MANILA, Philippines - Local horse racing’s outstanding performers take center stage tomorrow as the Philippine Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Organization (Philtobo) honors the industry’s crème de la crème in the annual “Gintong Lahi Awards” at Wack Wack Golf and Country Club, in Mandaluyong.
The time-honored event, the local version of the “US Eclipse Awards,” recognizes outstanding achievements of equine athletes and racing industry personalities in various competitive categories in racing, conditioning and breeding.
“Much like the previous years, this year’s Gintong Lahi Awards would be highlighted by the traditional awarding of titles to last year’s top campaigners in what has been another eventful year which saw thrilling comebacks and the rise of new track stars,” said Philtobo president Emmanuel “Manny” Santos.
Highlight of the event is the awarding of the coveted Horse of the Year title, which is expected to be closely fought among last year’s track standouts led by dual classic cup winner Low Profile, three-year-old linchpin Dewey Boulevard and undefeated two-year-old wunderkind Sepfourteen.
The other major awards in the Equine Category include the champion two-year-old colt and filly, champion three-year-old colt and filly, champion older horse, champion sprinter, and champion imported horse.
Meanwhile, the premiership battle among the country’s top jockeys, trainers, owners and breeders will also tightly contested among the connections of Herma Farms and Stud of industrialist Herminio “Hermie” Esguerra and SC Stockfarm of businessman Oliver “Jojo” Velasquez, whose horses have dominated majority of last year’s big money races.
The Philtobo Gintong Lahi selection process goes further beyond earnings and race victories and refines its choices based on overall achievement in the most important races of the year which have long been the battlefield of the best horses in the country.
“We wish to express our appreciation to all of the industry’s stakeholders for their continuing support of the Philtobo and its programs, in particular to the leadership of the Philippine Racing Commission and the three other racing clubs, PRCI, MJCI and MMTC. As dedicated partners of the industry, we stand united in promoting the sport of horse racing in the country,” said Philtobo chairman and Ambassador Antonio “Tonet” Lagdameo.