Belmont Charity Celebration Returns to Bar Americain

The official Belmont S. Charity Celebration, benefitting the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation and Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation, will return to Bobby Flay’s Bar Americain June 5. Featuring “The Foods of Bobby Flay,” the event will include an auction of select stallion seasons and other prizes. 
The Earle I. Mack Thoroughbred Champion Award will be presented to Victoria McCullough at the event. The award recognizes outstanding efforts and influences on Thoroughbred racehorse welfare, safety and retirement. McCullough is the charman of the board of Chesapeake Pertroleum and has used her resources to aid in preventing the reinstitution of horse slaughter in the U.S. and the fight to stop the export of horses across the country’s borders. She was successful in de-funding the USDA inspection of slaughterhouses. McCullough has also personally purchased over 4,000 horses from kill pens, paid for their care and found them homes. 
“Victoria McCullough has demonstrated a deep and passionate commitment to safeguarding the lives of horses,” said Earle Mack. “We applaud her for her untiring efforts, and we are honored to present her with this richly deserved award.” 
McCullough added, “Being honored by Ambassador Mack and the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation is particularly meaningful to me. The Thoroughbred is the horse to which I am most connected. Working alongside the TRF and the Thoroughbred industry to ensure compassionate care for our champion Thoroughbreds, and with collaboration and strategic vision, we will eradicate slaughter and develop the needed infrastructure to provide quality aftercare for all Thoroughbreds.” 
Previous award recipients include Jockey Club chairman and prominent breeder/owner Ogden Phipps in 2012 and Chef Bobby Flay, an owner, breeder and advocate for Thoroughbred retirement. 
“I’m gratified that these two important racing charities have again chosen Bar Americain to host this event, which celebrates the Belmont Stakes, one of our most prestigious races,” said Flay. “The cooperation of the charities in this event makes sense, with Grayson working to improve the health of horses during their racing careers, and TRF helping to provide them with a comfortable, secure retirement when their career comes to an end. I’m looking forward to participating in this event again this year after a successful event in 2013.”