APRIL 18, 2024
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Celebrating Outstanding Achievements in Canadian Thoroughbred Racing 49thAnnual Sovereign Awards
The Jockey Club of Canada Welcomes You to the 49th Annual Sovereign Awards Ceremony
On behalf of Chief Steward, R. Glenn Sikura and the Jockey Club of Canada Board of Stewards, we would like to congratulate all of the finalists and winners this evening.
We would like to say a special thank you to our dedicated Sponsors and Advertisers for continuing to support the Sovereign Awards.
The Master Trophy
The Master Sovereign Award Trophy is a permanent fixture on display in the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame located at the west entrance of Woodbine Racetrack. The Trophy is a symbol of the outstanding achievements of all Sovereign Award recipients from the past 49 years.
Affixed on the base of the Master Trophy are the names of the Horse of the Year recipients as well as the recipients of the E. P. Taylor Award of Merit (formerly the Man of the Year Award).
The Sovereign Award Trophy
The Sovereign Award Trophy is a replica of St. Simon (1881-1908). St. Simon raced at age two and three and was undefeated in 10 starts.
His major racecourse accomplishment was his 20-length victory in the Ascot Gold Cup. He annihilated the field with such ease that his jockey was unable to pull him up after the 2 1/2 mile test. Highly regarded as a racehorse, it was as a stallion that St. Simon gained everlasting international fame.
The son of Galopin – St. Angels, by King Tom, headed the list of winners nine times and the maternal grandsire list on six occasions, records that have never been equaled. St. Simon, or one of his three sons, led the winners’ sire list sixteen times between 1890 and 1913.
The Sovereign Award Trophy is a bronze which was sculpted by local carver and award winning sculptor, the late Siegfried Puchta, a native of Germany who immigrated to Toronto, Canada in 1953.
Only one Sovereign Award Trophy is to be presented to an individual or partnership in his or her lifetime. Any subsequent awards are to be noted by the addition of a Gold Sovereign Coin and a brass plate which are intended to be affixed to the individual’s or partnership’s original trophy.
Individual breeders or partnership breeders of a Sovereign Award winning horse will only receive one trophy in his or her lifetime. Breeders or breeding partnerships of subsequent award winners will receive a brass plate only which is intended to be affixed to the individual breeder or partnership breeder’s original trophy.
Only one Gold Sovereign or Trophy is to be awarded in any single year for the accomplishments of a horse, individual, or partnership. If a horse, individual or partnership is awarded in more than one category this is to be noted on individual brass plates intended to be affixed to the base of one trophy.
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The Jockey Club of Canada
STEWARDS
R. Glenn Sikura
Chief Steward
David Anderson
Douglas Anderson
Hazel Bennett
Catherine Day Phillips
Don Ferguson
Sue Leslie
Bernard McCormack
Vicki Pappas
Frank Romeo
Michael Vanin
MEMBERS
Mike Ambler
Barry Anderson
Kevin Attard
Roger Attfield
Lisa Balaz
Michael Balaz
Rick Balaz
James Bannon
Jeffrey Begg
Russell J. Bennett
Craig Bernick
Peter Berringer
Ian Black
Ray Bouchard
Paul Braverman
John Brnjas
Andrij Brygidyr
Barbara Burke
Theodore Burnett
Josie Carroll
Mark Casse
Derek Chin
David Clancy
Tom Cosgrove
Katherine Curry
HONORARY MEMBER
Stuart S. Janney III
Colleen Dalos
Don Danard
Rolph Davis
Richard Day
Michael P. De Paulo
Frank Di Giulio
Joseph Di Scola
William Diamant
Darren Dunn
Arika Everatt-Meeuse
John Fielding
Charles Fipke
Sean Fitzhenry
Nicholas Gonzalez
Jeff Goy
Gabe Grossberg
Adolf Gust
George Hendrie
Andrew Hudson
Rene Hunderup
Ben Hutzel
Keith Johns
Horatio Kemeny
Steven Kemp
Robert Krembil
Robert Mark Krembil
Mitchell Kursner
Robert Landry
Greg Lang
Donato Lanni
Patrick Lawley-Wakelin
James J. Lawson
Michael Lay
George Ledson
Wally Leong
Gordon Lickrish
Michael Loughry
Bruce Lunsford
Mark Mache
Earle I. Mack
Rajendra Maharajh
Ross McKague
Sherry McLean
Robert McMartin
John Menary
David Milburn
Barbara Minshall
Shawn Minshall
Dan Mooney
Peter Mosakos
Adrian Munro
Liam O’Rourke
Charles Overland
John C. Oxley
Mike Rogers
Jaime Roth
Tom Ryan
Paul Ryneveld
Mark Samuel
Yvonne Schwabe
Michael Secker
Suzi Shoemaker
John G. Sikura
Steven Smith
George Strawbridge Jr.
Andrew Stronach
Frank Stronach
Robert Tiller
Lou Tucci
Howard Walton
Wesley Ward
David Willmot
Gail Wood
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Congratulations to all fellow nominees
Best of luck racing and breeding in 2024
ELYSIAN FIELD
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Micheal Burns
Emcees
The 49th annual Sovereign Awards mark the second ceremony for Dawn Lupul and Jeff Bratt as co-hosts.
