Indianapolis, IN – The Indiana Standardbred Breed Development Program (ISBDP) teamed up with the Indiana Standardbred Association (ISA) to reflect on a year full of accomplishment and victory at the ISA awards banquet on Saturday, January 24. In defiance of an imminent winter storm and freezing temperatures, Hoosier horsemen warmed up at the Embassy suites as top Indiana-Sired harness racing horses of 2025 were honored with awards including ISA Elite Race winners, Indiana Sired Champions, Horse of the Year and many more!
Rockin Image was named Indiana Sire Stakes Pacing Sire of the Year with 33 total starters in the Indiana Sire Stakes that earned $1,719,682 during 2025. This is the fifth time that Rockin Image has received this honor, having won in 2021, 2019, 2017, and 2015. Rockin Image was bred by L & L Devisser LLC and is owned by Lothlorien Farm Corp. Top performing foals include Dancingdreamer, Rock Shines again, Somemore Blue, and Whoomp.
Whoomp (Rockin Image – Nightcap) took home ISA’s Pacer of the Year award after earning $349,601 at Harrah’s Hoosier Park last year. The Rockin Image filly finished the season with eight wins and one second during her 13 starts. Whoomp is bred and owned by William C Delong, William Patrick Delong, and Douglas A Riccolo, trained by Roger Welch and driven by John de Long. Whoomp was also named ISDBP’s Indiana-Sired Two-Year-Old Filly Pace Champion.
Swan for All was named Indiana Sire Stakes Trotting Sire of the Year with 41 starters in the Indiana Sire Stakes that earned $1,370,846 in 2025. This is the eighth consecutive year that Swan for All has received this honor. Swan for All was bred by Windsong Stable and is owned by Swan for All Syndicate. Top performing foals include Classical Jane, For Dayze, Martz Seven, and Swan Affect.
On to Norway (Muscle Massive – One Class Act) took home ISA’s Trotter of the Year award after earning $636,294 at Harrah’s Hoosier Park last year. The Muscle Massive colt finished the season with 23 straight wins and one second during his 24 starts, making him the horse with the most 2025 win in the nation! On to Norway is owned by Burke Racing Stable, Frank Baldachino, Black & White Stable and Michael Rosethal. The Breeder of the colt, Bennett Farms, was honored with the Small Breeder of the Year award for earning $642,374 in Indiana last year with only two Indiana Sired Starters. On to Norway, trained by Ron Burke and driven by John de Long, was also named ISBDP’s Indiana-Sired Champion and Indiana Sires Stakes Divisional Champion in the Three-Year-Old Colt Trot Category.
The Large Breeder of the Year award was granted to Pond-A-Acres who earned $1,078,208 in Indiana last year with 29 Indiana Sired Starters including Ponda Fashion, Ponda Jet, and Ponda Lime. One starter, Ponda Jet, was selected as the Indiana Sire Stakes Point Champion in the Aged Gelding Trot. The Indiana Sire Stakes (ISS) Point Champions are determined by total points earned up to the Indiana Sires Stakes Final.
The Indiana Standardbred Association took time to acknowledge the most proficient Drivers and Trainers of the year. Trace Tetrick was awarded with his 12th consecutive Hoosier Park driving title. Tetrick earned more than $4.4 million in purses and steered 352 winners including Rollin Rosie, ISS Point Champion in the Aged Mare Pace, and ISS 3-Year-Old Colt Pace Champion Rock Shines Again. Both Rollin Rosie and Rock Shines Again were trained by Pari-Mutuel Trainer of the Year Tyler George. With earnings of $2.3 million and 165 wins, George was awarded with his 6th consecutive Hoosier Park training title.
The Fair Circuit Driver and Trainer of the year were awarded to Doug Rideout and Larry King, respectively. Doug Rideout earned his 5th consecutive title after steering 89 horses to victory, several of which were named Indiana Sired Fair Circuit (ISFC) Divisional Champions. Champions include: Yearoffear (2-YO Colt Trot), Vel Drinks on Tina (3 YO Filly Pace), Bouquets for All (3-YO Filly Trot), & Lets Go North (3 YO Colt Trot). Larry King successfully defended his title as Fair Circuit Trainer of the Year, after securing his first in 2024. Winner of the Governor’s Cup Championship, King trained 71 winners during the fair campaign including several ISFC Divisional Champions. Champions include: Velgetthisstraight (2-YO Filly Pace), Vel Im Good (2-YO Colt Pace), Vel Drinks on Tina (3-YO Filly Pace), & Don’t Tell Rosa (3-YO Colt Pace).
Indiana Senator Ron Alting and Representative Beau Baird were recognized by the ISA for their outstanding support of the Indiana horse racing industry and their contributions to legislature directly impacting the horse industry. From lawmakers to horsemen, the efforts of everyone in the industry are indispensable for the continued growth of the Indiana harness racing industry.
Jessica Barnes, Assistant Executive Director of the IHRC, says that the Standardbred Breed Development Program will “continue to work closely with the horsemen, racetrack management, breeders and owners to make the program stronger.” With over $9.5 million being offered in the Indiana Sires Stakes, the total value of the program is on track to exceed $17.5 million in payouts in 2026. Harness racing is set to return to Indiana on Thursday, February 12th at Harrah’s Hoosier Park.