Mystic Lake Crowned Florida-Bred Horse of the Year
Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association honored the state’s top equine performers at its annual Awards Gala Monday night, with multiple graded stakes winner Mystic Lake (Mo Town) capturing the prestigious Florida-bred Horse of the Year title.
The exceptional filly dominated the evening’s honors, also securing champion 3-year-old filly and female sprinter titles. Her impressive 2024 campaign included victories in the GIII Miss Preakness Stakes, GII Charles Town Oaks, and three Listed/Black-type races.
Mystic Lake’s breeder Peggy Costanzo received the 2024 Needles Award, recognizing Florida’s Small Breeder of the Year.
Stonehedge LLC, operated by Marilyn Campbell, claimed the Florida Breeder of the Year award for the fifth time since first winning in 1997. The operation generated over $2.9 million in earnings with 33 wins from 601 starts in 2024.
Charlotte Weber’s Live Oak Plantation earned its seventh Leading Owner of Florida-breds title. The operation first received this honor in 2011 and also celebrated its homebred Forever Souper (American Pharoah) winning both champion older male and male turf horse categories.
Undefeated Rated by Merit (Battalion Runner), once mentioned as a potential contender for major Spring classics, secured the champion juvenile colt title.
Khozan established a new record with his fifth consecutive Florida Stallion of the Year honor. His progeny earned over $5.6 million in 2024, surpassing the previous record of four titles shared by Montbrook and Wildcat Heir. Khozan stood the 2024 season at Journeyman Stud and moves to Ocala Stud for 2025.
The complete list of Florida-bred champions includes:
- Horse of the Year: Mystic Lake
- Champion 2-year-old Filly: Nooni (Win Win Win)
- Champion 2-year-old Colt: Rated By Merit
- Champion 3-year-old Filly: Mystic Lake
- Champion 3-year-old Colt: Bentornato (Valiant Minister)
- Champion Older Male: Forever Souper
- Champion Older Female: Spirit Wind (Bahamian Squall)
- Champion Turf Male: Forever Souper
- Champion Turf Female: Dancing N Dixie (Neolithic)
- Champion Male Sprinter: Bentornato
- Champion Female Sprinter: Mystic Lake
- Stallion of the Year: Khozan
- Broodmare of the Year: Points of Grace (Point of Entry)
- Leading Freshman Sire/Juvenile Sire: Win Win Win
- Small Breeder of the Year: Peggy Costanzo
- Breeder of the Year: Stonehedge LLC
- Leading Trainer: Saffie Joseph Jr.
- Leading Owner: Live Oak Plantation
- Joseph M. O’Farrell Memorial Award: Tom McCrocklin & Francis and Barbara Vanlangendonck’s Summerfield
