J. Michael O’Farrell’s Ocala Stud was named National Breeder of the Year at the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association’s (TOBA) annual National Awards Dinner held in Lexington, Ky. on Sept. 6.

Also honored as Florida’s outstanding breeder, Ocala Stud bred and sold 2012 graded stakes winning fillies Turbulent Descent and Unlimited Budget as well as Eclipse Award winner Musical Romance, 2011's champion sprinter.

Turbulent Descent won the Ballerina S. (G1) at Saratoga in 2012 and earned more than $1.2 million for her career. Musical Romance, meanwhile, bankrolled almost $1.7 million, with wins in the Princess Rooney H. (G1) and Inside Information S. (G2) in 2012.

Unlimited Budget, who Ocala Stud bred and sold for $475,000 at the 2012 OBS Select 2-year-old sale. Bought by Mike Repole, she has gone on to win $714,200, with victories in the Demoiselle S. (G2), Fair Grounds Oaks (G2), and Rachel Alexandra S. (G3).

"I really never thought we would be the Florida state breeder because there are a lot of good operations," O'Farrell said. "I certainly never thought we'd be the national breeder. But now that we've won it, I assure you no one appreciates it more than me."