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CHRHF Welcomes New President, Honours Site of First Queen’s Plate, and Recognizes Legends at Annual President’s Reception
A capacity crowd of racing industry supporters, Hall of Fame honoured members and incoming inductees were expertly guided through a jam packed agenda by Master of Ceremonies and CHRHF Honoured Member Jim Bannon during Wednesday evening’s annual Hall of Fame President’s Reception.
The proceedings fittingly began with CHRHF President John Stapleton reflecting on the success of the 250th Anniversary of Horse Racing In 2017, one of many projects he spearheaded during his time as president, a role he has held since 2010. Stapleton then announced the person succeeding him as president of the CHRHF will be Darryl Kaplan, manager of Industry Communications at Standardbred Canada.
John’s summary of Kaplan’s biography with the Hall of Fame included the following: “Darryl Kaplan has been closely involved with the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame for several years. He has been Chair of the Nominating and Legends committees since 2011, and is a longstanding member of the organization’s Planning Committee.
Over the past decade, Darryl has dedicated great time and efforts to promoting the Hall, and has been a true asset in initiatives that advance the prominence and presence of the Hall. He was an important part of the team that ensured the Hall of Fame took centre stage during the 250th Anniversary of horse racing in Canada.
Prior to his position with Standardbred Canada, Kaplan worked at Woodbine Entertainment for five years, primarily on the thoroughbred side. He continues to have many contacts and close colleagues across all breeds of horse racing.
Outside of racing, Darryl is President of the Toronto Association of Business Improvement Areas – an organization representing 40,000 small businesses in Toronto. He is also a Vice President of the Canadian National Exhibition – the country’s largest community event.”
As he accepted the new title and role, Kaplan’s passion and commitment for what the CHRHF represents was evident in his remarks. “I am truly honoured to take on the role of President of the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame. On behalf of the entire Board of Directors, I wish to extend a sincere thank you to John Stapleton for his tremendous leadership as President over the past 8 years.
“The Hall of Fame connects the past, to the present, celebrating the wonderful success stories of our industry. The strength of the horse racing industry has been built over the past 250 years, and by bringing our history to life, and remembering the greats, we have the ability to build something special into the future.”
“I look forward to the opportunities ahead for this organization, and working with our Board of Directors. I also congratulate our newest class of inductees and legends on their remarkable achievements.”
The next order of business was the unveiling of a Heritage Toronto Plaque to be installed on the site of the first Queen’s Plate race held at the Carleton Racecourse in 1860, located in the area of Toronto now known as the Junction neighbourhood. The commemorative plaque, which is jointly funded by the City of Toronto, Woodbine Entertainment Group and the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame will mark the founding location of what is now the longest continuously run stakes race in North America. The official installation of the marker will to take place July 19, 2018.
The Hall then paid homage to the 2018 Legend Honourees, the late Frank McMahon, and the late Hector Clouthier, Sr.
Present for the ceremony were 30 members of the Clouthier family, including all ten of the late Hector Clouthier, Sr’s children.
Speaking on behalf of the family, Hector Clouthier, Jr. recounted stories and reflected on his father’s life, touching on a passion for horses which began as a youth working in the family’s lumber business, and continuing in his Standardbred breeding and racing operation under the “Northwood Stable” name. However, Mr. Clouthier’s greatest contribution to Canadian horse racing occurred once he became involved in racing industry associations, sitting on the Board of the Canadian Trotting Association, the Canadian Standardbred Horse Society, and the Ontario Harness Horse Association. He was considered one of the founding fathers of organized horsemen in Ontario, helping to negotiate contracts enabling horsemen to make a career in the racing business. Clouthier was recruited by the Quebec based United Harness Horsemen’s Association, became the organization’s President, and was soon thrust into contract negotiations with the powerful Jean Louis Levesque, owner of Montreal’s Blue Bonnets Raceway, to resolve a horsemen’s strike over purses.
An advocate of stake races for young horses in Ontario, Clouthier was instrumental in starting discussions for what would become the Ontario Sires Stakes program.
The evening concluded with the unveiling of the permanent display panels for the 2017 inductees and the formal introduction of the 2018 inductees: Standardbred Builder, William (Bill) Andrew; Thoroughbred Trainer, Reade Baker; Standardbred horses, Blissfull Hall and Chancey Lady; Driver/Trainer, the late Jim Doherty; Communicators Dave Landry and Dan Loiselle; Thoroughbred horses Judy the Beauty and Shaman Ghost and Thoroughbred Builder, John G. Sikura.