Dawn has been involved in the sport since she was very young and turned her love of horse racing into a broadcast career in 1995. She has worked across Canada, gaining respect as an expert racing analyst of both thoroughbreds and standardbreds.
Dawn is currently the Manager of Racing and Communications for BC Racebook in Vancouver.
Jeff began his career with Woodbine Entertainment in 1999, starting as one of the first hosts at The Racing Network (TRN), which eventually became HPItv. Following one year in that position, he joined the thoroughbred simulcast team where he has hosted many of the network shows for Woodbine’s biggest races. Currently the host of the Thoroughbred daily simulcast show, Jeff has also contributed in an Emcee role for the CTHS (Ontario Division).
Order of Presentation
Special Sovereign Award
Outstanding Writing
Outstanding Photograph
Outstanding Digital Audio/Visual and Broadcast
Outstanding Groom sponsored by OLG
Outstanding Off-track Worker
Champion Two-year Old Female
Champion Two-year Old Male
Champion Three-year Old Female
Champion Three-year Old Male sponsored by Woodbine Entertainment
Outstanding Broodmare
Outstanding Breeder
Champion Female Sprinter
Champion Male Sprinter
Outstanding Apprentice Jockey
Outstanding Jockey
Champion Female Turf Horse
Champion Male Turf Horse sponsored by Woodbine Entertainment
Outstanding Trainer
Champion Older Main Track Female
Champion Older Main Track Male
Outstanding Owner sponsored by HBPA of Ontario
Horse of the Year
Special thanks to the following
Woodbine Broadcasting Department
Video Production & Online Streaming
Michael Burns Photography
Program Photos
Jeff Bratt and Dawn Lupul
Emcees
Deanne Penny, Sportswood Printing
A Division of The Aylmer Express LTD.
Program Design and Printing
Jennifer Morrison
Editorial Contributions
The Jockey Club of Canada
Sovereign Awards Committee
Chair: Doug Anderson
James Bannon
Colleen Dalos
R. Glenn Sikura
Michael Vanin
White Heather Pipes and Drums
Pipes and Drums
Sovereign Awards – 6 –
Emcees, Order, Appreciation
49thAnnual
Evening
To all the 2023 Sovereign Award finalists and recipients These achievements recognize the tremendous dedication you have for our equine athletes and our sport. Congratulations! Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame 555 Rexdale Blvd., Toronto ON M9W 5L2 | 416.417.9404 canadianhorseracinghalloffame.com We recognize the Jockey Club of Canada’s 50th Anniversary! Join the CHRHF August 7, 2024 for the induction of the Class of 2024 Thank you to all of our Sponsors PLATINUM + PLATINUM GOLD SILVER BRONZE EARLE I. MACK LLC Horse Racing Alberta – 7 –
Robert ‘Red’ McKenzie
After more than 80 years working in horse racing in Alberta, you might think that Robert ‘Red’ McKenzie has done it all. A former jockey, and then successful trainer, who has won some 1,600 races, Robert landed in the record books on the evening of June 23, 2023 when his mare Entitled Star won a claiming race at Century Mile. At the age of 96, he became the oldest trainer to saddle a winner in Canadian racing history when his mare circled the field as the longest shot on the board at 25-1.
Considering thoroughbred racing statistics are hard to come by before 1976, the official number of winners for Robert as a jockey, trainer, and owner, could be much higher than 1,600. But what is known is that the Alberta resident, who was born on January 1, 1927, was still bringing horses over to race in 2023.
Robert loved horses and started riding at the age of 10 at a riding academy in Edmonton. He accompanied his father and sister to the racetrack and started riding races at bush tracks such as Ponoka, Rimbey, and Red Deer. When he turned 16 and was old enough to ride the ‘A’ tracks, he would travel throughout the Western Canada Association which included tracks in Calgary, Winnipeg, Edmonton, and Saskatoon.
His riding career was short-lived as he became too big; so, he took up training, something that he was already dabbling in before he quit riding at 18. At that time, he was breaking and training young horses for other owners and he quickly became a very accomplished conditioner. Well-known for his memories of virtually every horse he came across, one of the best horses he mentions was Grandin Park, a foal of 1970 produced by the mare Colatha, which Robert had claimed for $900. After winning with Colatha, he gave the mare to a friend who bred her, and the foal, Grandin Park, was bought by Morris Stephenson. Robert won 29 races with the son of Haydn, including the Birdcatcher Stakes, the Ky. Quill Handicap, and the Harvest Gold Plate Handicap.
Other notable horses trained by Robert included Chariot Chaser, who has a stakes race named after her, and Chopstick, who won both divisions of the 1965 Alberta Derby. Chariot Chaser also won the Saskatchewan and Canadian Derbies, the latter over Toronto invader Weed Bender.
Robert has raced horses in Toronto, New York, New Jersey, and California, and, as recently as 2008, he had over 80 starters and won numerous races with the good three-year old filly Chatahoochie.
His mare Entitled Star has also been around for a while. The California-bred by Roi Charmant was ten years old when she won for Robert last summer. He claimed the bay mare in 2018 for $8,000 from a race at Turf Paradise and they have won seven races together.
