The Turf Publicists of America (TPA) announced today that trainer Dale Romans has been chosen as the 2012 winner of the organization's Big Sport of Turfdom Award. The annual honor is bestowed upon a person or group of people who enhance coverage of Thoroughbred racing through cooperation with media and Thoroughbred racing publicists

Most notable of Romans’ many accomplishments in 2012 was his saddling of Little Mike to win the Breeders’ Cup Turf at Santa Anita Park, the Arlington Million and the Turf Classic at Churchill Downs. His runners have accounted for 18 graded stakes victories from coast to coast including additional Grade I scores with Shackleford (Metropolitan Handicap), Dullahan (Blue Grass, Pacific Classic) and Tapitsfly (Just a Game, First Lady).

“It’s an honor to receive this award, and a privilege to work-in and promote this industry,” Romans said.

The Big Sport of Turfdom Award will be presented at the Race Track Industry Program Awards Luncheon on Wednesday, December 5. It is part of the 2012 Symposium on Racing & Gaming presented by the University of Arizona at the Westin La Paloma Resort in Tucson , Arizona . The TPA is an organization consisting of approximately 150 publicity and marketing personnel from racetracks and racing organizations around the country. The Big Sport of Turfdom award has been presented every year since 1966.

“Dale has had a tremendous year in racing; throughout the season he has always made himself available to the media, as well as continually marketing the sport,” said Turf Publicists of America President Bill Knauf. “He had some great wins across the country this year with Dullahan, Shackelford and Little Mike, and this years voting from publicists across the country showed that Dale was a great person and professional wherever the jurisdiction. We congratulate him on an outstanding year and winning this year’s award.”

Previous winners of the Big Sport of Turfdom Award include jockeys Mike Smith, Pat Day, Laffit Pincay Jr., Chris McCarron, Bill Shoemaker, Angel Cordero Jr. and Eddie Arcaro; trainers Bob Baffert, D. Wayne Lukas, Carl Nafzger and Jack Van Berg; as well as individuals who may not be involved in the day-to-day aspect of Thoroughbred racing but made significant contributions to the sport including author Laura Hillenbrand, broadcaster Jim McKay, and actors Tim Conway and Jack Klugman.

The Awards Luncheon is included in the registration fees for the symposium. Additional information about the luncheon may be obtained by contacting TPA President Bill Knauf at (732) 571-5638.