KENTUCKY-BRED CHAMPIONS

Transcription

1 Annual KENTUCKY-BRED CHAMPIONS Awards Luncheon Thursday, April 16, 2015 Presented by the Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners & Breeders, Inc. and the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association The Keeneland Room Keeneland Race Course Lexington, Kentucky Bronzes by Ms. Emma MacDermott

2 Broodmares of the Year 1946 Bloodroot 1947 Potheen 1948 Our Page 1949 Easy Lass 1950 Hildene 1951 Alpenstock III 1952 Ace Card 1953 Gaga 1954 Traffic Court 1955 Iron Reward 1956 Swoon 1957 Belle Jeep 1958 Miss Disco 1959 Knight s Daughter 1960 Siama 1961 Striking 1962 Track Medal 1963 Misty Morn 1964 Maid of Flight 1965 Pocahontas 1966 Juliets Nurse 1967 Kerala 1968 Delta 1969 All Beautiful 1970 Levee 1971 Iberia 1972 *Moment of Truth II 1973 Somethingroyal 1974 Cosmah 1975 Shenanigans 1976 *Gazala II 1977 Sweet Tooth 1978 Primonetta 1979 Smartaire 1980 Key Bridge 1981 Natashka 1982 Best in Show 1983 Courtly Dee 1984 Hasty Queen 1985 Dunce Cap II 1986 Too Bald 1987 Banja Luka 1988 Grecian Banner 1989 Relaxing 1990 Kamar 1991 Toll Booth 1992 Weekend Surprise 1993 Glowing Tribute 1994 Fall Aspen 1995 Northern Sunset (ire) 1996 Personal Ensign 1997 Slightly Dangerous 1998 In Neon 1999 Anne Campbell 2000 Primal Force 2001 Turko s Turn 2002 Toussaud 2003 Prospectors Delite 2004 Dear Birdie 2005 Baby Zip 2006 Cara Rafaela 2007 Better Than Honour 2008 Vertigineux 2009 Sweet Life 2010 Liable 2011 Oatsee 2012 Lisa Danielle 2013 Take Charge Lady 2014 Fun House * Imported Horses of the Year 1971 Ack Ack 1972 Typecast 1973 Dahlia 1974 Forego 1975 Forego 1976 Forego 1977 Seattle Slew 1978 Seattle Slew 1979 Spectacular Bid 1980 Spectacular Bid 1981 John Henry 1982 Lemhi Gold 1983 Slew o Gold 1984 John Henry 1985 Spend A Buck 1986 Manila 1987 Ferdinand 1988 Alysheba 1989 Sunday Silence 1990 Criminal Type 1991 Suave Dancer 1992 A.P. Indy 1993 Lure 1994 Tabasco Cat 1995 Serena s Song 1996 Serena s Song 1997 Favorite Trick 1998 Real Quiet 1999 Charismatic 2000 Fusaichi Pegasus 2001 Monarchos 2002 War Emblem 2003 Mineshaft 2004 Ghostzapper 2005 Saint Liam 2006 Barbaro 2007 Curlin 2008 Curlin 2009 Rachel Alexandra 2010 Zenyatta 2011 Havre de Grace 2012 Wise Dan 2013 Wise Dan 2014 Untapable

3 Broodmare of the Year FUN HOUSE Prized Bistra, by Classic Go Go Owner: Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC In a fortuitous decision in 1981, the late Thoroughbred ownerbreeder Verne H. Winchell, Jr., claimed the Whitesburg mare Carols Christmas and retired her to the broodmare band at his Oakwind Farm. Carols Christmas became the foundation mare for the successful racing-breeding program that produced Winchell Grade I winners Cuvee, Tapizar, Pyro, and Olympio. Although not a stakes winner, Bistra, a daughter of Classic Go Go produced from Carols Christmas, produced the turf specialist Fun House, who won the Buena Vista Handicap-G2 and has had an indelible effect on the Winchell breeding program. Retired to Oakwind to assume a career as a broodmare, Fun House got off to a successful start, as her second foal, the El Prado (IRE) colt Paddy O Prado, won five Graded stakes on grass, including the Secretariat Stakes-G1, and finished third in the 2010 Kentucky Derby-G1. From her second mating to the Winchells top horse Tapit, the leading sire who stands at Gainesway Farm, Fun House produced one of the best horses to represent her owners to date, 2014 Champion 3-Year-Old Filly and Kentucky-bred Horse of the Year Untapable, who has won seven Graded stakes and earned more than $3 million. Horse of the Year / Three-Year-Old Filly UNTAPABLE Tapit Fun House, by Prized Breeder: Winchell Thoroughbreds Leading the Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC success story of 2014, Untapable was unbeatable against other members of her gender and her only loss in seven starts came against males. The four Grade I stakes victories by the filly included the prestigious Longines Kentucky Oaks-G1 and Longines Breeders Cup Distaff-G1. Untapable also won the Mother Goose-G1, Cotillion Stakes-G1, the Fair Grounds Oaks-G2, and Rachel Alexandra Stakes-G3. Considering her dominance over other fillies, her connections sent Untapable to the Haskell Invitational-G1 during the summer, resulting in a fifth-place finish. We had such huge expectations for Untapable and she fulfilled all of them, said Ron Winchell, who runs the family stable founded by his late father, Verne. Not only did the Winchells breed and race Untapable, but they also campaigned her sire, 2014 Leading Sire Tapit, and her dam, Graded stakes winner Fun House. With $2.8 million in earnings for the year, Untapable was the unanimous selection for an Eclipse Award as Champion 3-Year-Old Filly and remains in training for 2015.

