KTA, KTOB Honors Kentucky-Bred Champions

The Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders and Kentucky Thoroughbred Association announced the 2025 Kentucky-bred champions at an April 10 awards ceremony in Lexington.

Crowned, the dam of multiple grade 1 winner Sovereignty , was named the 2025 Broodmare of the Year. Sovereignty was named the 2025 Kentucky-bred Horse of the Year in addition to champion Kentucky-bred 3-year-old male for his successful year, winning the Kentucky Derby (G1), Belmont Stakes (G1), and Travers Stakes (G1). 

Crowned, an unraced daughter of Bernardini, has four registered foals and one winner outside of champion Sovereignty. She died in 2024. 

Godolphin, owner/breeder of Sovereignty, was crowned Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund Owner and Breeder of the Year, with the former being the fifth consecutive year of being awarded the title. In addition, Godolphin was presented with the P.A.B. Widener Award for the sixth consecutive year. 

Here are the 2025 KTOB winners: 

• Broodmare of the Year: Crowned, owned by Godolphin
• Horse of the Year, 3-year-old male: Sovereignty (breeder: Godolphin)
• 2-year-old male: Ted Noffey  (Aaron & Marie Jones LLC)
• 2-year-old filly: Super Corredora  (Woodford Thoroughbreds)
• 3-year-old male: Nitrogen  (D. J. Stable)
• Older dirt male: Sierra Leone   (Debby Oxley)
• Older dirt female: Thorpedo Anna  (Judy Hicks)
• Male turf horse: Deterministic  (Hinkle Farms)
• Female turf horse: She Feels Pretty  (Payson Stud)
• Male sprinter: Nysos  (Susie Atkins)
• Female sprinter: Shisospicy  (Bill and Corinne Heiligbrodt)
• Racing abroad: Hit Show  (Gary and Mary West Stables)
• Steeplechase horse: Swore  (Stone Farm)

Merit awards were also presented at the ceremony to individuals for their contributions to the Kentucky Thoroughbred industry. 

• P.A.B. Widener Trophy for KTOB Breeder of the Year: Godolphin
• Hardboot Breeders' Award pays tribute to distinctive but unsung breeders that help make up the backbone of the industry: Judy Hicks
• Charles W. Engelhard Award acknowledges a member of the media for outstanding coverage of the Thoroughbred industry: America's Day at the Races
• William T. Young Humanitarian Award distinguishes a person or organization in the Thoroughbred industry "who recognizes and promotes the human endeavor":  B. Wayne Hughes

Also to receive awards are the top KTDF money earners in 2025 in five separate categories.

• KTDF Sire of the Year: Not This Time   (Taylor Made Stallions)
• KTDF Earner of the Year: Troubleshooting  (owner/breeder Donamire Farm)
• KTDF Owner of the Year: Godolphin
• KTDF Trainer of the Year: Brad Cox
• KTDF Breeder of the Year: Godolphin

Recipients of the 2025 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 2025. KTOB merit award recipients were voted on by the KTA/KTOB board of directors.