Muad’dib Repeats As West Virginia Horse Of The Year In 2022

Muad'dib earned West Virginia's Horse of the Year honors for a second straight season in 2022, with the announcement being made during the West Virginia Thoroughbred Breeders Association's annual dinner and awards presentation on March 5.

The 6-year-old Fiber Sonde gelding won three of five starts in 2022, and he earned $410,014 for owner David Raim and trainer Jeff Runco. In 2021, Muad'dib shared the state's Horse of the Year title with Star of Night.

His season started in a July allowance optional claiming race at against fellow West Virginia-breds at Charles Town, where he overcame a bobbled start to win the seven-furlong race by 1 3/4 lengths. Muad'dib then made his first career attempt at graded stakes company when he entered the Grade 2 Charles Town Classic Stakes. He pressured eventual winner Art Collector throughout the race, and he carried on to finish second.

After the Charles Town Classic, Muad'dib returned to state-bred competition, where he tallied late-running victories in the Sam Huff West Virginia Breeders' Classic Stakes and Randy Funkhouser Memorial Stakes, both at Charles Town.

In addition to Horse of the Year honors, Muad'dib also took home the award as West Virginia's champion older colt or gelding for a second straight year.

Muad'dib was bred in West Virginia by John and Cynthia McKee, who were named the state's Breeder of the Year. Muad'dib's sire, Fiber Sonde, was named Stallion of the Year, and his dam, Holy Pow Wow, was named Broodmare of the Year. Both horses are owned by the McKees.

Following is a complete list of winners from the 2022 WVTBA annual awards:

Champion 2-Year-Old Filly: Marz Express
Breeder: James F. Miller
Owner: Ultra Championship Racing
Trainer: Anthony Farrior

2nd place – Lightnin Runner

3rd place – Music Lass

Champion 2-Year-Old Colt: Honeyquist

Breeder: James F. Miller

Trainer: Anthony Farrior

Owner: Mamma's Boys Thoroughbred Racing, Ultra Championship Racing & James F. Miller

2nd place – Juba's Notion

3rd place – Paymengold

Champion 3 Year Old Filly: Silky Serena

Breeder: Cynthia O'Bannon

Owner: Cynthia McKee

Trainer: John D. McKee

2nd place – Hessica

3rd place – The Sky Is Falling

Champion 3 Year Old Colt: Free Sailin

Breeder: Susan Wantz

Owner/ Trainer : Jason DaCosta

2nd place – Coastal Mission

3rd place – Jungle Beast

Champion Older Filly/Mare: Alpine Moon

Breeder: Heinz J Steinmann

Owner: Bearowitz, LLC

Trainer: Russell Davis

2nd place (Tie) – Navy Sword & Stowe Angel

Champion Older Colt/Gelding: Muad'dib

Breeder: John D. McKee

Owner: David M. Raim

Trainer: Jeff C. Runco

2nd place – Penguin Power

3rd place – Social Chic

Female Sprinter of the Year: Silky Serena

Breeder: Cynthia O'Bannon

Owner: Cynthia McKee

Trainer: John D. McKee

2nd place – Full Moon Lover

3rd place – Alpine Moon

Male Sprinter of the Year: Penguin Power

Breeder: John D. McKee

Owner: David Raim

Trainer: Jeff C. Runco

2nd place (Tie) – Golden Key & Hypothesis

Horse of the Year: Muad'dib

Breeder: John D. McKee

Owner: David M. Raim

Trainer: Jeff C. Runco

2nd Place – Silky Serena

3rd Place (Tie) – Penguin Power & Free Sailin

Broodmare of the Year: Holy Pow Wow

Owner: John D. McKee

2nd place – Aye Robbin

3rd place – Safe at First

Sire of the Year: Fiber Sonde

Owner: John D. McKee

2nd place – Juba

3rd place – Golden Years

Breeder of the Year: John D. & Cynthia McKee

2nd place – Ronney & Nicole Brown

3rd place – Taylor Mountain Farm

Sam Huff Award: Randy Funkhouser & James W. Casey