The Breeders’ Cup announced Friday that Gary Player, a nine-time PGA champion
and leading South African Thoroughbred breeder, has been named the first
recipient of the Breeders’ Cup Sports and Racing Excellence Award.
The Breeders’ Cup Sports and Racing Excellence Award honors an individual who
has established a career of excellence in a chosen profession and also maintains
a passionate interest as an owner, breeder or participant in the Thoroughbred
racing industry.
Player will be presented the Sports and Racing Excellence Award, an elegant
Steuben crystal, at Santa Anita Park on November 5, one day prior to the
Breeders’ Cup.
“Demonstrating that same commitment to excellence which made him the world’s
greatest international golfer, Gary’s outstanding success as a Thoroughbred
breeder and passionate supporter of horse racing makes him an extraordinary
first recipient of our Sports and Racing Award,” Breeders’ Cup President and CEO
Greg Avioli said. “On behalf of our board, the racing industry and Gary’s many
fans and followers around the world, we are extremely proud to present him with
this honor at the Breeders’ Cup.”
Player, the most successful international golfer of all time and a global
ambassador for the sport, won nine Major championships (Masters (3), U.S. Open
(1), British Open (3) and PGA Championship (2)), and became just the third
player in history behind Gene Sarazan and Ben Hogan to win all four Grand Slam
events. Player has won a total of 164 events worldwide in his career, including
nine major championships on the Champion’s Tour; and has traveled more than 15
million miles in his career. Player is also a renowned golf course architect,
having created more than 300 design projects around the world.
Player’s connection to Thoroughbred racing and breeding is passionate and
widespread. As the owner of 20,000-acre Gary Player Stud in Cape Province since
1974, he is one of South Africa’s most successful Thoroughbred breeders. From an
original small band of broodmares, he has produced an average of 12 percent
stakes winners per crop, including Pinehurst, World Over, Foreign Source,
Kadarko, Foolish Pride, Creator and Superwood, among others. From three mares
located in the United States, he had Grade 1 winner Broadway Flyer, French Group
3 scorer Cachet Noir, and two sons of Storm Cat at stud in South Africa, Aristis
and Port Rush.
“I am chuffed at being selected for this inaugural award and delighted to
accept it on behalf of all horse lovers around the world,” Player said from his
stud farm in Colesberg, South Africa. “If I had to choose golf over horses…I
would miss my clubs!”