The 2018 Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame Induction will take place Wednesday, August 8th at the Mississauga Convention Centre. Tickets can be purchased for $175.00 each by contacting Linda Rainey, CHRHF Managing Director by phone at 416-417-9404 or by email at linda.rainey@horseracinghalloffame.com
Additional information about the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame can be found at: www.canadianhorseracinghalloffame.com
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Photos and accompanying captions from the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame President’s Reception
can be downloaded here
Linda Rainey
Managing Director
Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame
linda.rainey@horseracinghalloffame.com
416-417-9404
2017 Sovereign Award Winners Announced
The Jockey Club of Canada held its 43rd Annual Sovereign Awards ceremony at Toronto’s prestigious Palais Royale on Thursday, April 19, 2018.
In an effort to promote equal opportunity in determining the winners for 2017, voting began January 12, 2018, allowing for statistics from the entire year to be considered. The Jockey Club of Canada announced the top three finalists in each category as determined by the online ballots of the Jockey Club of Canada’s knowledgeable voters. The media category awards were determined by the Professors of Humber School of Media Studies and Information Technology, in Toronto, Ontario.
The Jockey Club of Canada is pleased to announce the 2017 Sovereign Award winners in the order in which they were presented.
Outstanding Photograph Award presented to Dave Landry by Jennifer Morrison. Michael Burns photo
(Media) Outstanding Photograph:
Dave Landry – Dirt Storm
Published as Canadian Thoroughbred’s February 2017 Cover Photo & $5 Lotto Scratch Ticket produced by the OLG
Award for Outstanding Writing presented to Perry Lefko by Dianne Denby. Michael Burns photo
(Media) Outstanding Writing:
Perry Lefko – Former Breeders’ Stakes champ finding the stable life at last
Published in The Toronto Star
Award for Outstanding Digital Audio Visual presented to Horse Racing Alberta by Stacie Roberts Michael Burns photo
(Media)Outstanding Digital Audio/Visual & Broadcast:
Horse Racing Alberta
Published at thehorses.com
The Jockey Club of Canada Award: Tyson Lautenschlager
The inaugural award was awarded to Tyson Lautenschlager at the School of Media Studies and Information Technology, Humber Institute of Advanced Technology and Advanced Learning.
“When I found out I got this scholarship I was thrilled. I became the kind of student who not only worked hard for myself but tried to help other people have success as well. It’s been a really rewarding experience to this point, especially considering I’ve been paying for most of my schooling out of my own pocket.”
Outstanding Groom Award presented to Alfredo Ramos by Cal Bricker Michael Burns photo
Outstanding Groom Award: Alfredo Ramos
Born in Nicaragua, Alfredo Ramos has a name for himself as one of Woodbine’s most dedicated grooms, a job he started soon after arriving in Canada in the late 1980s.
His early jobs came with trainers Rod Wright, Rita Schnitzler, Tino and Kevin Attard and in 2008, joined the high profile stable of Hall of Fame trainer Roger Attfield.
Alfredo has played a major role in the success of dozens of racehorses for Roger over the years and is easy to spot in the Woodbine paddock as he is always sporting a big smile.
“Alfredo is very reliable and hard working,” said Roger. “He is well deserving of the Groom Award.”
Outstanding Broodmare awarded to Victorious Ami. Presented by Yvonne Schwabe to owner Ivan Dalos Michael Burns photo
Outstanding Broodmare: Victorious Ami
Victory Gallop – Secret Ami, by Secret Claim
Progeny Earnings $1,834,978
Owner: Ivan Dalos
Breeder: Tall Oaks Farm
Victorious Ami’s five winning foals were led by the brilliant mare Ami’s Mesa, who had victories in three graded stakes events in 2017, including the Grade 2 Presque Isle Downs Master’s Stakes. A finalist for Champion Older Mare and Champion Female Sprinter for 2017, Ami’s Mesa earned over $588,000 during the year. Victorious Ami’s third foal, Ami’s Holiday, won the 2014 Breeders’ Stakes and 2013 Grey Stakes (Grade 3) and earned over $817,000. The mare has also produced stakes placed Victory Exchange, has a 2-year-old colt by Into Mischief and a yearling colt by Flatter.
Victorious Ami (164), Keen Victory (53), Loving Vindication (21), Miss Crissy (21)
Outstanding Apprentice awarded to Jockey Rey Williams presented by Robert King Jr. Michael Burns photo
Outstanding Apprentice Jockey: Rey Williams
Starts (261); Wins (41); Seconds (51); Thirds (45) Earnings ($471,415)
Barbados-born Rey Williams was Canada’s leading apprentice jockey in 2017 with 41 victories at Northlands Park and Century Downs in Alberta. A bettor’s favourite with more than 50% of his mounts finishing in the top three, Rey was the sixth leading rider at the Northlands. Rey rode Mister Jangles to a 7 to 1 upset win in the $50,000 Red Diamond Express Stakes and orchestrated another big win with Piper Rose in the $50,000 Alberta Oaks.
