Below is from a TPA release. Like Bill Knauf, I can’t think of a more deserving winner. Good times and bad, Motion makes himself available to the media – and not in a self-serving, self-promoting way. When asked, he participates in NTRA media conference calls (which some of the sport’s most noteworthy participants are reluctant to do) and he returns phone calls (which moves up anybody in my book). He’s candid and thoughtful and even has a sense of humor.
Trainer Graham Motion has been chosen as the 2011 winner of the organization’s Big Sport of Turfdom Award, it was announced Friday. The annual honor is bestowed upon a person or group of people who enhance coverage of Thoroughbred racing through cooperation with media and Thoroughbred racing publicists.
Motion’s biggest accomplishment in 2011 was winning the Kentucky Derby with Animal Kingdom. But his stable has captured 17 graded stakes this year, including Grade I scores with Toby’s Corner (Wood Memorial), Summer Soiree (Del Mar Oaks) and Aruna (Spinster).
“I’m flattered by the award,” Motion said in a release. “I’ve always felt strongly about making yourself available, and we need as much cooperation in the game as possible – whether it’s with the racetrack, the media or the fans.”
The Big Sport of Turfdom Award will be presented at the Race Track Industry Program Awards Luncheon on Dec. 6 as part of the University of Arizona’s annual Symposium on Racing & Gaming. The TPA is an organization consisting of approximately 150 publicity and marketing personnel from racetracks and racing organizations around the country. The Big Sport of Turfdom award has been presented every year since 1966.
“Graham has earned a reputation of being a class act. This was never more evident after this year’s Kentucky Derby win by Animal Kingdom and his heart-breaking loss in the Preakness,” said TPA president Bill Knauf. “Win or lose he was always gracious with his time, and for that he has earned the respect of racing people across the country. I couldn’t think of a more appropriate winner for this year’s Big Sport of Turfdom award.”
Previous winners of the Big Sport of Turfdom Award include jockeys Mike Smith, Pat Day, Laffit Pincay Jr., Chris McCarron, Bill Shoemaker, Angel Cordero Jr. and Eddie Arcaro; trainers Bob Baffert, D. Wayne Lukas, Carl Nafzger and Jack Van Berg; as well as individuals who may not be involved in the day-to-day aspect of Thoroughbred racing but made significant contributions to the sport including author Laura Hillenbrand, broadcaster Jim McKay, and actors Tim Conway and Jack Klugman.