The 2012 Tevis Cup Committee, relying heavily upon recommendations from the ride’s veterinary team, named the 11-year-old Arabian chestnut gelding Farrabba the Haggin Cup winners Sunday afternoon (Aug. 5). Farrabba was ridden by Rusty Toth.

The award was established in 1964, nine years after the event’s inception by Louis Haggin to honor his grandfather, James Ben Ali Haggin, and his namesake horse, 1886 Kentucky Derby winner Ben Ali. The award is given to the horse finishing in the top ten at the Tevis Cup found to be most fit both during and upon completion of the 100-mile course.

Toth and Farrabba finished fourth, crossing the finish line at 10:20 p.m. PDT on Aug. 4, 15 minutes after Tevis Cup winner Garrett Ford. Farrabba’s owner, Kevin Myers, finished third in the race aboard Auli Farwa.

Veterinarians conducted a cardiac recovery index test and examined each candidate closely for soundness and signs of metabolic impairment and fatigue during the Sunday morning screening