Ocala - Mystic Lake has been named the 2024 Florida-bred Horse of the Year in a vote by the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association board of directors and announced at the FTBOA Awards Gala held Monday night at the Circle Square Cultural Center.

    Bred by Peggy Costanzo and owned by C2 Racing Stable and Stefania Farms, Mystic Lake was also named the Florida-bred Champion 3-Year-old Filly and Florida-bred Champion Female Sprinter after winning the Gr. II Charles Town Classic, Gr. III Miss Preakness at Pimlico, Sugar Swirl (Listed) at Gulfstream Park and Stonehedge Farm South Sophomore Fillies at Tampa Bay Downs.

    Costanzo was also presented the Needles Award, recognizing the Small Breeder of the Year in Florida.

    The Florida Breeder of the Year goes to Marilyn Campbell’s Stonehedge Farm, which boasts  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 Breeder of the Year, also being honored in 1997, 2013, 2016 and 2023. 

    Charlotte Weber’s Live Oak Plantation was named the leading owner of Florida-breds by earnings with $1,683,452 from 31 wins, 25 seconds and 18 thirds. This is the seventh time Live Oak has earned the title, previously topping the standings in 2011, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020 and 2021. Live Oak took home the trophy as the owner of 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 2023 ($6,292,158). Khozan passes Montbrook (2002, 2003, 2008, 2009) and Wildcat Heir (2010, 2011, 2013, 2014) with four titles each going back to 1991. Khozan stood the 2024 season at Journeyman Stud and for the 2025 season he's at Ocala Stud. Khozan was represented 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 with progeny earnings of $797,233. His leading money earner with $218,950 was multiple stakes-winner Win N Your In. He is also represented by graded stakes-winner Nooni ($212,400), the Florida-bred Champion 2-Year-Old Filly. Win Win Win is property of Live Oak Stud, Brereton Jones and Ocala Stud.

    Other Florida-bred Champions recognized are 2-Year-Old Male Rated by Merit, Bentornato the 3-Year-Old Male and Male Sprinter; Spirit Wind Older Female, and Female Turf Horse, Dancing N Dixie.

    Points of Grace, the dam of Florida-bred Arthur’s Ride, winner of the Gr. I Whitney at Saratoga Race Course, is the Florida Broodmare of the Year. She is currently owned by Joe and Helen Barbazon, owners of Pleasant Acres Stallions in Morriston, who bred Arthur’s Ride with the Tapit Syndicate.

    The 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.)

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