Edited Press Release
Elizabeth M. Merryman, who bred Caravel (Mizzen Mast), winner of the $1-million GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint Nov. 5 at Keeneland Race Course, has been named the 2022 recipient of the John Deere Award, in recognition of the breeders who participated this year in the Breeders' Cup Challenge Series: Win and You're In and in the Breeders' Cup World Championships.
The John Deere Award, presented by Breeders' Cup Limited and NTRA Advantage, emphasizes the contributions of breeders to the Breeders' Cup program. The industry's breeders and nominators provide funding for the purses of the World Championships through the annual nominations of foals and stallions.
NTRA Advantage and John Deere will award a John Deere TS Gator Utility Vehicle to Ms. Merryman.
This year's John Deere Award winner was determined by a drawing from all breeders who won either a Breeders' Cup World Championships race or a Breeders' Cup Challenge Series race.
“We congratulate Ms. Merryman on being this year's recipient of the John Deere Award in recognition of Caravel's outstanding victory in the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint,” said Dora Delgado, Breeders' Cup Executive Vice President and Chief Racing Officer. “The John Deere Award is a tribute to the importance of the breeders in our sport and whose annual contributions have been the backbone of our funding for the Breeders' Cup racing programs and the World Championships. We also thank John Deere and NTRA Advantage for their sponsorship of this award and their salute to the breeding industry.”
“I am very happy to accept the John Deere Award on behalf of Caravel in honor of her thrilling win in the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint, and in recognition of all breeders who participated in the World Championships,” said Merryman.
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