Acclamation Named Cal-bred Horse of the Year

Eclipse Award winner Acclamation was voted California-bred Horse of the Year for 2011 by the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association.

The winner was announced Feb. 13 at the CTBA’s annual meeting and awards dinner in California. Amazombie and Ultra Blend were the other finalists.

Acclamation, winner of the Eclipse Award as best older male, also was named champion Cal-bred older male and turf horse.

Bred by Old English Rancho, Acclamation (Unusual Heat—Winning in Style by Silveyville) is owned by Peter and Mary Hilvers in partnership with E.W. “Buddy” and Judy Johnston and is trained by Donald Warren. In 2011 Acclamation won five of seven starts including grade I stakes on turf and synthetic.

The other champions are:

Champion Sire of California Conceived Foals by Earnings and turf earnings - Unusual Heat, owned by The Unusual Heat Syndicate.

Champion Sire of California Conceived Two-Year-Olds by Earnings and number of winners - Tribal Rule , owned by Ballena Vista Farm and Martin and Pam Wygod.

Champion Freshman Sire of California Conceived Foals by Earnings - Awesome Gambler, owned by Pete Walski and Terry Lovingier.

Champion Breeders of California Foaled Thoroughbreds by Earnings – Old English Rancho.

Trainer of the Year Award – Donald Warren.

Champion California-bred 2-Year-Old Filly - Ismene, bred by Stephen Ferraro, owned by Stephen Ferraro, trained by Bill Spawr, sired by Tribal Rule.

Champion California-bred 2-Year-Old Male - Rousing Sermon, bred by Mr. and Mrs. Larry Williams, owned by Mr. and Mrs. Larry Williams, trained by Jerry Hollendorfer, sired by Lucky Pulpit.

Champion California-bred 3-Year-Old Filly - Teddy's Promise, bred by Ted and Judy Nichols, owned by Ted and Judy Nichols, trained by Ron Ellis, sired by Salt Lake.

Champion California-bred 3-Year-Old Male - Burns, bred by Madeline Auerbach, David Abrams, and Sonny Pais, owned by Auerbach and Alfred Pais, trained by Barry Abrams, sired by Unusual Heat.

Champion California-bred Older Female - Ultra Blend, bred by BnD Chase Thoroughbreds and Elven Adams, owned by Nels Erickson, trained by Art Sherman, sired by Richly Blended.

Champion California-bred Sprinter - Amazombie, bred by Gregg Anderson, owned by Thomas Sanford and Bill Spawr, trained by Bill Spawr, sired by Northern Afleet.

Also at the dinner, Buddy Johnston and champions Brown Bess and Quicken Tree were inducted into the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association Hall of Fame. Oak Tree Racing Association received the first Frank “Scoop” Vessels Award of Merit for outstanding service to the Thoroughbred industry in California.

CTBA past president Leigh Ann Howard was presented the inaugural Presidents Award for service to the industry.