Margaret Ransom's USRacing.com story that uncovered 40 horses living under dire conditions on a Central Kentucky farm that led to animal cruelty charges against trainer Maria Borell and her father Chuck has been nominated for a Stan Bergstein Writing Award by representatives of Team Valor International, which presents the award.
The story led to contributions from outside horsemen and equine retirement groups, including the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation, which has taken some of the horses under its care. It also prompted an investigation from the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, which ultimately charged Chuck Borell and his daughter, who was the trainer of 2015 Eclipse Award-winning sprinter Runhappy (Super Saver).
Team Valor CEO Barry Irwin said, “This was an unsettling story brought to my attention by my wife, Kathleen. It exposed a problem and led to action, which is what this award is all about, so Margaret Ransom deserves credit and recognition for her work even though the website that published the story is for an offshore wagering company that contributes nothing to the racing industry.”
Team Valor nominates stories throughout the year and assigns a panel of judges to select a winner for the $25,000 award. This year's judges are racetrack announcer Trevor Denman, Hall of Fame jockey Chris McCarron and veteran turf writers Neil Milbert, Maryjean Wall and Michael Veitch.
Irwin and Team Valor will present the fifth annual Stan Bergstein Writing Award in the fall.
The story may be read here.
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