The New Mexico Horse Breeders' Association honored its 2014 Thoroughbred champions Jan. 22 during its Zia Awards Banquet at the Marriott Uptown Hotel in Albuquerque.
During the banquet, which was emceed by racing analyst and author Chris Kotulak, a total of 20 awards were presented. Breeders J. Kirk and Judy Robison of El Paso, Texas, were honored with the 2014 Julep Cup by
The Blood-Horse. The Robisons campaigned several homebred stakes winners at New Mexico tracks last season, including
Mays Or Mantle,
That's the Idea, and
Liberty Lover, a son of
Diabolical who was named New Mexico-bred champion 2-year-old colt or gelding.
Proceed, a
Desert God colt campaigned by owner/breeder Michael Stinson of Fort Worth, Texas, was honored as the champion New Mexico-bred 3-year-old colt or gelding for 2014. Trained by Joel Marr, Proceed banked $235,389 from four starts last yearand his three wins all came against stakes company.
Other NMHBA Thoroughbred award winners were:
—
That's Who (by
Quinton's Gold), champion older horse/gelding, owned by Sam E. and Latane Stevens, bred by Sam E. Stevens,
—
Renewed Vows (by Attila's Storm), champion 3-year-old filly, owned and bred by R.D. Hubbard,
—
Twixy Roll (by
Roll Hennessy Roll), champion 2-year-old filly, owned by Dale F. and Carey Taylor and Jon Hogg, bred by Margaret V. Bloss and Margaret O. duPont,
—Diabolical was honored as the top Thoroughbred stallion for 2014. A Kentucky-bred graded/group winner owned by Fred Alexander and J. Kirk Robison, the 12-year-old son of Artax had progeny earnings of $1,395,360 last year. Among his top runners during the season was Liberty Lover. Diabolical stands at Fred and Linda Alexander's A & A Ranch in Anthony, N.M.
—
Southwestern Heat was last year's top freshman Thoroughbred sire. The 11-year-old son of
Gone West out of Eclipse Award-winning filly
Xtra Heat was a stakes winner who was grade III-placed. He is owned by a partnership and stands at A & A Ranch.
—Wildcat Diva, a 12-year-old mare by Forest Wildcat owned by the Robisons, was last year's top Thoroughbred broodmare. A half sister to multiple stakes winner Capdiva, Wildcat Diva is the dam of Liberty Lover.
The Rita J. Danley Distinguished Service Award was presented to Leonard Blach, D.V.M., of Roswell, N.M. Blach is the owner and operator of Buena Suerte Equine in Roswell. In the 1960s, he opened the first equine surgical hospital in New Mexico near Santa Fe. Six years ago, Blach gained international fame when
Mine That Bird, a gelded son of
Birdstone he raced in partnership with Mark Allen of Roswell, won the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) at
Churchill Downs.