The Jockey Club of Canada is pleased to recognize Robert ‘Red’ McKenzie with a Special Sovereign Award, which has been presented, in years past, to famous horses such as Sunny’s Halo and Awesome Again, and notable industry figures such as Frank Drea, Sue Leslie, Harvey Warner, and Sam-Son Farm.
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Sovereign Award
Special
Horse Racing Alberta Congratulates
Special Sovereign Award recipient Red McKenzie, inaugural Outstanding Off-track Worker Award winner Jennifer Buck and all of the Sovereign Awards finalists
INFINITE PATIENCE RED MCKENZIE JENNIFER BUCK
Best of luck in 2024
Horse Racing Alberta
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FOUR FOOTED FOTOS
COADY PHOTO
IT WAS THE GREATEST RACE IN CANADIAN HISTORY. FIFTY YEARS LATER, SECRETARIAT’S LEGACY IS STILL FELT
Tucked away in the quiet of the stall, hidden from security and onlookers, Tom Cosgrove stood alone with the greatest racehorse to ever live.
His visit to Barn 8 at Woodbine Racetrack in northwest Toronto was timed perfectly. The two Pinkerton security guards stationed around the clock were gone, driving to an airport hotel to switch their 12-hour shift with two others.
So Cosgrove stood alone in the hay, admiring the horse’s chestnut hair and the white streak running down the bridge of its nose. The horse was Secretariat.
Cosgrove, the groom of Presidial, another horse in the Canadian International Stakes that weekend in October 1973, was friends with Secretariat’s groom, Eddie Sweat, who co-ordinated Cosgrove’s clandestine visit. Sweat watched for months as Secretariat rewrote the definition of equine greatness, winning the Triple Crown and setting track records at every stop.
His final race was in Toronto, 50 years ago Saturday, considered by many to be the greatest run in Canada. Decades later, the mark he left on Canadian racing is still reverberating...
CAT’S LONG WAY HOME
With tentative steps and a few pauses to take in the lush tree-lined paddocks, the handsome gelding stepped off the van. It was well into the evening but the barn lights were on. It seemed as if he recognized the sights and smells. It seemed as if the Cat knew he was home.
Cool Catomine had just completed a journey of some 2,100 kilometres (about 1,300 miles) in a horse van, taking him from the rolling hills and farmer’s fields of Iowa, across the central United States to the bluegrass of Kentucky before heading north to the maple trees of Ontario.
At nine years old, Cool Catomine is a senior in racehorse terms. He stands on battle-worn ankles with osselets marking arthritic fetlock joints on otherwise strong legs. It is October 4th and he is bright-eyed as he is led into the very barn where he was born by Bernard and Karen McCormack.
Their hearts were full and tears welled. The Cat, a Canadian classic winner who had been toiling in low-level claiming races for years, racing for dozens of owners and trainers, was back home thanks to a large group of human friends throughout North America, including LongRun Thoroughbred Retirement Society and the McCormacks.
On or off the racetrack, it was one of the biggest stories in Canadian racing in 2023...
THE TURCOTTES
It’s just the wind,” says Alfred Turcotte, stealing back the quilt from his wife, Rose, and draping it over his ample shoulders.
“Just the wind,” he murmurs again, rolling back to sleep, the bedside clock reading 11 p.m.
Rose knew otherwise. A mother always knows.
Rose slides away from the complaining of the narrow bed, grabs her housecoat and slips across the cranky wood floor and through the darkness. In socked feet, she heads to the tiny bedroom where Gaetan, the 22-month-old baby of the family of 11 children, has wrestled himself awake one more time.
Cheeks flushed red as gooseberries, tears scampering down his face, Gaetan is hungry.
Outside, the wind breathes heavily, still not exhausted from its long, icy slide down the Salmon River. The gale has been relentless — howling and shrieking for days on end, tearing and scrapping at everything in its wide swath — while the snow, which has been falling for days, is now knee high, burying just about everything.
It is Friday, December 8, 1958.
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49thAnnual Sovereign Awards
Larry Wong
Outstanding Writing
Mark Colley
Jennifer Morrison
Curtis Stock
– 12 –
49thAnnual Sovereign Awards
A KISS FOR COMMANDO
Jason Halstead
HOLDING BACK DISASTER
Allan de la Plante
RAIN RUNNIN
Outstanding Photograph
Patricia Burns
Committed to Thoroughbred Horse Racing in Ontario
Benefits & Services
Benevolence for Emergencies
Owners’ Awards for Ontario-bred winners
Registered & Non-Registered Pension Plan
Subsidized Medical/Dental Insurance
Educational Assistance
Employee Assistance Program
Social Events
Applications & Immigration
Contract negotiations with racetracks
Ongoing Representation at AGCO hearings & with all levels of Government
Free Urine/Blood re-evaluation on alleged positive test
Assistance with Foreign Workers
Board of Directors
Sue Leslie · Bill Diamant · Nick Gonzalez · Sherry McLean
Veronica Attard · Janet Black · Conrad Cohen
Roger Attfield · Josie Carroll
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49thAnnual Sovereign Awards
Santino Di Paola
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Woodbine Entertainment Group
SECRETARIAT THE LAST RACE
youtube.com/watch?v=--lV1nCGEE8
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Outstanding Digital Audio/Visual and Broadcast
49thAnnual Sovereign Awards
Michelle Armata
Being from one of the most successful racing families in Canada, horse racing is an integral part of Michelle Armata. Her father, Joe, was a trainer at Woodbine and Michelle would often visit the stable, despite being a bit scared of horses when she was young.
