The Big Sport of Turfdom Award has been given annually by the Turf Publicists of America since 1966 to a person or group who enhances coverage of Thoroughbred racing through cooperation with the media and Thoroughbred racing publicists.
The Turf Publicists of America, founded in 1951, is made up of approximately 180 Thoroughbred racing publicists and marketing executives at various racetracks throughout North America with the shared goal of promoting the sport of Thoroughbred racing.
Two-time recipients of the Big Sport of Turfdom Award include Penny Chenery (1973 and 2017), Laffit Pincay Jr. (1985 and 2000), Bob Baffert (1997 and 2015, the latter as part of Team American Pharoah), Mike Smith (2014 and 2015, the former as part of Team Zenyatta), and Ken McPeek (2002 and 2024).
List of Big Sport of Turfdom Award winners
2025 – Griffin Johnson 2024 – Ken McPeek 2023 – Jena Antonucci 2022 – Cody Dorman, namesake of Cody's Wish 2021 – Brad Cox 2020 – Tom Amoss 2019 – Mark Casse 2018 – John Asher 2017 – Penny Chenery 2016 – Art Sherman 2015 – Team American Pharoah: Zayat Stables, Bob Baffert, Victor Espinoza 2014 – Tom Durkin 2013 – Gary Stevens 2012 – Dale Romans 2011 – H. Graham Motion 2010 – Mike E. Smith 2009 – Team Zenyatta: Ann & Jerry Moss, John Shirreffs, Dottie Shirreffs, Mike E. Smith 2008 – J. Larry Jones 2007 – Carl Nafzger 2006 – Dr. Dean Richardson 2005 – Pat Day 2004 – John Servis 2003 – Sackatoga Stable 2002 – Ken and Sue McPeek 2001 – Laura Hillenbrand 2000 – Laffit Pincay Jr. 1999 – D. Wayne Lukas 1998 – Michael E. Pegram 1997 – Bob Baffert 1996 – Team Cigar: Allen E. Paulson, William I. Mott, Jerry Bailey 1995 – Robert and Beverly Lewis 1994 – Warren A. Croll Jr. 1993 – Chris McCarron 1992 – Ángel Cordero Jr. 1991 – Hammer and Oaktown Stable 1990 – Carl Nafzger 1989 – Tim Conway 1988 – Julie Krone 1987 – Jack Van Berg 1986 – Jim McKay 1985 – Laffit Pincay Jr. 1984 – John Henry 1983 – Joe Hirsch 1982 – Woody Stephens 1981 – John Forsythe 1980 – Jack Klugman 1979 – Laz Barrera 1978 – Ron Turcotte 1977 – Steve Cauthen 1976 – Telly Savalas 1975 – Francis P. Dunne 1974 – Eddie Arcaro 1973 – Penny Chenery 1972 – John W. Galbreath 1971 – Burt Bacharach 1970 – Saul Rosen (jockey) 1969 – Bill Shoemaker 1968 – John A. Nerud 1967 – Allaire du Pont 1966 – E.P. Taylor
References
Turf Publicists of America website