Trainer Bill Mott To Receive KY Thoroughbred Owner’s Warner Jones Horseman Of The Year Award

[Wandering Eyes]

Reigning Kentucky Derby-winning trainer Bill Mott has been named recipient of the 2025 Warner L. Jones Jr. Horseman of the Year Award, the Louisville-based Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners (KTO) announced Wednesday.

Mott will be honored at the KTO's annual awards dinner Saturday, November 22 at the Kentucky Derby Museum. The Warner Jones Award recognizes individuals for outstanding contributions to Kentucky racing and sharing the passion exemplified by Jones, who spent 50 years on the Churchill Downs board, including eight as chairman during the iconic track's initial resurgence. Jones was the inaugural award winner in 1988, six years before his death.

“For me, the biggest honor you can have is to be recognized by your peers as someone who does a good job,” said Mott, who won his second Kentucky Derby this year with Godolphin's Sovereignty. “That's the best compliment you can ever get. To be called Horseman of the Year? What's better than that?”

KTO President Tommy Drury added: “My gosh, a Hall of Fame trainer who spent a big chunk of his career here–and still has horses racing in Kentucky–and actually trained for Warner Jones. I can't think of a more deserving winner. Bill has been outstanding his entire career, and the fact that he has so many owners who have been with him for so many years speaks volumes about his horsemanship and character.”

In addition to Mott, Kentucky chief state steward Barbara Borden will be honored with the organization's Woman of the Year Award and Gabby Gaudet, Keeneland's new Director of Communications, will receive the KTO's John Asher Up and Comer Award.

The cost to attend the dinner is $175 for non-members, with cocktails at 6 p.m. and dinner at 7 p.m. To purchase tickets, call Lynda Woods at 502-644-5251 or email her here. The deadline for reservations is Nov. 13.

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