Michelle studied Early Childhood Education in the latter part of her school years, working hours towards her diploma, until one day she decided her life was with horses. There was a litany of family members at Woodbine by then, including her brother Steve and sister Josie. She was in her 20s when she started working there, first for Joe, and then for Steve. “My brother and his wife Sharon taught me a lot about grooming horses,”
said Michelle. “I was taught horsemanship the old school way.”
After leaving the track to start a family - she has two children with her husband, trainer Ross Armata, Jr., - Michelle returned to work for her brother-in-law, Mike De Paulo and his wife and assistant, Josie, Michelle’s sister.
In 2015, only two years after starting with Mike and Josie, Michelle became the groom for a filly who had a reputation for being tough, but was showing promise.
“I remember when Josie first brought Caren off the van and she was laughing at me, knowing that this nasty filly was going into my stalls for me
to groom. Oh yeah, she was a fierce biter and a kicker but I just kept talking nicely to her and spoiling her.” Caren went on to be Canada’s Horse of the Year at the 2016 Sovereign Awards.
Michelle has had many other favourite horses, such as the claiming filly She’s the North, who used to seek out hugs from Michelle.
The Mike De Paulo barn, one of the largest and busiest on the Woodbine backstretch, is also one of the more successful stables in Canada, and Michelle has played an integral role in that success. That was certainly the case in 2023 when Mike was serving a three-month suspension at the beginning of the Woodbine season. Michelle helped Josie keep the shedrow running smoothly and the horses happy and healthy, providing invaluable assistance by way of her exceptional work ethic.
“It’s all about the horses and that’s why we love our jobs,” said Michelle. “They all have their different personalities, I respect so much what they do for us.”
The Jockey Club of Canada congratulates Michelle for being selected to receive the Outstanding Groom Award, presented by OLG, at the 2023 Sovereign Awards.
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Outstanding Groom sponsored by OLG
49thAnnual Sovereign Awards
Jennifer Buck
The inaugural Outstanding Off-track Worker Award will be presented this evening to Jennifer Buck, who has been with Adrian Munro’s Highfield Stock Farm in Okotoks, Alberta since 2013. The Jockey Club of Canada introduced the Outstanding Off-track Worker Award as a way to honour the unsung heroes who make thoroughbred racing in Canada possible through their hard work and dedication at off-track thoroughbred racing, training, boarding, breeding, sales, and aftercare farms and facilities.
Jennifer, who was born in Ontario, learned to ride horses at a young age when living in Connecticut. Once settled in Alberta as a teenager, she worked for Glenview Stables and manager Brian Ferguson, a Windfields Farm alumni, learning the intricacies of farm management, from painting fences to barn care. She pursued performing arts in school at Mount Royal and worked as a fly-fishing guide on the famous Bow River, which she still does today. But the lure of horses was too strong. While raising her son Hunter, Jennifer went to work at the famed Bar None Ranches for Mike Vanin. She also had a love for working with polo horses and she played at the Calgary Polo Club before moving over to Highfield.
To say she is merely the farm manager at the very successful Highfield Stock Farm would do Jennifer
little justice. Her position is all-encompassing and includes very long days during the breeding season. Jennifer manages Highfield’s leading Canadian stallion, Fed Biz, and oversees his very busy breeding schedule. She also foals out mares for Highfield and their clients, and preps their youngstock for sale.
“We foal anywhere from 70 to 80 mares a year,” said Jennifer, who also helps Munro in planning the matings of his mares.
Jennifer has developed a work safety, health, and education program with detailed regulations for her staff. She is also keen on visiting other farms throughout North America and prides herself on learning from other successful managers in the business. “It’s a generous crowd out there,” she says. “People are happy to share their knowledge.”
Jennifer’s passion for thoroughbred horses shines through each Highfield horse on the track or in the sales ring.
“I was so surprised when I found out I would receive this award,” said Jennifer. “I’m excited to go to the awards and meet up with all the other great breeders and farm managers.”
Congratulations to Jennifer Buck, the first recipient of the Outstanding Off-track Worker Award!
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Outstanding Off-track Worker Award
First out of the gate... and across the finish line.
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Congratulations to Jennifer Buck for receiving the inaugural Outstanding Off-track Worker Award. You are the embodiment of what Highfield stands for and we are proud of you.
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Congratulations to all Sovereign Award Nominees
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49thAnnual Sovereign Awards
Living Magic
CH. F. 2, by Justify – Living the Life *Ire (Footstepsinthesand *GB)
Trainer: Phil Schoenthal
Owner: HnR Nothhaft Horse Racing, LLC
Breeder: HnR Nothhaft Horse Racing LLC
2023: 6 Starts – 3 wins – 1 second – 1 thirds – $192,917
Winner: Chelsey Flower S. My Dear S. MSW
Stakes Placings: 2nd Presque Isle Debutante S. 3rd Astoria S.
