Joe Harper (center), was presented with the the Joe Palmer Award for meritorious service to racing. He's flanked by Jay Hovdey, who presented an eloquent introduction, and emcee Steve Byk. Since 1978 Harper has overseen Del Mar's emergence as one of the nation's top racetracks for daily average handle and attendance while preserving its unique story.

Nick Luck, one of international horse racing’s most respected and recognizable broadcasters, is the recipient of the Jim McKay Award for broadcast excellence. His horse racing coverage in Britain resulted in him being named Racing Broadcaster of the Year nine times and Reporter of the Year twice.In the United States, Luck has been a vital presence in American horse racing television for nearly two decades, widely recognized for his analysis and interviewing skills on display during NBC’s broadcasts of the Breeders’ Cup and Triple Crown. He was introduced by Britney Eurton (right).

Steve Andersen is presented with the Walter Haight Award for career excellence in turf writing. Based in southern California, the longtime news correspondent joined Daily Racing Form in 1994 and is entrusted with chronicling the news by writing race previews, recaps, notes, and features in coverage of one of the top circuits in the country. Andersen’s passion for the sport extends beyond flat racing to jump racing, illustrated by his regular forays to the United Kingdom to attend race meetings, such as those at Aintree and Cheltenham. He also reports on Quarter Horse racing at Los Alamitos, a short drive from his Seal Beach, Calif., residence. Introduced with respect and humor by Kurt Hoover (left), Andersen is joined by NTWAB president Byron King.

NTWAB board members Sara Gordon and Caros Morales present and accept in his absence Perry Ouzts with the Mr. Fitz Award for typifying the spirit of racing. NTWAB recognized the achievements and astounding longevity of the veteran rider who began his career in April 1973. Besides holding the record for most mounts in North America, he is one of the oldest winning riders in American racing history. At the time Ouzts was selected for the Fitz, he had ridden in a record-extending 53,621 races, winning 7,522 times – the fifth-most wins by a North American jockey behind Hall of Famers Russell Baze, Laffit Pincay Jr., Bill Shoemaker, and Pat Day.

Byron King is presented the Breeders' Cup Joe Hirsch Award for Outstanding News Reporting by Jim Gluckson and Claire Crosby. Joe Nevills, who was not present, won the Bill Leggett Award for Outstanding Feature Writing.

The inaugurual Breeders' Cup Media Awards for photography and videography were unveiled at the dinner. Bill Selwyn is shown accepting the Tracy Award for Outstanding Photography. Nick Carter won the Tracy Award for Outstanding Videography.

Two-time tennis Grand Slam winner Rod Laver, still a legend in the sport at age 87, made a surprise appearance at the NTWAB dinner. Laver was a guest at a table sponsored by FanDuel.

Kurt Hoover, Jody Swavy, Brad Free and Steve Andersen share a laugh at the pre-dinner reception.

Ramon Dominguez, Rick Hammerle and Steve Byk on the patio of The Brigantine Del Mar.



Randy Moss and Donna Brothers were among the luminaries in attendance.

Tim Wilkin, Rhonda Norby, Mike Kane and Louis Rabaut.

NTWAB secretary Jennifer Kelly discusses recipients of 2025 NTWAB charitable donations amounting to $10,000 in honor of awards recipients and others. Nick Luck: U. K. Cystic Fibrosis Trust. Steve Andersen: California Thoroughbred Horsemen's Foundation. Perry Ouzts: Permanently Disabled Jockey Fund. Joe Harper: Don Diego Foundation of Del Mar. Steve Byk Honorarium: The Horse Farm Workers’ Educational Assistance Fund. NTWAB is also donating to the 2023 and 2024 Joe Palmer Award winners Edwin Gregson Foundation in California and the Backside Learning Center in Kentucky.