Bobby Lillis: From Hot Walker to Backstretch Hero, continued...
eys to save me the goggles they weren’t using any longer and I would give those out to the kids who came on the tours.” “T e general public has a diff erent perspective of what the industry really is like,” he added. “T ese tours are a good opportunity to change that perspective.” At Horseland, Lillis took the Sunrise Tour stop idea to a whole new level by setting up a booth complete with an exerciser and silks and such kids could actually try on. “It’s a big hit with the kids and a great photo op for the parents!”
Honoring a Hero Over the past 50 years, Lillis has given his all
to the racing industry, with the majority of this eff ort benefi tting Maryland’s backstretch work- ers and the overall image of the industry. Lillis has been recognized for his eff orts over the years with a variety of awards.
Most recently, Lillis was awarded the Go- dolphin T oroughbred Industry Community Award in 2019. T at year he also earned a Touch of Class Award through the Maryland Horse Industry Board. Lillis has also earned
the Maryland Racing Media Association President’s Award, the Maryland Jockey Club Circle of Excellence Award, the MTHA Outstanding Service to Maryland Horse- men Award and the T oroughbred Charities of America Distinguished Service Award. In
addition, Lillis was
once the Honorary Postmaster during Preakness Week’s Alibi Breakfast.
But it is not the
Bobby Lillis introduces a whole new genera- tion to possible careers in the racing industry through a booth at the State Fair’s Horseland and stop on Pimlico’s Sunrise Tours.
awards that drive Lil- lis. It is sharing his own experiences and love of the sport. “I have to say, and people need to know, that horse racing here in Maryland has endless opportunities. So many countless op- portunities to carve out a lifetime career.” For your lifetime of
service to the industry, we thank you! I’ve had the pleasure of working together with Bobby for close to 25 years now! We
fi rst met at the Maryland Jockey Club. Bobby always did such a wonderful job, and in particular, was great with the customers, who really liked him. His devotion and loyalty to Maryland racing was pretty clear to us all. I recall Bobby was constantly brainstorming all sorts of terrifi c ideas to draw new customers and engage existing fans. When the drive to bring slot machines to the racetrack was fi rst initiated in the ‘90s, Bobby never missed a rally in Annapolis, and always encouraged industry colleagues to support our eff orts. He even dressed up as a slot machine/grim reaper (I think he won!) for our popular employee Halloween costume contest. When Bobby transitioned to the Maryland T oroughbred Horsemen’s Association and Maryland Horsemen’s Assistance Fund, he brought the same vigor, passion and commitment we valued so highly at MJC to his work on behalf of horsemen and the backstretch. Bobby is tireless in his advocacy for the backstretch and has spearheaded many programs of support that off er diverse services and opportunities. I know I speak on behalf of many in Maryland who feel as I do. And in 2019,
that feeling was confi rmed by his industry peers when Bobby received the prestigious 2019 Godolphin T oroughbred Employee Industry Community Award (pictured). It remains a sincere honor to continue with him on the Fund’s team. - Karin De Francis, President of the Maryland Horsemen’s Assistance Fund Board
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14 | SEPTEMBER 2020 | THE EQUIERY A MARYLAND HORSE COUNCIL PUBLICATION
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