Earl Hernandez, Keith Hernandez, and John Duvieilh Named State TOBA Winning Breeders for Louisiana of 2025
(New Orleans, La. – (August 17, 2026) - The Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association (TOBA) has named the recipients of the 2025 State and Canadian Breeders of the Year Awards, recognizing outstanding breeders whose achievements distinguished them during the 2025 racing season.
The breeders will be honored during the State and Canadian Breeders Luncheon on Friday, Sept. 11, 2026, at Coolmore- Ashford Stud, one day after the 41st Annual TOBA National Awards Dinner, which will be held on Thursday, Sept. 10, at The Kentucky Castle in Versailles, Kentucky. Versailles.
Earl Hernandez, Keith Hernandez, and John Duvieilh were named state winner for Louisiana and was nominated by the Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association.
As president of the Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association, Keith Hernandez has helped guide the state's thriving breeding program. Now, as a recipient of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association's Louisiana breeder of the year award with his father Earl and business partner John Duvieilh, he's leading by example, showcasing their breeding operation.
Things took off for Earl and Keith Hernandez when they claimed a son of Majestic Light named Rail for $12,500 at Fair Grounds Race Course in December 1994. The next year as a 6-year-old, Rail became a stakes winner, which combined with his pedigree, led to a stud career.
Their breeding operation continues in full swing. Hernandez has 16 broodmares. He and his partners advance their operation by buying mares, claiming racehorses, obtaining foal shares, and getting involved with the ownership of stallions.
Hernandez and his partners are also breeding stakes winners or racing them. Geaux Sugar , bred by the partners, won the 2025 Louisiana Champions Day Sprint and King Creole stakes last year for Single Malt Stable and trainer Keith Bourgeois.
Another, Highly Wicked , notched four wins in a row, three in stakes, from March through July for the partners as breeders and owners. The homebred daughter of Wicked Strong has added multiple stakes in 2026.
