Multiple grade I winner Nashoba’s Key was named California-bred Horse of the Year for 2007 during the Feb. 18 California Thoroughbred Breeders Association’s (CTBA) annual meeting and awards dinner at the Langham Huntington Hotel and Spa in Pasadena, Calif.
A 5-year-old daughter of Silver Hawk, Nashoba’s Key outpolled fellow multiple grade I winners Idiot Proof (Benchmark) and Lava Man (Slew City Slew) in voting by members of the CTBA. Bred by Williamson Racing and foaled at Harris Farms, she is owned by Warren Williamson.
Out of the Caerleon mare Nashoba, Nashoba's Key won her first seven starts last year, including the Vanity Handicap (gr. I) on Hollywood Park’s Cushion Track and the Yellow Ribbon (gr. I) on Santa Anita’s turf course. Racing for trainer Carla Gaines, her runner-up finish in last month’s Sunshine Millions Filly and Mare Turf made her the latest California-bred millionaire.
In addition to Horse of the Year honors, Nashoba’s Key was presented as the organization’s champion older female and turf horse for 2007.
Ed Moger Jr. received the outstanding trainer award for 2007, while the champion breeders of California-foaled Thoroughbreds by earnings were Mr. and Mrs. Martin J. Wygod.
The award for Champion California-bred 2-year-old male went to Georgie Boy (Tribal Rule), bred by owner George Schwary and trained by Kathy Walsh. Two-year-old female was Spring Awakening (In Excess), bred by Gerald Frankel, owned by Frankel, Robert Strauss and Michael Cain, and trained by Mike Mitchell.
Taking home champion 3-year-old male honors was Idiot Proof, bred by the Wygods and trained by Clifford Sise Jr. Idiot Proof was also named champion sprinter. Champion 3-year-old female was Romance Is Diane (In Excess), bred by Swan Equine Service Co., owned by Senji Nishimura, trained by Mike Mitchell.
Champion older male honors went to Lava Man, bred by Lonnie Arterburn, Kim Kuhlmann and Eve Kuhlmann, owned by STD Racing Stable or Jason Wood, trained by Doug O’Neill.
The champion sire of California-conceived foals by earnings was Bertrando, owned by the Wygods. Champion sire of California 2-year-olds by earnings was Tribal Rule, also owned by the Wygods. Champion sire of California-conceived foals by number of winners was Swiss Yodeler, owned by Heinz Steinmann, while the champion freshman sire of California-conceived foals by earnings was Decarchy, owned by Magali Farms.
Also at the dinner, breeder John Harris, trainer Mel Stute, jockey Russell Baze and champions Flying Paster and Decidedly were inducted into the CTBA Hall of Fame.
Nashoba's Key was named California-bred Horse of the Year.
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