The Indiana Thoroughbred Breeder Development Program celebrated the successes of the 2025 Horse Racing season during the Indiana Thoroughbred Horse Owners and Breeders Association (ITOBA) banquet. Highlights included 26 state horse handicap wins, a record purse funded by Horseshoe Indianapolis, and over $21 million in incentives awarded to Indiana breeders and stallion owners. Held on Saturday, January 17th, the banquet honored excellence in the state’s Thoroughbred racing and breeding efforts, recognizing horsemen and horsewomen across 21 categories such as Best Producer, Best Stallion, and Best Horse.
Several key awards were presented by the Indiana Thoroughbred Breed Development Program (ITBDP) to commend exceptional achievements in breeding and racing:
Breeder and Stallion Owner of the Year
For the fifth consecutive year, Justice Farm, led by Greg Justice, earned the title of Indiana Breeder Development Breeder of the Year. Additionally, Justice Farm received the Stallion Owner of the Year award, a distinction previously won in 2022 and 2023. These honors are based on total earnings from the breed development program. In 2025, Justice Farm garnered $397,990 in Breeder of the Year awards and $149,885 as Stallion Owner. The farm produced 30 Indiana-racing horses in 2025, with about 80% sired by Indiana stallions or bred within the state. Their horses secured victories in top races such as:
- $100,000 Ellen’s Lucky Star Handicap by Royal Justice (Indiana Bred)
- $100,000 Back Home Again Handicap by Spirit Justice (Indiana Cyred)
- $100,000 Miss Indiana Handicap by Smoking Hot Justice (Indiana Cyred)
Justice Farm, a family-operated business based in Lexington, Kentucky, has played an influential role in Indiana’s Thoroughbred breeding scene for over 25 years.
Stallion of the Year
Unbridled Express (by Unbridled’s Song out of Castle in the Sky), owned by LTB Inc. and Hillerich Racing, was named the Indiana Breed Development Stallion of the Year. He previously earned the title in 2019, 2021, and 2022. In 2025, Unbridled Express’s progeny – including Annie Express, Kingsbury Road, and Neon Leon – brought in $106,400 in sire awards. Notably, Kingsbury Road won the $55,000 Strong Tide Overnight Handicap. Bernard Flint of LTB Inc. and Ron Hillerich of Hillerich Racing have maintained a successful racing partnership for over 25 years.
Breeding Mare of the Year
Proud Dreamer (by Proud Citizen out of Four Dreams), bred and owned by Bruce Murphy, was honored as the Indiana Breed Development Mare of the Year. Proud Dreamer has earned $63,796 over her lifetime and is the dam of Sir Barge, Indiana’s 2025 Horse of the Year.
Horse of the Year
Sir Bahjatty (by Bahjatty out of Proud Dreamer) claimed Indiana’s Best Breed Development Horse title after earning $78,200 in breed development awards and a total of $295,055 in 2025. This 2022 gelding, owned by Bruce and Lori Murphy of Southwest Racing Stables, had a standout season at Horseshoe Indianapolis with wins in the $100,000 Hoosier Breeders Sophomore Handicap and the $250,000 Unreachable Star Handicap.
Bruce Murphy, owner and breeder of Sir Barge, received the ITOBA Hall of Fame Award for his significant impact on Indiana’s Thoroughbred program. He currently chairs the Indiana Thoroughbred Breed Development Advisory Committee, having served for the past five years, and has been a director of ITOBA since 2012, including terms as president in 2019 and 2020.
For the first time, the ITOBA Banquet was livestreamed on the Thoroughbred Declassified Podcast. The event can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-IL0-Znp-tY.
This article was originally published by Paulick Report on January 24, 2026.
Fan Take: This news highlights the thriving Thoroughbred breeding and racing scene in Indiana, showcasing how dedicated breeders and owners are driving the sport’s growth regionally. Such achievements signal a bright future for Indiana horse racing, promising increased competition and more thrilling races for fans to enjoy.
