Cody’s Wish captured the hearts of those on and off the track in 2023, and Godolphin was awarded National Breeder of the Year and National Owner of the Year at the Thoroughbred Horse Owners and Breeders Association National Awards Dinner on September 7 at Fasig-Tipton in Lexington.
Godolphin had a phenomenal year in 2023 with Cody’s Wish. He finished the season with a thrilling repeat performance in the Breeders Cup Dirt Mile (G1), winning by a narrow margin over the 2023 Preakness Stakes (G1) winner National treasure .
The brown horse finished his career with 11 wins in 16 starts, including five Grade 1 victories, and earnings of more than $3.1 million.
Kate Galvin of Godolphin accepted the National Owner of the Year award. She was quick to mention Cody Dorman, the inspiration for the name Cody Wish and a story that has captured the hearts of millions around the world. Galvin told everyone about the special connection between Cody’s Wish and Cody Dorman.
“I just want to dedicate this award to Cody Dorman,” she said.
Danny Mulvihill, manager of Godolphin’s Gainsborough Farm, accepted the National Breeder of the Year award, thanking Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and everyone who has taken the horses through every stage of their lives.
“The early years of education are paramount. Then they take the next steps and show us what they can do. Without all these little cogs in the wheel turning together, this wouldn’t happen. So I just want to say thank you to everyone on the team. We appreciate everything you do every day, and without you, this wouldn’t happen. Thank you so much,” he said.
Other finalists for the national breeder award were Juddmonte Farms and Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings. Other finalists for the national owner award included Juddmonte, Klaravich Stables, George Krikorian and Zedan Racing Stables.
Elizabeth M. Merryman won the 2023 National Small Breeder of the Year for the second consecutive year. She bred the Grass Sprinter. Caravel Ship who last year won the Shakertown Stakes (G2T) at Keeneland in April, and the Jaipur Stakes (G1T) at Belmont Park beat ranked winners Creed House And The Great Invasion .
The Cot Campbell Partnership of the Year award was presented to Repole Stable and St. Elias Stable. In 2023, they campaigned three-time Grade 1 winner Up to Mark to win the men’s championship, and Power to win the Florida Derby (G1), Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) and Jim Dandy Stakes (G2).
Previously announced national awards include Godolphin Jump Card Dam of Horse of the Year Cody’s Wishnamed country Mare of the Year; And Time for trouble named Claiming the Crown Horse of the Year title.
The Sport Horse of the Year The honor was given to A Lil Evil. Frank Taylor, as founder of the pioneering nonprofit Stable Recovery, was named Dr. J. David Richardson Industry Service Award winner
Robert N. Clay Conservation Award from TOBA and the Horse Land Conservation Resource.
The state breeders were also announced earlier and were honored at a September 6 lunch at the Thoroughbred Club of America. The winners, Previously featured in BloodHorse Daily and at BloodHorse.cominclude:
- Arizona Breeder of the Year: Fleming Thoroughbred Farm (Marvin Fleming and Gerald Fleming)
- Arkansas Breeder of the Year: McDowell Farms (Bill and Mary McDowell)
- California Breeder of the Year: Richard Barton Enterprises
- Canadian Breeder of the Year: Adena Springs
- Canadian Small Breeder of the Year: Sean Fitzhenry
- Florida Breeder of the Year: Stonehedge (Marilyn Campbell)
- Indiana Breeder of the Year: Justice Farms (Greg Justice)
- Iowa Breeder of the Year: Poindexter Thoroughbreds (H. Allen Poindexter)
- Kentucky Breeder of the Year: Godolphin
- Louisiana Breeder of the Year: Thomas Galvin
- Maryland Breeder of the Year: Dance Forth Farm (Dr. Thomas and Chris Bowman)
- New Jersey Breeder of the Year: Bright View Farm (Christine Connelly) and Gregory Kilka
- New Mexico Breeder of the Year: Fred Alexander
- New York Breeder of the Year: Barry Schwartz
- North Carolina Breeder of the Year: Art Bauer
- Oregon Breeder of the Year: Connie Erickson
- Pennsylvania Breeder of the Year: Forgotten Land Investments and Black Diamond Equine (Christian Black)
- South Carolina Breeder of the Year: Franklin G. Smith Sr.
- Texas Breeder of the Year: Carolyn Barnett
- Virginia Breeder of the Year: Ann Mudge Backer
- Washington Breeders of the Year: Ken Miles and Sheridan Jones
Sponsors for the TOBA National Awards include FanDuel Racing, WinStar Farm, Claiborne Farm, BloodHorse and The Jockey Club, Castle & Key Distillery, National Thoroughbred Racing Association, Big Ass Fans, Daily Racing Form, Darley, Fasig-Tipton , Robert Clark Artist, Paris Valley Road Estate Winery, National Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association and White Birch Farm.
TOBA, headquartered in Lexington, was founded in 1961 and is a national trade organization of leading Thoroughbred owners and breeders. As co-owners of BloodHorse, TOBA’s mission is to improve the economics, integrity and enjoyment of the sport on behalf of Thoroughbred owners and breeders.