Tripolina
B. F. 2, by Constitution
– Ballykiss (Street Boss)
Trainer: Kevin Attard
Owner: X-Men Racing 3, Madaket Stables LLC and SF Racing LLC
Breeder: WinStar Farm, LLC
2023: 3 Starts – 2 wins – 1 second – 0 thirds – $108,999
Winner: Display S. MSW
Stakes Placings: 2nd Mazarine S. (G3)
Witwatersrand
B. F. 2, by Connect – Carta de Oro (Medaglia d’Oro)
Trainer: Mark E. Casse
Owner: Gary Barber
Breeder: G. Watts Humphrey Jr.
2023: 3 Starts – 2 wins – 0 seconds – 1 third – $107,031
Winner: Mazarine S. (G3) MSW
Stakes Placings: 3rd Glorious Song S.
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Champion Two-year Old Female
49thAnnual Sovereign Awards
Babbo
B. C. 2, by Kantharos – Calling Rhy Rhy (City Zip)
Trainer: Sid C. Attard
Owner: Lucio Tucci
Breeder: Robert G. Harvey
2023: 6 Starts – 3 wins – 2 seconds – 0 thirds – $217,912
Winner: Coronation Futurity AOC MSW
My Boy Prince
GR./RO. C. 2, by Cairo Prince – Hopping Not Hoping (Silent Name *Jpn)
Trainer: Mark E. Casse
Owner: Gary Barber
Breeder: Murray Graham Smith
2023: 6 Starts – 3 wins – 2 seconds – 1 third – $429,638
Winner: Cup and Saucer S. Simcoe S. MSW
Stakes Placings: 2nd bet365 Summer S. (G1) 3rd Prevagen Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1)
Two Ghosts
DK. B./BR. G. 2, by Ghostzapper – Celia’s Song (Distorted Humor)
Trainer: Barbara J. Minshall
Owner: Hoolie Racing Stable, LLC
Breeder: Ghostzapper Syndicate & Brushy Hill Enterprises LLC
2023: 6 Starts – 2 wins – 2 seconds – 0 thirds – $130,559
Winner: Grey S. (G3) MSW
Stakes Placings: 2nd Display S.
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Champion Two-year Old Male
Babbo | Elysian Field | Fashionably Fab | Il Malocchio | Lucky Score | Mendocino Beano
Millie Girl | Moira | My Boy Prince | Paramount Prince | Patches O’Houlihan | Touch’n Ride
Gold type indicates Ontario-Bred & Ontario-Sired
10 Carlson Court, Suite 400, Etobicoke, ON M9W 6L2 | tip.ontarioracing.com | ontarioracing.com
to the 2023 Sovereign Awards Finalists and Winners
BEST OF LUCK TO THE ONTARIO-BRED STARS
ONTARIO
THOROUGHBRED IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM
49thAnnual Sovereign Awards
Elysian Field
CH. F. 3, by Hard Spun – Elysian (Smart Strike)
Trainer: Mark E. Casse
Owner: Team Valor International and Barber, Gary
Breeder: Anderson Farms Ont. Inc.
2023: 7 Starts – 2 wins – 3 seconds – 0 thirds – $492,029
Winner: Woodbine Oaks
Presented by Budweiser MSW
Stakes Placings: 2nd Breeders’ S. 2nd Fury S. Presented by Stella Artois 2nd King’s Plate S.
Fashionably Fab
DK. B./BR. F. 3, by Silent Name *Jpn – Flashy’s Legacy (Curlin)
Trainer: Kevin Attard
Owner: Terra Racing Stable
Breeder: Terra Farms Ltd
2023: 7 Starts – 4 wins – 0 seconds – 1 third – $196,420
Winner: Ashbridges Bay S. Eternal Search S. La Prevoyante S. Rondeau Bay S.
Stakes Placings: 3rd Bison City S.
Solo Album
CH. F. 3, by Curlin – Summer Solo (Arch)
Trainer: Mark E. Casse
Owner: Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Barber, Gary, and Rocco, Steven
Breeder: Payson Stud Inc.
2023: 8 Starts – 2 wins – 3 second – 0 thirds – $160,099
Winner: Selene S. (G3) MSW
Stakes Placings: 2nd Maple Leaf S. (G3)
2nd Ontario Damsel S.
Presented by Ketel One
– 24 –
Champion Three-year Old Female
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Paramount Prince
CH. G. 3, by Society’s Chairman – Platinum Steel (Eddington)
Trainer: Mark E. Casse
Owner: Langlois, Michael J. and Barber, Gary
Breeder: Ericka Nadine Rusnak
2023: 6 Starts – 2 wins – 2 seconds – 1 third – $566,568
Winner: King’s Plate S. Plate Trial S.
Stakes Placings: 2nd Queenston S. 3rd Prince of Wales S.
Patches O’houlihan
B. G. 3, by Reload – Maythefourthbwithu (Silent Name *Jpn)
Trainer: Robert P. Tiller
Owner: Frank D. Di Giulio, Jr.
Breeder: Frank Di Giulio Jr.
2023: 7 Starts – 6 wins – 0 seconds
– 0 thirds – $301,882
Winner: Bold Venture S. (G3)
Vigil S. (G3)
Lake Huron S.
