Barry and Joni Butzow have won the 2023 John Deere Award for breeders, which is given to breeders who were represented in the Breeders’ Cup World Championships and the Breeders’ Cup ‘Win and You’re In’ Challenge series.
‣ Barry and Joni Butzow, breeders of the graded-stakes winning ‘TDN Rising Star’ Zozos, have won the 2023 John Deere Award, which honors breeders who participated in the Breeders’ Cup World Championships and the Breeders’ Cup ‘Win and You’re In’ Challenge series.
‣ The award was determined through a drawing among all breeders who either won a Breeders’ Cup race or a Challenge series race. The Butzows will receive a John Deere Gator TX Utility Vehicle as part of their award.
‣ Zozos, the horse bred by the Butzows, won the GIII Ack Ack S. this year, leading up to an appearance in the GI Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile.
Well, well, well. The Butzows have done it. They’ve snagged the John Deere Award for Breeders.
Who are the Butzows, you ask? Barry and Joni Butzow, that’s who. They’re the proud breeders and racers of the ‘TDN Rising Star’ Zozos, a graded-stakes winner.
And what’s this John Deere Award? It’s a big deal, that’s what. It’s an award for breeders who had representation in the Breeders’ Cup World Championships and the Breeders’ Cup ‘Win and You’re In’ Challenge series over the year.
How’d they decide the winner? Well, it wasn’t a popularity contest. The winner was picked from a drawing among all breeders who either won a Breeders’ Cup race or a Challenge series race.
And the prize? A John Deere Gator TX Utility Vehicle, courtesy of NTRA Advantage and John Deere. Not too shabby, eh?
Zozos, the star of the show, won the GIII Ack Ack S. this year. That win led to an appearance in the GI Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile.
Dora Delgado, Breeders’ Cup Executive Vice President and Chief Racing Officer, had some kind words for the Butzows. She congratulated them on their win and highlighted the importance of the John Deere Award.
And Barry Butzow? He’s over the moon. He’s grateful for the journey he and Joni have been on with Zozos. He gave a shoutout to the folks at Woodline Farm, Mike and J.B. Orem, Beau Lane, and Brad Cox and his team. And of course, he didn’t forget to mention the riding skills of Florent Geroux.
So, there you have it. The Butzows, Zozos, and a John Deere Award. Quite the story, isn’t it?
