SOCIAL SCENE
FTBOA Mardi Gras Holiday Open House
Joe Sardisco and Peggy Yost Sardisco pose for a photo during the Mardi Gras Holiday Open House at the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association in Ocala, Fla. on Friday, Dec. 5, 2025. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2025.
Many of the area’s leading equine industry professionals were on hand Dec. 5 for the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association’s holiday open house. And with a Mardi Gras theme, there were some colorfully decked out participants and lots of beads and masks.
Among those gathered were several award-winning breeders and trainers, and Lugusta “Gus” Gray, a 55-year veteran of the thoroughbred industry, first Black Marion County Agricultural Hall of Fame inductee and recipient of the international Godolphin Award for excellence in the thoroughbred industry.
The event, which took place at the FTBOA offices in Ocala, also served as a toy and food drive.
“Our annual charity open house has been so vital helping the Marion County Boys & Girls Clubs with their toy drive for more than a decade. This year, we noticed the need for local food pantries was greater than ever. I am so proud of our guests who jumped in to bring pantry goods to our event to help fill the shelves at Interfaith Emergency Services,” said Tammy Gantt, FTBOA’s vice president of member services.
Since 1945, the association has represented the Florida thoroughbred industry legislatively and serves as Florida’s breed registrar and administers Florida breeding and racing incentives, its website notes.
To learn more, visit ftboa.com
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