The 22nd annual Virginia Breeders Fund Yearling Futurity was held September 5 at the Warrenton Horse Show Grounds which again saw solid participation from over twenty different breeders who were competing for $40,000 in awards.
The prize money was distributed that day in each of four classes — VA-Bred/Sired yearling colts/geldings, VA-Bred/Sired yearling fillies, VA-Certified colts/geldings and VA-Certified fillies. Grooms were recognized as well with awards in each division and in the championship class.
The event was judged by renowned Maryland trainer Brittany Russell, who compared each entrant’s confirmation, quality, substance and suitability to become racehorses. The top two finishers in each of the four classes returned to compete for Futurity Grand Champion and Champion Reserve honors.
The Grand Champion, winner of the Virginia Certified Fillies class, was a 2022 Un-named bay by Vino Rosso out of Astral Favor by Astrology. She is owned by Timbercreek Farm’s Sara Miller. Reserve Champion honors went to the second-place finisher in the same category —- an Un-named bay by Practical Joke out of Empire Lady by Empire Maker. Also owned by Sara Miller and Timbercreek Farm, and bred by Magic Cap Stables LLC
Finishing third in the Certified Fillies category was Philanthropic 22 by This Time Out (Ann Backer/ Smitten Farm) followed by a 2022 Un-named bay by Holy Boss Out (Charles Clement). Rounding out the class was Un-named bay by Great Notion (Brandon Mackey/ Dark Hollow Farm & John Foster), an Un-named bay by Mo Town (Alfred Smithwick/ Anzac LLC/ Respite Farm &Terlep), Street Expectation by Street Magician (Diana McClure/ DMC Racing Stables), an Un-named bay by Always Dreaming (Alfred Smithwick/ Chc Inc), a 2022 Un-named bay by Speightster (Tommy Fahrney/ Amy H. Daney Bloodstock), Nancy’s Notion by Great Notion (Nancy B. Heil), an Un-named bay by Jimmy Creed (Joan Fontana/ Country Life Farm & Sagamoon LLC), and an Un-named bay by Always Dreaming (Joan Fontana/ Don Alberto Corp)
The Virginia-Bred/Sired Colts & Gelding class winner was Nancie’s Boy by Unified out of Jumpin’ Nancy by Jump Start. Owned and Bred by Quest Realty and Daniel Wukich. Second place finisher was Se Thar Barr by The Factor out of Embarr by Royal Academy. Owned and bred by Susan Cooney. Third was a 2022 Un-named dark bay by Maclean’s Music (R. Larry Johnson). Finishing out the class was Go to Bingo by Holy Boss (Helen H. Masek), Buthespretty by Paynter (Virginia Equine PLLC/ Douglas K. Daniels DVM), Blackthorne Brusca by Summer Front (Quest Realty/ Daniel Wukich), a 2022 Un-named dark bay by Kobe’s Back (Becky Lavin), Darbyfullofblarney by Mr. Prankster (Diana McClure/ DMC Racing Stables LLC), and Into Reality by Tom’s d’Etat (Machmer Hall/ Picturesque Farm)
The Virginia-Bred/Sired Fillies class was won by a 2022 Un-named bay by McKinzie out of the Sky Cooper mare by Petionville. Owned and bred by R. Larry Johnson. Runner-up was a 2022 Un-named Gray or Roan by Cupid, out of Hen House. The Filly is owned and bred by Elise W. Kendall. Friendly Chase by Friend or Foe was third (Phyliss C Jones). The rest of the class included an Un-named bay by War of Will (Morgan’s Ford Farm), Dame’s Rocket by Karakonite (Althea Richards), a 2022 Un-named Gray or Roan by Frosted (Morgan’s Ford Farm), Sunflower State by Divining Rod (Virginia Equine PLLC/ Douglas K. Daniels, DVM), We’re Just Friends (Diana McClure/ DMC Racing Stables), and Louvar by Golden Years (Bruce B Collette).
In the Virginia-Certified Colt/Gelding class, a 2022 Un-named chestnut by Gormley prevailed over seven others. Owned by Joni Fontana/ Sugarland LLC Equine Etiquette and bred by Gmbracstables LLC, the ribbon earner is out of Tell a Secret by British Blue. Runner-up was an Un-named chestnut by Tapiture owned by Sara Miller/Timbercreek Farm and bred by Haymarket Farm LLC. Blessings Bestowed was third (C. Allen Johnson) followed by an Un-named bay by Rowayton (Joni Fontana/Sugarland LLC Equine Etiquette). Finishing out the class was an Un-named Chestnut by Gormley (Alfred Smithwick), Wild as Fridaynite by First Mondays (Diana McClure/ DMC Racing Stables LLC), a 2022 Un-named dark bay by Street Boss (Sara Miller/ Timbercreek Farm/ Theta Holding I, Inc), and an Un-named bay by Peace and Justice (Joan Fontana/ Sugarland LLC Equine Etiquette).