Rey Williams (158), Ridge Balgobin (67), Brandon A. Duchaine (56)
Award for Outstanding Handicapper presented to Michael Eisen by Michael Eves Michael Burns photo
Outstanding Handicapper: Michael Eisen
Michael considers one of his specialties in handicapping the ability to pick out a lone front runner in a race, citing that he loves his horses to be “on the engine”.
The growth of handicapping tournaments in Thoroughbred racing has been rapid in recent years and Michael emphasized the importance of horseplayers in the sport.
“For me, that Sovereign Award is more than just the icing on the cake,” Michael told HorseTourneys director of communications Eric Wing. “It is really special and carries a value that transcends the other prizes. Not to equate myself with the great achievers in the sport, but handicappers certainly do play a critical role in the industry.”
Champion Older Male awarded to Pink Lloyd, presented to Entourage Stable by Harvey Warner Michael Burns photo
Champion Older Male: Pink Lloyd
Ch. g. 5 / Sire: Old Forester / Dam: Gladiator Queen (Great Gladiator)
Trainer: Robert P. Tiller
Owner: Entourage Stable
Breeder: John Carey
2017: 8 Starts – 8 wins – 0 seconds – 0 thirds – $663,000
Winner: Kennedy Road S. (G2), Overskate S., Kenora S., Shepperton S., Vigil S. (G3), Achievement S., New Providence S., Jacques Cartier S.
Pink Lloyd (142), Melmich (108), Gigantic Breeze (38)
Champion Older Female awarded to Ami’s Mesa, presented to owner Ivan Dalos by David Whitford. Michael Burns photo
Champion Older Female: Ami’s Mesa
Dk. b or b. f. 4 / Sire: Sky Mesa / Dam: Victorious Ami (Victory Gallop)
Trainer: Josie Carroll
Owner: Ivan Dalos
Breeder: Tall Oaks Farm
2017: 5 Starts – 4 wins – 1 second- 0 thirds – $634,880
Winner: Presque Isle Downs Masters S. (G2), Seaway S. (G3), Ontario Matron (G3), OC 62k
Ami’s Mesa (172), Moonlit Promise (66), Gamble’s Ghost (48)
Outstanding Trainer awarded to Mark Casse, presented to Katheryn Sullivan by Jonathan Zammit. Michael Burns photo
Outstanding Trainer: Mark Casse
Starts (509); Wins (96); Seconds (85); Thirds (72)
Earnings $5,437,013 Stakes wins 18
Mark Casse’s stable had another strong season in 2017 with 96 winners and purse earnings of over $5.4 million. The season highlight being World Approval’s win in the Grade 1 Woodbine Mile, the second consecutive Woodbine Mile winner for Mark. Woodbine stable stars also include 2017 Sovereign Award finalists Wonder Gadot, as well as Field of Courage and Sovereign Award finalist Enstone.
Mark Casse (152), Norman McKnight (37), Josie Carroll (29), Catherine Day Phillips (29)
Champion Turf Male awarded to Johnny Bear, presented to owners John Brnjas and Danny Dion by John Stapleton. Michael Burns photo
Champion Male Turf Horse: Johnny Bear
Ch. g. 6 / Sire: English Channel / Dam: In Return (Horse Chestnut)
Trainer: Ashlee Brnjas
Owner: Colebrook Farms and Bear Stables, Ltd.
Breeder: Tall Oaks Farm
2017: 11 Starts – 5 wins – 1 second – 1 third – $385,224
Winner: Northern Dancer Turf S. (G1), Halton S., OC 62k, OC 62k, OC 32k
Johnny Bear (142), Channel Maker (67), Tower of Texas (49)
Champion Turf Female awarded to Starship Jubilee, presented to owners Kevin Attard and Soli Mehta by Dermot Carty. Michael Burns photo
Champion Female Turf Horse: Starship Jubilee
f. 4 / Sire: Indy Wind / Dam: Perfectly Wild (Forest Wildcat)
Trainer: Kevin Attard
Owner: Attard, Kevin and Mehta, Soli
Breeder: William P. Sorren
2017: 10 Starts – 6 wins – 1 second – 2 thirds – $310,900
Winner: Dance Smartly S. (G2), Nassau S. (G2), OC25K/N1X-N, ALW 50K, OC16K/N1X-N, CLM 16K
Starship Jubilee (152), Inflexibility (81), Enstone (68)
Outstanding Breeder awarded to Adena Springs, presented to Mrs. Stronach by Peter Berringer. Michael Burns photo
Outstanding Breeder: Adena Springs
Starters 68; Winners 39
Earnings $5,827,530
Starts (432); Wins (64); Seconds (67); Thirds (61)
Frank Stronach’s Adena Springs had eight individual Canadian-bred stakes winners in 2017 including Holy Helena, who won the Woodbine Oaks and Queen’s Plate for the farm. Shaman Ghost , another Stronach offspring of Ghostzapper, had a big year racing in the U.S. with victories in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Handicap and Grade 2 Pimlico Special. Other Canadian-bred stakes winners from the Adena Springs include Grade 3 winner Shakhimat and 2-year-old stakes winner Glamanation.
