On February 12, the second annual Maryland Thoroughbred Industry Renaissance Awards will be presented to Maryland’s top owner, trainer, jockey, breeder, broodmare and stallion. In addition, several champion Maryland-bred awards for the 2018 season will be awarded. The Maryland Horse Breeders Association, Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association and Maryland Jockey Club present the Renaissance Awards in cooperation.
Although the various year-end championship awards will be announced at the ceremony, the Maryland Horse Breeders Association selected its 2018 Maryland Breeder, Maryland Broodmare and Maryland Stallion of the Year awards before the ceremony.
Sycamore Hall Thoroughbreds in Chesapeake City has been named Breeder of the Year. Owned and operated by Richard L. Golden, this is the first Breeder of the Year award won by Sycamore Hall. The farm led the state by number of stakes winners bred in 2018 and total earnings for runners bred solely or in partnership. Its 2018 stakes winners were Beach View, Victory Rally and Follow the Dog. Sycamore Hall-bred runners made 243 starts in 2018 with 34 wins, 45 seconds and 43 thirds for earnings of $1,694,996.
The 2018 Broodmare of the Year award went to Casual Kiss, owned and bred by Charles and Cynthia McGinnes of Thornmar Farm in Chestertown. The 2008 broodmare is by Dehere and out of Bushel and a Peck, by Numerous. Casual Kiss is the dam of 2018 graded stakes-winning sophomore sprinter Still Having Fun, who is also a finalist for the Maryland-bred Champion Sprinter award. Casual Kiss is also the dam of the undefeated juvenile Stranger Danger.
For the third year in a row, Great Notion has earned the Stallion of the Year title. Standing at Northview Stallion Station in Chesapeake City, the 2000 bay stallion is by Elusive Quality and out of the Dayjur mare Evening Primrose. This past season was the best one yet for the 19-year-old stallion, as his progeny earned nearly $3.8 million in 2018. This is more than a million dollars better than his 2017 record. Highlights of the 2018 season include 10 stakes winners led by graded stakes-winning daughter Ruby Notion. Maryland-bred championship finalists Crabcakes and Lewisfield are also both sired by Great Notion.
Check back soon for the 2018 Maryland-bred Champions list!
