Tactical Approach, recently named the U.S. Trotter of the Year, has been voted as New Jersey Horse of the Year for his standout 2023 season.  

From the first crop of Tactical Landing, the colt out of the Donato Hanover mare Sarcy, won 10 of 19 starts and $1.5 million during his three-year-old season in 2023, 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 division of the Bluegrass Stakes 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 and JAF Racing.

Southwind Farms of Pennington, New Jersey has been selected as New Jersey Breeder of The Year. Champions bred by Southwind include Breeders Crown winner Southwind Tyrion 1:50.2 ($1,017,113), Goodtimes Stakes winner Southwind Coors 3,1:52 ($322,285), 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), Southwind Cherry 3,1:52.4 ($137,590) and seasoned campaigner Southwind Amazon p,1:48.3f ($1,496,360), who is approaching the all-time win record.

Southwind stallions dominated the trotting ranks in 2023, led by Walner, who was leading money-winning sire of two-year-old and three-year-old trotters in North America. Tactical Landing sired two champions in Tactical Approach and Karl, who won more than $1 million at two, including the Breeders Crown, Valley Victory and Kindergarten final. Champion sire Muscle Hill was also among the leading sires 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 Crowns, Valley Victory, Goldsmith Maid, James Doherty, Stanley Dancer, Del Miller, Goodtimes, Zweig Memorial, Peaceful Way, Yonkers Trot, Graduate final and Moni Maker.

(With files from Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association of New Jersey)