Syracuse, NY – Homicide Hunter, the active world-record holder for the fastest trotting mile in harness racing history, has once again reached the summit of competition, this time in a completely different arena. The iconic Standardbred has been named 2025 SPHO-NJ Horse of the Year, the highest honor awarded annually to the top nationally-pointed Standardbred in the show ring.
Presented by the Standardbred Pleasure Horse Organization of New Jersey (SPHO/SPHONJ), the Overall Grand Champion title recognizes excellence across national competition, consistency, and overall performance. Homicide Hunter’s win marks a rare and remarkable crossover achievement, underscoring his versatility and athletic brilliance as he transitions from racing legend to elite show horse. He also accomplished this in his first year showing.
Competing for MMXX Standardbreds, Homicide Hunter had a standout 2025 season, appearing in 20 events nationwide, including Standardbred Nationals, the Tristate Horseman Series, and the CCBA Series. In addition to Horse of the Year, he captured SPHO War Horse Grand Champion honors (awarded to the highest pointed “War Horse” in the ring (100 starts or $200,000 earned on the track), and was named Rookie of the Year, awarded to the highest-pointed Standardbred in its first year of showing.
Owned by Michelle Panebianco of Crawford Farms in Syracuse, New York. Homicide Hunter was expertly piloted throughout the season by Sydney Espinoza for Team MMXX. The partnership showcased the gelding’s trademark power, precision, and presence; qualities that once made him a record-setting force on the track and now place him among the very best in the show ring.
MMXX Standardbreds is non-profit organization that hosts an all-standardbred show team that was created to market the value of Standardbreds in second careers. The team promotes the MMXX direct-off-track adoption program which has adopted over 300 horses into riding homes from the track.
Homicide Hunter’s 2025 SPHONJ Horse of the Year title cements his legacy as one of the most accomplished and adaptable Standardbreds of his generation; proof that true greatness transcends discipline.