Keeneland and Cross Gate Gallery of Lexington announced Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert has donated items belonging to Triple Crown winners American Pharoah and Justify to the 2018 Sporting Art Auction, with 100 percent of the proceeds benefitting the Ann Hanley Parkinson's Research Fund.
The Sporting Art Auction will be held Nov. 18 at 2 p.m. ET in the Keeneland Sales Pavilion. Baffert donated a halter worn by 2018 Triple Crown winner Justify and horseshoes worn by both Justify and 2015 Triple Crown winner American Pharoah. The horseshoes are framed with two Sports Illustrated magazines featuring American Pharoah and Justify that are signed by Baffert and Triple Crown-winning jockeys Victor Espinoza and Mike Smith. Letters of authenticity from Baffert accompany the halter and horseshoes.
“Jill and I are happy to have this unique opportunity to share a bit of racing history with fans of American Pharoah and Justify, and in doing so benefit Ann and her efforts to find a cure for Parkinson's disease,” Baffert said. “The dual horseshoe arrangement is one of a kind. Before we have donated individual or sets of shoes from either Pharoah or Justify, but never together. This will definitely be a piece of memorabilia that no one else has.”
Ann Hanley, wife of WinStar Farm General Manager David Hanley who was diagnosed with Parkinson's at the age of 49, founded the Ann Hanley Parkinson's Research Fund in 2016 to underwrite research into an experimental treatment available only at the University of Kentucky.
“I am honored and wowed how Bob and Jill Baffert, Keeneland and the Thoroughbred community continue to support this unique and worthy cause,” Hanley said. “I can safely say that without their support, this clinical trial could not be as far along as it is. I am blessed to be part of this community knowing that the Thoroughbred industry is working to make a difference in so many people's lives. Because this procedure taps into the body's own repair mechanism without the use of drugs, funding is not readily available. The clock is ticking for people with Parkinson's disease and the only way we can slow the ticking is to have many groups working together to bring their talents to end this dreadful disease.”
Keeneland Association donated $25,000 in support of the Ann Hanley Parkinson's Research Fund on opening Saturday of the 2018 Fall Meet.
“The Sporting Art Auction provides another meaningful way for Keeneland to support worthy causes in the community and horse industry,” Keeneland President and CEO Bill Thomason said. “We thank Bob for this generous donation of Triple Crown memorabilia, which is certain to create excitement among racing fans and support Ann and her fight against Parkinson's disease.”
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