Ramseys National Owner, Breeder for 2014
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Ken and Sarah Ramsey were named National Owner of the Year and National Breeder of the Year the evening of Sept. 11 during the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association national awards dinner held at John Sikura's Hill 'n' Dale Farms near Lexington.
The Ramseys, of Ramsey Farm near Nicholasville, Ky. were honored with two other awards during the evening. They also were named Southern Region Owner of the Year and are the owners of St. Borealis, who was announced as Claiming Crown Horse of the Year, a new award that was presented by the National Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association.
"I was asked earlier in the evening if there was any secret to how we run our operation, and I said, 'No secret.' " Ken Ramsey said. "We've got a vision and we try to inspire the people that work with us—the trainers, the jockeys, the farm manager, and everybody else to try to buy into our vision. And once they buy into it, then all it is, is a matter of getting them to execute it. And that's the way it is in any kind of business, but it also works in the horse business and I've used it other places and other businesses. (You) have to spot the horses right so they're competitive.
"Kitten's Joy has put us up here again," Ramsey said, referring to his resident stallion, who sired a number of his 22 black-type stakes winners worldwide in 2014. "We had a great run last year."
The California-based Perry Martin and Steve Coburn, who bred and campaigned 2014 Horse of the Year California Chrome, were honored as National Small Breeder of the Year. Coburn was on hand to accept the award.
"We were blessed with our only mare Love the Chase, and she not only blessed us but she blessed the world with a wonderful horse, California Chrome," he said, his voice trembling with emotion. "To receive the honors we've received because of this wonderful horse is just undescribable. Not only has he been very rewarding to us but a lot of the people in the world that love this horse.
"It has truly been an honor to be associated with this horse and his mother Love the Chase. And now we've got three full siblings. A 2-year-old, Hope's Love; a yearling that we haven't named yet; and his little brother that I delivered on April 12 this year at Harris Farms in Coalinga, Calif. So hopefully you might see us again."
Other awards for 2014 announced earlier were Juddmonte Farms, Eastern Region Owner of the Year; Winchell Thoroughbreds, Midwest Region Owner of the Year; and Kaleem Shah, Western Region Owner of the Year.
Sam-Son Farm was named Canadian Breeder of the Year.
The award for National Broodmare of the Year went to Fun House, dam of 3-year-old champion filly of 2014 Untapable.
"(Fun House) couldn't be here tonight," quipped David Fiske, who accepted the award on behalf of owner Ron Winchell, for whom he manages racing and farm operations. "She wanted to be, but she's still at home nursing her full sister to Untapable."
State Breeders of the Year are as follows:
Arizona: Richard Owens
Arkansas: Bill and Mary McDowell
California: Nick Alexander
Florida: J. Michael O'Farrell Jr.
Illinois: Richard and Karen Papiese
Indiana: Michael and Penny Lauer
Iowa: William Hobbs
Kentucky: Ken and Sarah Ramsey
Louisiana: Charlie Smith
Maryland: Howard M. Bender
Michigan: Deborah Arnold-Miley
Minnesota: Scott Rake
New Jersey: Bright View Farm (Owner: Christine Connelly)
New Mexico: J. Kirk and Judy Robison
New York: Chester and Mary Broman
North Carolina: Dr. Steve Laymon
North Dakota: Bill Maulding
Ohio: Bruce Ryan and Tim Hamm
Oregon Rodney Orr
South Carolina: Franklin G. Smith Sr.
Texas: Estate of Clarence Scharbauer Jr.
Virginia: Estate of Edward P. Evans
Washington: Todd and Shawn Hansen
Other award winners were Robert Sanford, Robert N. Clay Award; and Mensa G. (by Colonial Affair), Rood and Riddle Sport Horse of the Year.
The dinner, hosted by TOBA owners concierge service director Christina Bossinakis, was sponsored by Hill 'n' Dale Farms, Stoll Keenon Ogden, The Stronach Group, Adena Springs, H.E. "Tex" Sutton Forwarding Co., Jackson Family Wines (official wine sponsor of the 2015 National Awards Dinner), Tito's Handmade Vodka (official vodka sponsor of the 2015 National Awards Dinner), Woodford Reserve, Zoetis, FLAIR Nasal Strips, NTRA/John Deere, Daily Racing Form, and Blood-Horse.