Mounted Patrol Horse Valor Receives National Recognition as Thoroughbred of the Year 

NEWS RELEASE 17-214 - SEPTEMBER 26, 2017
Valor

Sarasota County Sheriff Tom Knight is pleased to announce Mounted Patrol member ‘Valor’ was recognized as the 2017 Thoroughbred of the Year through the The Jockey Club Thoroughbred Incentive Program (T.I.P).

The Thoroughbred of the Year Award recognizes a thoroughbred that has excelled in a non-competitive career, such as equine-assisted therapy or law enforcement work, and includes a $5,000 grant to a non-profit organization. In Valor’s name, the funds will be donated to the Sheriff’s Activities League of Sarasota County, also known as ‘SAL’, where Valor is one of two horses used in the organization’s SADDLES program which was developed for at-risk youth to learn about team building, non-verbal communication, and how to care for horses.

Valor, a 23-year-old Gelding and 14-year veteran of the sheriff’s office, has worked every large event in Sarasota County and facilitated crowd control at a Super Bowl, several college football games, and at the 2012 Republican National Convention. Formerly a race horse, Valor ended his first career in 1998 before joining the sheriff’s office in 2003. “We are so proud and honored to receive this award on behalf of Valor,” said Mounted Patrol Sgt. Chris Laster. “Valor has served with distinction his entire career and everyone who has worked with him has been honored and thankful to do so. He is an ambassador not only for mounted police units but also for retired racehorses.”

To learn more about T.I.P., visit www.tjctip.com, and to donate to the Sheriff’s Activities League of Sarasota County, visit www.SarasotaSAL.org.