Contact: Lauren Biddle
Director of Marketing and Education
(859) 276-6793
lauren@toba.org

Winners Announced for TOBA National Awards

LEXINGTON, Ky. – The Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association (TOBA) announced today the winners of the 41st annual TOBA National Awards, recognizing outstanding achievements in Thoroughbred ownership, breeding, and industry service in 2025. The awards were presented September 10 at The Kentucky Castle in Versailles, Kentucky, where horsemen and women from across North America gathered to celebrate excellence in the Thoroughbred industry.

Godolphin was honored as both the 2025 National Owner of the Year presented by FanDuel and 2025 National Breeder of the Year presented by TOBA, continuing its remarkable success at the highest levels of Thoroughbred racing and breeding.

Gregory Kilka and Christine Connelly of Bright View Farm were named the 2025 National Small Breeder of the Year presented by BloodHorse and The Jockey Club. Kilka and Connelly bred Eclipse Award-winning sprinter Book’em Danno.

The Cot Campbell Partnership of the Year award presented by Central Bank was presented to Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, honoring the organization’s racing success with six graded stakes winners, including three grade I winners.

Puca, owned by Ace Stud in Newmarket, England, was named National Broodmare of the Year presented by WinStar. She is the dam of grade I winners Mage, Dornoch, and Baeza.

Bronwyn Watts received the Dr. J. David Richardson Industry Service Award presented by the National Thoroughbred Racing Association for her pioneering nurse mare program.

The Rood & Riddle Sport Horse of the Year award was presented to Allison Smith & Gude Affair for outstanding accomplishments showcasing the versatility of the Thoroughbred beyond racing.

Concrete Glory was honored as the Claiming Crown Horse of the Year, presented by the National HBPA.

2025 State and Canadian Breeders of the Year

• Arizona Breeder of the Year – Marvin and Gerald Fleming, Fleming Thoroughbred Farm
• Arkansas Breeder of the Year – Bill McDowell, McDowell Farm
• California Breeder of the Year – Richard Barton Enterprises Inc., Barton Thoroughbreds
• Canada Breeder of the Year – Robert Krembil, Chiefswood Stables Limited
• Canada Small Breeder of the Year – Sam-Son Farm
• Florida Breeder of the Year – Charlotte Weber, Live Oak Stud
• Indiana Breeder of the Year – Greg Justice, Justice Farm
• Iowa Breeder of the Year – H. Allen Poindexter, Poindexter Thoroughbreds
• Kentucky Breeder of the Year – Godolphin
• Louisiana Breeder of the Year – Earl & Keith Hernandez and John Duvieilh
• Maryland Breeder of the Year – R. Larry Johnson, Legacy Farm
• New Jersey Breeder of the Year – Christine Connelly of Bright View Farm & Gregory Kilka
• New Mexico Breeder of the Year – Fred A. Alexander, A & A Ranch
• New York Breeder of the Year – Mallory Mort & Karen Mort
• North Carolina Breeder of the Year – Nancy Shuford, Rock House Farm
• Ohio Breeder of the Year – Larmon Cowles and Joe Cowles, T/C Stable
• Oregon Breeder of the Year – Dr. Rodney Orr
• Pennsylvania Breeder of the Year – Donnie Brown and Tom McClay, Warriors Reward LLC
• South Carolina Breeder of the Year – Franklin G. Smith Sr., Elloree Training Center
• Texas Breeder of the Year – Eric and Randi Moreau-Sipiere, Centurion Stud
• Virginia Breeder of the Year – R. Larry Johnson, Legacy Farm
• Washington Breeder of the Year – Frederick & Debra Pabst, Blue Ribbon Farm

“Congratulations to all of this year’s TOBA National Award recipients,” said Dan Metzger, president of TOBA. “From breeders and owners to industry leaders and exceptional equine athletes, these honorees exemplify the excellence, dedication, and passion that continue to strengthen and advance the Thoroughbred industry. We are proud to celebrate their achievements and contributions to our sport.”

TOBA National Awards sponsors included FanDuel, WinStar, BloodHorse, The Jockey Club, NTRA, Godolphin, National HPBA, Payson Park, White Birch Farm, Central Bank, Sextant Wines, Country Boy Brewing, Castle & Key Distillery, Daily Racing Form, Hallway Feeds, and CaffeMarco.

The Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association (TOBA), based in Lexington, Kentucky, was formed in 1961 and is a national trade organization of leading Thoroughbred owners and breeders. TOBA’s mission is to improve the economics, integrity, and pleasure of the sport on behalf of Thoroughbred owners and breeders. Projects managed by TOBA include the American Graded Stakes Committee, Claiming Crown, Ownership Seminars, Breeding, Conformation & Pedigree Clinics, US-Bred, TOBA Owners Concierge, OwnerView, and the Sales Integrity Program. TOBA provides international representation for U.S. owners and breeders on the International Grading and Race Planning Advisory Committee, International Cataloguing Standards Committee, and International Thoroughbred Breeders Federation. Thoroughbred Charities of America (TCA) is the charitable arm of TOBA. TOBA Media Properties, a subsidiary of TOBA, is the co-owner of BloodHorse LLC.