Loooch Racing Stable’s Mo Dont No turned in another stellar season in Ohio, winning seven of his nine starts with two second place finishes to earn $294,400. The 4-year-old son of Uncle Mo out of Lilah by Defere, won stakes from 6-furlongs to 1 ¼ miles. Trained by Jeff Radosevich, it was the second year the gelding bred by Beechwood Racing Stable received that honor. The result was announced at the Annual Awards Banquet presented by the Ohio Thoroughbred Breeders & Owners at Darby Dan Farm in Galloway, Ohio.
Mo Dont No has had a well-planned career on the Ohio stage and sports a record of 21-15-4-0 for earnings of $696,255. He is a two-time winner of the state’s premier race for the older horses, the 1 ¼ mile Best of Ohio Endurance. Ron Paolucci accepted several trophies for horses in his stable during the evening. Mo Dont No again garnered Champion Handicap Horse honors, his Nikki My Darling was crowned the Champion 3-Year-Old Filly and he was given the Owner of the Year Award.
Rivers Run Deep set a precedent as being the only horse to win the Champion Sprinter Award four years in a row. Owned by Ywachetta and James Driver, the son of Ready’s Image was bred by Nancy Lavrich and Walmac Farm. Lavrich also accepted the trophy for her Music Miss, voted Broodmare of the Year and received a Julep Cup from The Daily Racing Form for Rivers Run Deep recording the highest Beyer Figure for all Ohio-breds in 2017. Rivers Run Deep, a 7-year-old horse, has returned to the races in 2018 and came into the season with a 40-20-9-5 record for earnings of $ 1,126,765.
Former O.T.B.O. President Tim Hamm continues to collect awards for his mantle as an owner, breeder and trainer. He took home the sole honor as Ohio Breeder of the Year. He is the breeder and trainer of Leona’s Reward, who he co-owns with Michael Friedman. Leona’s Reward ($424,356) was the Champion Handicap Mare and Champion Accredited Female. Hamm’s Blazing Meadows Farm is the breeder of Champion Accredited Male Eightthehardway ($360,748). He also trains Awaken ($175,000), the 2-Year-Old Male Champion that he bred in partnership with WinStar Farm LLC.
Stallion of the Year Honors went to Parents’ Reward, one of the last known sons of Mr. Prospector at stud. Out of Beware of the Cat by Caveat, he is a half-brother to Belmont Stakes winner Editor’s Note. Parents’ Reward currently stands at Poplar Creek Horse Center in Bethel and is the sire of both Ohio Accredited Champions – Leona’s Reward and Eightthehardway.
Majestic Farm in Batavia, Ohio received the O.T.B.O. Award of Merit. Owned by Jeff Jarvis and managed by Barbara McCarthy, Majestic Farm is primarily used for top class Hunter/Jumper competition and training. The pristine facility with 200 stalls and two indoor arenas, was donated to the O.T.B.O. for use, as the organization conducted their first horse sale in a decade. Jarvis has already indicated that he would again allow the O.T.B.O. to use Majestic Farm as their venue for their 2018 sale on October 7.