Mystic Lake is Florida-bred Horse of the Year

BY BROCK SHERIDAN

Ocala, FL—Mystic Lake is named the 2024 Florida-bred Horse of the Year in a vote by the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association board of directors and announced at the FTBOA Awards Gala held Monday night at the Circle Square Cultural Center in Ocala.

Bred by Peggy Costanzo and owned by C2 Racing Stable LLC and Stefania Farms LLC, Mystic Lake is also named the 2024 Florida-bred Champion 3-Year-old Filly and Florida-bred Champion Female Sprinter after winning the Charles Town Classic (G2), Miss Preakness (G3) at Pimlico, Sugar Swirl (Listed) at Gulfstream Park and Stonehedge Farm South Sophomore Fillies at Tampa Bay Downs.

Costanzo is also presented the 2024 Needles Awards, recognizing the Small Breeder of the Year in Florida.

The 2024 FTBOA Florida Breeder of the Year is presented to Marilyn Campbell’s Stonehedge LLC, which boasts 2024 earnings of $2,929,004 from 33 wins, 67 seconds and 67 thirds in 601 starts. This is the fifth time Stonehedge has been recognized as the FTBOA Breeder of the Year after being honored in 1997, 2013, 2016 and 2023. The award is voted on by the FTBOA board of directors.

Charlotte Weber’s Live Oak Plantation is named the leading owner of Florida-breds by earnings in 2024 with $1,683,452 from 31 wins, 25 seconds and 18 thirds. This is the seventh time Live Oak Plantation has earned the title after previously topping the standings in 2011, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020 and 2021. Live Oak Plantation took home the trophy as the owner of 2024 Champion Older Male and Champion Male Turf Horse, Forever Souper.

 

 

For a record fifth consecutive year, Khozan is Florida Stallion of Year with progeny earnings of $5,679,578. He earned the titles in 2020 ($3,521,813), 2021 ($3,671,794), 2022 ($4,513,950) and in 2023 ($6,292,158). Khozan passes Montbrook (2002, 2003, 2008, 2009) and Wildcat Heir (2010, 2011, 2013, 2014) with four titles each going back to 1991. Khozan stood the 2024 season at Journeyman Stud and the 2025 season at Ocala Stud. Khozan was represented in 2024 by three stakes winners and his leading earner with $144,897 was Wildwood Bye. He is property of Al Shaqab Racing and Stonehedge LLC.

Ocala Stud’s Win Win Win is the leading freshman sire and leading juvenile sire in 2024 with progeny earnings of $797,233. His leading money earner with $218,950 was multiple stakes winner Win N Your In. He is also represented by graded stakes-winner Nooni ($212,400), the Florida-bred Champion 2-Year-Old Filly of 2024. Win Win Win is property of Live Oak Stud, Bretreton C. Jones and Ocala Stud.

Other Florida-bred Champions recognized are Champion 2-Year-Old Male Rated by Merit, Bentornato was recognized as the Champion 3-Year-Old Male and Champion Male Sprinter; Spirit Wind as Champion Older Female and Champion Female Turf Horse Dancing N Dixie.

Points of Grace, the dam of Florida-bred Arthur’s Ride, winner of the 2024 Whitney (G1) at Saratoga Race Course, is named the Florida Broodmare of the Year by a vote of the FTBOA board. She is currently owned by Joseph and Helen Barbazon of Morriston, who bred Arthur’s Ride with the Tapit Syndicate. 

The 2024 Joseph M. O’Farrell Memorial Award presented by Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company went to Tom McCrocklin and Francis and Barbara Vanlangendonck’s Summerfield, consignors of Florida-bred Horse of the Year Mystic Lake. Summerfield consigned her at the 2022 OBS October Yearling Sale while McCrocklin sold her at the 2023 OBS March Sale.

Saffie Joseph Jr. is honored as the leading trainer of Florida-breds by black-type wins (10), total wins (83) and Florida-bred earnings ($3,446,942.)

Return to the May 13 issue of Wire to Wire