Renaissance Awards winners announced at luncheon at Laurel Park

The partnership of Madison Avenue Racing Stable, Morris Kernan Jr., and Jagger Inc. was named Owner of the Year, Brittany Russell earned Trainer of the Year honors, and apprentice rider Yedsit Hazlewood was voted Jockey of the Year at the 2025 Renaissance Awards luncheon held March 22 at Laurel Park.

Presented annually, the Renaissance Awards celebrate excellence across Maryland’s Thoroughbred racing and breeding industry, recognizing the top owner, trainer, jockey, breeder, and standout horses from the previous year.

This year marked the first time the awards were presented during a live racing program, with the luncheon held in the afternoon at Laurel Park. The new format was met with overwhelmingly positive feedback from attendees and will be considered for future editions of the event.

The Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association (MTHA) honors the leading owner, trainer, jockey, and top horses in five categories, while the Maryland Horse Breeders Association (MHBA) recognizes Maryland-bred champions on the racetrack, as well as Breeder of the Year, Stallion of the Year, and Broodmare of the Year.‍

Leading Connections Recognized

The ownership partnership of Madison Avenue Racing Stable, Morris Kernan Jr., and Jagger Inc. enjoyed a standout 2025 campaign, finishing as leading owner during the Laurel Park fall meet and recording 126 wins nationally.

“We were the second-leading owner in the country last year, won the title at Delaware Park, and were second in the standings at Parx,” said trainer Jamie Ness, who races as Jagger Inc. and was also a finalist for Maryland Breeder of the Year. “We’re going to keep trying for a Mid-Atlantic triple.”

“We work hard together,” added John Witte of Madison Avenue Racing. “Thanks to Jamie, we had a very good year. Our goals for 2026 are to keep going.”

Brittany Russell continued her dominance in Maryland, finishing 2025 as the state’s leading trainer with 108 victories. Her Maryland-based runners alone earned more than $4.1 million.

“A lot of work goes into what we do as trainers,” Russell said. “Being a finalist alongside Gary Capuano and Mike Trombetta is an accomplishment in itself.”

Apprentice jockey Yedsit Hazlewood, represented at the ceremony by his agent John Di Natale, was recognized for a breakout season in which he established himself as one of the region’s rising riding stars.

Equine Standouts

Barbadian Runner, owned by AJ Will Win Stables and trained by Henry Walters, was one of the day’s top honorees, earning both Maryland-bred Champion 3-Year-Old Male and Maryland Male Dirt Horse of the Year.

“He’s the horse of a lifetime,” said owner Scott Groh.

Mindframe, a two-time Grade I winner in 2025 bred by the late R. Larry Johnson, was named Maryland-bred Horse of the Year and Maryland-bred Champion Older Male. Mindframe is owned by Repole Stable and St. Elias Stables and trained by Todd Pletcher.

Johnson was also honored posthumously as Maryland Breeder of the Year.

Complete List of Award Winners

MTHA Award Winners

• Backstretch Worker of the Year: Charles Sniffen
• Owner of the Year: Madison Avenue Racing Stable, Morris Kernan Jr. and Jagger Inc.
• Trainer of the Year: Brittany Russell
• Jockey of the Year: Yedsit Hazlewood
• Male Dirt Horse of the Year: Barbadian Runner
• Male Turf Horse of the Year: Witty
• Female Dirt Horse of the Year: Complexity Jane
• Female Turf Horse of the Year: Lifelovenlaughter
• Claimer of the Year: Zero Blitz
  

Maryland-Bred Champions

• Maryland-bred Horse of the Year: Mindframe
• Champion 2-Year-Old Male: Romeo
• Champion 2-Year-Old Filly: Dazzling Dame
• Champion 3-Year-Old Male: Barbadian Runner
• Champion 3-Year-Old Filly: Onyx Ten
• Champion Older Male: Mindframe
• Champion Older Female: Splendora
• Champion Sprinter: Splendora
• Champion Turf Runner: Future Is Now
• Champion Steeplechaser: Keys Discount
• Broodmare of the Year: Slow and Steady
• Stallion of the Year: Great Notion
• Breeder of the Year: R. Larry Johnson

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