California Thoroughbred Breeders Association

09/04/2026

California-bred stakes winner Free Closer steps up to Grade I company Saturday in the $300,000 G1 Del Mar Debutante Stakes for 2-year-old fillies at Del Mar.

Bred and owned by Reddam Racing, Free Closer is by Pavel out of the Twirling Candy mare No Closing Costs and is trained by Michael McCarthy.

A winner of the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association Stakes on Aug. 2, Free Closer has won two of her three starts and earned $101,092.

Good luck to Free Closer and her connections! 🏇

Read more: https://loom.ly/LXHrIb0

09/04/2026

California-bred multiple stakes winner Hey Jessie takes on the $1.5 million G3 Kentucky Downs Ladies Marathon Invitational Stakes Sunday at Kentucky Downs.

Bred and owned by SayJay Racing, Hey Jessie is by Grazen out of the Cee’s Tizzy mare Bea’s Cee and is trained by Sean McCarthy.

Winner of the Santa Barbara Stakes earlier this year, Hey Jessie has earned $258,288 to date.

Good luck to Hey Jessie and her connections! 🏇

📸 Benoit Photo

09/04/2026

California-bred stakes winner Fibonaccis Ride takes on graded company Monday at Del Mar in the $250,000 G2 John C. Mabee Stakes. 🏇

Bred by James Shenouda, Fibonaccis Ride is by Clubhouse Ride out of the Wildcat Heir mare Wild Caroline. She is owned by Zephyr Racing and trained by Antonio Garcia.

The filly enters off a victory in the Aug. 15 Solana Beach Stakes and has earned $230,100 from four wins in 13 starts.

Good luck to Fibonaccis Ride and her connections! 🌟

Read more: https://loom.ly/BH94nCY

📸 Benoit Photo

09/01/2026

A century of California Thoroughbred history, preserved for generations to come. 📸

In late 2025, the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association gifted its extensive photographic archive to Keeneland Library, a collection spanning from the early 20th century through the 2010s and documenting more than 100 years of West Coast racing and breeding.

Keeneland Library is now working to archivally rehouse the 100-linear-foot collection to help preserve these images for the future. While that work continues, the collection is available to researchers and patrons around the world.

We are proud to see this remarkable piece of California racing history preserved and made accessible through Keeneland Library.

Learn more at keeneland.com/library.

📸 Photos courtesy of Keeneland Library

08/31/2026

California sire Collected has another graded stakes winner! 👏

Iron Man Cal, a 4-year-old son of Collected, scored a front-running upset in Saturday’s G2 Pat O’Brien Stakes at Del Mar, earning an automatic berth in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile at Keeneland.

Making just his third start since being gelded and continuing his successful switch to dirt, Iron Man Cal went straight to the front under Joel Rosario and held on gamely to win by a half-length in 1:22.02 for seven furlongs.

Trained by Phil D’Amato for Little Red Feather Racing and Madaket Stables, Iron Man Cal adds another major victory to the resume of Collected, who stands in California at Rancho San Miguel.

Read more: https://loom.ly/zBj_EzE

📸 Benoit Photo

08/31/2026

CTBA remembers longtime California horseman Stephen Ferraro and a life dedicated to Thoroughbred racing and breeding.

Ferraro trained for more than two decades, with California-bred Painted Wagon among his most memorable runners. Painted Wagon finished third behind Triple Crown winner Affirmed in the 1979 Santa Anita Handicap (G1), a performance Ferraro considered one of the proudest moments of his training career.

His success continued as a breeder and owner with homebred Ismene, a multiple stakes winner and the 2011 champion California-bred 2-year-old filly who later produced graded stakes winner Liberal Arts.

Stephen Ferraro’s passion for the horse and his lasting contributions to California racing and breeding will be remembered for years to come.

📸 Ralph Merlino

08/31/2026

In this month's Executive Corner, CTBA President Doug Burge highlights just how important California-breds have been during the Del Mar meet, from representing nearly half the horses entered to helping fill competitive fields. It's a reminder of the vital role California breeders play in the success of racing throughout the state. 🏇🌴

Read more in the August issue of California Thoroughbred 👉 https://loom.ly/2bGx9WM

08/26/2026

California-breds made their mark at Emerald Downs.

Caps and Carnage and Si That Tiger each captured Emerald Stakes victories on July 19, adding to their impressive résumés and showcasing the strength of California breeding beyond the Golden State. 🐴

Read more in the August issue of California Thoroughbred 👉 https://loom.ly/2bGx9WM

California Thoroughbred Magazine Aug 1, 2026 To view August 2026 issue of the magazine click here   ARCHIVES 2026 2025 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 Older issues of the Industry Directory and Stallion Directory can be found under Publications → Archives for each...

08/26/2026

The September/October issue of California Thoroughbred will feature its annual Farm Section, giving California farms the opportunity to showcase their facilities in one of the magazine's two annual printed editions. Editorial preparation is also available for those who need it. 📖

Learn more about reserving your space today 👉 https://loom.ly/2bGx9WM

08/26/2026

Have you registered your 2025 foals as Cal-bred or Cal-sired? 🏇

Register by September 30, 2026, for no fee for CTBA members, or $200 for non-members. From October 1 through December 31, the fee remains free for eligible CTBA members in good standing and increases to $250 for non-members. After December 31, the registration fee is $750.

Read more in the August issue of California Thoroughbred 👉 https://loom.ly/2bGx9WM