The people behind the popular horse races of Bucks County are being recognized for their hard work by a major sports association. Dino Ciliberti wrote about the recent recognition in the Levittown Patch.

The Pennsylvania Horse Racing Association will recognize over 200 grooms, hot walkers, and exercise riders who tirelessly work behind the scenes throughout the year to feed and care for over 1,300 racehorses at Parx Racetrack in Bensalem.

“Caregivers such as grooms, exercise riders, and hot walkers are the backbone of the state’s racing and breeding industry and their contributions too often go unnoticed,” said Jeff Matty, PTHA’s executive director.

Parx is one of the rare racetracks in the United States that has racing throughout the entire year and stables horses on the backside of the track. In 2023, the track is expecting to hold 151 race days.

To make this possible, workers are at the track whatever the weather or temperatures may be. Many of them live in dorms located at the rear of the racetrack.

“These men and women are out here every day making sure the horses are properly cared for and nurtured,” said Matty.

Read more about the appreciation day in the Levittown Patch.