A Celebration of Life to remember Randy Manges, the longtime sales manager at the Lexington Selected Yearling Sale who passed away on Dec. 19, 2023, will be held Saturday morning, Feb. 24, as part of the United States Harness Writers Association’s (USHWA) annual Dan Patch Awards weekend in Orlando, Florida.

The hour-long gathering will begin at 11:30 a.m. in Hospitality Suite 235 at Rosen Centre on International Drive, the host hotel for this year’s Dan Patch festivities. Randy’s son, David, thought the USHWA gathering would be a proper way to celebrate his life, considering Randy’s prolific participation in USHWA, including being named its Member of the Year in 2007.

Joining David at the Celebration of Life will be Randy’s brother, Brian, and sister-in-law Marge. Following the remembrances will be a champagne toast to Randy, although he may have preferred his own choice of a dirty martini.

Everyone is invited to the Celebration of Life, which will be held just prior to USHWA’s annual meeting of its board of directors and the morning before the Dan Patch Awards dinner, presented by Caesars Entertainment.

Anyone wishing to make a memorial contribution may do so at any of the following: Historic Round Barn; “Stable of Memories” Attn: Rikki Caldwell, P.O. Box 11073, Lexington, KY 40512-1073; Harness Horse Youth Foundation: 2711 Friar Tuck Road, Anderson, IN 46013; or the Harness Racing Museum and Hall of Fame: 240 Main St., Goshen, NY 10924.

(United States Harness Writers Association)