Virginia-bred filly Paynted By Nancy scored Grand Champion honors at the Virginia Breeder’s Fund’s 23rd annual Yearling Futurity held August 26th at the Warrenton Horse Show Grounds. Owned by Daniel Wukich and bred by Quest Realty, the daughter of Paynter won the divisional title for Virginia-bred/sired fillies earlier in the day and advanced to the final round along with the top two finishers from three other classes. The champ is out of the Jump Start mare, Jumpin’ Nancy.
Second place in the final round went to an Un-named Independence Hall dark bay colt owned and bred by Larry Johnson. Named Reserve Champion, the Virginia-bred is out of Everything Magic by Street Sense.
The competition was judged by thoroughbred trainer Ferris Allen, a Varina, Virginia native who is the leading all time trainer at Colonial Downs. A total of 33 yearlings participated in the competition which offered a total of $40,000-plus in prize money — 75% divided among the four division participants at the venue and 25% to Futurity graduates who are eligible for a bonus after their three-year-old racing season is complete.
Following Paynted by Nancy in the Virginia-bred/sired fillies category were a pair of 2023 Un-named fillies both owned and bred by Morgan’s Ford Farm. The runner-up is by Midnite Lute out of Skipstone by Montrock while the third-place finisher is by Maxfield out of Love and Marriage by Arch. Toot was next, owned and bred by Eagle Point Farm, followed by an Un-named chestnut by Promises Fulfilled owned/bred by Joni Fontana Sugarland LLC, an Un-Named by Great Notion owned/bred by Sugarland LLC Equine Etiquette, an Un-named bay by Divining Rod owned/bred by Darlene Bowlin and an Un-named bay by Rock Your World owned/bred by Daybreak Stables.
In the Virginia-bred/sired colt & gelding category, Johnson took second place in addition to his Reserve Champion score — an Un-named dark bay by Global Campaign out of Classy Coco by Not For Love. Next was a pair owned and bred by DMC Racing Stable — Me Naughty Juba and Between the Lines — followed by Irish Nunsense (Wukich/Quest Realty), Broadside Salvo (Helen Masek), Sound of Freedom (Tim Hulings & Analia Larrosa) and Elmington (Kathleen Hamlin).
Of six that competed in the Virginia-certified colt & gelding division, Rebel Prince was awarded a ribbon and first place prize money. Ron Sapp is owner and breeder of the winning gray who is by Cairo Prince out of the Yankee Gentleman mare, Rebel Lady. Runner-up went to an Un-named chestnut by Improbable owned by Sugarland LLC and bred by Country Life Farm & Indexation LLC.. I Am Pepe, by Always Dreaming, took third for Sugarland LLC and breeder The Stables at Mezza Lunam LLC. Rounding out the field was Billy Boy (Michael Horning, Debbie Horning), an Un-named bay by Divining Rod (Sugarland LLC/Super C Racing Inc.) and an Un-Named bay by Paynter (Sugarland LLC/Hickory Ridge Farm).
The Virginia-certified fillies category was won by an Un-named bay by Lexitonian owned by Timbercreek Farm and bred by Javie Woodstock, LLC and Javier Hernandez. The winner is out of the Stormin Fever mare, Rachae Leigh. Timbercreek took runner-up in this class as well, scoring with an Un-named chestnut by Tacitus out of Honeymoon Cruise by Archarcharch. She was bred by Springland Farm and Stuart Angus. Third and fourth went to Un-named fillies — a chestnut by Blofeld (Sugarland LLC) and a chestnut by Hoppertunity (Jim & Suanne Hallman). The final trio included Menet (Daybreak Stables), an Un-named chestnut by Irish War Cry (Sugarland LLC) and an Un-named by Spun to Run (Brandon Mackey/Westbrook Stables LLC).
