Longines and IFHA Honor John Messara with International Award of Merit 2019
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Being the Official Partner and Official Watch of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA), the Swiss watchmaker Longines recently presented the 2019 Longines and IFHA International Award of Merit to industry leader John Messara, who is t
Longines and IFHA Honor John Messara with International Award of Merit 2019
Being the Official Partner and Official Watch of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA), the Swiss watchmaker Longines recently presented the 2019 Longines and IFHA International Award of Merit to industry leader John Messara, who is the first Australian to receive the award, as per an official release. Messara has been a key figure in Australian racing for more than three decades, and he is the owner and chairman of Arrowfield Stud in New South Wales.Messara has been quoted as saying in the release, “I’m very grateful to receive the Longines and IFHA International Award of Merit because it is presented by my international peers, and much of my work over the past four decades has focused on elevating Australian racing and breeding and communicating our success around the world. I acknowledge especially the unflinching support of my wife, Kris, and our four children; all of my team, past and present, at Arrowfield; the Boards & Executives of Racing New South Wales and Racing Australia; and two excellent Ministers for Racing, the Honourable George Souris AM and the Honourable Troy Grant. I’ve also been blessed by an incomparable dynasty of champion stallions that has shaped my career and the entire Australian thoroughbred industry over the past 30 years. Danehill, Redoute’s Choice and now Snitzel; thank you!”As per the release, former winners of the International Award of Merit include the Magnier family and trainer Aidan O’Brien, the driving forces behind Coolmore and the Ballydoyle Racing Stable in Ireland; Yutaka Take, legendary Japanese jockey; the Romanet family, long renowned leaders in both the French and international world of horseracing; Jim Bolger, leading Irish trainer, owner and breeder; Alec Head, past champion trainer and patriarch of prominent stud farm Haras du Quesnay; Seth Hancock of historic Claiborne Farm in America; and the late Marcel Zarour Atanacio, former chairman of the South American organization for the promotion of Thoroughbreds (OSAF).“The International Award of Merit was created in 2013 by Longines and the IFHA in order to honor public figures for their outstanding contribution to the world of horse racing. As Official Partner and Official Watch of the IFHA, Longines additionally awards several other prizes in recognition of excellence in this discipline in collaboration with the IFHA. The winners are honored throughout the year in ceremonies attended by representatives from across the entire profession,” says the release.“It is a great honor and pleasure to recognize tonight Mr. John Messara’s dedication to Thoroughbred racing, a sport dear to the brand,” said Walter von Kanel, president of Longines, according to the release.Click on the slideshow for a sneak peek at the event. https://www.blouinartinfo.com/ Founder: Louise Blouin Read more
