The Oregon Thoroughbred Owners & Breeders Association (OTOBA) has announced its 2025 Oregon Year-End Award winners. The prestigious Horse of the Year title was awarded to Adios Jojo, a Smiling Tiger gelding owned by Chad Christensen and Josh McKee and trained by Howard Gibson. During his 3-year-old season, Adios Jojo secured two victories, beginning his campaign at Emerald Downs with a maiden claiming race win over five furlongs on May 18. He then advanced to allowance races, finishing third over six furlongs on June 15 and winning a six-furlong allowance optional claiming race on July 12 by 3 1/2 lengths.
Although those were his only wins of the year, Adios Jojo competed ambitiously in stakes events, including a fourth-place finish in his stakes debut at the Irish Day Stakes on July 27 at Emerald Downs. He continued racing at The Downs at Albuquerque and wrapped up his season at Turf Paradise. Over eight starts in 2025, Adios Jojo earned $33,356, making him the highest-earning Oregon-bred award winner of the year.
Looking ahead, Adios Jojo is well-positioned to defend his Horse of the Year crown in 2026. Notably, he became the third Oregon-bred to capture the Longacres Mile on August 16, overcoming long odds. After leading most of the one-mile race and finishing a close second behind the favorite Touchy, Adios Jojo was later declared the winner due to interference during the stretch run.
Bred in Oregon by Dr. Rodney E. Orr, Adios Jojo is out of the mare Lorelie G, who was honored as Oregon’s 2025 Broodmare of the Year. Dr. Orr also earned the Breeder of the Year award, having bred both Adios Jojo and the state’s champion 3-year-old filly, Crystalized Secret, who is likewise a progeny of Lorelie G. Additionally, Harbor the Gold, sire to these champions, was named Oregon’s Stallion of the Year. Adios Jojo also received the title of Oregon’s champion 3-year-old male of 2025.
Awards will be presented at Grants Pass Downs on Sunday, September 27. Here is the complete list of the 2025 OTOBA Year-End Award recipients:
2025 Oregon Champion 2-Year-Old Colts & Geldings
Rise Up And Go
Bred by Elizabeth Jean Albright
Owned by Chase & Danna King
Sired by Rise Up out of Bahati Gold
2025 Earnings: $3,612
2025 Oregon Champion 2-Year-Old Fillies
Designated Runner
Owned & bred by Lee & Connie Erickson
By Rise Up out of Line Drive
2025 Earnings: $5,330
2025 Oregon Champion 3-Year-Old Colts & Geldings
Adios Jojo
Bred by Dr. Rodney Orr
Owned by Howard Gibson
By Smiling Tiger out of Lorelie G
2025 Earnings: $33,356
2025 Oregon Champion 3-Year-Old Fillies
Crystalized Secret
Bred by Dr. Rodney Orr
Owned by Dawn Spillman
By Raised A Secret out of Gilmore Girl
2025 Earnings: $14,280
2025 Oregon Champion 4-Year-Old & Older Stallions & Geldings
Secret Saga
Bred by Dr. and Mrs. Jack B. Root Jr.
Owned by Margaret Root
By Raised A Secret out of Forty Something
2025 Earnings: $25,428
2025 Oregon Champion 4-Year-Old & Older Mares
Littlequeenofmean
Bred by Sue Gilmour
Owned by Diego Guerrero
By Coastal Storm out of Queen Of Memphis
2025 Earnings: $13,850
2025 Oregon Horse of the Year
Adios Jojo
Bred by Dr. Rodney Orr
Owned by Howard Gibson
By Smiling Tiger out of Lorelie G
2025 Earnings: $33,356
2025 Oregon Sire of the Year
Harbor The Gold
By Seeking The Gold out of Harbor Springs
Owned by Bar C Racing Stables
Offspring earnings: $401,284
2025 Oregon Broodmare of the Year
Lorelie G
By Harbor the Gold out of Gilmore Girl
Bred and owned by Dr. Rodney Orr
Offspring earnings: $33,356
2025 Oregon Breeder of the Year — TOBA Award Winner
Dr. Rodney Orr
2025 Oregon Trainer of the Year
Loegan Harshman
Guided Oregon-bred Thoroughbreds to more than $31,000 in earnings in 2025
This report was initially published by Paulick Report on September 21, 2026, where it appeared in the News section.
Fan Take: This recognition of homegrown talent like Adios Jojo underscores the depth and vitality of Oregon’s racing scene, highlighting the importance of regional breeding programs in strengthening the sport’s future. It’s exciting to see such rising stars and dedicated breeders making an impact, promising thrilling competition and growth for horse racing fans everywhere.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
