News
Tom Durkin To Receive ThoroFan Award
9/22/2015
TOM DIRKIN
OWES HIS CAREER TO THE FANS
THAT IS WHY HE WILL RECEIVE
THE 2016 THOROFAN AWARD
Tom Durkin is by his own admission first a thespian then a race caller. After graduating from college with a degree in theater, Tom went in search of a career. Traveling the country with friends in the most cost-effective way possible suited him. Where the blue highways lead Tom followed. He recalls how by accident and a few lies by a friend resulted in being asked to call races at a county fair. That was the beginning of an unplanned career.
Forty plus years later after more than two decades as the renown race caller and announcer for the New York Racing Association he retired to a more stable lifestyle shared between New York City and Saratoga Springs with as many chances to visit Italy that he can fit in.
ThoroFan inaugurated its Annual Award's Event in 2013 with one goal ---to create a platform where fandom in Thoroughbred racing can be recognized and praised. This platform has grown to be the only fan event during the prestigious Eclipse Award Week. The ThoroFan Board of Directors carefully screens award nominations for their singular focus on promoting fandom and helping our industry rebuild its base.
In 2013 the Board selected Louis and Patrice Wolfson as the first recipients. Their ownership and campaigning of the Triple Crown winner, Affirmed, in late 1970s focused on the fan with public appearances and parades designed just for fans. In 2014, the Board honored Cot Campbell of dogwood Stables for his innovation of owner partnerships in racing. This unique approach helped bring fans at all levels to our sport which previously was restricted to the wealthy. In 2015 Michael Blowen of Old Friends was the recipient of the ThoroFan Award. Through Michael's compassionate drive to take care of retired racehorses a new dimension of fandom surfaced. Added to the cohort of players, bettors and racing enthusiasts were people who loved the horse from birth to end of life. Many of them are spreading the word about the sport to people who may have never been interested before.
When Tom Durkin retired at Saratoga last year a new side of Tom became public. All knew him as the voice of the Triple Crown, the Breeders' Cup and New York Racing. Shoehorned in the announcer's booth we heard his drama inspired race calls. It was hard to see this public figure as a humble fan. Of coarse how could he not be and do what he did for nearly five decades. On that day in Saratoga he revealed who he really was and why he climbed the ladder of racing success. It was because of one person as he said in his retirement speech before thousands of fans. Take a listen and you will see why Tom Durkin is the recipient of the 2016 ThoroFan Award and the
center piece of our Annual Awards Brunch sponsored by Red Brand Fence Company to be held on January 15, 2016 at Gulfstream Race Casino and Racetrack.
Link: https://youtu.be/x-6ueqRe-wI
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