TOBA Announces State Winners, National Award Finalists

The Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association announced Aug. 11 the winners, finalists, and official sponsors for the 38th annual TOBA National Awards. The TOBA National Awards will consist of two days of presentations. The National Awards Dinner will be held Sept. 9 at Fasig-Tipton in Lexington, Ky., and the National Awards Luncheon which honors breeders from 20 states and Canada will be held Sept. 8 at WinStar Farm. The finalists for the National Owner of the Year are Peter Brant, Godolphin, Hronis Racing, Klaravich Stables, and Winchell Thoroughbreds. The three finalists for the National Breeder of the Year are Godolphin, Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings, and Summer Wind Equine. Other TOBA national award winners include Dreaming of Julia, dam of Malathaat, who has been named as the National Broodmare of the Year; Hronis Racing, Siena Farm, Summer Wind Equine, West Point Thoroughbreds, and Woodford Racing, who will be presented with the Cot Campbell Partnership of the Year Award; Invaluable, who will be honored as Claiming Crown Horse of the Year, presented by the National Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association; and Michael Blowen, who will be presented with the Dr. J. David Richardson Industry Service Award. The Rood & Riddle Sport Horse of the Year will go to Satins Angel, owned by Alexa Lee, while Greg Goodman will receive the Robert N. Clay Award, which recognizes a member of the Thoroughbred community who has made an outstanding contribution to preserving land for equine use. In addition to the winners announced Friday, three awards will be announced live at the Sept. 9 dinner—those for National Owner of the Year, National Breeder of the Year, and Small Breeder of the Year. A complete list of state winners is as follows: State Breeders of the Year Arkansas: John E. Anthony Arizona: Marvin Fleming California: Nick Alexander Canada: Adena Springs and Mr. and Mrs. R.J. Bennett Florida: Arindel Indiana: Greg Justice Iowa: Allen Poindexter Kentucky: Godolphin Louisiana: Allied Racing Stables Maryland: Dr. and Mrs. Thomas Bowman Minnesota: Lothenbach Stables New Jersey: Christine Connelly New Mexico: Robert M. and DelRae Driggers New York: Chester and Mary Broman North Carolina: Nancy Shuford Oregon: Lisa Baze Pennsylvania: Elizabeth M. Merryman South Carolina: Franklin G. Smith Sr. Texas: Ronald (posthumously) and Margaret Ellerbee Virginia: Amy Moore Washington: John Parker TOBA National Awards sponsors are Platinum-level sponsors Jackson Family Wines and FanDuel. Gold-level sponsors include The Jockey Club and BloodHorse, NTRA, Castle & Key Distillery, and WinStar Farm. Silver-level sponsors include the National HBPA, Stoll Keenon Ogden, Godolphin, and White Birch Farm. "We are honored to celebrate the outstanding accomplishments of the finalists and winners at the 2022 TOBA National Awards," TOBA president Dan Metzger said. "They have distinguished themselves in Thoroughbred racing and breeding and we look forward to a wonderful weekend at WinStar Farm and Fasig-Tipton." The emcee of the TOBA National Awards Dinner will be Jesse Ullery of Fasig-Tipton. There will be a silent auction which will open the week of the event and close Sept. 9, as well as a live auction during the awards dinner ceremony. Tickets are available to the public for both the luncheon and the dinner, with a discounted price for TOBA members. Registration for both events is due Aug. 19 and available online.