OwnerView announced today that the 2024 New Owner of the Year, sponsored by 1/ST RACING, is being awarded to John Stewart and Jayson Werth.
Stewart is a lifelong racing fan, having lived in Lexington, Kentucky, for more than 30 years. He bought his first horse, Shiloh's Mistress, alongside Gavin O'Conner at the 2022 Keeneland September Yearling Sale, and he is becoming an influential breeder and owner in the horse racing industry. Stewart owns Resolute Racing, a farm in Midway, Kentucky, which has more than 1,000 acres and houses broodmares, yearlings, and horses of racing age.
Stewart focuses on breeding to race instead of to sell. Through his breeding program, he hopes to support the industry by creating good-quality broodmares.
Stewart owns Pounce, a 3-year-old filly by Lookin At Lucky out of Bouncy, bred by Bell, Rankin, VanMeter & Hancock. Pounce won both the Lake George Stakes (Gr. 3) and Herecomesthebride Stakes (Gr. 3) this year. Stewart also co-owns Didia, winner of the Gr. 1 New York Stakes. Other notable horses owned by Stewart are Goliath (GER), winner of the 2024 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (Gr. 1) at Ascot Racecourse, and stakes winners Misty Vail, Dana's Beauty, Youalmosthadme, and Mensa.
"It's very important as I grow the breeding program at Resolute Racing to breed to race. I am trying to breed quality horses that can go on to win graded stakes," Stewart said. "Starting off in this industry can be intimidating, but once you're in, you're hooked. It's a wonderful sport, and I hope more people take the time to get involved."
Werth is a newcomer to the Thoroughbred industry. He was a major league baseball player for 15 seasons from 2002 to 2017, including a World Series win with the Philadelphia Phillies, and his racing venture, Two Eight Racing LLC, is named after his uniform number.
Werth is a co-owner of this year's Belmont Stakes (Gr. 1) and Haskell Stakes (Gr. 1) winner Dornoch, a 3-year-old colt by Good Magic out of Puca, bred by Grandview Equine. Other horses owned by Werth include graded stakes winners R Calli Kim and R Harper Rose.
Werth's son, Jackson Werth, is following in his father's footsteps as they pave the way for new owners in the Thoroughbred industry.
"The Thoroughbred industry is unlike anything I have ever experienced. It is a sport that I have quickly fallen in love with," Werth said. "I've been able to share my passion for this industry with my friends and family. Being a retired athlete, having the chance to be an owner in this sport has given me something very special."
The New Owner of the Year Award has been presented to MyRacehorse, Larry Best, the Churchill Downs Racing Club, Charles and Susan Chu, LNJ Foxwoods, Sol Kumin, Boat Racing, Richard Dawson and Pat Kearney, and Jim and Dana Bernhard and Alexander Bregman.
The 2024 Thoroughbred Owner Conference series was hosted by The Jockey Club and the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association and presented by Bessemer Trust, The Green Group, and Stoll Keenon Ogden. There is no registration fee for the live or recorded virtual conference series, but registration is required. Registration information is available at ownerview.com/event/conference or by contacting Gary Falter at gfalter@jockeyclub.com.
OwnerView is a joint effort spearheaded by The Jockey Club and the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association to encourage ownership of Thoroughbreds and provide accurate information on aspects of ownership such as trainers, public racing syndicates, the process of purchasing and owning a Thoroughbred, racehorse retirement, and owner licensing.
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