Maryland Horse Breeders Association crowned an Ann Merryman-owned Great Notion colt as grand champion at the 91st annual MHBA Yearling Show held at the Timonium Fairgrounds on June 29.
The champion yearling is out of Sista, a winning Two Punch mare that Merryman co-bred and trained before retiring her to her broodmare band. Sista has produced four named foals, including Maryland Million Sprint Turf winner Fiya, whom Merryman sold as a 3-year-old gelding for $400,000 at the Wanamaker’s sale in 2020.
The Great Notion colt captured the blue ribbon in the day’s first class, designated for colts and geldings foaled in Maryland by Maryland stallions.
“First impression is a powerful thing on a horse, and it’s funny, the horse that ended up being the champion, he was one of the first horses I saw,” said judge David Ingordo. “Everybody else after him was either going to be up or down, and he remained at the top. You’re looking for athletes, and athletes come in all shapes and sizes.”
Louis and Grace Merryman’s filly by Bourbon Courage, bred under their Anchor and Hope Farm banner, earned reserve champion honors. The bay filly, out of Fullerene (Quiet American), topped Class III.
Katherine Voss’s homebred Global Campaign colt out of Tanca (Polish Numbers) won Class II, while John Davison’s homebred filly by Girvin out of Sexy Reasons (Jump Start) claimed the Class IV title.
Northview Stallion Station‘s nine-time Maryland stallion of the year Great Notion emerged as the show’s top sire. All four of his entrants earned ribbons, including the grand champion.
The show featured 35 yearlings evaluated by Ingordo at the Timonium Fairgrounds horse show ring. These yearlings are now eligible for the $40,000 premium award program, which distributes $20,000 among exhibitors of the four show contestants earning the most as 2-year-olds in 2026, with another $20,000 divided among exhibitors of the four highest-earning 3-year-old runners the following year.
