PRESS RELEASE
OCALA, FL—The Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association announced October 23 that Richard Heysek, who with his wife Cathy breed and race in the name of their Caperlane Farm in Reddick, was elected president of the FTBOA at a board meeting following the annual member meeting.
“I am honored and excited to be elected as president of the FTBOA.” Heysek said. “It is an incredibly exciting time to be part of the Association. I really feel that we as a board, staff and stakeholders in the industry can make history and have an opportunity to make Florida thoroughbred breeding and racing great again.”
The board also selected executive committee officers for 2026-27 with Heysek as president while George Isaacs, an FTBOA past president and general manager of Bridlewood Farm, was named first vice president; and FTBOA past president Brent Fernung, involved in the Florida thoroughbred breeding industry more than 45 years, was named second vice president. Dr. Tiffany Atteberry, an equine veterinarian, thoroughbred breeder and owner, was named treasurer; and Mary Lightner, a licensed thoroughbred trainer who owns and breeds in the name of her Shooting Star Thoroughbreds, will serve as secretary.
George Russell, owner of Rustlewood Farm in Reddick; and Marilyn Campbell, owner of Stonehedge Farm South in Williston, join the board as new directors.
Heysek and his wife Cathy grew up around horses and followed the natural progression to become thoroughbred breeders and owners. Both studied at the Ocala Breeders’ Sales before purchasing their first thoroughbred, a $7,000 filly named Congarette, in 2013. She led to their first maiden special weight and allowance wins at Belmont Park in 2016.
With an eye for a classy pedigree and finding a nice horse selling under radar, the Heyseks picked up Sophia Mia for $4,000 at the 2018 Keeneland November Sale. Sophia Mia went on to produce Florida-bred Horse of the Year Speed Boat Beach, winner of the Grade 1 Malibu in 2023, and Sophia Mia became the 2023 Florida Broodmare of the Year.
The Heyseks now own a broodmare band of two. They received the 2023 Needles Award as Florida’s outstanding small breeder, posting Florida-bred earnings of $533,970 from four starters with six wins, five seconds and two thirds.
The Heyseks are also big believers in the work that Thoroughbred aftercare organizations do and feel everyone in the racing business must support these programs.
Return to the October 23 issue of Wire to Wire
