Robin Smullen-Tagg Named Inaugural Winner of the D. Wayne Lukas Award
- Horse History, Horse Sports, Uncategorized
Congratulations to Robin Smullen-Tagg, who has been named the first-ever recipient of the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association’s D. Wayne Lukas Award!
For more than 26 years, Robin has been the right-hand of trainer and Finish Line Endorser Barclay Tagg, helping guide the careers of two beloved New York-bred Classic winners: Funny Cide and Tiz the Law, both campaigned by Sackatoga Stable. It’s hard to think of a résumé more fitting for an award named after Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas — dedication, work ethic, and a relentless commitment to excellence are exactly what Robin has brought to the barn every single day.
NYTHA created the award this year to recognize a New York-based assistant trainer who embodies those same qualities Lukas was known for throughout his legendary career. The winner takes home a trophy and $10,000, and the presentation will be held September 2nd — Lukas’s birthday — during the races at Saratoga.
A Longtime Friend of Finish Line
We couldn’t be prouder to see Robin honored, because she’s been part of the Finish Line family for years. Her horses — and Barclay Tagg’s — have relied on our products as part of their daily care, and she’s shared her firsthand experience with us many times over:
“We were using sucralfate for our horses’ gastric issues until the Finish Line rep convinced me to try U-7™. I am glad I did. Our horses are doing better, and it is more economical. They absolutely love the taste — even my bad doers are cleaning up their feed.”
— Robin Smullen, Assistant Trainer for Barclay Tagg
Robin was also on hand for one of the more remarkable turnarounds in the barn’s history, when a horse with a dangerously high GGT reading of 315 was given little hope by a specialist. After a course of Liver Essentials™, the horse’s GGT dropped to 27 within a month — and she went on to win a $50,000 maiden special weight at Belmont.
The Tagg barn has also leaned on XBL® Ultra as a daily staple for over 15 years, Performance Builder™ since 2019 to help their horses build muscle and improve their times, and both EZ-Willow™ and Kool-Out™ poultices to keep their horses feeling their best.
Robin’s success is a testament to what happens when horsemanship, dedication, and the right care come together — and we’re honored to have played a small part in that journey. Congratulations again to Robin Smullen-Tagg on this well-deserved, historic honor.
