Long-time Monmouth Park executive John Heims, currently the track’s general manager and in-house counsel, has been named the 2025 recipient of the Virgil “Buddy” Raines Distinguished Achievement Award, it was announced today by Monmouth Park.

The Raines Award, currently in its 30th year, is presented annually prior to Monmouth Park’s season opener. It honors men and women who have demonstrated a continuing commitment to the sport of Thoroughbred racing as an owner, trainer or administrator, and whose conduct has been exemplary for professionalism, integrity and service to the sport.

Monmouth Park’s 80th season of racing gets underway on Saturday, May 10.

Heims has been at Monmouth Park since 1997, serving in a variety of roles. He started at the Jersey Shore track as the Publicity Assistant, moving on to become the Director of Media Relations, In-House Counsel, Director of Racing/Racing Secretary and is currently the General Manager.

He previously worked at Hialeah Park (Publicity Director), Gulfstream Park (Simulcast Director) and Atlantic City Race Course.

“It’s a great honor to be placed in the same company with so many of the previous recipients – Willard Thompson, Dennis Drazin, John Forbes, Jan Laszlo, Richard Malouf, Bill Anderson, Mike Musto and all the honorees,” Heims said. “It is a privilege just to be mentioned alongside them.

“Having grown up at the Jersey Shore, Monmouth Park has been the only place I ever wanted to spend my time. To be so lucky and fortunate to work here for nearly 30 years, although when it’s a labor of love it’s not really work, has been a true blessing.”

A graduate of Clemson University, Heims received a graduate degree in Equine Administration from the University of Louisville and a Juris Doctor from Widener University.

He has a private law practice in Toms River.

The list of previous Raines Award winners:

1996: J. Willard Thompson

1997: Danny Perlsweig

1998: Warren A. “Jimmy” Croll

1999: Joe Pierce Jr.

2000: Peter Shannon

2001: Dennis Drazin

2002: Sam Fieramosca

2003: Charles and Marianne Hesse

2004: Janet Laszlo

2005: Richard Malouf

2006: John Forbes

2007: Ben Perkins Sr.

2008: Gerald and Carolyn Sleeter

2009: Joel Kligman

2010: John Tammaro III

2011: Frank Costa

2012: John Mazza

2013: Ebby Novak

2014: Chuck Spina

2015: Bob Baffert

2016: Ed Barney

2017: Bob Kulina

2018: Mike Musto

2019: Tim Hills

2020: Leonard Green

2021: Bill Anderson

2022: Millie Fleming

2023: Pat McBurney

2024: John Bowers Jr.