The
winning name for the "Name the Foal" competition will be announced
at the Virginia Gold Cup
on May 3, 2008.
Thoroughbred
Network, Inc. is pleased to announce its co-sponsorship of a
"Name the Foal" contest. The goal of the contest is
to raise awareness for two fledgling organizations: the Thoroughbred
Network, Inc. and a charitable fund to benefit the children
of the Washington, DC inner city. The Thoroughbred Network,
Inc. is dedicated to showcasing the versatility of the Thoroughbred
as a pleasure, show and performance horse and provide an educational
network for Thoroughbred enthusiasts. The charitable children's
fund is in the process of being established and will be dedicated
to the inner city children's horizons and awareness of life
outside the city environment, specifically by introducing the
children to the traditions and open space of the horse farms
located in the surrounding states. Plans for the fund include
funding field trips for District children to visit various horse
farms and other related activities.
There
is no cost to participate in the "Name the Foal".
Participants fill out and submit tickets with their name choices
for a specific Thoroughbred foal, destined for the racetrack.
A committee will review the submitted names and select a winning
name. The participant submitting the winning entry will have
the privilege of using his/her submission as the foal's registered
Jockey Club name; will receive a photo opportunity with the
foal; will have his/her name featured in all publicity for
the event; and will receive updates on the foals future racing
career, including invitations to races.
The foal
that has been selected for the contest is currently stabled
at Blue Ridge Farm in Upperville, Virginia. Blue Ridge Farm
is the oldest active thoroughbred farm in Virginia. Originally,
the farm was owned by Admiral Grayson, grandfather of the
current owner, personal physician to President Woodrow Wilson,
and chairman of the American Red Cross. Blue Ridge Farm and
the Grayson family have a long history of charity work, including
working with the Upperville Episcopal Church. In fact, similar
contests have been successfully undertaken using ancestors
in the selected foal's pedigree. The grand-dam of the selected
foal was featured in a similar "Name the Foal" contest
over 30 years ago, and the foal's dam, Lamina Blue, was also
featured in such a contest 14 years ago. Orphaned one month
before the contest, Lamina Blue became a darling with the
public and the media, appearing on CBS and in numerous publications.
Due to
popular demand, a hotline and newsletter were set up to keep
the public updated on her racing career and a coloring book
was distributed to children. Such media attention and follow
up is the goal of the current contest. The selected foal's
pedigree suggests that it could have a successful racing career,
which would provide for continued public interest and attention:
The foal's dam, Lamina Blue, was sired by Electric Blue, winner
of $236,950 in a five-start career. Lamina Blue's dam, Animal
Cracker has had three other foals, all of which raced, earning
$360,950. Lamina Blue herself earned $61,658 at the track.
To date, Lamina Blue has had six foals, three to race, with
one winner. Her last foal born in March 2006 is the subject
of the contest. The foal's sire, Black Tie Affair (IRE), was
a Champion race horse, earning over $3,000,000 before retiring
to stud. His babies have earned over $45,000,000.
To participate
in the contest, please fill out the attached ticket and return
to: Thoroughbred Network, Inc., 38 Garrett Street, Warrenton,
VA 20186.
After
the closing date, a panel of judges will then review all of
the names and choose the one that best suits the personality
and appearance of each foal. If a winning name is entered
by more than one person, a random draw will take place to
determine the winner.
Entries
for the 2008 Thoroughbred Network "Name the Foal"
Contest will soon be closed so hurry up and enter today.