Standing Ovation by Ovation Riding: Champions for Charity

Each Friday, Horse Nation teams up with Ovation Riding to spotlight an individual or organization doing good work in the horse world. Today, we recognize “Champions for Charity,” a partnership between Maker’s Mark and the Breeders’ Cup.

Image via BreedersCup.com

Kentucky-based bourbon whiskey distiller Maker’s Mark and the Breeders’ Cup series of races have teamed up for a three-year partnership to not only recognize great champions in horse racing history but to give back to local and Thoroughbred industry-based charities. Five limited-release custom bottles were designed to honor an equine racing legend, with the likeness of the horse gracing the bottle which is colored in the jockey’s silks.

In 2015, three special bottles were released featuring A.P. Indy, Lure and Personal Ensign; 2015 beneficiaries included Grayson Jockey Club Foundation, Kentucky Horse Park Foundation, The Lexington Cancer Foundation, The Race for Education, Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance and the University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center Foundation.

In 2016, Champions for Charity is recognizing the incredible career of the beloved mare Zenyatta, and her owners Jerry and Ann Moss selected Old Friends as the beneficiary. Old Friends is a sanctuary for retired racing Thoroughbreds and has housed many legends of the sport as well as numerous lower-profile individuals. The 2016 Zenyatta bottles will be released at a special Champions for Charity event on November 2 in Arcadia, California.

The Zenyatta bottle. Image via BreedersCup.com

2017 will mark the third and final year of Champions for Charity, with Cigar the designated horse of honor.

To learn more about Champions for Charity and to purchase your own special Zenyatta bottle, please visit the fundraiser’s website.

If you know someone who deserves a Standing Ovation, we would love to recognize them in a future post. Email the name of the person or organization along with a message about the good work they do to [email protected]. Photos/videos are always welcome, and include a link to their website if applicable.