Indian Miss , dam of grade 1 winners Mitole and Hot Rod Charlie , was honored as the 2021 Kentucky broodmare of the year April 20 at the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association and Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders awards ceremony at Keeneland, while multiple grade 1 winner Essential Quality was honored as the Kentucky-bred Horse of the Year and Kentucky-bred champion 3-year-old male.
Essential Quality led a sweep for Godolphin, which also accepted Kentucky-bred champion older dirt horse honors for Maxfield , while Mystic Guide was named Kentucky-bred champion racing abroad. In addition, Godolphin was named Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund owner and breeder of the year, and the P.A.B. Widener Trophy winner, best known as the KTOB breeder of the year.
Indian Miss, now owned by OXO Equine, resides at Taylor Made Farm.
Other 2021 equine honorees were champion 2-year-old male Corniche , 2-year-old filly Echo Zulu , 3-year-old filly Malathaat , older dirt female Letruska , male turf horse Colonel Liam , female turf horse War Like Goddess , male sprinter Jackie's Warrior , female sprinter Ce Ce , and steeplechase horse Snap Decision .
Four merit awards were presented to individuals for their contributions to the Kentucky Thoroughbred Industry. Hargus and Sandra Sexton were honored with the Hardboot Breeders' Award, which pays tribute to distinctive but unsung breeders that help make up the backbone of the industry. Alicia Hughes was given the Charles W. Engelhard Award, which acknowledges a member of the media for outstanding coverage of the Thoroughbred industry. The William T. Young Humanitarian Award, which distinguishes a person or organization in the Thoroughbred industry who recognizes and promotes the human endeavor, was bestowed upon the honorable Earle Mack.
The Lifetime Contribution Award acknowledged the contributions of Dr. Peter J. Timoney for his practical application of science and steadfast commitment to equine health that helped create the Gluck Center as a world -renowned research institution and enabled Central Kentucky to become the leading American exporter of horses to markets on six continents.
Also receiving awards were the top Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund money-earners in 2021 in five separate categories, including the aforementioned two for Godolphin. KTDF sire of the year was Into Mischief . KTDF earner of the year was Gear Jockey . KTDF trainer of the year was Brad Cox.
Recipients of the 2021 KTOB Kentucky-bred champion awards were voted on by the full membership of KTA/KTOB while the KTDF category leaders were tabulated using purse money won at Kentucky racetracks in 2021. KTOB merit award recipients were voted on by the KTA/KTOB board of directors.