Godolphin, which campaigned eight grade 1 winners in 2024, was awarded the National Breeder of the Year and National Owner of the Year awards for the fourth consecutive year at the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association National Awards Dinner Sept. 6 at Fasig-Tipton in Lexington.
Godolphin had an incredible year led by Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) winner Immersive, and Breeders' Cup Turf (G1T) winner Rebel's Romance. They each placed in the top 10 on the earnings list, and both earned Eclipse Awards for the 2024 season. Immersive, trained by Brad Cox, was crowned champion 2-year-old filly, and Rebel's Romance was named champion turf male.
Emma Lovatt of Godolphin accepted the honors for National Owner of the Year. When asked what the three pillars for Godolphin's yearly success are she said: "First and foremost our founder His Highness Sheikh Mohammed—who has given us the tools to succeed always. Our second pillar is our team. The people on the farm, trainers, jockeys, and their staff. We're all so grateful to be surrounded by a great group of people. Our third thing, of course, is the horse. We have a great team of horses who bring us so much pride and joy and happiness, literally every day."
Other finalists for National Breeder of the Year were Judy Hicks and Town & Country Farms. Other finalists for National Owner of the Year were Juddmonte and Klaravich Stables.
The partnership of Lance Gasaway, Daniel Hamby lll, and 4G Racing won 2024 National Small Breeder of the Year. They bred 2024 Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Mystik Dan.
The Cot Campbell Partnership of the Year Award was given to SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Stonestreet Stables, Robert Masterson, Catherine Donovan and Waves Edge Capital. In 2024 they campaigned two grade 1 winners—National Treasure , 2024 champion older dirt male; and Newgate , winner of the Santa Anita Handicap (G1). Many of the partners also campaigned 2-year-old champion male Citizen Bull.
Previously announced national awards included Judy Hick's Sataves, dam of Horse of the Year Thorpedo Anna, being named National Broodmare of the Year, and Like a Saltshaker being named Claiming Crown Horse of the Year.
The Sport Horse of the Year honor went to Zealand, formerly known as Our Prince Charlie, and affectionately known in the barn as "Noodle."
Alan Foreman, an equine attorney and chairman and CEO of the Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association, was named the Dr. J. David Richardson Industry Service Award winner.
State breeders also were previously announced and they were honored at a Sept. 5 luncheon at Godolphin. Those winners, previously profiled in BloodHorse Daily and at BloodHorse.com, include:
- Arizona: Fleming Thoroughbred Farm (Marvin Fleming and Gerald Fleming)
- Arkansas: McDowell Farm (Bill and Mary McDowell)
- California: Richard Barton Enterprises
- Canada, Large Breeder: Adena Springs
- Canada, Small Breeder: Jesse Korona
- Florida: Stonehedge (Marilyn Campbell)
- Indiana: Justice Farms (Greg Justice)
- Iowa: Poindexter Thoroughbreds (H. Allen Poindexter)
- Kentucky: Godolphin
- Louisiana: Tony Doughtie
- Maryland: Legacy Farm (R. Larry Johnson)
- New Jersey: Holly Crest Farm (Vincent Annarella)
- New Mexico: J. Kirk and Judy Robison
- New York: William "Buck" Butler
- North Carolina: Nancy Shuford
- Oregon: Connie and Lee Erickson
- Pennsylvania: Donny Brown and Tom McClay
- South Carolina: Franklin G. Smith Sr.
- Texas: Danele Durham
- Virginia: Audley Farm
- Washington: Nina and Ron Hagen
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.
