Georgeanne Hale, the vice president of racing development for the Maryland Jockey Club, will be honored with the 2018 Joe Kelly Unsung Hero Award. The award is presented annually by Maryland Million Ltd.'s board of directors in recognition of inspiring but often unheralded qualities such as honesty, humility, and work ethic found in people in the racing industry.
Hale grew up on a Maryland farm and has been with the Maryland Jockey Club since 1984 in various capacities in the racing office. She also is co-founder and president of MidAtlantic Horse Rescue and started the Totally Thoroughbred Horse Show at Pimlico in 2012.
“[Hale's] vibrant personality and willingness to go out of her way to help others has made her an exceptional leader and ambassador for the equine industry,” said Andy Cashman, general manager of the Maryland State Fair and Agricultural Society Inc.
The award is named in honor of Joe Kelly, the first publicist for the Jim McKay Maryland Million who was involved in the signature Maryland event from 1985 until his death in 2012. Hale will receive a $1,000 honorarium and will be recognized at the Maryland Million Gala Oct. 19 at the Maryland Club in Baltimore and on Maryland Million day Oct. 20 at Laurel Park.
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