Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association

09/14/2026

Four Scholarships to be Awarded at Louisiana Cup Day
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Registration On Site at Louisiana Downs September 19, 2026

09/12/2026

TOBA STATE 2025 LOUISIANA BREEDER OF THE YEAR
Earl & Keith Hernandez, & John Duvieilh
By Jessica Licausi

As president of the Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association, Keith Hernandez has helped guide the state's thriving breeding program. Now, as a recipient of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association's Louisiana Breeder of the Year award with his father Earl and business partner John Duvieilh, he's leading by example, showcasing their breeding operation.

"We've been breeding horses since 1985, and it took a long time to get the type of horses we needed," Hernandez said. "We raced everything we bred."

Reflecting on how the operation began, Hernandez credits the team that laid its foundation, led by his father and Duvieilh, the operation's key founders.

Things took off for Earl and Keith Hernandez when they claimed a son of Majestic Light named Rail for $12,500 at Fair Grounds Race Course in December 1994. The next year as a 6-year-old, Rail became a stakes winner, which combined with his pedigree, led to a stud career.

"You know what happens when you get the chance to have a stallion: you kind of lose a lot of your mind, and we went that path," Hernandez said jokingly.

Rail went on to become a successful sire in Louisiana after his retirement from racing. His highest earner, Mr. Sulu, was a multiple stakes winner and racked up career earnings of $617,033.

Their breeding operation continues in full swing. Hernandez has 16 broodmares. Hernandez and his partners advance their operation by buying mares, claiming racehorses, obtaining foal shares, and getting involved with the ownership of stallions.

"We do a lot with a little," Hernandez said.

He and his team work outside at Hernandez Farm near Covington, La., caring for the horses and raising future generations.

"It's a labor of love," Hernandez said. "If you like it, it's not a lot of work."

Hernandez couldn't be more pleased with the state of the Louisiana breeding program, mentioning increases in funding and purses.

"The horses that we breed now are competing all over the country, and they're winning graded stakes," Hernandez said.

Hernandez and his partners are also breeding stakes winners or racing them. Geaux Sugar, bred by the partners, won the 2025 Louisiana Champions Day Sprint and King Creole Stakes last year for Single Malt Stable and trainer Keith Bourgeois.

Another, Highly Wicked, notched four wins in a row, three in stakes, from March through July for the partners as breeders and owners. The homebred daughter of Wicked Strong has added multiple stakes in 2026.

09/11/2026

September 11, 2026
Last evening, Ginger and I along with Hunter and Lindsey, Andrew, and Julie had the privilege of representing Coteau Grove Farms at the National Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association awards banquet at the Kentucky Castle in Lexington Kentucky.

Coteau Grove Farms was honored as one of only five finalists for the overall National Thoroughbred Breeder of the Year award. While the large conglomerate Godolphin Racing ultimately received 1st place, being recognized as finalist for this top thoroughbred industry award was an extraordinary moment for Coteau Grove Farms—and one that belongs to every member of our team.

When we started Coteau Grove Farms in 2008, we did not set out simply to own horses or operate a farm. We wanted to build something special in Louisiana—something based on excellence, hard work, integrity, great horsemanship, and a genuine love for the Thoroughbred industry. We wanted to prove that a thoroughbred farm in Sunset, Louisiana could compete at the national and international level.

Thanks to our collective hard work and the passion and commitment of every member of our team to achieving excellence in all that we do, we have earned the trust and respect of those at the highest levels of the thoroughbred industry. To now be recognized on a national stage alongside the most respected breeding operations in the world is difficult to put into words. It validates the commitment our team has made every day to every horse entrusted to our care.

Let us remember that there really are no shortcuts to long-term sustainable success. We get up every day, we work hard, we do what we say we are going to do, and we keep going when it would be easier to quit. We surround ourselves with good people, we pull together, and we never lose sight of our ultimate goal of achieving excellence and long-term sustainable success in all that we do, each and every day!

Congratulations Team!
Thank you for all that you do!

09/03/2026

Calling the Louisiana equine community!

Mark your calendars for October 24! The Equine Club at LSU School of Veterinary Medicine is excited to host one of our favorite events of the year—Equi-Day!

Join us for an exciting 8-hour, in-person event featuring educational lectures and hands-on demonstrations led by equine specialists at the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine.

Get ready for a fun-filled day of learning, networking, hands-on experiences, and opportunities to win prizes! Whether you're an equine enthusiast, horse owner, student, or veterinary professional, Equi-Day is a great opportunity to connect with others in the Louisiana equine community and learn from experienced professionals.

