A young racing fan from a small town in the middle of
Ireland got the biggest birthday present of his life today when the Breeders’
Cup invited him to be part of thoroughbred racing’s biggest stage, the
Breeders’ Cup World Championships.
Mark Boylan, celebrating his 14th
birthday at home today in Banagher (pop. 1,636), County Offaly, has two
passions in life--horseracing and music. He combined them on YouTube in his
song "Stateside" a heartfelt
tribute to the Breeders’ Cup. One YouTube viewer posted “This kid is absolutely
great! He should definitely perform this in Kentucky on BC weekend, the crowds
will love it!”
The Breeders’ Cup had the same
reaction.
"When we first heard the song
'Stateside', we were blown away," said Peter Rotondo, Vice President
of Media and Entertainment for Breeders' Cup. "Mark is such a talented kid
and we thought he'd be a great addition to Championship weekend
festivities."
Rotondo confirmed with Mark today
that he and his family will be getting an all-expenses-paid trip to Louisville,
KY for Breeders’ Cup week and that Mark would be performing “Stateside” at
Churchill Downs during the Breeders’ Cup Championship weekend, Nov. 4-5.
Additionally, “Stateside” will soon be offered online for download, with a 100% of the proceeds
going to the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund (PDJF). Joining the Breeders’ Cup in sponsoring the Boylan’s trip is
MOC Insurance Services, a firm with extensive experience in
thoroughbred racing.
“When
our CEO Van Maroevich and I heard Mark’s story, we knew we had to be involved,”
said John Unick, president of MOC Insurance Services thoroughbred racing
division. “We are thrilled to help bring Mark over to the Breeders’ Cup.
MOC has helped raise over $200,000 for the PDJF over the years and we are
delighted to be associated with such an inspirational song and worthy
cause."
Mark’s passion for horse racing
developed at a young age. His mother, Helene, grew up next door to four-time
Breeders’ Cup winning trainer Aidan O’Brien and Mark and his family became
regular visitors to O’Brien’s Coolmore Ballydoyle training center.
“To
say I'm excited about going to the heart of US thoroughbred country, to storied
Churchill Downs for the Breeders' Cup is an understatement,” Mark Boylan
said. “It's obviously a huge thrill to be going across the pond for the first
time. I'm really looking forward to experiencing world-class racing and hope my
song will play a part in the excitement of this year’s event.”
Earlier this year, Mark performed
another song he wrote, “The Festival,” in front of 60,000 fans during the
Cheltenham Festival steeplechase meet in England.
Accompanying
Mark on his Breeders’ Cup adventure will be his father Dave, mother Helene and
six-year-old sister Holly.