Tyler Gaffalione and trained by Brad Cox for owners Qatar Racing, Marc Detampel, and Madaket Stables.
“We congratulate Ms. Merryman on being this year's recipient of the John Deere Award in recognition of Caravel's outstanding victory in the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint,” said Dora Delgado, Breeders' Cup Executive Vice President and Chief Racing Officer. “The John Deere Award is a tribute to the importance of the breeders in our sport and whose annual contributions have been the backbone of our funding for the Breeders' Cup racing programs and the World Championships. We also thank John Deere and NTRA Advantage for their sponsorship of this award and their salute to the breeding industry.”
“I am very happy to accept the John Deere Award on behalf of Caravel in honor of her thrilling win in the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint, and in recognition of all breeders who participated in the World Championships,” said Merryman.
“Congratulations to Elizabeth Merryman and all of the breeders represented at the Breeders' Cup World Championships and Breeders' Cup Challenge Series: Win and You're In races held earlier this year,” said Auston Till, Manager Partner Sales, John Deere Ag & Turf. “John Deere epitomizes excellence, and we are proud to recognize those breeders who excelled at the highest levels of competition throughout 2022.”
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