It was another great year for Haran Thoroughbreds. Once again, they soared to the top of the Thoroughbred owner standings to earn their second straight leading owner title for the 23rd season of racing at Horseshoe Indianapolis.
Owned and operated by trainer John Haran, his ownership group under Haran Thoroughbreds won 38 races from 203 starts. He was the only owner to go over $1 million for the season in purse earnings. 514 Racing, headed by Matt Kwiatkowski, finished in second place in the owner standings with 20 wins over Penny Lauer with 18 wins heading into the final day of racing for 2025.
"It's been a really good year for us," said assistant trainer Soccoro Flores, who accepted the trophy on behalf of Haran. "Our team worked very hard and we are glad to get this award."
A native of Ireland, Haran has been competing in Indiana from his longtime base in Chicago for the past decade. He still keeps a string of horses in Illinois as well as his stable at Indiana. He has invested in the Indiana breeding and racing program and has produced several premier racing winners this year, including CJ's Storm, a two-time premier racing winner this season with earnings of more than $200,000 this season that he co-owns with Janet and Charles Watt.
Haran initially came to the United States for construction and owned and operated his own business before getting in to racing full time in 2011. The multiple stakes winning owner has 271 career wins and purses of more than $7 million. Top horses from his stable this season include Innisfree Lass, Hawkeye, and I'm Wide Awake. His stable earned their first leading trainer title last season with 21 wins.
Haran, who finished third in the leading trainer category with 48 wins, will continue to race during the winter months in Arkansas at Oaklawn Park and Chicago and will be back in action for the 24th season of racing in April 2026 at Horseshoe Indianapolis.
The 23rd season of live Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse concluded Thursday, Nov. 13. Racing returns for the 24th season Tuesday, April 7. For more information on racing at Horseshoe Indianapolis, visit www.caesars.com/horseshoe-indianapolis/racing or find details on social media @HSIndyRacing.
Randy Klopp, Fernando De La Cruz Also Shine
The top jockey of the season was runaway winner Fernando De La Cruz, who scored 120 wins heading into the last day of competition at Horseshoe Indianapolis.
"I want to thank all the trainers and my family for the support to put me in this position this year," noted De La Cruz during the presentation. "I would not be here if it wasn't for all of them. And, I thank God for this opportunity as well. My agent, Jimmy McNerney, worked hard for me this year and put me on some great horses and got me going. We will head to Turfway for the winter and be back in the spring."
A native of Peru, De La Cruz has been riding in the United States since 2007. Now a resident of nearby New Palestine, Ind., he scored his third title at Horseshoe Indianapolis this season, adding to his titles from 2014 and 2016. He is Indiana's all-time leading jockey by wins and by purses earned with 1,350 wins and purse earnings of more than $37 million. He has also scored the most premier racing wins in track history with more than 50 to his credit.
De La Cruz was joined by his family, including his mother and father who flew up from Peru for the presentation. Overall, he has won more than 2,600 career wins and has accumulated purse earnings of more than $65 million during his 19-year career as a jockey in the United States. He has also earned titles from Tampa Bay Downs and Hoosier Park.
"My mom and dad visit us often from Peru, but to have them in the winner's circle for this presentation makes it extra special," added De La Cruz. "I'm very lucky to have my family supporting me."
Joe Ramos finished in second place with 100 wins heading into the final day of racing over Marcelino Pedroza Jr., who was third with 72 wins.
