Industry veteran Richard Duchossois was awarded the William H. May Award from the Association of Racing Commissioners International. The award recognizes meritorious service to racing by an individual or group.

The award was presented April 23 during the RCI conference on racing and wagering integrity, held April 20-24 at the Lexington Hilton Downtown Hotel and Conference Center.

Duchossois has been the guiding force for Arlington Park since 1983. In addition, he is the founder and owner of the Elmhurst, Ill.,-based Duchossois Industries, Inc., which operates or owns in a diversified group of businesses involving consumer products, entertainment, and venture capital.

Since becoming involved with Thoroughbred racing, Duchossois has been an industry leader and has had a major impact on the sport both nationally and internationally. Under Duchossois’ leadership, Arlington has received three Eclipse Awards. He was also honored with the 2002 National Turf Writer’s Association Joe Palmer Award for “meritorious service to racing.”

Duchossois has been honored for his contributions to international racing. He received the American Jockey Club’s Gold Medal in 1986, and in 1988 he received the Special Sovereign Award by the Jockey Club of Canada. He also has received the Lord Derby Award in London from the Horserace Writers and Reporters Association of Great Britain.

Among his other honors, Duchossois was inducted into the HBPA Hall of Fame and the Chicago Sports Hall of Fame in 1989. He also was selected as Man of the Year by the Jockey’s Guild. He is currently a member of The Jockey Club.

Duchossois and his wife, Judi, live in Barrington Hills. His two daughters and one son, along with their families, live in the Chicago area while his other son resides in South Carolina.

Duchossois was selected for the award by the RCI executive committee consisting of Joe Gorajec, RCI chairman and executive director of the Indiana Horse Racing Commission; Ed Martin, RCI president; Daniel Hogan, New York State Racing and Wagering Board member; Erin Owens, chairman of the Arizona Racing Commission; Dan Hartman, chairman of the Colorado Racing Commission; Mark Lano, Executive Director of the Illinois Racing Board; and Peter Burnett, chairman Virginia Racing Commission.