NJDA Honors Ochsner as Horseperson of the Year

Others Also Awarded At 67th Annual Celebration to Mark Month of the Horse

On Jun 6, 2024

The 2024 Governor’s Award for Horseperson of the Year was awarded to Al Ochsner for his service to the equine industry over the last several decades. Ochsner accepted the award at the 67th Annual New Jersey Breeders Awards Celebration at the Horse Park of New Jersey on Tuesday to mark the Month of the Horse in the state.

“Al Ochsner’s dedicated service to the industry and passion for horses makes him an exemplary person to be honored with this award,” NJDA Secretary Ed Wengryn said. “His work with the Standardbred Owners and Breeders Association of New Jersey (SBOANJ) has allowed the state to remain one of the leaders in the industry.”

In 2006, Ochsner became a director of the SBOANJ and served in various capacities there before being appointed executive administrator in 2016. Over the years, he has worked to ensure the strength of the racing industry, whether through on-track initiatives, or programs to promote breeding and owning Standardbreds. Also, he helped secure the five-year $100 million state racing appropriation.

Over the years, Ochsner owned and bred more than 100 horses. He bred and raised Precious Bunny, who in 1991 won 20 of 25 races, earned $2.21 million, and was named Horse of the Year in the U.S. and Canada. The pacer’s victories included the Meadowlands Pace, North America Cup and Little Brown Jug, and Ochsner was recognized as the sport’s Breeder of the Year.

Ochsner’s other top horses included Golden Greek, Keystone Harem, Seminole Lobell, and Town Council.

Ochsner attended New Brunswick High School, where he was president of the school’s FFA chapter. During that time, he began raising and marketing pheasants, a business that later funded his education at Utah State University. He graduated in 1965 with a bachelor’s degree in marketing and economics.

Shortly after starting his professional career, Ochsner got involved in harness racing with a childhood friend. He began with claimers but soon was drawn to higher-level racing and breeding. He started racing horses with the Stafford family and then became involved in partnerships where his horses were trained by the great Billy Haughton, Jan Nordin, and other top trainers.

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