In a vote the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders' and Owners' Association board of directors selected Mystic Lake as the 2024 Florida-bred Horse of the Year.
The honor was announced at the FTBOA Awards Gala May 12 at the Circle Square Cultural Center in Ocala, Fla.
Bred by Peggy Costanzo and owned by C2 Racing Stable and Stefania Farms, Mystic Lake is also the 2024 Florida-bred Champion 3-Year-old Filly and Florida-bred Champion Female Sprinter after winning the Charles Town Classic (G2) Stakes, Miss Preakness (G3) Stakes at Pimlico Race Course, Sugar Swirl Stakes at Gulfstream Park, and Sophomore Fillies Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs.
Costanzo earned the 2024 Needles Awards, recognizing the Small Breeder of the Year in Florida.
The 2024 FTBOA Florida Breeder of the Year is presented to Marilyn Campbell's Stonehedge, which boasts 2024 earnings of $2,929,004 from 33 wins, 67 seconds, and 67 thirds in 601 starts. This is the fifth time Stonehedge has been recognized as the FTBOA Breeder of the Year after being honored in 1997, 2013, 2016, and 2023. The award is voted on by the FTBOA board of directors.
Charlotte Weber's Live Oak Plantation is named the leading owner of Florida-breds by earnings in 2024 with $1,683,452 from 31 wins, 25 seconds, and 18 thirds. This is the seventh time Live Oak Plantation has earned the title after previously topping the standings in 2011, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020, and 2021.
Live Oak Plantation also took home the trophy as the owner of 2024 Champion Older Male and Champion Male Turf Horse, Forever Souper.
For a record fifth consecutive year, Khozan is Florida Stallion of Year with progeny earnings of $5,679,578. He earned the titles in 2020 ($3,521,813), 2021 ($3,671,794), 2022 ($4,513,950), and in 2023 ($6,292,158). Going back to 1991, Khozan passes four-time title winners Montbrook (2002, 2003, 2008, 2009) and Wildcat Heir (2010, 2011, 2013, 2014).
Khozan stood the 2024 season at Journeyman Stud and the 2025 season at Ocala Stud. Khozan was represented in 2024 by three stakes winners and his leading earner with $144,897 was Wildwood Bye. He is property of Al Shaqab Racing and Stonehedge.
Ocala Stud's Win Win Win is the leading freshman sire and leading juvenile sire in 2024 with progeny earnings of $797,233. His leading money earner with $218,950 was multiple stakes winner Win N Your In. He also is represented by graded stakes winner Nooni ($212,400), the Florida-bred Champion 2-Year-Old Filly of 2024. Win Win Win is property of Live Oak Stud, Brereton C. Jones (estate), and Ocala Stud.
Other Florida-bred champions recognized are Champion 2-Year-Old Male Rated by Merit, Bentornato was recognized as the Champion 3-Year-Old Male and Champion Male Sprinter; Spirit Wind as Champion Older Female; and Dancing N Dixie as Champion Female Turf Horse.
Points of Grace, dam of Florida-bred Arthur's Ride, winner of the 2024 Whitney (G1) at Saratoga Race Course, is named the Florida Broodmare of the Year by a vote of the FTBOA board. She is currently owned by Joseph and Helen Barbazon of Morriston, who bred Arthur's Ride with the Tapit Syndicate.
The 2024 Joseph M. O'Farrell Memorial Award presented by Ocala Breeders' Sales Company went to Tom McCrocklin and Francis and Barbara Vanlangendonck's Summerfield, consignors of Florida-bred Horse of the Year Mystic Lake. Summerfield consigned her at the 2022 OBS October Yearling Sale while McCrocklin sold her at the 2023 OBS March Sale.
Saffie Joseph Jr. is honored as the leading trainer of Florida-breds by black-type wins (10), total wins (83), and Florida-bred earnings ($3,446,942.)
This press release has been edited for content and style by BloodHorse Staff.
