Gary Player - The Legend

Gary Player Selected as First Breeders’ Cup Sports and Racing Excellence Award Winner

Oct 30, 2009 | Filed Under: General News   

Courtesy of the Breeders’ Cup

GRAND SLAM GOLF CHAMPION IS LEADING SOUTH AFRICAN THOROUGHBRED BREEDER

The Breeders’ Cup announced today Gary Player, nine-time major golf champion and leading South African Thoroughbred breeder, has been named the first recipient of the Breeders’ Cup Sports and Racing Excellence Award.

The Breeders’ Cup Sports and Racing Excellence Award honors an individual who has established a career of excellence in a chosen profession and also maintains a passionate interest as an owner, breeder or participant in the Thoroughbred racing industry.

Player will be presented the Sports and Racing Excellence Award, an elegant Steuben crystal, at Santa Anita Park on Thursday, November 5, prior to the Breeders’ Cup World Championships, Thoroughbred racing’s two-day $25.5 million international event, November 6-7.

“Demonstrating that same commitment to excellence which made him the world’s greatest international golfer, Gary’s outstanding success as a Thoroughbred breeder and passionate supporter of horse racing makes him an extraordinary first recipient of our Sports and Racing Award,” said Breeders’ Cup President and CEO Greg Avioli.  “On behalf of our Board, the racing industry and Gary’s many fans and followers around the world, we are extremely proud to present him with this honor at the Breeders’ Cup.”

Player, the most successful international golfer of all time and a global ambassador for the sport, won nine Major championships [Masters (3), U.S. Open (1), British Open (3) and PGA Championship (2)], and became just the third player history behind Gene Sarazan and Ben Hogan to win all four Grand Slam events. Player has won a total of 164 events worldwide in his career including 9 major championships on the Champion’s Tour; and has traveled more than 15 million miles in his career. Player has also a renowned golf course architect, having created more than 300 design projects around the world.

Player’s connection to Thoroughbred racing and breeding is passionate and widespread. As the owner of 20,000 acre Gary Player Stud in Cape Province (seen on the right) since 1974, he is one of South Africa’s most successful Thoroughbred breeders.  From an original small band of broodmares, he has produced an average of 12% stakes winners per crop, including Pinehurst, World Over, Foreign Source, Kadarko, Foolish Pride, Creator and Superwood, among others. From three mares at stud in the U.S., he had stakes winners Broadway Flyer (gr. I); French Gr. 3 winner Cachet Noir, and two sons of Storm Cat at stud in South Africa, Aristis and Port Rush. 
“I am chuffed at being selected for this inaugural award and delighted to accept it on behalf of all horse lovers around the world.  If I had to choose golf over horses….I would miss my clubs!” declared Gary Player from his stud farm in Colesberg, South Africa.

About Breeders’ Cup

The Breeders’ Cup administers the Breeders’ Cup World Championships; Thoroughbred racing’s year-end Championships consisting of 14 races and $25.5 million in purses, which makes it the richest event in sports. At last year’s Breeders’ Cup, more than $100 million in winning wagers were returned to fans at betting locations around the globe.  The Breeders’ Cup also administers the Breeders’ Cup Challenge qualifying series, and the Breeders’ Cup Stakes Program. Breeders’ Cup has offices in Lexington, Ky., and in New York City.

For more information, please visit www.breederscup.com or contact:

Jim Gluckson
Breeders’ Cup
Tel: +1 646 335 6835

Jason Howarth
Conover Tuttle Pace
Tel: +1 508 353 0063

« Back