Lake Superior S. OC OC
Touch’n Ride
B. G. 3, by Candy Ride *Arg – Niigon’s Touch (Niigon)
Trainer: Layne S. Giliforte
Owner: Chiefswood Stables Limited
Breeder: Chiefswood Stables Limited
2023: 5 Starts – 3 wins – 0 seconds
– 1 third – $317,257
Winner: Ontario Derby (G3)
Breeders’ S. MSW
– 26 –
49thAnnual Sovereign Awards
Champion Three-year
Old Male sponsored by Woodbine Entertainment
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G1 winners
Game *fr Bay mare, 2005
Montjeu *Ire - Pretty *Ire, by Darshaan *GB
8 starters, 6 winners, 3 Blacktype Winners, 1 Blacktype Placer
Progeny earnings: $1,326,392
Game – a name befitting a broodmare whose progeny have been just that on the racetrack. With progeny earnings of over $1.3 million, the French-bred mare has had tremendous success when bred to 1999 Belmont Stakes winner, Lemon Drop Kid. That cross has produced offspring which have fared particularly well in the Canadian Triple Crown and Triple Tiara, with three of four foals placing or winning in the marquee races: Season Ticket captured the 2015 Wonder Where Stakes and was third in that year’s Woodbine Oaks; Game’s highest earner, Belichick, put an end to Mighty Heart’s Triple Crown bid with a score in the 2020 Breeders’ Stakes after running second to him in the Queen’s Plate on his way to earning almost $480,000; and, most recently, Wickenheiser ran second in both the 2023 Woodbine Oaks and Wonder Where Stakes.
Game’s first foal, Broken Game, was a stakes winner and Group 2-placed in Peru and the mare is expecting a foal by Maclean’s Music in 2024.
Mendocino Beano
Dark bay/brown mare, 2008
Smart Strike – Trishyde Slew, by Seattle Slew
5 starters, 5 Winners, 1 Graded Blacktype Winner, 2 Blacktype Winners, 1 Blacktype Placer
Progeny earnings: $1,253,560
Sean and Dorothy Fitzhenry bred and raced Mendocino Beano, who provided them with a maiden special weight victory and a third in the Grade 3 Ontario Colleen Stakes. But, it has been in the breeding shed where the Ontariobred has really left her mark. From five foals, each of which have run and won, her progeny earnings stand at just over $1.2 million.
Mendocino Beano’s highest earner is Tone Broke, who captured two-thirds of the 2019 Canadian Triple Crown and finished third in that year’s Queen’s Plate on his way to amassing over $500,000 in earnings. She also produced overnight stakes winner Stallion Heiress and the stakes-placed winner Conquest Fleetfeet.
Mendocino Beano’s final foal, Millie Girl, is a finalist for 2023 Champion Older Main Track Female after capturing the Grade 3 Ontario Matron Stakes and Grade 3 Maple Leaf Stakes along with placings in the Grade 2 Royal North Stakes, Grade 2 Nassau Stakes, and Grade 3 Seaway Stakes.
Sunday Affair
Dark bay/brown mare, 2007
A. P. Indy – Million Gift *Jpn, by Sunday Silence
7 Starters. 6 Winners. 2 Graded Blacktype Winners, 1 Blacktype Placer
Progeny earnings: $1,811,024
Chiefswood Stables Limited’s Sunday Affair was a finalist for this lifetime achievement award at the 2021 Sovereign Awards, and has long been a star in the breeding shed for her owners. The beautifully-bred mare boasts champions A. P. Indy as her sire and Sunday Silence as her broodmare sire, and has progeny earnings of over $1.8 million. Her first foal, Nipigon, was stakes-placed at two, four, and five.
Sunday Affair’s 2014 foal, Yorkton, boasts five stakes wins and five stakes placings, including back-to-back scores in the Grade 3 Bold Venture Stakes.
Her most recent stakes horse is Weyburn, who captured the 2021 Grade 3 Withers Stakes at Aqueduct before annexing the 2022 and 2023 editions of the Sir Shackleton Stakes at Gulfstream Park. The Pioneerof the Nile colt was also third in the Grade 3 Westchester Stakes at Belmont Park last year and has over $560,000 in career earnings.
– 28 –
49thAnnual Sovereign Awards
Outstanding Broodmare
Wickenheiser Weyburn Millie Girl
Cindy Pierson Dulay Coglianese Photo
SUNDAY AFFAIR 2023 Sovereign Award Finalist for Outstanding Broodmare
MULTIPLE GRADED STAKES WINNER From The Family of VIOLENCE 11 G1Ws • 6 Millionaires • 2 Champions
Stud Fee: $5,000 LFSN
www.crestwoodfarm.com
YORKTON
49thAnnual Sovereign Awards
In Canada:
Starters 42; Winners 19
Earnings $1,934,913
Starts 221; Wins 27; 2nd 33; 3rd 28
Frank and Frieda Stronach’s legendary Adena Springs North, in Aurora, Ontario, was voted Outstanding Breeder for the 13th time in 2022, more than any other Canadian breeder in the history of the Sovereign Awards. The Adena Springs-bred star of 2023 was once again Moira, the 2022 Horse of the Year who came back at four and won the Grade 2 Canadian Stakes at Woodbine. Campaigned by Madaket Stables LLC, SF Racing LLC and X-Men Racing, Moira placed in four graded stakes at Woodbine before ending her season with an impressive third-place finish in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf at Santa Anita. Moira, by Adena’s star stallion Ghostzapper, is a finalist for Champion Female Turf Horse this evening.
