August 14, 2026

Finalists Announced for 41st Annual
TOBA National Awards

Contact: Lauren Biddle
lauren@toba.org
859-276-6793

LEXINGTON, Ky. — The Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association (TOBA) announced the finalists for four of the organization’s premier national honors that will be presented during the 41st Annual TOBA National Awards Dinner on Thursday, September 10, 2026 at The Kentucky Castle in Versailles, Ky.

The TOBA National Awards celebrate outstanding achievements in Thoroughbred breeding, racing, and ownership. The winners in these four competitive categories will be announced live during the awards ceremony.

The State Breeders Luncheon, which honors breeders from 20 states and Canada, will be held on Friday, September 11, 2026 at Coolmore- Ashford Stud. State and Canadian Breeders of the Year were announced on Monday, August 10, 2026.

Small Breeder of the Year Finalists

  • Brightview Farm and Gregory Kilka
  • Mallory and Karen Mort
  • Susie Atkins


Breeder of the Year Finalists

  • The Late Brereton C. Jones
  • Coteau Grove Farms
  • Don Alberto Corporation
  • Godolphin
  • Juddmonte


Owner of the Year Finalists

  • D.J. Stable
  • Godolphin
  • Juddmonte
  • Klaravich Stables
  • Spendthrift Farm


Cot Campbell Partnership of the Year Finalists

  • C2 Racing Stable
  • Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners
  • Medallion Racing
  • Michael Pegram, Karl Watson and Paul Weitman
  • SF Racing

“The finalists for the TOBA National Awards represent excellence across every facet of the Thoroughbred industry,” said TOBA President Dan Metzger. “We look forward to recognizing their achievements and celebrating the remarkable individuals and partnerships that continue to strengthen our sport.”

TOBA National Awards will begin with check-in at 5:30 p.m., followed by cocktails at 6:00 p.m., dinner and awards at 7:00 p.m.

Sponsors of the TOBA National Awards include FanDuel at the Platinum level, as well as Gold Sponsors WinStar Farm, BloodHorse, The Jockey Club, and the National Thoroughbred Racing Association. Silver Sponsors are Coolmore- Ashford Stud, Payson Park, White Birch Farm, Central Bank, National Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association, Godolphin, Castle & Key, Country Boy Brewing, Sextant Wines and Daily Racing Form.

TOBA is grateful for the continued support of these industry partners, whose commitment helps make the National Awards and State Breeders Luncheon possible while recognizing excellence in Thoroughbred breeding, ownership, and racing.

The Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association (TOBA), based in Lexington, Ky., 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. TOBA is represented on the board of directors of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association and the Racing Medication and Testing Consortium as founding members.
###