Basin Banannie – Indiana-Bred Horse of the Year
In the world of horse racing, top honors means receiving the Horse of the Year Award. Horses, owners, trainers and jockeys throw their hearts and efforts into every race to perform at their peak and to be able to be contenders at the end of the year awards. 2007 was definitely a wonderful year for M.Y. Stables, which walked away with many of the most prestigious titles. And one of those horse racing victories, was the Indiana-bred, Basin Banannie, being named the Horse of the Year.
During the 2007 horse racing season, Basin Banannie performed spectacularly by winning four of her ten racing starts, which included winning the Merrillville Stakes and the Richmond Stakes that were both held at Hoosier Park. This winning three year old filly truly proved her worth during the season, and the time and dedication that trainer, Michael Nance, has put into her fitness and training has paid off.
Michael Nance is a well-known trainer in the horseracing industry and has trained many magnificent horses such as Ben’s Reflection and Down the pike Mike. Teaming up with Basin Banannie’s owner and breeder, Ron McKay, has been a winning combination for both men, and the M.Y. Stables.
Not only was the Indiana-bred Basin Banannie named as the Horse of the Year by the Indiana Thoroughbred Development Advisory Committee and the Indiana Racing Commission, but Ron McKay received the Leading Owner Award and Father John, a multiple stakes winner, was named the Leading Three Year Old Colt/Gelding. It has definitely been a successful year for Ron McKay, Michael Nance and M.Y. Stables.
Hopefully next year will be just as successful for Basin Banannie, as many spectators and fans will be looking at her in the coming season. Even though she has proven that she deserves the Horse of the Year title, it is an all round opinion that the horse racing industry has not seen the best of her yet. It is expected that she will go on to astound everyone and become one of the most memorable horses ever bred by Ron McKay. But no matter what the coming season holds for Basin Banannie, one thing is for certain; her courage and determination has already won over the hearts of many racing fans.
