The outstanding sprinter Bentornato was named Florida’s 2025 Horse of the Year

The Breeders’ Cup Sprint winner was honored at the FTBOA awards ceremony in Ocala

OCALA, Florida (Special to Turf Diario).- The confirmation of a brilliant season found its crowning moment at home. Bentornato was named Florida’s 2025 Horse of the Year following a vote by the board of the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders' and Owners' Association, during a ceremony held April 20 at the Circle Square Cultural Center.

The sprinter, an undisputed standout of the previous season, built his championship on the strength of a tremendous performance in the Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1), where he scored at Del Mar to become the sixth Florida-bred to win the race, joining historic names such as Smile (In Reality), Cherokee Run (Runaway Groom) and Big Drama (Montbrook), among others. With that achievement, he also joined the list of 30 Florida-breds to have captured Breeders’ Cup races.

His 2025 campaign was brief but emphatic: two starts, two wins, and more than US$1.19 million in earnings, including the Louisville Thoroughbred Society Stakes at Churchill Downs. That form also saw him finish as a finalist for the Eclipse Award as champion sprinter.

Bred by Susan and Charles Chu (Tanma Corporation), Bentornato has now earned more than US$2.3 million and races for Leon King Stable Corporation alongside Julia and Michael Iavarone, who purchased a 25% stake in the colt in a multimillion-dollar deal during Breeders’ Cup week. He is by Valiant Minister (Candy Ride) out of Her Special Way (Put It Back), a mare who was also honored as Florida Broodmare of the Year.

The FTBOA ceremony also recognized key figures in the state’s breeding industry. The historic Live Oak Stud, owned by Charlotte Weber, was named Breeder of the Year for the seventh time, while its racing arm, Live Oak Plantation, once again led among owners.

Among stallions, Khozan (Distorted Humor) secured his sixth consecutive title as Florida Stallion of the Year, underscoring a rarely seen dominance, while Leinster (Majestic Warrior) stood out as leading freshman sire and among juveniles.

Individual champions included Camigol (Neolithic) (2-year-old), G W’s Girl (Munnings) (3-year-old), R Disaster (Awesome Slew) (older female and sprinter), and Queen Maxima (Bucchero) (turf), reflecting the depth and competitiveness of the local breeding program.

But beyond all the accolades, there was one central figure.

Bentornato, with speed, authority, and a flawless campaign, not only dominated the sprint division on the track—he also claimed the throne of Florida racing.