Adena Springs (139), Tall Oaks Farm (91), Anderson Farms Ont. Inc. (56)
Champion Two-Year Old Male awarded to Admiralty Pier, presented to Shawn Minshall by David Anderson. Michael Burns photo
Champion Two-Year-Old Male: Admiralty Pier
Ch. g. 2 / Sire: English Channel / Dam: Full Steam Ahead (Kitten’s Joy)
Trainer: Barbara J. Minshall
Owner: Hoolie Racing Stable, LLC and Lunsford, Bruce
Breeder: Calumet Farm
2017: 5 Starts – 2 wins – 1 second – 1 third – $141,300
Winner: Display S., MSW
Admiralty Pier (109), Archaggelos (65), Be Vewy Vewy Quiet (64)
Champion Two-Year Old Female awarded to Wonder Gadot, presented to Kathryn Sullivan by Ivan Dalos. Michael Burns photo
Champion Two-Year-Old Filly: Wonder Gadot
Dk. b or b. f. 2 / Sire: Medaglia d’Oro / Dam: Loving Vindication (Vindication)
Trainer: Mark E. Casse
Owner: Gary Barber
Breeder: Anderson Farms Ont. Inc.
2017: 5 Starts – 3 wins – 0 seconds – 1 third – $348,140
Winner: Demoiselle S. (Gr. 2), Mazarine S. (G3), MSW
Wonder Gadot (138), Dream It Is (82), Dixie Moon (73)
Award for Outstanding Jockey presented to Eurico Rosa Da Silva by Jim Lawson. Michael Burns photo
Outstanding Jockey: Eurico Rosa Da Silva
Starts (824); Wins (203); Seconds (186); Thirds (121)
Earnings $8,506,596 Stakes wins 34
Eurico Rosa da Silva won a remarkable 34 stakes races in 2017. One of the biggest victories of the year came when he rode American invader Bullards Alley to a 42 to 1 upset in the Grade 1 Pattison Canadian International. Eurico was also an integral part of Pink Lloyd’s magical season, who won eight stakes races in 2017. Other stars ridden by Eurico include Sovereign Award finalists Dixie Moon, Melmich and Mr. Havercamp. Eurico also did Canada proud when he won Japan’s World All-Star Jockey Challenge in August.
Eurico Rosa Da Silva (164), Luis Contreras (83), Rico Walcott (24)
Champion Male Sprinter awarded to Pink Lloyd, presented to owner Entourage Stable by Sandy Hawley. Michael Burns photo
Champion Male Sprinter: Pink Lloyd
Ch. g. 5 / Sire: Old Forester / Dam: Gladiator Queen (Great Gladiator)
Trainer: Robert P. Tiller
Owner: Entourage Stable
Breeder: John Carey
2017: 8 Starts – 8 wins – 0 seconds – 0 thirds – $663,000
Winner: Kennedy Road S. (G2), Overskate S., Kenora S., Shepperton S., Vigil S. (G3), Achievement S., New Providence S., Jacques Cartier S.