4 Two-Year-Old Colt AMERICAN PHAROAH Pioneerof the Nile Littleprincessemma, by Yankee Gentleman Breeder: Zayat Stables A homegrown product of Ahmed Zayat s Zayat Stables, American Pharoah only had one blemish on his record in 2014 when he finished fifth in his career debut in August. After trainer Bob Baffert removed his blinkers and gave the colt some additional schooling in the paddock, American Pharoah successfully moved into Grade I company with a runaway 4 3/4-length victory in the Del Mar Futurity-G1. In his first two-turn start, American Pharoah again rolled to victory in the FrontRunner Stakes-G1. That was to be his final start of the year, as he was sidelined due to a foot bruise. Based on those two impressive Grade I wins in three starts, American Pharoah was voted Eclipse Champion 2-Year-Old Male. He is a son of Pioneerof the Nile, a WinStar Farm stallion also raced by Zayat. American Pharoah is being pointed toward the 2015 Kentucky Derby-G1. Two-Year-Old Filly TAKE CHARGE BRANDI Giant s Causeway Charming, by Seeking the Gold Breeder: Charming Syndicate After breaking her maiden at Churchill Downs in her career debut, Take Charge Brandi was winless in four Graded stakes before scoring an upset victory in the Breeders Cup Juvenile Fillies-G1 at odds of nearly Take Charge Brandi led throughout the 1 1/16-mile race, pulled away with five-sixteenths to go, then held back a late challenge to win by a half length. Rather than being rested following the Breeders Cup, Brandi racked up two more Graded stakes victories winning the Delta Downs Princess Stakes-G3 and the Starlet Stakes-G1 at Los Alamitos. Those victories helped earn her the Eclipse Award as Champion 2-Year-Old Filly. She remains in training in It s also worth noting that Take Charge Brandi is a granddaughter of 2013 KTOB Broodmare of the Year Take Charge Lady and a half-sister to that year s KY-bred Three-Year-Old Champion Will Take Charge.

5 Three-Year-Old Colt SHARED BELIEF Candy Ride (ARG) Common Hope, by Storm Cat Breeder: Pam and Martin Wygod Shared Belief, the 2013 Champion 2-Year-Old Colt, had another stellar campaign in 2014, winning five of six starts, including the TVG Pacific Classic, Malibu Stakes, and Awesome Again Stakes all Grade I and the Los Alamitos Derby-G2. In addition to those successes, his troubled fourth in the Breeders Cup Classic-G1 was also widely publicized. At the start of that race, Bayern ducked in, impeding favorite Shared Belief and Moreno, before going on to win the 1 1/4-mile race. The stewards left the order of finish unchanged, as Shared Belief, who was forced to check twice, recovered to be fourth. In the year-end balloting for the Eclipse Champion 3-Year-Old Male, Shared Belief was a finalist along with eventual Horse of the Year California Chrome and Bayern. He remains in training for 2015 with a career tally of 10 wins in 11 starts and earnings over $2.9 million. Sprinter GOLDENCENTS Into Mischief Golden Works, by Banker s Gold Breeder: Rosecrest Farm and Karyn Pirrello Goldencents won or placed in all five of his starts in 2014, and earned $1,050,000. The defining race of the season was when Goldencents defended his title in the Breeders Cup Dirt Mile-G1, becoming the only two-time winner in the eight-year history of the race. That race was his career finale before he entered stud at Spendthrift Farm for Runner-up in the prestigioius Metropolitan Handicap-G1 in June to start the year, Goldencents also ran second in the Bing Crosby Stakes-G1 (for the second straight year), then won Pat O Brien Stakes-G2 by more than four lengths. In his last race prior to the Breeders Cup, Goldencents finished second beaten by only a nose in the Santa Anita Sprint Championship-G1. Goldencents retired with seven wins and seven seconds from 18 starts and earnings of more than $3 million Kentucky-Bred Champions

