Freehold hosting prestigious Standardbred event again

Freehold, New Jersey, January 17, 2025…Though Freehold Raceway has been silenced, Freehold, New Jersey will be in the limelight again on Sunday, February 16, 2025 as the iconic Standardbred Horse Show will present their Awards Banquet at the equally iconic Radisson Hotel.

This black-tie event will be held in the hotel’s Crystal Ballroom and will honor the 2024 champions—both equine and human—of the 30th anniversary horse show, which was held last September.

The equine participants, all Standardbreds, competed in over 300 events in the show and featured age groups of 12 & Under to senior citizens with competing horses as “aged” as 24 years.

Longtime horse owner Molly D’Agostino is looking forward to this year’s festivities as she has the now 13-year-old gelding Go Daddy Go, to be honored as the 2024 SPHO Horse-of-the-Year.

Molly said, “Go Daddy Go is a son of Ponder that was a stakes winner at two (years-old) and raced in the Breeders Crown.

“He won about $365,000 that year (2014) but was done racing  several years ago and we got him and trained him to be a great show horse!

“It truly is great to be able to witness these standardbreds develop in their second careers as show horses.

“We are able to raise the value of standardbreds once they finish their racing careers and give them viable second careers changing the lives of many horse enthusiasts.

“Homicide Hunter is another one…there are hundreds and hundreds that, eventually, find their way into the show ring…just amazing!

“A lot of credit goes to Helene Gregory as her dedication to the cause is, well, astounding and miraculous.”

Helene Gregory, is sponsorship chairperson for the Organization and she lamented, “It’s amazing that, instead of mourning over a horse going to the ‘kill pen,’ we are celebrating their lives and second careers as show horses in a number of arenas.

“The versatility of the standardbred is quite remarkable and we have several equine athletes that have been plucked off ‘final destination’ trucks to have great second careers bringing much happiness to so many people—or ALL ages!

“We have a horse that didn’t make it at age three as a racehorses but has been thriving in the show ring now…and he’s 23!”

This gala event will feature three premium menu choices, and a multi-level dessert pedestal along with a wide selection of hors d’oeuvres and a premium open bar..

With sponsorships and raffles for the event, dinner prices have been able to be reduced to $85 for adults 21 and over, $75 for ages 14-20 and $35 for those aged three through 13.

In addition, there will be special “SurpriZe” drawing held, along with the aforementioned raffles.

Helene added, “As you know, we had two amateur clubs that contributed very generous donations to our 30th anniversary show last September and, once again, they have stepped up to the plate again for our event in Freehold.

“The United States Amateur Driving Club (formerly the Florida Amateur Driving Club) has played an essential role in helping us.

“Their sponsorships are incredible and so helpful and their club has donated three very special items for our Awards dinner.

“There are no words to describe their worth to our success.

“Tony Verruso’s Club (MADC) has sponsored the show and the banquet and you will see their logo in all red carpet photos.”

All donations to this event go directly to the standardbred show costs, which, by the way, just may save other standardbreds from the kill pen.

Tickets must be purchased by February 1, 2025 and are available at www.sphonj.org.

by John Berry, for the SPHONJ