In partnership with the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame and the Oak Spring Garden Foundation, Tampa Bay Downs will screen the documentary Mill Reef: A Legacy of Heart on Saturday, February 18 at 6:30pm at the track in Tampa, Fla.
The event is free to attend and open to the public, but pre-registration is required. Drinks and snacks will be available. Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/tampa-bay-downs-to-present-mill-reef-documentary-film-tickets-516858215837 for the event.
Mill Reef: A Legacy of Heart chronicles the legendary racehorse Mill Reef, who was named British and European Horse of the Year in 1971 when he won the Epsom Derby Prix de l’Arc. de Triomphe, Eclipse Stakes, and King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, among others. Mill Reef was bred in Virginia by Hall of Fame Pillar of the Turf Paul Mellon and lobbied by Mellon’s Rokeby Stables in Europe from 1970 to 1972. Overall, Mill Reef won 12 out of 14 starts. He was trained by Ian Balding.
“Tampa Bay Downs is honored to present this film featuring Mill Reef, a spectacular horse bred in the United States and a formidable classic winner in Europe, and to pay tribute to the breeder and owner. its owner, Paul Mellon, who has excelled in thoroughbred horse racing in the Americas and Europe,” said Stella Thayer, president of Tampa Bay Downs. “His generous support elevated the National Racing Museum and Hall of Fame in its formative years and continues to this day.”
In 2020, the Oak Spring Garden Foundation, located in Upperville, Va., and founded by Mellon’s late wife, Rachel “Bunny” Mellon, began creating a film documenting notable accomplishments. of Mill Reef and tell about bigger things. story of Mellon’s passion and dedication to races and purebred breeding. The 33-minute documentary, directed by Virginia-born Cassidy Glascock, has previously screened in Middleburg, Va., and at the National Racing Museum and Hall of Fame in Saratoga Springs, NY, where Mellon was introduced as one of the organization’s first people. Pillars of the pitch 2013.
Filmmaker Cassidy Glascock said: “This film is a true labor of love and teamwork, combining years of cinematography and photography with the help of Brough Scott, Emma Balding, staff member of the Oak Spring Garden Foundation and in partnership with numerous museums and galleries”. “Although I have never met Mill Reef or Mr. Mellon, I hope that we have captured their essence and told this story in a way that makes them proud.”
Cate Masterson, director of the National Museum of Racing added: “Paul Mellon has left a legacy that has been crucial to the success of the National Racing Museum and Hall of Fame and the races. He was inducted as part of the first group of Pillars of the Turf into the Hall of Fame in 2013. Stella Thayer served as the Museum’s president from 2005 to 2014 and continues to be influential. industry is being shared with the community at Tampa Bay Downs.This film will warm the heart of any coach, owner, breeder or racing enthusiast. any.”
This press release has not been edited by BloodHorse. If you have any questions, please contact the organization that produced the release.
