(Edited press release)
Michigan's leading 2006 state-bred Thoroughbreds were honored by the Office of Racing Commissioner March 10 when state racing commissioner Christine White made the announcement during the Michigan Horse Council's International Stallion Expo at the Michigan State University Agriculture Pavilion in East Lansing.
Weatherstorm received the Michigan Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders' Association Horse of the Year honors. The 4-year-old gelding, by Island Storm--Trick Bag Baby, by I'm a Lyre, closed out his sophomore season with six wins from seven starts and earnings of $221,519.
Owned by Marion Gorham of Kalamazoo, Mich., who was named the state's owner of the year, and trained by her brother, Robert, Weatherstorm last won the $144,187 Michigan Sire Stakes for the second year in a row, becoming the first 3-year-old to sweep all five Michigan sire stakes program races since Great Lake Downs opened in 1999. Weatherstorm was bred by Daniel Sturgeon Jr. and Daniel Sturgeon III, who received the title for small breeders.
Other MTOBA awards are as follows:
2-year-old female: Dublin Dutchess
2-year-old male: All I Can Get
3-year-old female: Bucky's Prayer
Older male: Its His Time
Claimer: Strike a Match
Broodmares: Charedi's Gold and Trick Bag Baby
Stallion: Native Factor
Breeder: Arnold Farm