Wise Dan Presented With Another Award
Keeneland-based Horse of the Year Wise Dan and other horses and people with connections to Keeneland received honors for their 2012 performances at the annual Kentucky-Bred Champions Awards Luncheon today at Keeneland. The awards were presented by the Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners & Breeders and the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association.
Wise Dan, winner of Keeneland’s Shadwell Turf Mile (G1) and Ben Ali Stakes (G3) last year, was named Kentucky-bred Horse of the Year, Handicap Horse and Turf Horse Male. On April 12, he opened his 2013 campaign by winning the Maker’s 46 Mile (G1).
Wise Dan’s dam, Lisa Danielle, was honored as Broodmare of the Year. The daughter of Wolf Power (SAf) is a graduate of two Keeneland sales, selling for $15,000 as a weanling at the 1994 November Breeding Stock and for $29,000 at the September Yearling Sale the following year. She also is the dam of Grade 2 winner Successful Dan, winner of Keeneland’s Ben Ali Stakes (G3) on April 21.
Other honors went to Keeneland sales graduates Shanghai Bobby (Two-Year-Old Colt), Beholder (Two-Year-Old Filly), I’ll Have Another (Three-Year-Old Colt), Believe You Can (Three-Year-Old Filly), Royal Delta (Handicap Mare) and Certify (Racing Abroad).
Keeneland stakes winners who were recognized were Groupie Doll (Sprinter) and Tapitsfly (Turf Horse Female). Fred Bradley, co-breeder and -owner of Groupie Doll, received the Hardboot Breeders Award.
Also honored was G.D. Hieronymus, Keeneland’s director of broadcast services who received the Charles W. Englehard Award in recognition of his efforts to place Keeneland at the forefront of technological advances. Two people who race and sell at Keeneland also were honored: Brereton C. Jones (P.A.B. Widener Trophy) and Josephine Abercrombie (W. T. Young Humanitarian Award).
Ken and Sarah Ramsey, who have won a record number of races at Keeneland this meet, were recognized as Owners of the Year for being the 2012 Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund Leaders. Mike Maker, who is having a record-setting spring meet here, was recognized as Trainer of the Year. Claiborne Farm and Adele B. Dilschneider, who race and sell at Keeneland, were honored as Breeders of the Year.