The debut victory by their homebred filly Shamans Girl in the $150,000 Shady Well Stakes was a highlight. A daughter of Adena stallion Shaman Ghost, by Ghostzapper, Shamans Girl is out of the Stronachs’ Woodbine Oaks-winning mare, Ginger Brew. Adena Springs also saw Malibu Mambo finish third in the Grade 1 Pattison Canadian International.
In addition to their Canadian successes, Stronach runners were in the winner’s circle 27 times internationally, and their stalwart gelding, Silent Poet, was second in the Grade 3 Golden Gate Handicap.
In Canada:
Starters 19; Winners 9
Earnings $1,453,485
Starts 78; Wins 13; 2nd 14; 3rd 7
This is the third time David Anderson’s Anderson Farms has been a finalist for Outstanding Breeder since David went on his own following the passing of his father Bob in 2010. Bob Anderson bred many champions at the St. Thomas, Ontario farm, and his son has continued that legacy, though a Sovereign Award for Outstanding Breeder would be a first for the family. The star Andersonbred in 2023 was the three-year old filly Elysian Field, a daughter of Hard Spun who won the Woodbine Oaks and finished a solid second in the King’s Plate to Paramount Prince. Elysian Field, a finalist for Champion Three-year Old Female, just missed by a nose in the Breeders’ Stakes at 1 1/2 miles on the grass to another top colt of 2023, Touch’n Ride. Elysian Field, produced from the Smart Strike mare, Elysian, raced for Gary Barber and Team Valor International.
Anderson Farms also bred a pair of two-year old fillies who were stakes winners in 2023: Inudation, by Collected, won the prestigious Princess Elizabeth Stakes for owners Al and Bill Ulwelling, and Airosa, by Uncle Mo, won the Catch a Glimpse Stakes. South of the border, Northern Invader, bred by Anderson Farms and Peter Berglar, won the Gio Ponti Stakes at Aqueduct. The farm’s international runners amassed 19 wins and earned over $556,000.
In Canada:
Starters 36; Winners 11
Earnings $1,757,355
Can. Starts 139; Wins 16; 2nd 20; 3rd 19
Robert and Mark Krembil’s Chiefswood Stables Limited has bred and raced dozens of stakes winners and has received two Sovereign Awards as Outstanding Owner. This evening, they seek their first Outstanding Breeder Award. One of their stars in 2023 was Touch’n Ride, a finalist for Champion Three-year Old Male tonight. A son of Candy Ride (ARG) out of the Krembils’ mare Niigon’s Touch, Touch’n Ride broke his maiden in his second career start. The victory was impressive enough that trainer Layne Giliforte sent the gelding to the King’s Plate. The bay encountered some trouble, but finished a good fifth behind Paramount Prince before coming back to win the gruelling 1 1/2 mile Breeders’ Stakes despite being carried out in deep stretch. Touch’n Ride was placed first in his sophomore finale, the Grade 3 Ontario Derby, after the front-running filly Solo Album was disqualified from the victory.
Chiefswood also bred promising juveniles Piper’s Factor, second in both the Grade 3 Grey Stakes and the Coronation Futurity, and Western Whirl, third in the Display Stakes. Collective Force, third in the Grade 3 Valedictory Stakes, and Hard Edge, second in the Zadracarta Stakes, were two other stakes horses for the farm last year. The farm’s top older colt, Weyburn, also captured the Sir Shackleton Stakes at Gulfstream Park.
– 30 –
Oustanding Breeder Adena Springs Anderson Farms Ont., Inc. Chiefswood Stables Limited
In Canada:
Starters 14; Winners 7
Earnings $1,146,284
Starts 73; Wins 11; 2nd 12; 3rd 4
Sean Fitzhenry, along with his wife Dorothy, has been breeding, selling, and racing thoroughbreds for about 20 years and has put together an enviable broodmare band. From just 14 runners, Sean bred several notable horses of the 2023 Canadian racing season, highlighted by multiple graded stakes winner Millie Girl, a finalist for Champion Older Main Track Female tonight. Millie Girl, by Hard Spun, won the Grade 3 Maple Leaf Stakes and Grade 3 Ontario Matron Stakes for Kingfield Racing Stable, Ltd., Braconcrest Inc. and Apricot Valley Thoroughbreds. Trained by Catherine Day Phillips, Millie Girl was also second in the Grade 3 Seaway Stakes and third in the Grade 2 Nassau Stakes and Grade 2 Royal North Stakes. Millie Girl’s dam, Mendocino Beano, is a finalist for Outstanding Broodmare.
The Fitzhenrys also bred the good three-year old colt Kaukokaipuu, by Mr. Speaker, who won the Queenston Stakes and was a gritty second in both the Prince of Wales Stakes and the Grade 3 Marine Stakes. Additionally, three-year old filly Wickenheiser, a daughter of the Fitzhenry’s former broodmare, Game (FR), was second in the Woodbine Oaks and Wonder Where Stakes in 2023.
