Team Golden Tempo, Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez, the late turf writer Mary Rampellini, the broadcast team from TVG and FanDuel Racing, and the graduates of Stable Recovery will be honored during the National Turf Writers and Broadcasters' 66th Annual Awards Dinner on Wednesday, Oct. 28, in Lexington, Ky.
The annual awards dinner serves as the NTWAB's sole fundraiser. A portion of the event's proceeds will fund Thoroughbred industry charities and internships for prospective racing journalists. The dinner will take place at Malone's Prime, located at 3373 Tates Creek Rd. in Lexington, just days before Keeneland hosts the Breeders' Cup on Oct. 30-31.
Team Golden Tempo—Mr. Fitz Award
In honoring Team Golden Tempo with the Mr. Fitz Award for typifying the spirit of racing, the NTWAB recognizes the group behind the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes winner. The Phipps Stable and St. Elias Stable-owned and -bred colt's victories under Jose Ortiz propelled trainer Cherie DeVaux into the record books as the first woman to win the Kentucky Derby and the first female trainer to capture two American Classics.
Assistant trainer and exercise rider Enrique Miranda and groom Jose Hernandez also played important roles in his preparations.
Golden Tempo's accomplishments rewarded the long-term vision of Phipps Stable, headed by Ogden Phipps II and Daisy Phipps Pulito, along with Vinnie and Teresa Viola of St. Elias Stable and contributions from Monique Delk.
John Velazquez—Joe Palmer Award
Velazquez, inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2012, is one of the most accomplished riders in racing history, boasting more than 6,800 victories, multiple Eclipse Awards, six Triple Crown race wins, 22 Breeders' Cup victories, and countless grade 1 triumphs.
Beyond his extraordinary racetrack success, Velazquez served as the Jockeys' Guild chairman for more than 20 years, later serving as co-chair with Mike Smith from 2018 until stepping down earlier this year. He remains an active board member.
His service continues as a 20-year board member of the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund.
Velazquez also serves on the board of the New York Racetrack Chaplaincy. Along with his wife, Leona, he has spent years supporting the backstretch community through programs providing childcare, education, emergency assistance, healthcare, and family services. In 2025, John and Leona received the prestigious Marylou Whitney and John Hendrickson Award for their unwavering commitment to backstretch workers.
Mary Rampellini—Walter Haight Award
Rampellini, who died July 4 at age 53, is the posthumous recipient of the Walter Haight Award for career excellence in turf writing. A full-time reporter and handicapper for Daily Racing Form for nearly a quarter-century, she became a trusted voice through her comprehensive reporting from tracks across the Midwest and South.
Raised in a racing family as the daughter of noted horseman Ralph Rampellini, she created her own local newspaper before landing her first reporting position at age 19. She joined DRF as a freelance reporter in 1997 to cover the inaugural meeting at Lone Star Park and was hired full-time in 2002. Through her dedicated coverage of Oaklawn Park, Lone Star, and other circuits, she won over participants and readers alike with her passion for the sport, kindness, respect, and commitment. She also wrote three children's books centered around Ollie, Oaklawn Park's owl mascot.
Team TVG/FanDuel Racing—Jim McKay Award
Team TVG/FanDuel Racing is the recipient of the Jim McKay Award for excellence in broadcasting. Originally launched in 1999 as Television Games Network, TVG brought horse racing into living rooms across America while integrating the excitement of pari-mutuel wagering with live television. Rebranded as FanDuel TV in 2021, the network continued to provide comprehensive coverage of the sport's biggest events through a dedicated, year-round channel showcasing racing nationwide.
Before FanDuel management began phasing out its horse racing television coverage this year, TVG and FanDuel TV introduced entirely new audiences to the sport while serving as a trusted destination for news, analysis, and live competition for longtime fans. This group award honors those who contributed to the network's productions: on-camera talent, producers, camera operators, and others working behind the scenes.
Stable Recovery—Bill Mooney Award
Stable Recovery, launched by Frank Taylor and Christian Countzler, has helped dozens of individuals recover from substance abuse, supporting them on their path to sobriety and helping them find meaningful employment within the Thoroughbred racing industry, and is the NTWAB's Bill Mooney Award honoree. The Bill Mooney Award recognizes those who have demonstrated "courage in the face of tremendous adversity."
The peer-driven therapeutic community allows participants to live, work, and recover together while helping each other grow mentally, physically, and spiritually. In honoring Stable Recovery, the NTWAB specifically credits those graduates who have successfully reclaimed their lives.
Event Tickets and Details
The winners of two Breeders' Cup writing awards, alongside a photography and a videography award, will also be announced by the Breeders' Cup during the dinner.
Tickets for the NTWAB Awards Dinner can be purchased online. Ticket prices are $85 for NTWAB members and Breeders' Cup credentialed media, and $115 for non-members and guests. Full tables are also available for purchase.
Invitations will be emailed to NTWAB members. Non-members may request an official invitation by emailing ntwab2014@gmail.com.
This press release has not been edited by BloodHorse. If there are any questions please contact the organization that produced the release.
