John Shear, Dan Smith Among Honorees At 2021 NTWAB Awards Dinner

John Shear, who retired from his post as Santa Anita Park's paddock guard this year at age 100, will be honored along with retired Del Mar publicist Dan Smith, Turf writer Lenny Shulman and radio personality Steve Byk during the National Turf Writers And Broadcasters' 61st annual Awards Dinner on Wednesday, Nov. 3.

The NTWAB Awards Dinner is the organization's only fundraiser and a portion of the proceeds of the event are used toward scholarships for prospective racing journalists and to support other Thoroughbred industry charities. The NTWAB Awards Dinner returns to its traditional date on the Breeders' Cup Week calendar after a one-year hiatus and will be held at the iconic Brigantine Seafood and Oyster Bar in Del Mar, California.

Shear will be honored with the Mr. Fitz Award for typifying the spirit of racing. During his time with Santa Anita Shear was entrusted with keeping horses and patrons safe, and famously risked his life in that endeavor 10 years ago at age 90 to put his 5-foot, 115-pound body between a loose horse and a child – resulting in multiple fractures. His value to racing was so much more, as one of the most recognizable employees who interfaced with fans on a daily basis, his warm smile and familiarity with regulars making him incredibly popular. He worked in that capacity for nearly 60 years, retiring this past summer.

Smith, who served more than 40 years as full-time director of media relations at the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, will be honored with the Joe Palmer Award for meritorious service to racing. Smith was at the forefront of Del Mar's innovations that not only attracted new fans, but also enhanced the experience of traditional customers, while always putting the racing product front and center. Prior to his career in media relations, Smith covered racing and other sports for the Los Angeles Times. Prior to his retirement in 2021, the Dan Smith Press Box was christened at Del Mar.

Shulman, the features editor at BloodHorse magazine for 20 years and the author of four books including “Justify: 111 Days to Triple Crown Glory,” will be honored with the Walter Haight Award for career excellence in Turf writing. Shulman also wrote “Ride of Their Lives,” a look at the troubled lives of some jockeys, and two novels, “Long Way From Home” and “Points.” Shulman began his career as a sports reporter at the Oneida (New York) Daily Dispatch after graduating from Syracuse University's Newhouse School of Communications.

Byk, the host of the popular “At the Races with Steve Byk” show on SiriusXM, will be honored with the Jim McKay Award for career excellence in broadcasting. Byk's five-day-a-week news magazine has become a must-listen for many industry participants and fans. Byk began writing about racing in 2002, eventually developing DerbyTrail.com. He joined 'At the Races and Beyond' on Sirius in 2005 and took over the show in 2007.

Tickets for the NTWAB Awards Dinner, which can be purchased through EventBrite (https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2021-national-turf-writers-broadcasters-awards-dinner-tickets-172321537357), are $80 for NTWAB members and Breeders' Cup credentialed media and $100 for non-members and guests. Invitations will be mailed to NTWAB members, and non-members can request an invitation by contacting Jessie Oswald at jboswald68@gmail.com.

The post John Shear, Dan Smith Among Honorees At 2021 NTWAB Awards Dinner appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

NTWAB Pleges $5,000 To Diversity-Focused Legacy Equine Academy

The National Turf Writers And Broadcasters pledged $5,000 to the Lexington, Ky.-based Legacy Equine Academy Inc., a unique program that allows African American and racially diverse Middle and High School students the unique opportunity to build life skills while learning horsemanship through exposure to the many opportunities on farms and in the horse racing industry.

The donation comes in light of the NTWAB's decision to cancel what would have been the 61st annual Awards Dinner held in advance of the upcoming Breeders' Cup World Championships at Keeneland Race Course.

The NTWAB annually makes donations of a similar cumulative amounts to charities in the names of its award winners and encourages other industry organizations and stakeholders to support the Legacy Equine Academy, which has already partnered with the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture Dean's office, Kentucky Community and Technical College, Midway College, Fayette County Public Schools along with many other equine related enthusiasts in the corporate community.

“The NTWAB officers and board voted unanimously in the spring and gained the support of its general membership at our meeting prior to the Kentucky Derby to make a significant, one-time donation to a group that benefits both the industry and the community,” said Tom Law, NTWAB President and Managing Editor of ST Publishing Inc. “We hope this donation helps and can open doors to a segment of the community that is not only underrepresented in the racing industry but also in possession of great potential to improve the game on many levels. We could not be more proud to support an organization like the Legacy Equine Academy.”

Through its relationship with Fayette County Public Schools, the Legacy Equine Academy recruits students who are then tagged as a “Legacy Leaders” at the Middle School level. Academy members then identify the targeted students interested in the equine industry and works to ensure their candidacy for Locust Trace multi-level curriculum during their High School years, creating a pipeline toward developing future farm and racing industry professionals.

“We are so appreciative of the NTWAB for its support and advocacy of our mission,” said Ron Mack, founder and director of the Legacy Equine Academy. “We look to continue to create a pathway and a pipeline for young people into the equine industry.”

The NTWAB, which consists of more than 180 professional racing journalists, plans to resume celebrating the industry and its participants at its 61st Awards Dinner prior to the 2021 Breeders' Cup World Championships at Del Mar.

The post NTWAB Pleges $5,000 To Diversity-Focused Legacy Equine Academy appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Verified by MonsterInsights