Godolphin Lands Pair of National Awards from TOBA

Following an outstanding year on the track by its homebreds, Godolphin secured a pair of national awards at the 37th Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association Awards presented by Keeneland Sept. 10 in Lexington. Presented at the Keeneland Events Center and honoring achievement in 2021, the event saw Godolphin walk away with both National Owner of the Year presented by 1/ST, and National Breeder of the Year titles. Sheikh Mohammed's Godolphin earned more than $70 million worldwide in 2021, and in North America alone won 84 races and collected more than $17.4 million in earnings. As breeder, this total surpassed $20.7 million. Godolphin USA director of bloodstock Michael Banahan noted that a special point of pride was that all of Godolphin's stakes winners of 2021 were homebreds. Godolphin homebreds won 30 black-type stakes, including 23 graded stakes in 2021. "It's a wonderful honor to be able to represent Sheikh Mohammed this evening as the owner and the breeder of the year," Banahan said. "It is his dedication and love of the horse that drives him to assemble a broodmare band and a stallion roster that helps him compete at the highest level of the sport." Leading the way in 2021 for Godolphin was champion 3-year-old male Essential Quality, who counted the Belmont Stakes Presented by NYRA Bets (B1) and the Runhappy Travers Stakes (G1) among his top 2021 wins after earning champion 2-year-old male honors in 2020. Banahan made a point of celebrating the hard work of the many people involved in the Godolphin operation. "Sheikh Mohammed has given us the tools to help achieve these results of national owner and breeder of the year. He enthusiastically follows the results of these wonderfully gifted equine athletes," Banahan said. "Then these results are achieved through the countless hours of hard work of our team at Godolphin USA." For the second straight year, the mother-daughter team of Angie and Sabrina Moore were announced as the winner for 2021 National Small Breeder of the Year. The Maryland-based Moores are the breeder of 2021 Horse of the Year Knicks Go. "We really caught lightning in a bottle," said daughter Sabrina Moore. "Thanks for this wonderful night. Nights like these make you want to keep doing what you do." The TOBA National Awards were presented across two days of ceremonies. The National Awards Luncheon was held Sept. 9 at Ashford Stud, honoring state and Canadian Breeders of 2021. The National Awards Dinner was Saturday night at Keeneland, honoring all award winners and hosted by TVG's Gabby Gaudet. Finalists for the national owner, breeder, and small breeder categories were also honored Saturday night. National Owner of the Year finalists included Klaravich Stables, Juddmonte, Hronis Racing, and the partnership of China Horse Club and WinStar Farm. National Breeder of the Year finalists included Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings, and Fred W. Hertrich III & John D. Fielding. National Small Breeder of the Year finalists that were also honored included Gail Rice and J&J Stables. Dr. J. David Richardson was honored posthumously with the TOBA Industry Service Award. In an emotional moment, it was announced that going forward, this award will carry Richardson's name. Richardson was an owner/breeder for more than 50 years who served as a board member and former chairman of TOBA and the American Graded Stakes Committee, among many industry-related endeavors. Indian Miss, dam of champion sprinter Mitole and grade 1 winner Hot Rod Charlie, was named National Broodmare of the Year. The Cot Campbell Partnership of the Year was presented to Susan Magnier, Michael B. Tabor, Derrick Smith, and Westerberg. Miles Ahead was honored as Claiming Crown Horse of the Year, presented by the National Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association. The Rood & Riddle Sport Horse of the Year went to Argyle (Office Hours). The Robert N. Clay Award, presented by Equine Land Conservation Resource, was awarded to Charles Fenwick Jr.. The award recognizes a member of the Thoroughbred community who has made an outstanding contribution to preserving land for equine use. 2021 State and Canadian Breeders of the Year, Sponsored by Coolmore: • Arkansas Breeder of the Year—McDowell Farms (Bill and Mary McDowell) • California Breeder of the Year—Lovacres Ranch (Terry Lovingier) • Canada Breeder of the Year—Sam-Son Farm • Canada Small Breeder of the Year—Terrance Greer and Brandon Greer • Florida Breeder of the Year—Live Oak Stud (Charlotte C. Weber) • Indiana Breeder of the Year—Justice Farm (Greg Justice) • Iowa Breeder of the Year—Allen Poindexter • Kentucky Breeder of the Year—Godolphin • Louisiana Breeder of the Year—P. Dale Ladner & Brett Brinkman • Maryland Breeder of the Year—Robert Manfuso and Katharine Voss • Minnesota Breeder of the Year—Lothenbach Stables • New Jersey Breeder of the Year—Law Legacy Stables (Joel Weiner) • New Mexico Breeder of the Year—Crystal Springs (Estate of R.D. Hubbard) • New York Breeder of the Year—Chester Broman & Mary R. Broman • North Carolina Breeder of the Year—Elizabeth Muirhead • Oregon Breeder of the Year—Nirvana Farm (Andria Mengucci) • Pennsylvania Breeder of the Year—Joe-Dan Farm and George Chestnut • South Carolina Breeder of the Year—Franklin Smith Sr. • Texas Breeder of the Year—Lisa Kuhlmann • Virginia Breeder of the Year—Morgan's Ford Farm (Wayne and Susie Chatfield-Taylor) • Washington Breeder of the Year—Rainbow Meadows Farm (Petra Lewin) "Congratulations to all of the winners of the TOBA national and state awards," said Dan Metzger, president of TOBA. "Keeneland provided a magnificent setting to celebrate the outstanding achievements of 2021, and we were honored to recognize all of tonight's winners, including the amazing success of Godolphin as both National Owner and Breeder of the Year." TOBA National Awards sponsors included: Presenting Sponsor Keeneland, 1/ST as the Owner of the Year Presenting Sponsor, and Coolmore as the State and Canadian Breeders of the Year Presenting Sponsor. Platinum-level sponsors include Jackson Family Wines and TVG. Gold-level sponsors include BloodHorse, The Jockey Club, and NTRA. Silver-level sponsors include Big Ass Fans, Daily Racing Form, Darley, National HBPA, Stoll Keenon Ogden, and White Birch Farm (Peter M. Brant).