Joe Kelly Unsung Hero Award

2022 Joe Kelly Unsung Hero Award to Fran Burns

Fran Burns has been selected as the winner of the Maryland Million 2022 Joe Kelly Unsung Hero Award. Presented by the Board of Directors of Maryland Million Ltd, this award honors the memory of Joe Kelly and celebrates important characteristics that are valuable, but sometimes go overlooked.

Read more ...

2022 Joe Kelly Unsung Hero Nominations Due October 1

2022 Joe Kelly Unsung Hero Award Open For Nominations

The Maryland Million Ltd. Board of Directors plans to give this award annually in honor of Joe Kelly. Joe was the first and only publicist for the Jim McKay Maryland Million Day racing program. As a close friend of founder Jim McKay, he was involved from the introduction of the concept in 1985 until his death in 2012. He was a mentor to writers, horsemen and fans alike, and loved our sport from his early days as a sports writer.

Your unsung hero candidate should embody characteristics that are valuable, but often go unrewarded. He or she should be honest, hardworking and humble. They should inspire and set a good example through their principles and actions. The unsung hero award recipient will receive a $1,000 honorarium and be recognized at the Sip & Win event and on Jim McKay Maryland Million Day at Laurel Park.

Nominees that are not selected for the award this year will be considered again in future years. There is no need to fill out an application for the same nominee more than one time. Previous winners include: Holly Robinson (2013), Howard G. "Gelo" Hall (2014), Darryll-Ann Buschling (2015), Dr. David Zipf (2016), Mary Shunk (2017), Georganne Hale (2018), Heather Cellinesi (2019), Ahesahmahk Dahn (2020) and Brenda Herzog (2021).

Nominations are due by October 1

Download a Nomination Form

Eligibility:

Nominee must-

• Have demonstrated a particular commitment, impact or contribution to the

Thoroughbred industry or equine community in general

• Have been involved in the Thoroughbred industry in Maryland for at least five

years

Your nomination should include two parts:

1) Completed nomination form, online or hard copy

2) A recommendation letter expanding on the reasons why you are nominating this person. Outline in 500 words or less such things as:

Areas of expertise or areas in which the nominee excels
Why the nominee is worthy of this recognition
Please return the completed form and your letter of recommendation to:

Maryland Million Ltd.

attn: Becky Remsberg

321 Main St.

Reisterstown, MD 21136

Or email documents to bremsberg@marylandthoroughbred.com

2021 Joe Kelly Unsung Hero Award to Brenda Herzog

Brenda Herzog has been selected to receive the Maryland Million 2021 Joe Kelly Unsung Hero Award. Presented annually by the Board of Directors of the Maryland Million Ltd., this award honors the memory of Joe Kelly and celebrates important characteristics that are valuable but often unrewarded. It recognizes honesty, hard work and humility - qualities which serve to inspire others.



Read more ...

2021 Joe Kelly Unsung Hero Award Open For Nominations

The Maryland Million Ltd. Board of Directors plans to give this award annually in honor of Joe Kelly. Joe was the first and only publicist for the Jim McKay Maryland Million Day racing program. As a close friend of founder Jim McKay, he was involved from the introduction of the concept in 1985 until his death in 2012. He was a mentor to writers, horsemen and fans alike, and loved our sport from his early days as a sports writer.

Your unsung hero candidate should embody characteristics that are valuable, but often go unrewarded. He or she should be honest, hardworking and humble. They should inspire and set a good example through their principles and actions. The unsung hero award recipient will receive a $1,000 honorarium and be recognized at the Sip & Win event and on Jim McKay Maryland Million Day at Laurel Park.

Read more ...

2020 Joe Kelly Unsung Hero Award to Ahesahmahk Dahn

Ahesahmahk Dahn has been selected to receive the 2020 Joe Kelly Maryland Million Unsung Hero Award. Presented annually by the Board of Directors of the Maryland Million Ltd., this award honors the memory of Joe Kelly and celebrates important characteristics that are valuable but often unrewarded. It recognizes honesty, hard work and humility - qualities which serve as inspiration to others.

Read more ...