Pink Lloyd (180), Ikerrin Road (82), Yorkton (25)
Champion Female Sprinter awarded to Ami’s Mesa, presented to owner Ivan Dalos by Robert Landry. Michael Burns photo
Champion Female Sprinter: Ami’s Mesa
Dk. b or b. f. 4 / Sire: Sky Mesa / Dam: Victorious Ami (Victory Gallop)
Trainer: Josie Carroll
Owner: Ivan Dalos
Breeder: Tall Oaks Farm
2017: 5 Starts – 4 wins – 1 second- 0 thirds – $634,880
Winner: Presque Isle Downs Masters S. (G2), Seaway S. (G3), Ontario Matron (G3), OC 62k
Ami’s Mesa (178), Moonlit Promise (87), Jennifer Lynnette (24)
Outstanding Owner awarded to Chiefswood Stable, presented to Mr. Krembil by Sue Leslie. Michael Burns photo
Outstanding Owner: Chiefswood Stable
Starts (143); Wins (25); Seconds (31); Thirds (21)
Earnings $2,284,718 Stakes wins 7
This is the first nomination for Robert and Mark Krembil’s Chiefswood Stable which has divisions in King City and Loretto, ON. Its purse earnings of over $2.2 million in 2017 was the most earned by Chiefswood runners in the stable’s history. Stars for the Krembil family in 2017 include Tiz a Slam, a finalist for 2017 Champion Three-Year-Old Male, as well as Yorkton, a nominee in this year’s Sovereign Award Male Sprinter category.
Chiefswood Stable (117), Ivan Dalos (69), Stronach Stables (60)
Champion Three-Year Old Male awarded to Channel Maker, presented to Andrew Smith by Dawn Lupul. Michael Burns photo
Champion Three-Year-Old Male: Channel Maker
Ch. g. 3 / Sire: English Channel /
Dam: In Return (Horse Chestnut)
Trainer: William I. Mott
Owner: Joey Gee Thoroughbreds, Wachtel Stable and Barber, Gary
Breeder: Tall Oaks Farm
2017: 9 Starts – 1 wins – 3 seconds – 0 thirds – $408,467
Winner: Breeders’ Stakes
Channel Maker (113), Mr Havercamp (82), Tiz a Slam (70)
Champion Three-Year Old Female awarded to Holy Helena, presented to Mrs. Stronach by Tom Cosgrove. Michael Burns photo
Champion Three-Year-Old Filly: Holy Helena
Dk.b or b. f. 3 / Sire: Ghostzapper / Dam: Holy Grace (Holy Bull)
Trainer: James A. Jerkens
Owner: Stronach Stables
Breeder: Adena Springs
2017: 6 Starts – 3 wins – 2 seconds – 0 thirds – $991,000
Winner: Queens Plate S., Woodbine Oaks S., MSW
Holy Helena (166), Enstone (56), Daz Lin Dawn (38), Inflexibility (38)
Special Sovereign Award presented to Sam Lima by Jim Bannon Michael Burns photo
Special Sovereign Award: Sam Lima
As an enthusiastic horse owner, horseplayer and long-time member of the Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association (Ontario), Sam is one of the most recognizable faces at Woodbine and a tireless supporter of the sport. He has led the Toronto Thoroughbred Racing Club, a fun group for fans with monthly meetings and track and farm trips since 1972.
Sam has been a passionate and active director for the HBPA since 1972 and has played a role in many policies including getting fifth-place purse money for horsemen, the construction of a new dormitory, and financial benefits for horsepeople from simulcasting and uncashed tickets.
Sam and his wife Frances and daughter Carolyn have continued with the popular Toronto Thoroughbred Racing Club which celebrates it 57th year in 2018. On most weekends, you will find Sam on the fourth floor at Woodbine playing the races and seeking out guests for the Club’s next monthly meeting.
Horse of the Year awarded to Pink Lloyd, presented by Jeffery Begg to owner Entourage Stable. Michael Burns photo
Horse of The Year: Pink Lloyd
Ch. g. 5 / Sire: Old Forester / Dam: Gladiator Queen (Great Gladiator)
Trainer: Robert P. Tiller
Owner: Entourage Stable
Breeder: John Carey
2017: 8 Starts – 8 wins – 0 seconds – 0 thirds – $663,000
Winner: Kennedy Road S. (G2), Overskate S., Kenora S., Shepperton S., Vigil S. (G3), Achievement S., New Providence S., Jacques Cartier S.
Pink Lloyd (150), Ami’s Mesa (82), Holy Helena (40)
The Jockey Club of Canada was founded in 1973 by E.P. Taylor to serve as the international representative of the Canadian Thoroughbred industry. The mission of The Jockey Club of Canada is to promote and maintain a high standard for Thoroughbred racing and breeding in Canada at a level which is recognized internationally for the benefit of all those interested in the sport including the general public by operations and services such as, but not limited to: evaluating all Graded, Listed and Black-type races in Canada annually; conducting the annual Sovereign Awards for outstanding achievement in Thoroughbred racing and breeding in Canada; maintaining a field office in Canada for the Jockey Club of the United States and the Jockey Club Registry Service; and by representing Canada as a Member of the IFHA.
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For more information on The Jockey Club of Canada’s annual Sovereign Awards Ceremony contact Camille Casse at 416-675-7756 or jockeyclubcanada@gmail.com.
