Free Like a Girl Crowned 2024 Louisiana-Bred Horse of the Year
Multiple stakes winner and multiple graded stakes-placed Free Like a Girl (El Deal) has been named the 2024 Louisiana-Bred Horse of the Year, as determined by the Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association Board of Directors.
The accomplished mare delivered a standout 2024 campaign with six victories from 14 starts, hitting the board 11 times. Her impressive season included notable performances against elite competition, with placings in the GI Apple Blossom Handicap and the GI Fasig-Tipton La Troienne Stakes.
Free Like a Girl was most recently seen finishing second to Horse of the Year and “TDN Rising Star” Thorpedo Anna (Fast Anna) in the GII Azeri Stakes.
The Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association also recognized champions across multiple divisions:
- 2-year-old filly: MSW Secret Faith (Aurelius Maximus)
- 2-year-old colt: MSW & GSP Smoken Wicked (Bobby’s Wicked One)
- 3-year-old filly: MSW Six String (Star Guitar)
- 3-year-old colt: MSW El Dinero (El Deal)
- Older Fillies and Mares: Free Like a Girl
- Older Males: MSW & MGSP Touchuponastar (Star Guitar)
- Broodmare of the Year: Charged Cotton (Dehere)
- Leading Breeder of the Year: Brittlyn Inc.
- Stallion of the Year: Star Guitar
- Leading Breeder by % SW: Tony Doughtie
Award presentations will take place at the 2025 Annual Award Banquet in conjunction with the R.E.A.P benefit. The event is tentatively scheduled for August 2 at Evangeline Downs.
