Hall of Fame Class of 2017
Donald Valpredo, Bob Baffert, and Art Sherman will be inducted into the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association Hall of Fame Feb. 8 at The Langham Huntington in Pasadena, part of the CTBA’s annual Awards Dinner.
DONALD VALPREDO
20
CALIFORNIA THOROUGHBRED
❙ January 2017 ❙ www.ctba.com
© BENOIT PHOTO
D
onald Valpredo believes in the importance of service to the Toroughbred industry. It’s why he has spent more than 40 years on the board of every major organization in the state, beginning and continuing with the California Toroughbred Breeders Association. Te CTBA frst elected Valpredo to its board in 1972. For the next 18 years he served the organization in just about every capacity, including as president from 1986-90. One of Valpredo’s proudest accomplishments was helping to establish California Cup as a shining spotlight on California-bred racehorses, a series that in 2017 will have its 27th running. To this day the California Cup Sprint bears Valpredo’s name. “It’s such an honor to have a race named after you where you can present the trophy,” he said. Te CTBA has recognized Valpredo even further, choosing him for induction into the Hall of Fame. Te Valpredo family’s California roots trace to Don’s grandfather, Alfonso, a winemaker who emigrated to Burbank in 1898. Te family business evolved and grew as it moved to the San Fernando Valley and then to its current home south of Bakersfeld. Valpredo Farms, headed by Don and his son, CTBA Hall of Fame inductee Don Valpredo has been a dedicated steward of the Michael, now grows a variety of vegetables, inCalifornia breeding and racing program