Manalapan, NJ — Tactical Approach, recently named Dan Patch Award Trotter of the Year, has been voted as New Jersey Horse of the Year.

From the first crop of Tactical Landing, the 3-year-old colt out of the Donato Hanover mare Sarcy, won 10 of 19 starts and $1.5 million, including two legs of the Trotting Triple Crown, the Hambletonian at The Meadowlands and the Kentucky Futurity at The Red Mile. He topped his campaign by taking the Breeders Crown at Hoosier Park. Additional wins included a New Jersey Sire Stakes, two Kentucky Sire Stakes, a Bluegrass division and the Carl Erskine Trot.

Tactical Approach was bred by the partnership of Steve Stewart and Oakwood Farms and was trained by Nancy Takter and driven by Scott Zeron. He raced under the ownership of Robert LeBlanc, John Fielding, Joe Sbrocco & JAF Racing.

Southwind Farms of Pennington, N.J. has been selected as New Jersey Breeder of the Year. With progeny earnings of $4,371,181, Southwind was ranked eight nationally and was led by Breeders Crown winner Southwind Tyrion 1:50.2 ($984,623), Goodtimes stakes winner Southwind Coors 3,1:52s ($247,632), New Jersey Sire Stakes champion and NJ Classic winner Sig Sauer 2,1:53.3 ($279,500), as well as stakes winners Southwind Bella p,3,1:50.2f ($241,039) and Southwind Cherry 3,1:52.4s ($137,590) and seasoned campaigner Southwind Amazon p,1:48.3f ($1,471,336), who is approaching the all time win record.

Southwind stallions dominated the trotting ranks in 2023, led by Walner, who led the sires list as leading sire of 2- and 3-year-olds, as well as total progeny earnings of $11.6 million. Tactical Landing sired two champions in Tactical Approach and Karl, who won over $1 million at 2, including the Breeders Crown, Valley Victory and Kindergarten final. Muscle Hill was third on the sires list with earnings of $9.9 million and continues to sire top class trotters around the world.

Southwind sires accounted for over 30 major stakes wins in 2023, including the Hambletonian, Kentucky Futurity, Kentucky Filly Futurity, five of six Breeders Crown trots, Valley Victory, Goldsmith Maid, James Doherty, Stanley Dancer, Del Miller, Goodtimes, Zweig Memorial, Peaceful Way, Yonkers Trot, Graduate Final, Moni Maker, etc.