Racing Hall of Fame trainer
Jonathan Sheppard will be honored by New York-based Equine Advocates for his dedication to the humane treatment of racehorses at the organization’s 15th annual awards dinner and auction on Friday, July 29, in Saratoga Springs.
Sheppard, who has trained champions over fences and on the flat, will be presented with the Ellen And Herbert Moelis Equine Protection Award at the awards ceremony at the Canfield Casino.
In a training career that now spans six decades, Sheppard has trained 10 individual Eclipse Award champions, including Racing Hall of Fame members Cafe Prince and Flatterer. Certainly, Flatterer is an example of Sheppard’s dedication to his horses both during and after a racing career.
Co-bred by Sheppard and co-owner Bill Pape, Flatterer won four Eclipse Awards as champion steeplechase horse between 1983 and 1986. After a distinguished racing career that included a gallant second in England’s Champion Hurdle, he enjoyed a long retirement until his death in 2014 at the age of 35.
Sheppard always has had good fortune at Saratoga Race Course and will be looking to extend his untouchable record of 47 straight years with at least one victory at America’s premier summer racetrack.
Equine Advocates also will honor Steve and Lisa Caprizzo with the Animal Savior Award for helping thousands of companion animals find loving homes and for their dedication to the prevention of animal abuse, including horse slaughter.
Tickets are $250 per person, and VIP tickets are $500. The evening will begin with a reception and silent auction at 6 p.m., followed by a dinner catered by Mazzone Hospitality at 7 p.m. The silent auction will close at 7:50 p.m., and the awards portion of the evening and a live auction will begin at 8. Music will be provided by Body & Soul.