Cody's Wish stole the hearts of those on and off the racetrack in 2023, and Godolphin was awarded with the National Breeder of the Year and National Owner of the Year awards at the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association National Awards Dinner Sept. 7 at Fasig-Tipton in Lexington.
Godolphin had an extraordinary year in 2023 with Cody's Wish. He finished the season with a thrilling repeat performance in the Breeders Cup Dirt Mile (G1), winning by a nose over 2023 Preakness Stakes (G1) winner National Treasure .
The bay horse finished his career with 11 wins in 16 starts, including five grade 1 victories, and earnings of more than $3.1 million.
Godolphin's Kate Galvin accepted the honors for National Owner of the Year. She was quick to bring up Cody Dorman, the inspiration for Cody Wish's name and a story that captivated the hearts of millions all over the world. Galvin told everyone about the special connection Cody's Wish had with Cody Dorman.
"I just want to dedicate this award to Cody Dorman," she said.
Danny Mulvihill, manager of Godolphin's Gainsborough Farm, accepted the award for National Breeder of the Year. He thanked Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and everyone who takes the horses through all the stages in their life.
"Those early years are of education are paramount. Then they go onto their next steps and show us what they can do. Without all these little cogs in the wheels turning together in unison, this does not happen. So I just wanted to say thank you to everyone on the team. We appreciate every single thing that you guys do on a daily basis, and without you guys, this does not happen. Thank you very much," he said.
Other finalists for the national breeder award were Juddmonte Farms and Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings. Other finalists for the national owner award included Juddmonte, Klaravich Stables, George Krikorian, and Zedan Racing Stables.
Elizabeth M. Merryman won 2023 National Small Breeder of the Year for the second year in a row. She bred turf sprinter Caravel, who last year won the Shakertown Stakes (G2T) at Keeneland in April, and the Jaipur Stakes (G1T) at Belmont Park defeating graded winners Casa Creed and Big Invasion.
The Cot Campbell Partnership of the Year Award was given to Repole Stable and St. Elias Stable. In 2023 they campaigned three-time grade 1 winner Up to the Mark to champion turf male honors, and Forte to wins in the Florida Derby (G1), Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2), and Jim Dandy Stakes (G2).
Previously announced national awards include Godolphin's Dance Card, dam of Horse of the Year Cody's Wish, being named national Broodmare of the Year; and Time for Trouble being named Claiming Crown Horse of the Year.
The Sporthorse of the Year honor went to A Lil Evil. Frank Taylor, as founder of the trailblazing nonprofit Stable Recovery, was named the Dr. J. David Richardson Industry Service Award winner.
Castle Rock Farm, near Unionville, Pa., received the Robert N. Clay Conservation Award from TOBA and Equine Land Conservation Resource.
State breeders also were previously announced and they were honored at a Sept. 6 luncheon at the Thoroughbred Club of America. Those winners, previously profiled in BloodHorse Daily and at BloodHorse.com, include:
- Arizona Breeder of the Year: Fleming Thoroughbred Farm (Marvin Fleming and Gerald Fleming)
- Arkansas Breeder of the Year: McDowell Farms (Bill and Mary McDowell)
- California Breeder of the Year: Richard Barton Enterprises
- Canada Breeder of the Year: Adena Springs
- Canada Small Breeder of the Year: Sean Fitzhenry
- Florida Breeder of the Year: Stonehedge (Marilyn Campbell)
- Indiana Breeder of the Year: Justice Farms (Greg Justice)
- Iowa Breeder of the Year: Poindexter Thoroughbreds (H. Allen Poindexter)
- Kentucky Breeder of the Year: Godolphin
- Louisiana Breeder of the Year: Thomas Galvin
- Maryland Breeder of the Year: Dance Forth Farm (Dr. Thomas and Chris Bowman)
- New Jersey Breeder of the Year: Bright View Farm (Christine Connelly) and Gregory Kilka
- New Mexico Breeder of the Year: Fred Alexander
- New York Breeder of the Year: Barry Schwartz
- North Carolina Breeder of the Year: Art Bauer
- Oregon Breeder of the Year: Connie Erickson
- Pennsylvania Breeder of the Year: Forgotten Land Investments and Black Diamond Equine (Christian Black)
- South Carolina Breeder of the Year: Franklin G. Smith Sr.
- Texas Breeder of the Year: Carolyn Barnett
- Virginia Breeder of the Year: Ann Mudge Backer
- Washington Breeder of the Year: Ken Miles and Sheridan Jones
TOBA National Awards sponsors included FanDuel Racing, WinStar Farm, Claiborne Farm, Wilson Plant Co., BloodHorse and The Jockey Club, Castle & Key Distillery, National Thoroughbred Racing Association, Big Ass Fans, Daily Racing Form, Darley, Fasig-Tipton, Robert Clark Artist, Paris Valley Road Estate Winery, National Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association, and White Birch Farm.
TOBA, based in Lexington, was formed in 1961 and is a national trade organization of leading Thoroughbred owners and breeders. A co-owner of BloodHorse, TOBA's mission is to improve the economics, integrity, and pleasure of the sport on behalf of Thoroughbred owners and breeders.
