Nominations are now being accepted for the Race Track Chaplaincy of America's White Horse Award, which honors individuals who have done something heroic on behalf of human or horse in the past year. This year's White Horse Award winner will be honored by a special video presentation at the Race Track Chaplaincy's Nov. 2 event in the Silks Lawn Chalet at Keeneland.
To submit a nomination for the White Horse Award, visit http://www.rtcanational.org/events for a complete list of rules and selection criteria, as well as nomination forms. The deadline for submission is Aug. 24.
The winner of the 2021 RTCA White Horse Award was Marshall Allen, who saved the life of a long-time owner at Emerald Downs.
Blazingbellablu (Grazen) became the sixth 3-year-old distaffer to be named Washington Horse of the Year when she was recognized during the Washington Thoroughbred Champions Annual Awards and dinner held at Emerald Downs racetrack in Auburn Saturday. A homebred for Petra Lewin's Rainbow Meadows Farm and trainer Charlie Essex, the filly won the Kent S. at Emerald Downs last July.
Also honored during Saturday's ceremony: 3yo champion Coastal Kid (Coast Guard); 2yo champion Cobra Jet (Curlin to Mischief); 2yo filly champion Koron (Nationhood); champion older horse and champion sprinter Papa's Golden Boy (Harbor the Gold); champion older female Itsallinthenotes (Ministers Wild Cat); and champion turf horse Harbored Memories (Harbor the Gold).
Mr. and Mrs. Frederick L. Pabst, breeders of Koron, were named 2021 Washington breeders of the year and their stallion Conveyance topped the state sire list. Both titles are awarded by earnings.
Brookie Girl (Proud Citizen), who produced Papa's Golden Boy, was named the state's leading broodmare.
Retiring Washington Thoroughbred Breeders and Owners Association (WTBOA) General Manager M. Anne Sweet became the 23rd recipient of the S. J. Agnew Special Achievement Award for her nearly 44 years of service to the WTBOA and the Washington Thoroughbred industry.
Trainer Marshall Allen's efforts to help save longtime horse owner Jim Foulkes last year on the Emerald Downs' backside were acknowledged with the Race Track Chaplaincy of America White Horse Award.
Marshall Allen has been named the winner of this year's Race Track Chaplaincy of America White Horse Award. Allen, an assistant trainer at Emerald Downs, saved the life of long-time horse owner Jim Foulkes, who had collapsed in the track's barn area last May. Allen began CPR and assisted EMTs when they arrived on the scene. To see Allen's story, click here.
Also honored by RTCA White Horse nominations this year were: Julie Berry from Blue Grass Farms Charities; Jonathan Estrada from Belmont Park; Nick Garafola and Veronica Gallardo from Belmont Park; Sebastian 'Bas' Nichols from Ellis Park; and Marvin Navas Prado from Ellis Park.
The White Horse Awards banquet was not held this year due to the pandemic, but nominees will be recognized at their respective locations by RTCA chaplains and representatives.
A hero is a person who is admired for courage, outstanding achievements, and noble qualities. There are heroes throughout the horse racing industry and the Race Track Chaplaincy of America (RTCA) recognizes these selfless servants annually through its RTCA White Horse Award.
This year's nominees were as follows:
Marshall Allen – Emerald Downs
Julie Berry – Blue Grass Farms Charities
Jonathan Estrada – Belmont Park
Nick Garafola & Veronica Gallardo – Belmont Park
Sebastian “Bas” Nichols – Ellis Park
Marvin Navas Prado – Ellis Park
The winner of this year's RTCA White Horse Award is Marshall Allen, who saved the life of a long-time owner at Emerald Downs.
On the morning of May 9, assistant trainer Marshall Allen was in the shed row walking to saddle a horse, when he observed a man collapse as he was walking by the barn. Without hesitation, Marshall dropped what he had in his arms and rushed to the scene. The man who was in distress was long-time owner Jim Foulkes, a frequent visitor to the barn area. Marshall noticed the man's color turning blue and began to perform CPR.
Emergency Medical Technicians eventually arrived on the scene and took over; when they lost Foulkes heartbeat, they brought out the external defibrillator and urgently asked if anyone had a knife to cut open Foulkes shirt. It was once again Marshall Allen who swiftly acted and pulled a knife from his pocket. Once Foulkes was stabilized, he was transported to the hospital. The prognosis at the time seemed dim, but later in the day they learned that Foulkes was on a respirator in a medically induced coma and was “hanging in there.” Prayers requests chains circulated the barn area and were sent to RTCA National.
By May 13, Foulkes was off of ventilator, breathing on his own and was making steady progress to recovery. On July 1, he was in the barn area and paid a visit to the Stenslie's barn to thank the man whose fast action saved his life.
I was told it was “a goosebumps moment” said MaryAnn O'Connell, Executive Director, Washington HBPA. “Marshall was the perfect person to perform such a selfless act, putting himself aside”.
Due to Covid-19, the traditional White Horse Awards banquet were not able take place. Therefore, Marshall and the other WHA nominees will be recognized at their respective locations by RTCA Chaplains and representatives.
For more information, please contact the RTCA National Service Center at (859) 410-7822.
More about the Race Track Chaplaincy of America – The overall mission of the Race Track Chaplaincy of America (RTCA), through its Councils and Chaplains, is to minister to the spiritual, emotional, physical, social, and educational needs of those persons involved in all aspects of the horse racing industry. “Follow” us on Facebook.
