Ohio Horse of the Year is Bythemissal

Grove City, Ohio – For the first time in nearly 30 years, Ohio’s reigning Horse of the Year has won the honor in back-to-back years.  Bythemissal (Downbytheseaside), Ohio’s 3-Year-Old Pacing Colt of the Year, has been named the 2023 Ohio Horse of the Year.

Bythemissal who was named the 2023 Dan Patch Older Male Pacer of the Year, hit the board in 14 of his 16 starts.  Owned by Burke Racing Stable, Eric Good, Rich Lombardo Racing, and Weaver Bruscemi and bred by Stephen Dey lll, Bythemissal earned $984,666 in 2023.  He won the Breeders Crown, the Sam McKee Memorial, the Myron Charna President’s Pace at MGM Northfield Park, the Aria Invitational Pace, the Allerage Open Pace, and the Potomac Pace International.

“This is the best horse I have trained since Sweet Lou,” said trainer Ron Burke.  “As a three-year-old, he was outstanding, as a four-year-old he was great.  I honestly think as a five-year-old he’ll be the best horse in America. This is a great horse.”

The last horse to earn back-to-back Ohio Horse of the Year honors was Crisp Sahbra in 1995 and 1996.

by Frank Fraas, for the OHHA