2023 was another successful year of Virginia racing and on May 3rd we celebrated our champion Virginia bred and certified horses! It was a beautiful evening under the tent at Great Meadow, which was filled with the owners, breeders, and fans of our Virginia horses. Gigante and his breeder, Ann Backer of Smitten Farm, took the evening’s top honors for 2023 Virginia bred Horse of the Year, champion Three-Year-Old colt and Co-breeder of the year.
Breeder of three Virginia champions in 2023, Audley Farm, also accepted plenty of silver during the evening. Audley accepted honors as Co-breeder of the year along with trophies for Virginia bred two-year-old, older mare and turf sprinter champions.
Audley Farm crew taking advantage of the nice view. Hannah Jones Photography
Please enjoy our gallery of photos celebrating all our 2023 champions! https://horsecaptures.pixieset.com/vtachampionshipawards2024/misc/
LOW MILEAGE: 2023 Virginia-Bred Two-Year-Old Champion
Bred by Audley Farm Equine, LLC; Owned by Bird and Grady, LLC
TUFANI: 2023 Virginia-Bred Three-Year-Old Filly Champion
Bred by Chance Farm and Distorted Humor Syndicate; Owned by Susan Moulton
GIGANTE: 2023 Virginia-Bred Three-Year-Old Colt Champion & Virginia-Bred Horse of the Year
Bred by Ann Mudge Backer & Smitten Farm; Owned by Diamond T Racing and Iapetus Racing, LLC
GALILIEI: 2023 Virginia-Bred Older Mare Champion
Bred by Audley Farm Equine, LLC; Owned by Country Life Farm
REPO ROCKS: 2023 Virginia-Bred Older Horse Champion
Bred by Mrs. C. Oliver Iselin III; Owned by Double B Racing Stables
DETERMINED KINGDOM: 2023 Virginia-Bred Colt Turf Sprinter Champion
Bred by Audley Farm Equine, LLC; Owned by D Hatman Thoroughbreds and Kingdom Bloodstock
CHAMBEAU: 2023 Virginia-Bred Filly Turf Sprinter Champion
Bred and owned by Sam E. English III
CARMELINA: 2023 Virginia-Certified Filly Champion
Developed by Cash is King, LLC and LC Racing, LLC
WOLFIE’S DYNAGHOST: 2023 Virginia-Certified Colt Champion
Developed by Woodslane Farm
KANT HURRY LOVE: 2023 Virginia-Owned Champion
Owned by Ken Wheeler Jr
Photo by Susie Raisher Photo
ANN BACKER & SMITTEN FARM: 2023 Co-Breeder of the Year
AUDLEY FARM EQUINE, LLC: 2023 Co-Breeder of the Year
NEIL MORRIS: 2023 Virginia-Based Trainer of the Year
All photos provided by Hannah Jones Photography