6 Older Male WISE DAN Wiseman s Ferry Lisa Danielle, by Wolf Power (SAF) Breeder: Morton Fink Six-time Eclipse Award winner Wise Dan had another banner season in 2014, winning all four of his outings, including repeat victories in the Maker s 46 Mile, Woodford Reserve, and Shadwell Turf Mile, all Grade I. The turf specialist also won the Bernard Baruch-G2 as he improved his career record to 23 wins and two seconds, including 11 Grade I stakes, from 31 starts, and earnings of $7,552,920. The two-time Horse of the Year was being pointed toward a third defense of the Breeders Cup Mile-G1 that he had won the previous two years when he was dealt a setback and had to undergo colic surgery. Owner Morton Fink and trainer Charlie LoPresti were optimistic of a full recovery and the return of the gelding for a campaign at age 8 in Older Female CLOSE HATCHES First Defence Rising Tornado, by Storm Cat Breeder: Millsec, LTD. A talented 3-year-old of 2013, Juddmonte Farms Close Hatches stood out in the older filly and mare division in Her season began with a victory in the Azeri Stakes-G2 at Oaklawn. She came back to win the Apple Blossom Handicap-G1 by daylight and then prevailed by a determined head in the Ogden Phipps Stakes-G1 at Belmont Park in her next start. She then turned in her best performance of the year, winning the Personal Ensign Stakes-G1 at Saratoga Race Course by five easy lengths. Runner-up in Eclipse Award balloting as Champion 3-Year-Old in 2013, Close Hatches closed the deal in 2014, and earned the Eclipse Award as Champion Older Female. Winner of four races three conseuctive Grade 1s from six starts in 2014, Close Hatches boasted earning in excess of $1.3 Million Kentucky-Bred Champions

7 Male Turf Horse MAIN SEQUENCE Aldebaran Ikat (IRE), by Pivotal (GB) Breeder: Flaxman Holdings Limited Campaigned in Europe in his first three years of competition, Main Sequence adapted to U.S. racing with ease, winning all four of his 2014 starts, and taking home Eclipse Awards as both Champion Older Horse and Champion Grass Horse. The gelding bred and raced by the Niarchos family s Flaxman Holdings had a flair for drama in all his wins, all Grade I stakes on grass. In the United Nations Handicap-G1 to begin the year after a nine-month break from competition, Main Sequence overcame a slow start to win by a neck, and in his next start, plagued with a troubled trip, he won the Sword Dancer-G1 by a head. In his final prep before the Breeders Cup Turf-G1, he won the Turf Classic Invitational-G1 by a neck after another awkward start. In his season finale, Main Sequence was ninth early in the Breeders Cup, just four lengths off the leader, before rallying late for a half-length triumph. Female Turf Horse STEPHANIE S KITTEN Kitten s Joy Unfold the Rose, by Catienus Breeder: Kenneth L. and Sarah K. Ramsey Part of the powerful stable that propelled Ken and Sarah Ramsey to Eclipse Awards as outstanding owners and breeders, Stephanie s Kitten was competitive at the highest level, running only in Grade I stakes company. A turf specialist who is a daughter of the Ramseys 2013 Leading Sire Kitten s Joy, Stephanie s Kitten began the year unplaced in two Grade I stakes, although never more than four lengths behind the winners. After consecutive runner-up finishes in the TVG Diana Handicap-G1 and Beverly D. Stakes-G1, Stephanie s Kitten kicked clear late to win the Flower Bowl Invitational Stakes-G1. She completed the season with a second to Champion Dayatthespa in the Breeders Cup Filly & Mare Turf-G1. Consigned to the Fasig-Tipton November sale, Stephanie s Kitten was bought back by the Ramseys after she failed to meet her reserve at $4 million, with plans for a 2015 campaign.

