15 Graded Stakes Wins Produced by Florida-breds During the Year

BY BROCK SHERIDAN

OCALA, FL—Florida-bred Thoroughbreds continue their domination among other regional Thoroughbred producers at racetracks throughout North America with 49 wins in unrestricted black type stakes races, including 15 graded stakes victories in 2025 through Aug 3. The 15 graded stakes won by Florida-breds this year already exceeds the total graded stakes wins achieved last year (13) by Sunshine State runners while this year’s stakes victories to date compare to 64 by Florida-breds in all of 2024. These number more than double any other regional Thoroughbred breeding programs outside Kentucky.

Florida-bred Dorth Vader, a 5-year-old mare who races for breeder John Ropes of Fort Lauderdale, is among the most accomplished Florida-breds this year with her nearly five-length win in the $485,000 Ogden Phipps Stakes presented by Ford, a Grade 1 test for fillies and mares at Saratoga Race Course on June 6. With $918,218 in career earnings, Dorth Vader is on the verge of becoming the 187th Florida-bred millionaire.

 

Dorth Vader is one of six Florida-breds to win stakes so far this year at the prestigious Saratoga meet. Others include the undefeated 2-year-old Arindel homebred Mythical, the first filly since 1995 to defeat her male counterparts in the $145,500 Tremont Stakes (Listed) and winner of Sunday’s Grade 3 Adirondack; Live Oak Plantation homebred Bring Theband Home, winner of the $150,000 Harvey Pack Stakes (Listed) in :59.90, the second fastest time for five-and-a-half furlongs in North American history, and Sunday’s Grade 2 Troy; and Halina’s Forte, who topped a Florida-bred exacta with R Disaster in the $200,000 Honorable (Grade 2). Halina’s Forte races for Rigney Racing LLC and was bred in Florida by Bill and Corinne Heilegbrodt and Francis and Barbara Vanlangendonck.

 

Another Florida-bred star is Queen Maxima, a three-time stakes winner this year who set a track record when winning the $329,500 Unbridled Sidney presented by Cygames (Grade 3) at Churchill Downs – covering five-and-a-half furlongs on a good turf course in 1:01.29. Queen Maxima races in the colors of Dutch Girl Holdings LLC and Irving Ventures LLC and was bred by Saul Rosas.

 

Florida-breds are dominating throughout North American, winning stakes at 17 tracks in 14 different states and Canada.

Return to the August 5 issue of Wire to Wire