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Florida-Breds Surpass Last Year's Graded Stakes Tally

Florida-bred Dorth Vader is a grade 1 winner in 2025 and a near millionaire.

Dorth Vader splashes her way to victory in the Ogden Phipps Stakes at Saratoga Race Course

Dorth Vader splashes her way to victory in the Ogden Phipps Stakes at Saratoga Race Course

Mathea Kelley

Florida-bred Thoroughbreds have won 15 graded stakes in 2025, exceeding last year's yearly total of 13, according to an Aug. 5 release from the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders' and Owners' Association. Those bred in the Sunshine State have further accounted for 49 wins in unrestricted black-type stakes races, with last year's tally of 64 within reach over the next five months.

Florida is the leading regional breeding program in North America outside Kentucky.

Florida-bred Dorth Vader, a 5-year-old mare who races for breeder John Ropes of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., is among the most accomplished Florida-breds this year with her nearly five-length win in the $485,000 Ogden Phipps Stakes (G1) at Saratoga Race Course June 6. With $918,218 in career earnings, Dorth Vader is on the verge of becoming the 187th Florida-bred millionaire.

Dorth Vader is one of six Florida-breds to win stakes so far this year at the prestigious Saratoga meet. Others include the undefeated 2-year-old Arindel homebred Mythical, the first filly since 1995 to defeat her male counterparts in the $145,500 Tremont Stakes and winner of the Aug. 3 Adirondack stakes (G3); Live Oak Plantation homebred Bring Theband Home, winner of the $150,000 Harvey Pack Stakes in swift time and Sunday's Troy Stakes (G2T); and Halina's Forte, who topped a Florida-bred exacta with R Disaster in the $200,000 Honorable Miss Stakes (G2).

Halina's Forte races for Rigney Racing and was bred in Florida by Bill and Corinne Heiligbrodt and Francis and Barbara Vanlangendonck.

Another Florida-bred of note is Queen Maxima, a three-time stakes winner this year who set a course record when winning the $329,500 Unbridled Sidney Stakes (G3T) at Churchill Downs, covering 5 1/2 furlongs on a "good" turf course in 1:01.29. Queen Maxima races in the colors of Dutch Girl Holdings and Irving Ventures and was bred by Saul Rosas.

Florida-breds have won stakes at 17 tracks in 14 different states and Canada to date in 2025, FTOBA added.

This press release has been edited for content and style by BloodHorse Staff.