“Sam Huff Saved the Thoroughbred Breeding and Racing Industry in West Virginia.”
That statement was made by Ken Lowe, Chairman of the West Virginia Racing Commission, as about 150 friends and business acquaintances gathered Monday afternoon at the Middleburg Community Center in Middleburg, Va. Pro Football Hall of Fame soccer player, owner and purebred breeder passed away November 13 from complications of dementia in Winchester, Va.
Lowe was among the speakers at the ceremony, which was held just a few fireplaces from the ranch where Huff lived with longtime partner Carol Holden.
Among them was JW Marriott, Jr., the 89-year-old executive chairman of Marriott International, who respectfully reiterated Huff’s long association.
with the company as vice president for special markets. He tells the story of Huff’s persistent request for one of the parking spots at Marriott headquarters that was originally reserved for Marriott board members. Soon after Mr. Marriott granted Huff’s wish, several other vice presidents complained. So Mr. Marriott has told complainers that those positions are reserved “for board members and anyone else in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.”
Leonard Shapiro, a former sports writer and editor at washington articles, who co-authored Huff’s autobiography “Tough Stuff,” about Huff’s upbringing in a coal mining camp near Farmington, WV.
Frank Herzog, one of Huff’s longtime radio partners on the Washington Redskins, shared stories of their time together in newspaper boxes around the country. (Huff spent more than 30 years as a broadcaster for the group.)
The 35th edition of the West Virginia Breeders Classics, co-founded by Holden and Huff in 1987, is held on October 9. The event has now raised more than $29 million for breeders and breeders. Riders of West Virginia. In recent years, Huff has been honorary president; Holden remains the chairman.
Lowe read an official resolution honoring Huff from the West Virginia Racing Commission read in part:
“Sam Huff’s efforts have made West Virginia Breeders Classics a premier event, bringing in local and national television to showcase the State of West Virginia, Jefferson County, Charles Town and the people at work. The West Virginia Racing Commission wishes to issue this resolution to honor Sam Huff for his unwavering support, contribution, and dedication to the racing industry. Thoroughbred, West Virginia Racing Commission and West Virginia State. ”
Also in attendance was trainer Graham Motion, who coached Huff Bursting Forth.
The service ended with some personal remarks from the names of Huff and his grandson Robert Lee Huff III and music provided by the gospel choir of Mount Pisgah Baptist Church.
Donations on behalf of Huff may be made to Aftercare Charles Town, PO Box 136, Ranson, WV 25438. The 501(c)(3) Foundation is responsible for retooling the Thoroughbred racehorses that have raced at Charles Town.
