Honorary Co-Chairs of 2011 Iroquois Steeplechase Named
70th Running of Tennessee’s Premiere Horse Race Set for May 14, 2011
NASHVILLE, Tenn., Feb. 11, 2011 – The Iroquois Steeplechase announced today that Jack and Melinda Bass and Dr. Tyler Reimschisel have been named honorary co-chairs of the 2011 event, the 70th running of one of the most prestigious steeplechase races in America.
“Jack and Melinda are extraordinary supporters of the sport of steeplechasing, both through their ownership of impressive horses to their enthusiastic support of the National Steeplechase Association circuit,” said Dwight Hall, chairman of the Iroquois Steeplechase Race Committee. “Personally, I have wonderful memories of 1987, the year I rode their horse, Same Echelon, when he took second place in the Iroquois behind Flatterer, the only horse to win the Eclipse Award four times in a row.” The Eclipse Award is awarded annually to the top horse in American steeplechase racing.
Many of the Bass’ horses have been involved in the Iroquois Steeplechase over the years, starting in the early 1960s.
Jack Bass is a retired investment banker and is a long-term member of the Hillsboro Hounds. His daughter is Lisa Foote, long time president of the Stirrup Club. Melinda Bass’ cousin is Margaret Currey Henley, the woman for which the Iroquois’s Sport of Kings Filly and Mare Hurdle Stakes race is named.
Tyler Reimschisel, M.D. is the director of Vanderbilt University’s Division of Developmental Medicine and the Center for Child Development in the Department of Pediatrics. He is a current professor of Pediatrics and Neurology for Vanderbilt’s medical school. Dr. Reimschisel’s clinical interests include the evaluation and treatment of children with neurodevelopmental disabilities, such as global development delay, intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy and autism disorders.
“We are fortunate to have Dr. Reimschisel as one of this year’s co-chairs,” said Hall. “The work that he and the many physicians at the Monroe Carell, Jr. Children’s Hospital do every day is inspiring and makes us proud to support this facility year after year.”
About the Iroquois Steeplechase
Held on the second Saturday of every May at Nashville’s Percy Warner Park, the Iroquois Steeplechase is the premiere spring race in American steeplechasing and Music City’s traditional rite of spring – typically attracting more than 25,000 spectators. Since being designated in 1981 as the official charity of the Iroquois Steeplechase, the Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt has received more than $9 million from the event proceeds. For information on advance ticket purchases, corporate and hospitality tents, and tailgating and RV spaces, visit www.iroquoissteeplechase.org or call 1-866-207-2391.
About the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt
The Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt is a leader in pediatric care, ranked as one of the best children's hospitals in the nation by U.S. News & World Report and 15th in the nation by Parents magazine. The Children's Hospital provides 222 beds for the highest level of pediatric care and is also a top-level teaching and research facility. Children's Hospital features Centers of Excellence for the treatment of diabetes and congenital heart disorders and offers services for cancer, organ and bone marrow transplants, level 1 pediatric trauma, treatment for developmental disorders and the highest designated level NICU in the state.
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Jeff Bradford, the Bradford Group, 615.515.4888, info@bradfordgrp.com
Natalie Townsend, the Bradford Group, 615.515.4884, natalietownsend@bradfordgrp.com