Bucchero repeats as Indiana-bred horse of the year

Bucchero was named Indiana-bred horse of the year for the second time as the Indiana Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association, in conjunction with the Indiana Thoroughbred Breed Development, held its annual awards banquet at Indiana Grand on Sunday.

Bucchero, who was also named the outstanding Indiana-bred older male of 2018, retired last fall as his home state's all-time leading money earner with a bankroll of $947,936. Bucchero, by Kantharos, was bred by Southern Chase Farm and Karen Dodd and raced for Ironhorse Racing Stable. He won five stakes and placed in seven others, highlighted by back-to-back triumphs in the Grade 3 Woodford Stakes at Keeneland in 2017 and 2018. He started in the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint twice, finishing fourth in 2017 and eighth in 2018, and also made a trip to the Royal Ascot meeting in 2018, finishing a creditable fifth in the Group 1 King's Stand Stakes.

Bucchero is standing his first season at Pleasant Acres Stallions in Ocala, Fla.

Other honorees on the evening included Fortin Hill (Indiana-bred 2-year-old male), Discreet Beauty (Indiana-bred 2-year-old female), Ace of Aces (Indiana-sired 2-year-old male), Fireball Baby (Indiana-sired 2-year-old female), The Money Dance (Indiana-bred 3-year-old male), Flurry (Indiana-bred 3-year-old female), Its Just Fate (Indiana-sired 3-year-old male), Entrusted (Indiana-sired 3-year-old female), Marina’s Legacy (Indiana-bred older female), Operation Stevie (Indiana-sired older male), Expect Indy (Indiana-sired older female), Whistlin’ Jean (Indiana broodmare of the year), and Noble’s Promise (Indiana stallion of the year).

ITOBA also recognized state representative Bob Cherry with its Hall of Distinction award.

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