Each year the Dogwood Dominion Award honors a man or woman who is truly an unsung hero of the Thoroughbred racing industry.

The Award was inspired by the multiple stakes winner Dominion, who was campaigned by Dogwood Stable in the 1970s and the went on to become five-time Champion Sire in England. Upon Dominion's death in 1993, Dogwood President Cot Campbell created the award to recognize the industry's unsung heroes - the behind-the-scenes men and women who work to create a positive influence in their work environment. 

"We've awarded $85,000 over the years, and our idea has spawned several other similar awards," explained Campbell. "Our winners have come from Massachusetts and Florida, Michigan and California, and points in-between. These men and women come from every walk of life, and all have been do-gooders in the best sense of the word. The Dogwood Dominion Award allows them to go from being an unsung hero to being in the spotlight."

More about the horse.... Dominion was purchased by Dogwood Stable in 1975 in England and was brought here early in 1976. He was a stakes performer in France, Germany, England and all over the United States.

As Cot Campbell once said of Dominion: "While not the best, the best had better not make a mistake in his presence, He was a muscular bay horse, with an earnest, aloof, but terribly engaging personality. Prior to a race, he exhibited the animation of a milk cow. Afterwards, when he had invariably given everything he had, he would return to be unsaddled with bloodshot eyes blazing and every vein in his body distended. . .He was game, generous, workmanlike, dependable, intelligent, courageous and absolutely unforgettable."

Dominion was sold back to England for the 1979 breeding season and became five time champion sire, producing the same type of competitors. Dominion died on February 19, 1993, at the age of 21.

JAY HOVDEY: Hovdey is the executive columnist for the Daily Racing Form, and has been covering the Thoroughbred sport since the 1970s. His work has appeared in such publications as Reader’s Digest, The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, The Blood-Horse, Thoroughbred Record, and the Horsemen’s Journal. He is the author of three books on horse racing, including biographies of Hall of Fame trainer Charlie Whittingham and two-time Horse of the Year Cigar. He has been honored with four Eclipse Awards, a Sovereign Award, the Joe Hirsch Breeders’ Cup Award, the David F. Woods Award for coverage of the Preakness, and the Walter Haight Award for career excellence from the National Turf Writers Association. Hovdey serves on the board of directors of Tranquility Farm, a Thoroughbred retirement and rehabilitation facility in California, and as vice-president of the National Turf Writers Association. He lives near Del Mar with his wife, Hall of Fame jockey Julie Krone, and their daughter Lorelei.

TODD PLETCHER: Todd is a  four-time Eclipse Award winner and perenially one of America's leading Thoroughbred trainers. He has trained eight National/Eclipse Champions - Ashado, English Channel, Fleet Indian, Lawyer Ron, Left Bank, Rags to Riches, Speightstown, and Wait a While. A 1989 graduate of the University of Arizona with a degree in Animal Science, Todd worked for legendary horseman and "trainer of trainers" D. Wayne Lukas from 1989 - 1996. He started his own stable at the end of 1996 and has never looked back. Along with his wife Tracy, Todd is heavily involved with the Belmont Child Care Association's Anna House as well as the Thoroughbred Charities of America. He is also a supporter of the Race for Education and the race Track Chaplaincy of America.

ANNE CAMPBELL: The former Anne Dodd of LaGrange, Georgia, met Cot Campbell on a blind date during her senior year at Agnes Scott College. Six months later she was married to the young, determined advertising executive from Atlanta. She has been an integral part of the Dogwood Stable picture since its inception and adds a sincere charm that balances Cot Campbell's intensity. The mother of two daughters, Cary and Lila, Anne is also the past president of Atlanta's Junior League and sat on the board of Atlanta's United Way. She has taught a Bible study group for 20 years. Anne readily admits that she had absolutely no interest in horses before she met Cot. She adores them now, but is quite wary of them -- except when she's in the winner's circle!