Millionaire The Chosen Vron was named 2023 California-bred Horse of the Year at the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association Awards Dinner and Annual Meeting March 12 at Le Meridien Hotel in Arcadia. Ceiling Crusher and Kings River Knight were the other finalists.
The Chosen Vron was a runaway winner on the strength of a remarkable season in which he extended his winning streak to eight, all stakes, including a thrilling victory in the Bing Crosby Stakes (G1) at Del Mar.
The Chosen Vron, previously named Cal-bred champion older male and turf horse for 2022, repeated as 2023 champion older male and added champion sprinter to his resume. In 2022, he was Cal-bred champion 3-year-old. His trainer, Eric Kruljac, was named 2023 Trainer of the Year.
“Incredible, the whole thing, but what’s incredible is the horse,” said Kruljac. “I wish I could share his personality in the shed row when he’s not making money. He’s just the coolest dude in the world.”
The Chosen Vron was bred by Tiz Molly Partners and is owned by Kruljac, Robert Fetkin, John Sondereker, and Richard Thornburgh. He has 15 wins in 20 starts and career earnings of $1,239,678.
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All 2023 Cal-bred champions
- Horse of the Year: The Chosen Vron, bred by Tiz Molly Partners, owned by Eric Kruljac, Robert Fetkin, John Sondereker, and Richard Thornburgh, trained by Eric Kruljac.
- Two-Year-Old Male: Yo Yo Candy , bred by Checkmate Thoroughbreds, owned by Happy Tenth Stable, trained by Daniel Velazquez.
- Two-Year-Old Female: Grand Slam Smile , bred by owners Mr. & Mrs. Larry Williams, trained by Steven Specht.
- Three-Year-Old Male: One in Vermillion , bred by Richard Barton Enterprises, owned by Jonathan Kalman, trained by Esteban Martinez.
- Three-Year-Old Female: Ceiling Crusher, bred by Harris Farms, owned by Wonderland Racing Stables, Todd Cady, Tim Kasparoff, and Ty Leatherman, trained by Doug O’Neill.
- Older Male: The Chosen Vron.
- Older Female: Closing Remarks , bred by owner Harris Farms, trained by Carla Gaines.
- Sprinter: The Chosen Vron.
- Turf Horse: Closing Remarks.
- Sire of California Conceived Foals by Earnings: Grazen , property of Nick Alexander.
- Sire of California Conceived Foals by Number of Winners: Stay Thirsty , property of Terry Lovingier.
- Sire of California Conceived Foals by Turf Earnings: Grazen.
- Sire of California Conceived Two-Year-Olds by Earnings: Stay Thirsty.
- Trainer of the Year: Eric Kruljac.
- Broodmare of the Year: Lutess , owned by Phil Lebherz and Connie & Mike Pageler.
- Breeder of California Foaled Thoroughbreds by Earnings: Richard Barton Enterprises.
- CTBA Hall of Fame: Russell Drake, Clay Murdock, Soviet Problem, Tribal Rule.
This press release has been edited for content and style by BloodHorse Staff.
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