Touchuponastar Named Louisiana 2025 Horse of the Year

(BloodHorse-July 29, 2025) - The Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association will honor two-time New Orleans Classic Stakes (G2) winner Touchuponastar as its Horse of the Year at an awards evening beginning at 4 p.m. local time Aug. 1, at Mojo's at Evangeline Downs Racetrack & Casino.

The awards evening, which will recognize accomplishments of 2025, also will serve as a fundraiser for the Racing Employees Assistance Program.

Bred by Coteau Grove Farms, Touchuponastar won six of his seven starts in 2025 highlighted by a 2 1/2-length victory in the New Orleans Classic Stakes March 22 at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots. Racing for Set-Hut, the son of Star Guitar led at every point of call in that 1 1/8-mile test to post the decisive victory in the race that featured 2024 Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) winner and champion 3-year-old male Sierra Leone .

Touchuponastar won five other stakes in 2025, all in Louisiana, including the Louisiana Champions Day Classic Stakes, Delta Mile Stakes, Gold Cup Stakes, EVD Classic Stakes, and the La Bred Premier Night Championship Stakes. His victory in the Louisiana Champions Day Classic marked his fourth victory in that race.

Trained by Jeff Delhomme, this season Touchuponastar already has defended his victory in the New Orleans Classic with another clear win, this time by a half-length over Corporate Power . Touchuponastar has surpassed $2 million in earnings and his total of $2,082,560 ranks third all time among Louisiana-breds behind only Free Like a Girl ($2,565,628) and Tumbarumba ($3,450,433).

Hodges Photography/Paula C Tindall & Landen Carrie