Pennsylvania Horse Breeders Association names 2012 champions

The Pennsylvania Horse Breeders Association has revealed its 2012 state-bred champions and year-end leaders, led by Grade 1 winners Plum Pretty and So Many Ways.

The divisional winners were selected based upon the recommendations of the PHBA’s awards committee, which consists of committee chairperson Jane White, James Lawrence, Connie Nesteruk and John Benson.

The committee did not select a Horse of the Year, but two horses finished with two awards. So Many Ways, winner of the Grade 1 Spinaway Stakes and the Grade 3 Schuylerville Stakes, was named champion 2-year-old filly and champion sprinter. Bred by John R. and John C. Penn, the Sightseeing filly went undefeated in three starts last year for earnings of $307,800.

Also taking home two awards was champion 3-year-old male and turf horse Thought Worthy. The Dynaformer colt, homebred by George Strawbridge Jr., won two of six starts racing exclusively in England for earnings of $342,078. His campaign was highlighted by wins in the Group 2 Great Voltigeur Stakes and the listed Fairway Stakes. He also finished in the money in two other group stakes.

Plum Pretty, winner of the 2011 Kentucky Oaks, repeated her Grade 1-winning ways in 2012 winning the Apple Blossom Handicap at Oaklawn to help secure older female honors. Bred by Silent Indy Stables and DDS Stables, the Medaglia d’Oro mare won one of two starts for earnings of $332,046 before being forced to retire due to injury. She later sold for $4.2-million at the Keeneland November breeding stock sale.

George Strawbridge Jr.’s Augustin Stable was honored as leading overall breeder of Pennsylvania-breds.

Pennsylvania Horse Breeders Association award winners:

Champion 2-year-old female and sprinter: So Many Ways
Sightseeing—Happy Scene, by Dehere
Owner: Maggi Moss
Breeders: John R. Penn and John C. Penn
Trainer: Anthony Dutrow

Champion 2-year-old male: Uptown Boy
Johannesburg—Two Klassy, by Two Punch
Owner/Breeder: Thomas McClay
Trainer: T. Bernard Houghton

Champion 3-year-old female: Angel Terrace
Ghostzapper—Another Storm, by Gone West
Owner/Breeder: George Strawbridge Jr./Augustin Stable
Trainer: Jonathan Sheppard

Champion 3-year-old male and turf horse: Thought Worthy
Dynaformer—Vignette, by Diesis
Owner/Breeder: George Strawbridge Jr.
Trainer: John Gosden

Champion older female: Plum Pretty
Medaglia d’Oro—Liszy, by A.P. Indy
Owner: Peachtree Stable
Breeder: Silent Indy Stables & DDS Stables
Trainer: Bob Baffert

Champion older male: Philly Ace
Smart Strike—Bloomy, by Polish Numbers
Owner/Breeder: Brushwood Stable
Trainer: Christophe Clement

Champion Steeplechaser: Divine Fortune
Royal Anthem—My Tombola, by Northern Fling
Owner: William L. Pape
Breeder: William L. Pape and Jonathan Sheppard
Trainer: Jonathan Sheppard

Broodmare of the Year: Bloomy
Polish Numbers—Late Bloomer, by Stage Door Johnny
Owner/Breeder: Brushwood Stables

Stallion of the Year: Real Quiet
Quiet American—Really Blue, by Believe It

Leading Breeding Fund Award Recipient and Leading overall breeder of Pennsylvania-breds: George Strawbridge Jr. (Augustin Stable)