The top Thoroughbred athletes and their connections in Iowa will be honored for their exceptional achievements during the 2025 racing season with the announcement of the Iowa Breed Champions by the Iowa Thoroughbred Breeders and Owners Association (ITBOA). The winners will be officially celebrated at the ITBOA Awards Banquet scheduled for Saturday, May 16th at Prairie Meadows.
Leading the champions is Glen Garry, named ITBOA Horse of the Year and the state’s top older stallion/gelding. This striking gray son of Maximus Mischief amassed $244,940 as a 4-year-old, with a standout wire-to-wire triumph in the July 4 Iowa Sprint Handicap. Under trainer Doug Anderson and jockey Tyler Bacon, Glen Garry demonstrated consistent excellence, showcasing maturity and elite sprinting skills at Prairie Meadows with three wins and four runner-up finishes in eight starts.
The 2025 regional titleholders from Iowa include:
– Iowa Stallion/Gelding 2-Year-Old: Omero, bred and owned by Allen Poindexter, victor of the Iowa Cradle with earnings of $93,211.
– Iowa 2-year-old filly: Somavia, bred by Allen Poindexter and owned by Ron Stritch, the state’s filly champion with $95,026 in earnings.
– Three-year-old Iowa stallion/gelding: Jacks Time, bred by Albaugh Family Stables and co-owned by Jason Lautsch, Justin Lautsch, Nick Jensen, Justin Klein, and Brian Hull; an Iowa Breeders’ Derby winner with $204,840 earned.
– Three-year-old filly from Iowa: Kanojo, bred by Crimson King Farms and owned by Kevin Ickleberry and Reunion Racing, who earned $230,813 with five wins in six starts.
– Older Iowa Mares: Won Happy Mama, bred by Kenneth White and owned by Travis Murphy, Matt Trent, and Poindexter TB, winner of several stakes including the Saylor Bill Stakes, with earnings totaling $222,152.
In addition to horse honors, ITBOA recognized leadership roles in breeding and ownership. Poindexter Thoroughbreds LLC/Allen Poindexter was named Breeder of the Year and Owner of the Year. Stroll earned Stallion of the Year honors based on earnings at Prairie Meadows, while My Woman From Tokyo received Mare of the Year recognition following another outstanding campaign highlighted by champion Kanojo.
These champions highlight the commitment of Iowa’s breeders, owners, trainers, jockeys, and farm personnel, whose collective dedication continues to elevate Iowa-bred horse racing on local and national levels.
The Iowa Thoroughbred Breeders and Owners Association actively supports and promotes Iowa’s Thoroughbred breeding and racing industry through incentive programs, awards, and advocacy efforts for jockeys statewide.
Fan Take: This announcement celebrates the vibrant talent within Iowa’s horse racing community, spotlighting emerging stars that enrich the sport’s competitive landscape. For fans, these champions represent the heart and progress of regional racing, promising a bright future with thrilling races and rising equine legends to follow.
