Renaissance Awards

Stepping into the shedrow of Laurel Park's Barn 22 late in the morning on a dark day, all is relatively quiet. Outside of the office, a groom rakes up loose pieces of straw as the horse residing in the first stall peers out inquisitively, all the while his neighbor to the left lies curled up in freshly tossed bedding. Further down, a wheelbarrow sits parked outside of the fifth stall, which is where you'll find trainer Henry Walters as he finishes mucking out. After setting aside the pitchfork and giving...

The 63rd annual class of Maryland-bred champions will be named starting next Wednesday, Feb. 26 at 10:00 a.m. ET each morning on social media, according to a press release from the Maryland Horse Breeders Association (MHBA). In addition to the divisional champions and Horse of the Year, the MHBA's top awards for Maryland stallion, broodmare and breeder will be revealed. The winners will be celebrated at the eighth annual Renaissance Awards, which will be held Friday, Apr. 18 at Laurel Park. The announcement schedule is as follows: Wednesday, Feb. 26--Maryland-bred...

GI Breeders' Cup Classic winner Knicks Go (Paynter) was honored as 2021 Maryland-bred Horse of the Year during the fifth annual Renaissance Awards held virtually throughout the week of Feb. 28. The awards, which are a collaborative effort between the Maryland Horse Breeders Association, Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association and Maryland Jockey Club, were presented through the MHBA's social media accounts. Also honored were champion 2-year-old male Joe (Declaration of War), champion 2-year-old filly Luna Belle (Great Notion), champion 3-year-old male Jaxon Traveler (Munnings), champion 3-year-old filly Street Lute (Street Magician),...

Presented virtually the week of Feb. 22, the fourth annual Renaissance Awards, a collaborative effort between the Maryland Horse Breeders Association, Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association and Maryland Jockey Club, was highlighted by Knicks Go (Paynter) earning the title of Maryland Horse of the Year and champion older horse for the 2020 season. Owned by Korea Racing Authority and trained by Brad H. Cox, the grey capped off an impressive year with a victory in the GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile at Keeneland in November. He is only the fifth Maryland-bred...

The third annual Renaissance Awards, a collaborative effort between the Maryland Horse Breeders Association, Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association and Maryland Jockey Club, which recognizes excellence in Thoroughbred racing and breeding in Maryland in the past year, was held Tuesday evening, Feb. 11, at the Guinness Open Gate Brewery. 'TDN Rising Star' Sharing (Speightstown), heroine of the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf, took home top honors as Maryland-bred Horse of the Year, champion 2-year-old filly and champion turf runner. Other winners included: champion 2-year-old male: Laddie Liam (Golden Lad); champion...

The third annual Maryland Thoroughbred Industry Renaissance Awards will be presented to the top Maryland owner, trainer, jockey, breeder, broodmare and stallion, as well as the champion Maryland-breds of 2019, on Feb. 11 at the Guinness Open Gate Brewery in Halethorpe. The Renaissance Awards were created to recognize the best of Maryland racing and breeding from the previous year and are a cooperative effort between the Maryland Horse Breeders Association, Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association and Maryland Jockey Club. Award finalists (listed alphabetically) Maryland-bred champion 2-year-old male: Laddie Liam (Golden Lad);...