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New York Thoroughbred Breeders Enlist the Lawn Jockey as a GoodWill...

Celebrating the role of thoroughbred horse racing in New York while raising dollars to care for retired thoroughbreds, New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc (NYTB) has donated an iconic image of racing, the ceramic lawn jockey, as a roving ambassador to ThoroFan, a grass roots, fan based organization dedicated to the joys of thoroughbred racing.

Jeffrey A. Cannizzo, Executive Director of NYTB explained, We are helping ThoroFan put this classic image of our national passion on the road's to help project the enormous contributions offered by the thoroughbred industry throughout the Empire State. For decades the lawn jockey has announced to all concerned that its owner loves the thoroughbreds. Now it can become a roving ambassador, introducing more New Yorkers to this compelling sport that also contributes to our regional and statewide economy.

Mr. Cannizzo says an online contest is being conducted at www.thorofan.com that invites web site visitors to name the jockey while the statue travels about the region, serving as a good will ambassador at meetings, horse sales, the races, and in storefront windows throughout Saratoga.

This lawn jockey is already earning his keep: beneath his gaze a $500 check was presented to the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation that aids thoroughbreds put out to pasture during recent ceremonies that celebrated the dollars raised at ThoroFan'ss Celebrate the Preakness Party. Just as Jess Jackson'ss Rachel Alexandra reached the wire, local equine artist Frankie Flores painted his bright yellow silks with the crimson V on the statue and it will remain adorned with those winning colors and autographed by the artist.

Cannizzo explained that the NYTB is seeking to acquire additional lawn jockeys so that they too may be auctioned off to raise more funds for the thoroughbred retirement fund and serve as a national model for similar efforts across the country.

Together, ThoroFan and the New York Thoroughbred Breeders, are reinventing this statue so that he becomes a symbol of everyone working together for the betterment of the Thoroughbred industry in Saratoga and nationwide, stated ThoroFan'ss founder, Supervisor Joanne Yepsen, Marilyn Lane, Editor-in-Chief of the ThoroFan Voice, and Dale Easter, chairman of the organization'ss events committee

In order to further strengthen the relationship between Saratoga and its Thoroughbred racing partners, Nancy Smith is offering an additional $100.00 donation each time a lawn jockey is sold through her business, Saratoga Signatures. The purchaser need only mention ThoroFan, NYTB or the TRF.

Currently New York'ss Thoroughbred industry supports more than 30,000 jobs, has a $4.8 billion impact on goods and services and utilizes 43,000 acres of working landscape or green space. We have an important story to tell, concluded Cannizzo and, working with ThoroFan and our iconic lawn jockey we have a powerful alliance to make sure that story is heard.

Photo caption

Lawn Jockey does double duty for retired thoroughbreds - Jeffrey A. Cannizzo, Executive Director of New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc., (right) greets equine artist Frankie Flores as he affixed his signature to a lawn jockey being used to raise awareness of thoroughbred racing while raising dollars to care for retired thoroughbreds.

Photo credit: Erica Miller of the Saratogian

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