Class Personified

by Ed Meyer

posted on October 15, 2008 in Breeders Cup, General Discussion, News | No Comments >>

Edgar Prado, the Hall of Fame jockey who has won more than 5,000 races in his career (and three at the Breeders’ Cup World Championships), will donate 5 percent of winnings from his mounts in this month’s World Championships to Breeders’ Cup Charities and the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund, it was announced Monday.

Prado is dedicating his potential Breeders’ Cup earnings to his mother, Zenaida Prado, who died of breast cancer in February of 2006 (prior to his victory aboard Barbaro in the Kentucky Derby (G1) and subsequent induction into Racing’s Hall of Fame in August).

The primary beneficiaries of Breeders’ Cup Charities are Susan G. Komen for the Cure and the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Breeders’ Cup Charities also will support causes in Southern California and Thoroughbred industry charities.

“We are grateful for Edgar’s generous pledge in the name of his late mother at this year’s Breeders’ Cup,” said Greg Avioli, president and chief executive officer of the Breeders’ Cup. “Over the years, Edgar has been the epitome of talent and class on and off the racetrack, and we welcome his support to these important causes.”

The pledge by Prado is the fourth commitment from the Thoroughbred industry to Breeders’ Cup Charities, which was established this year to further community outreach efforts in conjunction with the 2008 Breeders’ Cup World Championships. Pamela and Martin Wygod, on behalf of the WebMD Health Foundation, made the first contribution to Breeders’ Cup Charities, donating $250,000. Earlier this month, IEAH Stables, owners of Kentucky Derby (G1) and Preakness (G1) winner Big Brown, pledged a portion of all of its starters’ earnings at the Breeders’ Cup, to Breeders Cup Charities. Former Hollywood Park President and current Breeder’s Cup Vice Chairman R.D. Hubbard, on behalf of the R.D. and Joan Dale Hubbard Foundation, last week donated $50,000 to Breeders’ Cup Charities.

“My mom was a great inspiration to me throughout my life,” Prado said. “I hope that my participation in Breeders’ Cup Charities will bring more attention to help find a cure for breast cancer and for others in need.”

Prado, 41, a native of Lima, Peru, is a regular rider on the New York circuit. Now a resident of Miami, Prado won the Eclipse Award for outstanding jockey in 2006.