Hughes named 2019 Galbreath Award winner by Univ. of Louisville

The University of Louisville College of Business Equine Industry Program has named Spendthrift Farm owner B. Wayne Hughes the winner of the 2019 John W. Galbreath Award for Outstanding Entrepreneurship in the Equine Industry.

Always looking for ways to inspire new interest in the equine business, Hughes has created popular programs to encourage horse ownership and breeding. He is co-founder of the international self-storage company Public Storage.

“B. Wayne Hughes helped shift the breeding industry paradigm significantly in the last decade,” said Sean Beirne, director of the equine program. “He has not been afraid to rethink and experiment to lead the industry in a new direction.”

The Galbreath Award has been given annually since 1990 to honor entrepreneurial leadership that has had a significant and positive impact on the equine industry. Galbreath was the visionary owner of Darby Dan Farm in Lexington and a former Churchill Downs chairman who distinguished himself as both a businessman and a horseman.

“What an honor it is to be nominated by a respected horseman and friend like John Phillips, especially knowing how personal this special award must be to him and his family,” Hughes said.

“Thoroughbred horse racing has been a tremendous passion of mine ever since my father took me to the races as a young boy. It’s something he and I got to share together, and I’ve been fortunate to be able to make it a large part of my life and share it with so many that are dear to me. There are few thrills greater than what horse racing can provide, and it is our responsibility to do a better job of improving this great sport so that future generations can enjoy it as much as John Galbreath did and as much as I have,” he added.

A dinner and award presentation are scheduled for March 2 at the PNC Club in UofL’s Cardinal Stadium.