Maryland Horse Breeders Association

Presented virtually the week of Feb. 22, the fourth annual Renaissance Awards, a collaborative effort between the Maryland Horse Breeders Association, Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association and Maryland Jockey Club, was highlighted by Knicks Go (Paynter) earning the title of Maryland Horse of the Year and champion older horse for the 2020 season. Owned by Korea Racing Authority and trained by Brad H. Cox, the grey capped off an impressive year with a victory in the GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile at Keeneland in November. He is only the fifth Maryland-bred...

Eclipse champions Heavenly Cause and What a Summer have been inducted into the Maryland-bred Thoroughbred Hall of Fame. The selections were made by a committee of Maryland racing industry members coordinated by the Maryland Horse Breeders Association and Maryland Racing Media Association. "These two great mares deserve their place of honor among our Hall of Fame horses. They were the product of dedicated Maryland breeders who were rewarded with great champions," said Cricket Goodall, executive director of Maryland Horse Breeders Association. What a Summer, a two-time GII Fall Highweight H....

A filly by Bernardini out of Mystic Love (Not For Love) was selected as grand champion of the 86th annual Maryland Horse Breeders Association's Yearling Show, held Sunday in Timonium.  Bred by GreenMount Farm in partnership with Godolphin, the champion filly was the winner of Class IV (for fillies foaled in Maryland, by out-of-state sires). She was shown by Sabrina Moore, manager and co-owner of GreenMount. A total of 67 yearlings in four classes were judged by two-time Classic-winning trainer and Hall of Fame Show Jumping rider Michael Matz. "I...

The Maryland Horse Breeders Association announced the results of its board elections Tuesday, with membership selecting one incumbent member, a 2019 presidential appointee and three new members to the 2020 Board of Directors. Dictated by MHBA bylaws, the annually held election fills five open seats on the board. Those elected will serve for the next three years. Bill Reightler, who served on the board from 2010 to 2015 and 2017 to 2019, is this year's only incumbent. He will be joined by Ellen Charles, Michael Golden, A. Leonard Pineau and...

The third annual Renaissance Awards, a collaborative effort between the Maryland Horse Breeders Association, Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association and Maryland Jockey Club, which recognizes excellence in Thoroughbred racing and breeding in Maryland in the past year, was held Tuesday evening, Feb. 11, at the Guinness Open Gate Brewery. 'TDN Rising Star' Sharing (Speightstown), heroine of the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf, took home top honors as Maryland-bred Horse of the Year, champion 2-year-old filly and champion turf runner. Other winners included: champion 2-year-old male: Laddie Liam (Golden Lad); champion...

The third annual Maryland Thoroughbred Industry Renaissance Awards will be presented to the top Maryland owner, trainer, jockey, breeder, broodmare and stallion, as well as the champion Maryland-breds of 2019, on Feb. 11 at the Guinness Open Gate Brewery in Halethorpe. The Renaissance Awards were created to recognize the best of Maryland racing and breeding from the previous year and are a cooperative effort between the Maryland Horse Breeders Association, Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association and Maryland Jockey Club. Award finalists (listed alphabetically) Maryland-bred champion 2-year-old male: Laddie Liam (Golden Lad);...