Carol Holden, President of the West Virginia Breeders Classics Ltd., announced Tuesday that the organization has published “The History of the West Virginia Breeders Classics – 1987 to Present.” Holden was co-founder of the West Virginia Breeders Classics along with her partner, the late Sam Huff.
The 8 ½ by 11 inch, 430-page book contains full-color images of the winners of each of the 36 years of races and will be available for the first time at Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races on Charles Town Classic and Oaks night, Friday, August 25.
The book's author, Charles Town resident Bob O'Connor, will be on hand that evening to autograph each book.
The race itself was the brainchild of NFL Hall of Famer and West Virginia native Sam Huff, who starred as an all-pro linebacker for the New York Giants and Washington Redskins. Huff was a horse breeder and established the event to promote West Virginia and the thoroughbred horse racing industry in the state.
Sam passed away in 2021. The featured race of the evening is now named in his honor. The new book is also dedicated to Huff.
Readers of the book will find out how the inaugural races were funded and learn more about those who made that first race possible in 1987. The book also identifies important individuals along the way who have continued to champion the event and keep it going at a high level.
The book explains which horses are eligible for racing on the card, which owners, trainers, breeders, and jockeys have the most WVBC wins under their belts, and tells of the economic importance of the race to the thoroughbred horse racing industry in West Virginia.
Readers will also learn more about the local elections in 1996 which allowed for video lottery at the Hollywood Casino, an effort that saved the horse racing industry at Charles Town. Another article included in the book reviews the first thirty years of the race and how the races went from the hatching of an idea to its tremendous success today.
Every edition of the WVBC but one has been held at Charles Town, with the race moved just once in 1995 to Mountaineer Park.
The West Virginia Breeders Classics races this fall will be held on Saturday, October 14. This year will be the 37″ running of what has become the single richest night of racing for West Virginia-breds.
The book sells for $44.95 plus West Virginia sales tax. The book will also be available at the WVBC annual featured event on October 14.
It is the intent of the WVBC to update the book each year to include the racing photos and information from that year's racing card.
For additional information, please contact the WVBC office at 304-725-0709.
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