On September 9, the annual $22,500 Thoroughbred Yearling Futurity took place at the Warrenton Horse Show Grounds. Owners and breeders of Virginia-Bred and Virginia-Certified horses competed in three categories, and the top two in each advanced to a final round where Grand Champion and Reserve Champion honors were awarded.
Knockgriffin Farm’s Virginia-Certified 2019 Causin Commotion colt took Grand Champion honors. The champ is owned/bred by Jim & Katie Fitzgerald at their Marshall, Virginia farm. The dark bay/brown colt is by Unified (Mineshaft).
Morgan’s Ford Farm’s 2019 Smart Believer bay, who took top honors in the Virginia-Bred/Sired Fillies division, was named 2020 Reserve Champion. She is a daughter of Animal Kingdom (Smart Strike).
The judge for this year’s Futurity was Rick Abbott, a former longtime Pennsylvania bloodstock agent who along with his wife Dixie, had a successful sales consignment business.
Though the Covid-pandemic limited some additional activities that normally take place at the Futurity, the event saw a great turnout of horses. Here are some photos of the scene/vibe:
