Just in time for American Pharoah’s acclaimed victory in this weekend’s Breeders’ Cup Classic, known as the “Super Bowl” of horse racing, Florida Senator Dorothy Hukill filed Senate Bill 682, a congratulatory resolution honoring Florida horsemen J.B. and Kevin McKathan, who gave the superstar his earliest lessons on how to be a racehorse.
- To read news coverage of Senator Hukill’s resolution, click here.
It was with the formative training received at the 200-acre McKathan Brothers Training Center in Citra, Florida, that American Pharoah went on to make history as Thoroughbred racing’s first Triple Crown winner in 37 years–capturing the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont Stakes in 2015. Only 11 other horses have captured the Triple Crown throughout all of American horse racing history. He then captured the 2015 Breeders’ Cup Classic this weekend–a “Grand Slam” feat that no other racehorse has ever accomplished.
“Training horses requires dedication, strength, and patience, and the McKathan Brothers are widely known for their hard work and devotion to this endeavor,” Senator Hukill noted in her resolution. “The Florida Senate commends the McKathan Brothers for their work, which ensures that Marion County remains one of the prime areas for raising some of the best racehorses in the sport.”
She also pointed out that American Pharoah traces his lineage to Florida-bred champions Unbridled and Tri Jet.
Senator Hukill’s district comprises part of Marion County, the Thoroughbred breeding farms of which give Florida its reputation as “Horse Capital of the World.”
“As we go about our everyday racetrack jobs, a large part of every Florida’s horseman’s heart is with American Pharoah,” said Florida Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association President Bill White, whose organization represents 6,000 Thoroughbred owners and trainers who do business in Florida. “For Senator Hukill to honor the McKathans and their role in horse racing history is to acknowledge the daily contributions of every Florida horseman, no matter how small. We are truly humbled.”
To read the complete text of SB 682, click here.