Edited Press ReleaseKentucky House of Representative and House Speaker David Osborne has been named as the recipient of the Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners (KTO)'s signature Warner L. Jones Jr. Horseman of the Year Award, the group announced Friday morning.The award recognizes individuals for outstanding contributions to Kentucky racing and sharing the passion exemplified by Jones Jr., who spent 50 years on the Churchill Downs board, including eight as chairman during the track's resurgence. Jones Jr. was the inaugural award winner in 1988, six years before his death.Osborne and his wife, Loren Hebel-Osborne, race many of their horses in the name of their Deerfield Farm in Prospect or Gallant Stables Racing and other partnerships, including having campaigned the likes of GISW Majestic Harbor (Rockport Harbor). He was first elected to the Kentucky State House in 2005, becoming Acting Speaker in 2018 and officially Speaker in 2019.“He's arguably done as much for Kentucky horse racing as anyone in the history of the industry,” said KTO president Tom Drury. “When you look at the state of racing in Kentucky right now, between the purse structure and the races that we're able to offer and the stakes program continuing to get stronger, that's David Osborne's work in Frankfort. He fought wars to make sure that Kentucky got its place back at the head of the table of horse racing, and he certainly deserves to be recognized for what he's done.”In addition to the Warner Jones Award presentation, the Marlene Meter Woman of the Year Award will be presented to Cherie DeVaux in honor of her historic achievements in 2026, including becoming the first female trainer to win the Kentucky Derby in the race's history. Baley Hare, Ellis Park's racing secretary, will receive the John Asher Up and Comer Award.Osborne, DeVaux, and Hare will be feted Saturday Nov. 14 at the KTO's annual awards dinner at the Kentucky Derby Museum. The cost 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 by emailing lwoods1112@aol.com. The deadline for reservations is Nov. 7.The post KTO’s Warner Jones Award to Kentucky House Speaker David Osborne appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.