For more information or questions, please visit lsuequiday.com or send us an email at [email protected].

https://lsuequiday.com/

We can't wait to see you there!
The Equi Day Committee

09/03/2026

ICYMI: What a great pre sale event of stakes racing, legendary jockeys and our friends who support Louisiana racing.

09/03/2026

09/02/2026

2026 Preferred Yearling Sale Nearly Triples 2025 Gross as Breeders Sales of Louisiana Debuts New Format

Record buyer interest fuels $2,580,200 yearling session in Opelousas, topped by a $140,000 filly from the Clear Creek Stud consignment.

OPELOUSAS, La. — Sept. 1, 2026 — The Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association's Breeders Sales of Louisiana held its 2026 Preferred Yearling Sale today at the Louisiana Equine Sales and Event Center, and the results didn't just meet expectations — they blew past them.

For the first time, Breeders Sales of Louisiana split its annual sale into a live Preferred Yearling Sale in September, to be followed next month by a Digital Mixed Sale. The move to an earlier date paid off immediately: a record number of buyer registrations and credit applications poured in ahead of the sale, keeping consignors busy showing their stock to eager prospective buyers throughout the day.

A total of 171 yearlings were cataloged and/or supplemented, with just 11 outs. Of those, 121 yearlings sold for a gross of $2,580,200 — an average of $21,324, more than double last year's average of $10,100 — and a median of $13,000, well above last year's $4,000 median. There were 39 RNAs (Reserve Not Attained).

A dispersal of Mansfield Farms' horses of racing age followed the yearling session, pushing the overall sale gross to $2,776,700 — nearly triple last year's total.

"Louisiana’s thoroughbred breeding program is on a trajectory that is climbing quickly," said Roger Heitzman, LTBA secretary/treasurer and Breeders Sales of Louisiana director. "Our breeders have upped their game, and today’s sales are proof positive that they are on the right path."

A FILLY LEADS THE WAY

The sale topper was Hip 87, Cyberchase, a chestnut filly from the second crop of stallion Cyberknife, out of Killer Dress. Relentless Racing purchased the filly for $140,000 from the Clear Creek Stud consignment.

The second-highest price of the day also came from the Clear Creek Stud consignment: Hip 59, a filly out of Grade 2 stakes-winning mare Fanticola, by perennial leading Louisiana stallion Star Guitar, went to Brittlyn Stables for $100,000.

Notably, the five highest-priced yearlings of the sale were all fillies. Hip 109 (Strike Power–Mystic Blue) sold to Set-Hut, LLC for $97,000 from the Blanchet Farms, agent for Red River Farms, consignment. Hip 32 (Early Voting–Brittney Brat) was purchased by Sean Romero for $87,000 from the Scott & Company Farm, LLC consignment. And Hip 45 (Star Guitar–Clearly Sailing) was purchased by Allen Landry & Larry Romero for $77,000 from the Boutte Sales consignment.

Complete results are available on the LTBA website at LouisianaBred.com.

About the Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association
The Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association (LTBA) supports and promotes the growth of Louisiana's thoroughbred breeding industry. Through its Breeders Sales of Louisiana, the LTBA hosts yearling and mixed sales at the Louisiana Equine Sales and Event Center in Opelousas, La. For more information, visit LouisianaBred.com.

Media Contact
Roger Heitzman
Secretary/Treasurer, LTBA | Director, Breeders Sales of Louisiana
(504) 947-4676
[email protected]
# # #

Learn about Louisiana Thoroughbred breeding, racing, sales, and membership benefits with the Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association. Join us today.

09/01/2026

Tune in today.
Louisianabred.com

09/01/2026

Breeders Sales of Louisiana Preferred Yearling Sale
Live and on demand starting at 11L00 CST.
https://evt.live/louisiana-thoroughbred-preferred-yearling-sale

09/01/2026

HIGHLY WICKED DOES IT AGAIN IN $100,000 FIRST LADY LANDRY

BONS TEMPS ROULE RALLIES TO UPSET IN THE AU REVOIR

OPELOUSAS, LA –Evangeline Downs continued the celebration of 60 years of racing in the Acadiana region with four stake races for Louisiana-bred runners on a special Monday card, highlighted by another turf victory by Highly Wicked in the $100,000 First Lady Landry. The card included two $100,000 Louisiana Stallion Stakes sponsored by Coteau Grove Farm and the $100,00 Au Revoir. The afternoon also included a reunion of numerous legendary Cajun jockeys. The races were contested over tracks rated sloppy and firm.

