Ben Huffman, vice president of racing for Churchill Downs and race secretary at Keenelandis the recipient of the Kentucky Thoroughbred Owner’s Horseman of the Year Award in 2022. Warner L. Jones Jr.
Huffman will be honored at Louisville-based KTO’s 34th annual awards gala on November 19 at the Kentucky Derby Museum, 704 Central Avenue adjacent to Churchill Downs. Cocktails start at 6 p.m. ET., followed by dinner at 7 p.m. ET. Tickets, including dinner and drinks, are available by contacting Marlene Meyer at (502) 458-5820.
The award recognizes individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to Kentucky racing and share a passion as evidenced by Jones, who has spent 50 years on the Churchill Downs board, of which eight are president during the revival of the iconic race track. Warner Jones—the sole breeder of Kentucky Derby, Kentucky Oaks and Breeders’ Cup winners—was the first award winner in 1988, six years before his death.
Huffman said: “It is extremely special and humbling to be honored with this prestigious award in honor of a rider I greatly admire.
New to Western Kentucky University and the University of Louisville, Huffman plans to follow in the footsteps of his late father, coach William G. “Blackie” Huffman. But after three years working as a coaching assistant to his father, the Louisville native chose to take an administrative position in Ellis . Park racing for office in 1990 at his father’s urging. The rest, as they say, is history.
As a young racing official, Huffman studied under the tutelage of the late Howard Battle and Jerry Botts, gaining considerable experience and rapidly rising through the ranks of racing office management. His various roles at various racetracks around the country include working as an immigration officer; employee claims; patrol judge; place judges; paddle judge; stake coordinator at Fair Grounds Racecourse & Slots and Churchill Downs; and assistant racing secretary at Keeneland, Racecourse Saratogaand Race Park.
Huffman was appointed racing secretary at Keeneland in 2002 — a position he has held for the past 20 years — and also served as racing secretary at Fair Grounds (2003-06) and Ellis Park (2004- 06).
Huffman was appointed racing secretary and racing director in his hometown of Churchill Downs in 2006 and was promoted to Louisville’s vice president of racing in 2019.
In addition to his key roles at Churchill Downs and Keeneland, Huffman also serves on the U.S. Graded Stocks Committee and Breeders Cup Selection Board.
Huffman resides in Crestwood, Ky., with his wife Christi. Their two daughters are Abbey and Annie.
Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners is a social and educational organization dedicated to improving racing in the state. Membership is not only open to owners but anyone interested in the sport, including potential owners.
This press release has been edited by BloodHorse Staff for content and style.
