ARCADIA, Calif. (Mar. 3, 2025) — The Chosen Vron, winner a year ago, was named the 2024 California-bred Horse of the Year at Monday night’s CTBA Awards Dinner and Annual Meeting at Le Meridien Hotel.
The Chosen Vron became the 10th back-to-back winner of the award and also picked up hardware for champion older male and sprinter. The other finalists for Horse of the Year were Big City Lights and Chismosa.
The Chosen Vron won seven of eight starts in 2024, including the Grade I Bing Crosby. He is by Vronsky, out of Broodmare of the Year Tiz Molly, was bred by Tiz Molly Partners, is owned by Eric Kruljac, Robert Fetkin, John Sondereker & Richard Thornburgh and trained by Eric Kurljac.
Other Cal-bred champions recognized at the banquet:
Champion California-bred Two-Year-Old Male – Speedy Wilson, bred by owner Nick Alexander and trained by Phil D’Amato.
Champion California-bred Two-Year-Old Female – In the Air Tonight, bred by Terry Lovingier, owned by Anthony Chacon, Victor Flores and Terry Lovingier and trained by Steve Knapp.
Champion California-bred Three-Year-Old Male – Shady Tiger, bred by owner Rusty Brown and trained by Phil D’Amato.
Champion California-bred Three-Year-Old Female – Grand Slam Smile, bred by owners Mr. & Mrs. Larry Williams and trained by Steven Specht.
Champion California-bred Older Male – The Chosen Vron, bred by Tiz Molly Partners, owned by Eric Kruljac, Robert Fetkin, John Sondereker & Richard Thornburgh, and trained by Eric Kruljac.
Champion California-bred Older Female – Chismosa, bred by owner Jaime Renella and trained by Rafael DeLeon.
Champion California-bred Sprinter – The Chosen Vron, bred by Tiz Molly Partners, owned by Eric Kruljac, Robert Fetkin, John Sondereker & Richard Thornburgh, and trained by Eric Kruljac.
Champion California-bred Turf Horse – Kings River Knight, bred by Old English Rancho, owned by Integrity Thoroughbred Racing, The Ellwood Johnston Trust and Kenneth Tevelde and trained by John Sadler.
Champion Sire of California Conceived Foals by Earnings – Grazen, property of Nick Alexander.
Champion Sire of California Conceived Foals by Number of Winners – Stay Thirsty, property of Terry Lovingier.
Champion Sire of California Conceived Foals by Turf Earnings – Grazen, property of Nick Alexander.
Champion Sire of California Conceived Two-Year-Olds by Earnings – Stay Thirsty, property of Terry Lovingier.
Trainer of the Year – Steve Specht.
Broodmare of the Year – Tiz Molly, property of Tiz Molly Partners.
Champion Breeder of California Foaled Thoroughbreds by Earnings – Richard Barton Enterprises.
CTBA Hall of Fame – Amazombie, Jay Robbins, Bill Spawr.