Mr. Fitz Award

The Mr. Fitz Award is presented annually by the National Turf Writers and Broadcasters for typifying the spirit of horse racing. The award is named in honor of Sunny Jim Fitzsimmons.

History

The Mr. Fitz award has been presented since 1981 in honor of the late horse trainer Sunny Jim Fitzsimmons, who trained horses such as 1955 Horse of the Year Nashua and 1957 Horse of the Year Bold Ruler.
The award recognizes an individual who reflects "the spirit of thoroughbred racing." The National Turf Writers Association presents the award at its annual dinner each year.
The first to receive the award was Quincy actor Jack Klugman, owner of Jaklin Klugman, in 1981.
In 1985, John Henry, two-time American Horse of the Year, was the first horse selected by racing writers to receive the Mr. Fitz Award.

Past recipients

Source:

1981 – Jack Klugman, Owner-Breeder
1982 – Bill Shoemaker, Jockey; Woody Stephens, Trainer-Owner-Breeder
1983 – Fred W. Hooper, Owner-Breeder
1984 – Penny Chenery, Owner-Breeder
1985 – John Henry, Horse of the Year
1986 – Arlington Park Management
1987 – Laffit Pincay Jr., Jockey
1988 – Jack Van Berg, Trainer
1989 – Ogden Phipps, Owner-Breeder
1990 – Arthur B. Hancock III, Owner-Breeder
1991 – Frances Genter, Owner-Breeder
1992 – Ron McAnally, Trainer
1993 – Ángel Cordero Jr., Jockey
1994 – Jeff Lukas, Trainer
1995 – Jimmy Croll, Trainer
1996 – MacKenzie Miller, Trainer
1997 – Bob Baffert, Trainer
1998 – Joe Hirsch, Journalist
1999 – Robert B. Lewis and Beverly Lewis, Owners
2000 – Pat Day, Jockey
2001 – Allen Jerkens, Trainer
2002 – Chris McCarron, Jockey
2003 – Sackatoga Stable, Owner
2004 – Patricia Cooksey, Jockey
2005 – Nick Zito, Trainer
2006 – Team Barbaro
2007 – Calvin Borel, Jockey
2008 – Luke Kruytbosch, Track Announcer
2009 – Larry Jones, Trainer
2010 – Richard Migliore, Jockey
2011 – Terry Wallace, Track Announcer
2012 – Mario Gutierrez, Jockey; Ivan Puhich, Trainer
2013 – Ramon Domínguez, Jockey
2014 – Art Sherman, Trainer
2015 – Team American Pharoah
2016 – Russell Baze, Jockey
2017 – Rick Porter, Owner-Breeder
2018 – Mike Smith, Jockey
2019 – D. Wayne Lukas, Trainer
2020 – None
2021 – John Shear, Santa Anita Paddock Captain
2022 – Jim McIngvale, Owner, Philanthropist, Promoter
2023 – Team Cody's Wish
2024 – Team Kenny McPeek
2025 – Perry Ouzts, Jockey