Freehold, NJ — Though Freehold Raceway has been silenced, Freehold, N.J., will be in the limelight again on Sunday, Feb. 16, as the iconic Standardbred Pleasure Horse Organization of New Jersey will present its awards banquet at the equally iconic Radisson Hotel.
This black-tie event will be held in the hotel’s Crystal Ballroom and will honor the 2024 champions — both equine and human — of the SPHO’s 30th anniversary horse show, which was held last September.
The equine participants, all Standardbreds, competed in over 300 events in the show and featured age groups of 12 and under to senior citizens with competing horses as old as 24 years.
Longtime horse owner Molly D’Agostino is looking forward to this year’s festivities as her now 13-year-old gelding Go Daddy Go will be honored as the 2024 SPHO Horse of the Year.
D’Agostino said:
“Go Daddy Go is a son of Ponder that was a stakes winner at 2 and raced in the Breeders Crown. He won about $365,000 that year (2014) but was done racing several years ago. And we got him and trained him to be a great show horse!
“It truly is great to be able to witness these Standardbreds develop in their second careers as show horses. We are able to raise the value of Standardbreds once they finish their racing careers and give them viable second careers, changing the lives of many horse enthusiasts. Homicide Hunter is another one. There are hundreds and hundreds that, eventually, find their way into the show ring … just amazing!
“A lot of credit goes to Helene Gregory as her dedication to the cause is, well, astounding and miraculous.”
Helene Gregory, sponsorship chairperson for the SPHO, said, “It’s amazing that, instead of mourning over a horse going to the ‘kill pen,’ we are celebrating their lives and second careers as show horses in a number of arenas. The versatility of the Standardbred is quite remarkable, and we have several equine athletes that have been plucked off ‘final destination’ trucks to have great second careers, bringing much happiness to so many people of all ages!
“We have a horse that didn’t make it at age 3 as a racehorse but has been thriving in the show ring now … and he’s 23!”
This gala event will feature three premium menu choices and a multi-level dessert pedestal, along with a wide selection of hors d’oeuvres and a premium open bar.
With sponsorships and raffles for the event, dinner prices have been able to be reduced to $85 for adults 21 and over, $75 for ages 14-20, and $35 for those aged 3-13.
In addition, there will be special “surprise” drawings held along with the aforementioned raffles.
Gregory added, “As you know, we had two amateur clubs that contributed very generous donations to our 30th anniversary show last September and, once again, they have stepped up to the plate again for our event in Freehold. The United States Amateur Driving Club (formerly the Florida Amateur Driving Club) has played an essential role in helping us. Their sponsorships are incredible and so helpful, and their club has donated three very special items for our awards dinner. There are no words to describe their worth to our success.
“Tony Verruso’s club (MADC) has sponsored the show and the banquet, and you will see their logo in all red carpet photos.”
All donations to this event go directly to the Standardbred show costs, which, by the way, just may save other Standardbreds.
Tickets must be purchased by Feb. 1 and are available at www.sphonj.org.