Muad'dib earned West Virginia's Horse of the Year honors for a second straight season in 2022, with the announcement being made during the West Virginia Thoroughbred Breeders Association's annual dinner and awards presentation on March 5.
The 6-year-old Fiber Sonde gelding won three of five starts in 2022, and he earned $410,014 for owner David Raim and trainer Jeff Runco. In 2021, Muad'dib shared the state's Horse of the Year title with Star of Night.
His season started in a July allowance optional claiming race at against fellow West Virginia-breds at Charles Town, where he overcame a bobbled start to win the seven-furlong race by 1 3/4 lengths. Muad'dib then made his first career attempt at graded stakes company when he entered the Grade 2 Charles Town Classic Stakes. He pressured eventual winner Art Collector throughout the race, and he carried on to finish second.
After the Charles Town Classic, Muad'dib returned to state-bred competition, where he tallied late-running victories in the Sam Huff West Virginia Breeders' Classic Stakes and Randy Funkhouser Memorial Stakes, both at Charles Town.
In addition to Horse of the Year honors, Muad'dib also took home the award as West Virginia's champion older colt or gelding for a second straight year.
Muad'dib was bred in West Virginia by John and Cynthia McKee, who were named the state's Breeder of the Year. Muad'dib's sire, Fiber Sonde, was named Stallion of the Year, and his dam, Holy Pow Wow, was named Broodmare of the Year. Both horses are owned by the McKees.
Following is a complete list of winners from the 2022 WVTBA annual awards:
Champion 2-Year-Old Filly: Marz Express
Breeder: James F. Miller
Owner: Ultra Championship Racing
Trainer: Anthony Farrior
2nd place – Lightnin Runner
3rd place – Music Lass
Champion 2-Year-Old Colt: Honeyquist
Breeder: James F. Miller
Trainer: Anthony Farrior
Owner: Mamma's Boys Thoroughbred Racing, Ultra Championship Racing & James F. Miller
2nd place – Juba's Notion
3rd place – Paymengold
Champion 3 Year Old Filly: Silky Serena
Breeder: Cynthia O'Bannon
Owner: Cynthia McKee
Trainer: John D. McKee
2nd place – Hessica
3rd place – The Sky Is Falling
Champion 3 Year Old Colt: Free Sailin
Breeder: Susan Wantz
Owner/ Trainer : Jason DaCosta
2nd place – Coastal Mission
3rd place – Jungle Beast
Champion Older Filly/Mare: Alpine Moon
Breeder: Heinz J Steinmann
Owner: Bearowitz, LLC
Trainer: Russell Davis
2nd place (Tie) – Navy Sword & Stowe Angel
Champion Older Colt/Gelding: Muad'dib
Breeder: John D. McKee
Owner: David M. Raim
Trainer: Jeff C. Runco
2nd place – Penguin Power
3rd place – Social Chic
Female Sprinter of the Year: Silky Serena
Breeder: Cynthia O'Bannon
Owner: Cynthia McKee
Trainer: John D. McKee
2nd place – Full Moon Lover
3rd place – Alpine Moon
Male Sprinter of the Year: Penguin Power
Breeder: John D. McKee
Owner: David Raim
Trainer: Jeff C. Runco
2nd place (Tie) – Golden Key & Hypothesis
Horse of the Year: Muad'dib
Breeder: John D. McKee
Owner: David M. Raim
Trainer: Jeff C. Runco
2nd Place – Silky Serena
3rd Place (Tie) – Penguin Power & Free Sailin
Broodmare of the Year: Holy Pow Wow
Owner: John D. McKee
2nd place – Aye Robbin
3rd place – Safe at First
Sire of the Year: Fiber Sonde
Owner: John D. McKee
2nd place – Juba
3rd place – Golden Years
Breeder of the Year: John D. & Cynthia McKee
2nd place – Ronney & Nicole Brown
3rd place – Taylor Mountain Farm
Sam Huff Award: Randy Funkhouser & James W. Casey
The post Muad’dib Repeats As West Virginia Horse Of The Year In 2022 appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
