Maple Leaf Mel Named 2023 New York-Bred Horse Of The Year

The late Maple Leaf Mel (Cross Traffic), who won last year's GIII Victory Ride S. and GIII Miss Preakness S. before tragically falling en route to victory in the GI Test S., was named New York-bred Horse of the Year along with champion 3-year-old filly and champion female sprinter honors during the New York Thoroughbred Breeders Inc.'s Annual Awards Ceremony Monday night.

Bred by Joe Fafone and campaigned by Bill Parcells' August Dawn Farm, Maple Leaf Mel was trained by Melanie Giddings–for whom she was named–and Jeremiah Englehart.

The complete list of New York-bred winners is as follows and can also be viewed in its entirety here:

New York-Bred Horse of the Year, Champion 3-Year-Old Filly, Champion Female Sprinter: Maple Leaf Mel

Champion 2-Year-Old Male: The Wine Steward (Vino Rosso)

Champion 2-Year-Old Filly: Cara's Time (Not This Time)

Champion 3-Year-Old Male: Hejazi (Bernardini)

Champion Older Dirt Male: Dr Ardito (Liam's Map)

Champion Older Dirt Female: Classy Edition (Classic Empire)

Champion Turf Male: Red Knight (Pure Prize)

Champion Turf Female: Silver Skillet (Liam's Map)

Champion Male Sprinter: Bold Journey (Hard Spun)

Steeplechaser Kiyomori (First Samurai)

Broodmare of the Year: City Gift (City Place)

New York-Bred Trainer of the Year: Linda Rice

New York-Bred Jockey of the Year: Manuel Franco

New York Breeder of the Year: Stonewall Farm

 

Thank you to all who came to Sacred Saratoga for the 2023 #NYbred Divisional Championship Awards! The deeply missed, deeply brilliant Maple Leaf Mel, bred by Joe Fafone & born at @WaldorfFarm, led the way as HOTY. Details, inc. winners & official program: https://t.co/ov48zZV4ps pic.twitter.com/Z3i2VmJrlO

— NYTB (@nytbreeders) May 14, 2024