Maple Leaf Mel, who had notable victories before a tragic accident, was posthumously honored as New York-bred Horse of the Year, champion 3-year-old filly, and champion female sprinter at the New York Thoroughbred Breeders Inc.’s Annual Awards Ceremony.
‣ The late Maple Leaf Mel, a distinguished New York-bred horse, was posthumously honored with multiple titles including New York-bred Horse of the Year, Champion 3-Year-Old Filly, and Champion Female Sprinter at the New York Thoroughbred Breeders Inc.’s Annual Awards Ceremony.
‣ Bred by Joe Fafone and campaigned by Bill Parcells’ August Dawn Farm, Maple Leaf Mel achieved significant success in her career, winning prestigious races such as last year’s GIII Victory Ride S. and GIII Miss Preakness S., before her tragic fall in the GI Test S.
‣ The New York Thoroughbred Breeders Inc.’s Annual Awards Ceremony celebrated various champions across different categories, recognizing the achievements of New York-bred horses, trainers, jockeys, and breeders, with the complete list of winners available for public viewing.
Thank you to all who came to Sacred Saratoga for the 2023 #NYbred Divisional Championship Awards! The deeply missed, deeply brilliant Maple Leaf Mel, bred by Joe Fafone & born at @WaldorfFarm, led the way as HOTY. Details, inc. winners & official program: https://t.co/ov48zZV4ps pic.twitter.com/Z3i2VmJrlO
— NYTB (@nytbreeders) May 14, 2024
Oh, the tale of Maple Leaf Mel. Last year, she was the star, winning the GIII Victory Ride S. and GIII Miss Preakness S. But then, tragedy struck. Right when victory in the GI Test S. seemed within reach, she fell. Despite this, she was posthumously honored as the New York-bred Horse of the Year. Not just that, she also snagged the champion 3-year-old filly and champion female sprinter titles at the New York Thoroughbred Breeders Inc.’s Annual Awards Ceremony. It was a bittersweet Monday night, for sure.
Joe Fafone was the mastermind behind her breeding. And then, there was Bill Parcells’ August Dawn Farm, where she campaigned. Melanie Giddings and Jeremiah Englehart trained her. Fun fact: she was named after Melanie.
Now, onto the winners’ list. It’s quite a lineup! Maple Leaf Mel, of course, took home three titles. The Wine Steward was named Champion 2-Year-Old Male. Cara’s Time shone as the Champion 2-Year-Old Filly. Hejazi grabbed the Champion 3-Year-Old Male title. The list goes on, with Dr Ardito, Classy Edition, Red Knight, Silver Skillet, Bold Journey, and Kiyomori all getting a moment in the spotlight. City Gift was celebrated as the Broodmare of the Year. And let’s not forget the humans – Linda Rice, Manuel Franco, and Stonewall Farm were all recognized for their contributions.
The awards ceremony at Sacred Saratoga was something else. The hashtag #NYbred was buzzing. Maple Leaf Mel, despite her absence, was the star of the show. Joe Fafone and Waldorf Farm must be proud. For those who missed it, or just want to relive the glory, all the details and the official program are just a click away.
And, just like that, another chapter in the rich tapestry of New York’s thoroughbred racing history comes to a close. Here’s to the champions, the nearly-weres, and the unforgettable stories they leave behind. Until next year, folks.