8 Racing Abroad TOAST OF NEW YORK Thewayyouare Claire Soleil, by Syncline Breeder: Ashleigh Stud, Frank Ramos and Jackie Ramos Toast of New York was a real globe-trotter during his 3-year-old campaign that began in Dubai and ended in California. A $35,000 purchase at the 2012 Keeneland January Horses of All Ages Sale, Toast of New York was sent to Dubai from England to win the U.A.E. Derby-G2. The colt next appeared at New York s Belmont Park, finishing sixth in the Belmont Derby-G1. Returned to England, Toast of New York made another U.S. journey, resulting in a troubled second in the TVG Pacific Classic-G1. Rather than remain in California, trainer Jamie Osborne took his colt back to England, only to make a third trip to the U.S. Racing against some of the best horses in the world, Toast of New York rallied late to miss winner Bayern by only a nose and in front of Horse of the Year California Chrome in the Breeders Cup Classic -G Kentucky-Bred Champions Steeplechase Horse DEMONSTRATIVE Elusive Quality Loving Pride, by Quiet American Breeder: Gainsborough Farm LLC With three consecutive wins in jump races designated as Grade I by the National Steeplechase Association, Demonstrative outpolled 2013 Champion Steeplechase Horse Divine Fortune for the Eclipse Award in In his second start of the year, the gelding held the advantage late before losing by a mere nose to Makari in the A. P. Smithwick Memorial Stakes-G1. That game effort proved a fitting prep for a late summer-early fall run that began with the New York Turf Writers Cup Stakes-G1 at Saratoga Race Course and the Lonseome Glory Handicap-G1 at Belmont Park. Demonstrative completed the trifecta when he took steeplechasing s biggest race, the Grand National Hurdle Stakes-G1 at Far Hills, N.J. Completing the year with a third in the Colonial Cup Stakes-G1, Demonstrative earned the NSA s Lonesome Glory Champions Award for the year s leading earner with $362,500.

9 2014 Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund Leaders Sire of the Year KITTEN S JOY The leading General Sire of 2013, Kitten s Joy ranked third on that list in 2014, with progeny that earned $11,713,264, primarily due to the success of horses bred and raced by Kenneth L. and Sarah K. Ramsey. Kitten s Joy stands at Ramsey Farm near Nicholasville, KY for a $100,000 fee. Earner of the Year MY AFLEET A gelded son of Afleet Alex, My Afleet won or placed in five of seven starts and earned $265,435 for owners Jeffrey S. Amling and Merriefield Farm. Trained by James L. Lawrence, Jr., My Afleet won the Dueling Grounds Derby at Kentucky Downs to complete his season. Owner/Breeder of the Year KENNETH L. & SARAH K. RAMSEY Kenneth L. and Sarah K. Ramsey the 2014 Eclipse Award winners for both outstanding owners and outstanding breeders in North America, with their stable winning 153 races and earning $10,544,148. The Ramseys were represented in Kentucky by stakes winners We Miss Artie, Thank You Marylou, and Gentleman s Kitten. Trainer of the Year MICHAEL MAKER One of the leading trainers in North America in 2014, Mike Maker was represented by stakes winners Ghost Is Clear, Gentleman s Kitten, Harry s Holiday, and Thank You Marylou at Kentucky tracks during the year.

10 P.A.B. Widener Trophy WINCHELL THOROUGHBREDS LLC The Winchell family s Winchell Thoroughbreds managed by Ron Winchell has stamped itself as one of North America s most prominent racing and breeding programs. Among the successes for the entity established by the late Verne H. Winchell, Jr., have been leading sire Tapit, Champion Untapable, and Grade I winners Tapizar, Olympio, Cuvee, and Pyro. In 2014, the Winchell stable earned more than $4.7 million. The breeding program consists of about 25 mares, their subsequent offspring, as well as stallion interests Merit Award Winners Charles W. Engelhard Award GREGORY A. HALL A reporter for the Louisville Courier-Journal, Greg Hall covers the business aspect of the Equine industry, including the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission, Churchill Downs, and the efforts to obtain expanded gaming. Growing up in Louisville, KY, Hall was acclimated to racing at an early age by his father, who owned claiming horses, and Hall follows racing as a fan. On his popular web blog, Hall wrote I always followed those issues anyway because I like politics, horses, and their intersection. Hall also covers the agriculture and alcohol industries.

11 Hardboot Breeders Award HELEN ALEXANDER A prominent breeder through her Middlebrook Farm operation, Helen Alexander is among the most influential women in American racing. The most recent success of her breeding program is Bayern, winner of the $5 million Breeders Cup Classic-G1 at Santa Anita Park in A former member of the Breeders Cup board of directors and the board of stewards of The Jockey Club, Alexander in 2014 received the inaugural Robert N. Clay Award from the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association for her work in land conservation. William T. Young Humanitarian Award G. WATTS AND SALLY HUMPHREY G. Watts and Sally Humphrey operate the 1,000-acre Shawnee Farm near Harrodsburg in Central Kentucky. The couple s racing and breeding program consists of having about 50 horses at the track, with an emphasis on fillies that can be added to Shawnee s broodmare band upon retirement. Their daughter, Vicki Oliver, is among the successful trainers for the Humphreys. Watts Humphrey is president of a private investment company and several manufacturing companies in the Pittsburgh area and a member of the board of directors at Churchill Downs Inc.

12 KTA KTOB Committed to long-term solutions that will enable us to protect and promote the Thoroughbred industry Iron Works Parkway Lexington, KY