The Chosen Vron Named Cal-Bred Horse of the Year

The Chosen Vron , winner a year ago, was named the 2024 California-bred Horse of the Year at the March 3 California Thoroughbred Breeders' Association Awards Dinner and Annual Meeting at Le Meridien Hotel.

The Chosen Vron became the 10th back-to-back winner of the award, and the first since Spiced Perfection  in 2018-19. The son of Vronsky  also picked up hardware for his third consecutive champion older male title and second consecutive champion sprinter award. The other finalists for Horse of the Year were Big City Lights  and Chismosa .

The Chosen Vron won five of six starts in 2024, including the Bing Crosby Stakes (G1). He is by Vronsky, out of Broodmare of the Year Tiz Molly , was bred by Tiz Molly Partners, is owned by trainer Eric Kruljac, Robert Fetkin, John Sondereker, and Richard Thornburgh.

Other 2024 Cal-bred champions:

Champion California-bred 2-year-old male — Speedy Wilson , bred by owner Nick Alexander and trained by Phil D'Amato

Champion California-bred 2-year-old female — In the Air Tonight , bred by Terry Lovingier, owned by Anthony Chacon, Victor Flores, and Lovingier and trained by Steve Knapp

Champion California-bred 3-year-old male — Shady Tiger , bred by owner Rusty Brown and trained by D'Amato

Champion California-bred 3-year-old female — Grand Slam Smile , bred by owners Mr. and Mrs. Larry Williams and trained by Steven Specht  

Champion California-bred older male — The Chosen Vron

Champion California-bred older female — Chismosa, bred by owner Jaime Renella and trained by Rafael DeLeon

Champion California-bred sprinter — The Chosen Vron

Champion California-bred turf horse — Kings River Knight , bred by Old English Rancho, owned by Integrity Thoroughbred Racing, the Ellwood Johnston Trust, and Kenneth Tevelde and trained by John Sadler

Champion sire of California-conceived foals by earnings — Grazen , property of Nick Alexander

Champion sire of California-conceived foals by number of winners — Stay Thirsty  , property of Terry Lovingier

Champion sire of California-conceived foals by turf earnings — Grazen

Champion sire of California-conceived 2-year-olds by earnings — Stay Thirsty

Trainer of the year — Steve Specht

Broodmare of the Year — Tiz Molly, property of Tiz Molly Partners

Champion breeder of California-foaled Thoroughbreds by earnings — Richard Barton Enterprises

CTBA Hall of Fame — Amazombie, Jay Robbins, Bill Spawr