Grade I winner Richard's Kid was named Maryland-bred Horse of the Year and champion older male of 2009 in the annual poll conducted by the Maryland Horse Breeders Association.
Bred by Robert E. Meyerhoff’s Fitzhugh Farm, Richard’s Kid won his stakes debut in the John B. Campbell Handicap at Laurel Park in Feb. 2009 over eventual grade I winner Bullsbay .
Richard’s Kid was later purchased privately by Arnold Zetcher and transferred to Bob Baffert in California. Richard’s Kid won his second start in California, Del Mar’s Pacific Classic (gr. I) Sept. 6, 2009, at odds of 24-1. Richard’s Kid went on to finish third in Santa Anita’s Goodwood Handicap (gr. I), and sixth in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (gr. I). The leading Maryland-bred money earner of 2009, Richard’s Kid earned $732,840 in 11 starts in 2009, and has earned $801,370 lifetime.
Of the eight horses selected as Maryland-bred champions, six were conceived in the state. Current leading Maryland sire Not For Love is represented by three of them. The state’s all-time leading sire, Allen's Prospect, sired a 2009 Maryland-bred champion older female All Giving in his final crop. For profiles of Maryland-bred champions, go to www.marylandthoroughbred.com/breeders/champions.
The other 2009 Maryland-bred champions are as follows:
For Royalty, 2-year-old female
Not for Silver, 3-year-old male, sprinter
Blind Date, 3-year-old female
All Giving, older female
Heros Reward, turf horse
Good Night Shirt, steeplechaser