Highly Wicked had to show all of her class to capture the $100,000 First Lady of Louisiana Sharon Landry Stakes. The race for fillies and mares 3-years-old and upward was contested over the turf at one mile.

Diva Beach broke quickly to take command of the First Lady Landry, while jockey Marcelino Pedroza, Jr. and Highly Wicked were away in good order and settled in just behind the leader. The opening fractions were steady as the field covered an opening quarter-mile in 23.83 seconds and a half-mile split in 47.95.

As the field moved into the far turn Diva Beach was holding on to a two-length advantage over Highly Wicked, with Moonie Pie trying to get motivated and Becky’sgottahaveit starting to get underway from the back of the pack. Turning for home after six furlongs in 1:12.29, Diva Beach battled on but Highly Wicked found her best stride inside the furlong pole and surged to the lead. Becky’sgottahaveit was rolling through the field in the final 100 yards but ran out of time as the turf queen prevailed by three-quarters of a length. Diva Beach held on for third another length back. The final time for the mile on the turf was 1:37.19.

Highly Wicked, a Sam David, Jr. trainee, remains undefeated on the Evangeline Downs turf course with her eighth victory over the course. She wins for 14th time in her 26 career starts and added $60,000 to her bankroll, which now stands at $299,075.

The 6-year-old chestnut mare was bred in Louisiana by the ownership group of Earl Hernandez, Keith Hernandez and John Duvieilh. She was sired by Wicked Strong and is out of the Rahy mare Highly Confused.

Highly Wicked paid $4.60 to win as the slight favorite over stablemate Moonie Pie, $3.20 to place and $2.40 to show. Longshot Becky’sgottahaveit paid $21 and $12.40, with Diva Beach paying $5.60.

Bons Temps Roule rallied strongly in the stretch with jockey Isaac Castillo to capture the $100,000 Au Revoir. The race for 3-year-olds and upward was contested over the turf at the distance of one mile.

Trained by Juan Larrosa and owned by Bankroll Racing Stables LLC (Jason Guidry and Juan Larrosa), Bons Temps Roule is a winner for the fifth time in 20 career starts. She earned $60,000 in his first stake win and his career earnings jump to $187,660.

Bons Temps Roule was bred by the team of Raintree Farm Racing, LLC, Jerry Henery and Roy Bourgeois, Jr. He is a 5-year-old dark bay or brown gelding sired by Clearly Now and is out of the Super Saver mare Supreme Bean.

Bons Temps Roule returned $19.20 to win, $10 to place and $4.80 to show. Star Rock Star paid $10 and $6.20 and Boss of All Bosses paid $4.60.

Six String ($4) dug in gamely under jockey Tim Thornton to fend off Secret Faith in the filly and mare division of the $100,000 Louisiana Stallion Stakes presented by Coteau Grove Farms. The race for 3-year-olds and upward is restricted to runners sired by a Louisiana stallion and covered six furlongs.

Trained by Allen Landry, Six String is a winner for the 13th time in her 29 career starts and wins her second stake race of the season. She picked up $60,000 in the victory and her career earnings are now $682,910.

Bred and owned by the partnership of World War IV Racing (Warren Mcfatter and John Christmann) and Rebel Tide Racing, LLC (David Walker and Randy Cimorelli), Six String is a 5-year-old chestnut mare sired by Star Guitar. She is out of the Harlan’s Holiday mare Oh Whata Holiday.

Achromedoutcat ($24.20) won a thrilling stretch battle with He’s Just Lucky by a head in the $100,000 Louisiana Stallion Stakes. The race for 3-year-olds and upward was raced at the distance of six furlongs.

Ridden by C.J. McMahon and trained by Randy Degeyter, Jr., Achromedoutcat wins his second stake of the season in the sixth victory from 20 career starts. He earned $60,000 for the performance and his career bankroll now stands at $212,900.

Owned by Darrin Dares, Achormedoutcat is a 5-year-old chestnut gelding sired by Peppered Cat. He is out of the Bodemeister mare Lilly Reich and was bred by Perry Martin and Denise Martin.

Live racing resumes with the start of the final week of the Thoroughbred season on Friday with a 5:30pm first post. The final weekend features racing Friday, Saturday and closing day on Labor Day, September 7. The Labor Day card will start at 3:45pm.