Indiana Celebrates Thoroughbred Champions of 2025

Indiana Celebrates Thoroughbred Champions of 2025

Indianapolis, IN (Wednesday, January 21,2026) The Indiana Thoroughbred Breed Development Program acknowledged the triumphs of the 2025 Racing Program, which offered 26 State-Bred Handicaps, record purses offered by Horseshoe Indianapolis, and over $21 million in incentives to Indiana Breeders and Stallion Owners at the Indiana Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association (ITOBA) Banquet. The banquet held on Saturday, January 17^th, recognized top excellence and quality in our state's thoroughbred racing and breeding program. Horsemen and Horsewomen were honored in 21 categories, including Breeder of the Year, Stallion of the Year, and Horse of the Year.

The Indiana Thoroughbred Breed Development Program (ITBDP) recognized significant breeding and racing contributions through the following awards:

Breeder and Stallion Owner of the Year

Justice Farm (Greg Justice) was named Indiana's Breed Development Breeder of the Year for the fifth year in a row. Remarkably, Justice Farm was also named Indiana's Breed Development Stallion Owner of the year, a title that he earned in 2022 and 2023. Both awards are calculated based on total Breed Development Program awards; in 2025, Justice Farm earned $397,990 in breeder's awards and $149,885 in stallion owner awards.

Justice Farm bred 30 horses that raced in Indiana in 2025 and nearly 80% of them were Indiana Sired and Bred. Justice Farm's horses won many races including, but not limited to:

$100,000 Ellen's Lucky Star Handicap - Royal Justice [Indiana Bred] (Cloud Computing - Golden Pioneer)

$100,000 Back Home Again Handicap - Spirited Justice [Indiana Sired] (Lantana Mob - She Fox)

$100,000 Miss Indiana Handicap - Smokinghot Justice [Indiana Sired] (Harry's Holiday - Fireball Katie)

Justice Farm is family owned and operated, located in Lexington, Kentucky. Greg Justice has been involved in the Indiana Thoroughbred breeding program for more than 25 years and has been a key figure in producing quality horses.

Stallion of the Year

Unbridled Express (Unbridled's Song - Skye Castles), owned by LTB inc. and Hillerich Racing was named Indiana's Breed Development Stallion of the Year. Unbridled Express was the Stallion of the Year for years 2019, 2021, and 2022.

In 2025, Unbridled Express earned $106,400 in Stallion Awards, from progeny "Annie Express", "Kingsbury Road", "Neon Leon" and many more. Notably, Kingsbury Road, sired by Unbridled Express won the $55,000 Strong Tide Overnight Handicap in 2025.

Bernard Flint, of LTB inc., and Ron Hillerich, of Hillerich Racing, are long-time friends and have had a successful partnership in horse racing for more than 25 years.

Broodmare of the Year

Proud Dreamer (Proud Citizen - Four Dreams), bred and owned by Bruce Murphy, was named Indiana's Breed Development Broodmare of the year. The mare has lifetime earnings of $63,796 and is the dam of Indiana's 2025 horse of the year, Sir Bahjy.

Horse of the Year

Sir Bahjy (Bahjatty - Proud Dreamer) earned $78,200 in Breed Development Awards and $295,055 in total earnings in 2025, making him Indiana's Breed Development Horse of the Year. The Bay Gelding, owned by Southwest Racing Stables, Bruce and Lori Murphy, had a successful year at Horseshoe Indianapolis. Notable wins include the $100,000 Hoosier Breeders Sophomore Handicap & the $250,000 Unreachable Star Handicap.

Bruce Murphy, owner and breeder of Sir Bahjy, was honored with ITOBA's Hall of Distinction award for his contributions to Indiana's thoroughbred program. Bruce Murphy is the chairman of the Indiana Thoroughbred Breed Development Advisory Committee, where he has served for the past five years. He has served on the ITOBA board since 2012 and was president in 2019 and 2020.

This year's ITOBA banquet was livestreamed for the first time by Thoroughbreds Declassified Podcast, you can watch the podcast by visiting https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-IL0-Znp-tY. .

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ABOUT THE INDIANA HORSE RACING COMMISSION

The Indiana Horse Racing Commission ensures that pari-mutuel wagering on horse races in Indiana will be conducted with the highest of standards and the greatest level of integrity.

ABOUT THE INDIANA THOROUGHBRED BREED DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

The Thoroughbred Breed Development program was established to promote the Indiana Thoroughbred industry. In 2007, legislation was passed which approved slot machines at Indiana's pari-mutuel racetracks. Hoosier Park and Horseshoe Indianapolis both opened their slot operations in June of 2008. The Indiana Thoroughbred Breed Development Fund receives 50% of the revenue generated from slot machines that is allocated for Thoroughbred Racing.

For more information, see the Indiana Horse Racing Commission's website: http://www.in.gov/hrc/