MONIQUE KOEHLER TO RECEIVE SPECIAL ECLIPSE AWARD

The National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA), Daily Racing Form and the National Turf Writers Association today announced that the Monique Koehler, whose tireless work saving retired racehorses through Thoroughbred retirement programs, will be honored with the 2009 Special Eclipse Award. The Special Eclipse Award, honors outstanding individual achievements in, or contributions to, the sport of Thoroughbred racing.  

Koehler will receive her award at the 39^th annual Eclipse Awards on Monday, January 18 at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills, Calif. 

A former advertising executive, Koehler, who resides in Middletown, N.J., became interested in the plight of racehorses that did not have “second careers” or could not be used for breeding after they were retired from racing. She founded the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation in 1982 and helped to transform it into the largest retired equine rescue program in the nation with more than 1200 horses in its care. Since its inception, the TRF has been providing lifetime care, retraining and adoption for retired Thoroughbreds at TRF-operated farms in Kentucky, Maryland, New Jersey, Florida, Virginia, South Carolina, Oklahoma, Missouri, Vermont, Massachusetts, Indiana, Tennessee and New York. 

In the early stages of or the organization, Koehler negotiated a milestone agreement with the State of New York Department of Correctional Services. In exchange for land use and labor at the state's Walkill Correctional Facility, the TRF would design, staff and maintain a vocational training program in equine care and management for inmates.

The prison program was recently expanded at Wallkill and has been replicated at TRF farms located at the Blackburn Correctional Facility in Kentucky, the Marion County Correctional Facility in Florida, Wateree Correctional Facility in South Carolina, Putnamville Correctional Facility in Indiana, James River Work Center in Virginia, Sykesville Correctional in Maryland and the Plymouth County Jail in Massachusetts.  

“I am very honored and humbled to have been selected as a recipient of this year’s Special Eclipse award,” said Koehler, who is board chairman emeritus of TRF. “When I established the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation nearly three decades ago, it was out of my personal concern for these noble animals and for humane causes in general.  I was not involved with racing in any way except as a casual fan.  However, as the years went by, the success of my personal mission became inexorably linked to that of dedicated members of the racing community including Penny Chenery, Allaire DuPont, Skip & Mary Shapoff, and many others.  Without their support, understanding and guidance, my goals and those of the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation, could never have been accomplished.  Through this award, I firmly believe that the Committee is recognizing all of us who have taken part in this life-enriching, life-saving quest. 

“It has been a wonderful and fulfilling journey and I am able to take a large measure of satisfaction in what the TRF has been able to accomplish, and the thousands of horses we have saved, the many thousands more whose rescue, rehabilitation or adoption we have facilitated, and the men, women and children whose lives we have changed for the better through our pioneering vocational training programs.”

“I can think of no better honoree. Monique took a huge ugly problem and turned it into a life affirming, positive program in which racing, through its support and its horses, gives back to society”, said Diana Pikulski, executive director of the TRF and a volunteer for the organization since 1980. “Only someone as astute and resolute as Monique could accomplish this especially when she was so far ahead of the industry in her vision.  I am thrilled for her and for the TRF.” 

The Eclipse Awards are bestowed upon horses and individuals whose outstanding achievements in North America have earned them the title of Champion in their respective categories. The Eclipse Awards are named after the great 18th-century racehorse and foundation sire Eclipse, who began racing at age five and was undefeated in 18 starts, including eight walkovers. Eclipse sired the winners of 344 races, including three Epsom Derbies.  

The 39th Annual Eclipse Awards will be held on Monday, January 18 at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills, Calif. For hotel accommodations and Eclipse Awards ceremony reservations, contact Michele Ravencraft at the NTRA's Lexington office, (800) 792-6872, or e-mail mravencraft@ntra.com.