For the second year in a row, Brittany Farms has been voted harness racing’s “Breeder of the Year” by the U.S. Harness Writers Association. The award was announced at the Jan. 16 Dan Patch Awards show, a “virtual” production this year due to COVID-19 restrictions. (Watch show replay)

 

The farm ended 2020 with horses it bred earning more than $7.4-million in a pandemic-shortened racing season. More importantly, for the third year in a row, the farm ranked far and away as the sport’s leading breeder in average earnings per starter, at $36,350. No other major farm produced average earnings in excess of $30,000.

 

“We sincerely thank the harness writers for the honor,” said Brittany manager Art Zubrod. “It truly affirms what all of us here at the farm are trying to accomplish, and that is breed and raise the best racehorses in the business.”

 

Three Brittany-breds took home Dan Patch divisional awards in 2020:

 

Perfect Sting p,2,1:49.2 ($534,300)

Owned by Brittany Farms & Val D’Or Farms; trained by Joe Holloway. Undefeated in 10 career starts and winner of the $600,000 Breeders Crown elim and final, back-to-back Grand Circuit stakes (Bluegrass, International Stallion) at the Red Mile, three Kentucky Sire Stakes legs plus the $250,000 KYSS Final.

 

Bettor’s Wish p,4,1:47.3 ($2,601,233)

Owned by Chris Ryder, Bella Racing, Bettor’s Wish Partners & Fair Island Farm; trained by Chris Ryder. Also voted “3-Year-Old Male Pacer of the Year” in 2019. The leading money-winning older pacer of 2020 and winner of the $360,000 TVG Open Pace Final, Sam McKee Memorial, Allerage Pace, Dayton Pacing Derby and Graduate Series. Now standing stud at Diamond Creek Farm.

 

Manchego 4,1:49 ($2,723,181)

Owned by Black Horse Racing; trained by Nancy Takter. Also voted “2-Year-Old Female Trotter of the Year” in 2017. Fastest trotting filly or mare in history and in 2020 winner of her third Breeders Crown, TVG Open Trot Final, Spirit Of Massachusetts (World Record 1:49.3f) and Miss Versatility.

 

Brittany Farms congratulates all those associated with these Dan Patch Champions and wishes them success in future endeavors.

 

More horses with “Dan Patch Championship” potential are coming your way... see our complete roster of 2021 yearlings by clicking here!