In Canada:
Starters 19; Winners 10 Earnings $905,112
Can. Starts 90; Wins 17; 2nd 14; 3rd 6
The farm that Ernie Samuel built more than half a century ago has received the Sovereign Award as Outstanding Breeder 11 times. The legendary farm, which dispersed its horses in 2021, is no longer home to the blue-blooded broodmares of years past, but the Sam-Son bloodlines live on. The farm is a finalist for top breeder after being represented by six stakes horses in 2023, the majority of which raced in the U. S. Sam-Son was the breeder of 10 winners of over $900,000 in Canada in 2023, a list headed by Fury Stakes winner, Ticker Tape Home. Owned by Live Oak Plantation, Ticker Tape Home, by Medaglia d’Oro, was sold as a yearling by Sam-Son for $625,000.
There were 15 Sam-Son-bred winners south of the border last year, including two-time Grade 3 winner Mission of Joy. Sporting decades of successful Sam-Son bloodlines, Mission of Joy was also a close third in the Grade 1 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup at Keeneland. Ancient Peace was second in the Grade 2 Summertime Oaks and Grade 3 Remington Park Oaks and Tio Magico, still co-owned by Sam-Son, was third in the Grade 2 San Gabriel Stakes at Santa Anita. Additionally, both Ladywearsthering and Secrets Told were third in stakes races at Golden Gate in northern California in 2023.
Dedicated to finding adoptive homes and new careers for former Thoroughbred racehorses.
Congratulations to all Sovereign Awards finalists.
– 31 –
Sean Fitzhenry Sam-Son Farm
49thAnnual Sovereign Awards
Fashionably Fab
DK. B./BR. F. 3, by Silent Name *Jpn – Flashy’s Legacy (Curlin)
Trainer: Kevin Attard
Owner: Terra Racing Stable
Breeder: Terra Farms Ltd
2023: 7 Starts – 4 wins – 0 seconds – 1 third – $196,420
Winner: Ashbridges Bay S.
Eternal Search S.
La Prevoyante S.
Rondeau Bay S.
Stakes Placings: 3rd Bison City S.
Loyalty
DK. B./BR. F. 4, by Hard Spun – Slew’s Quality (Elusive Quality)
Trainer: Josie Carroll
Owner: Gainesway Stable (Antony Beck) and LNJ Foxwoods
Breeder: Best A Luck Farm LLC & Godolphin LLC
2023: 5 Starts – 3 wins – 0 seconds – 1 third – $205,599
Winner: Bessarabian S. (G2)
Hendrie S. (G3) AOC
Stakes Placings: 3rd Ontario Fashion S.
Presented by Tanqueray (G3)
Our Flash Drive
B. M. 5, by Ghostzapper – Dynamotor (Dynaformer)
Trainer: Mark E. Casse
Owner: Live Oak Plantation
Breeder: Live Oak Stud
2023: 6 Starts – 2 wins – 0 seconds – 0 thirds – $189,415
Winner: Royal North S. (G2)
Whimsical S. (G3)
– 32 –
Champion Female Sprinter
Dream Shake
DK. B./BR. G. 5, by Twirling Candy – Even Song (Street Cry *Ire)
Trainer: Michael Stidham
Owner: Exline-Border Racing, LLC, Eurton, Peter, Hausman, Richard and Stonestreet Stables LLC
Breeder: Dunwoody Farm
2023: 6 Starts – 2 wins – 0 seconds – 1 third – $138,171
Winner: Connaught Cup S.
Presented by Bulleit Bourbon (G2) AOC
Stakes Placings: 3rd Kennedy Road S. (G2)
Lucky Score
B. G. 5, by Lookin at Lucky – Miss Matzo (Royal Academy)
Trainer: Mark E. Casse
Owner: Pantofel Stables, LLC, Wachtel Stable, and Barber, Gary
Breeder: James Everatt, Janeane Everatt & Arika Everatt-Meeuse
2023: 8 Starts – 1 win – 2 seconds - 3 thirds$318,220
Winner: Highlander S. (G2)
Stakes Placings: 2nd Nearctic S. (G2)
3rd Ricoh Woodbine Mile S. (G1)
3rd Connaught Cup S.
Presented by Bulleit Bourbon (G2)
3rd King Edward S. (G2)
Patches O’houlihan
B. G. 3, by Reload – Maythefourthbwithu (Silent Name *Jpn)
Trainer: Robert P. Tiller
Owner: Frank D. Di Giulio, Jr.
Breeder: Frank Di Giulio Jr.
2023: 7 Starts – 6 wins – 0 seconds
– 0 thirds – $301,882
Winner: Bold Venture S. (G3)
Vigil S. (G3)
Lake Huron S.
Lake Superior S. OC OC
– 34 –
49thAnnual Sovereign Awards
Champion Male Sprinter
In Celebration of Your Success
Keeneland is immensely proud to celebrate its sales graduates who are finalists for the 49th annual Sovereign Awards. This honor is a testament to the relentless dedication and exceptional talent of both the horses and the incredible teams that stand behind them. Thank you for granting Keeneland the privilege of sharing in this remarkable journey.
Champion Two-Year-Old Female
Tripolina
Witwatersrand
Champion Two-Year-Old Male
Two Ghosts
Champion Three-Year-Old Female
Solo Album
Champion Female Turf Horse
Moira
Champion Male Turf Horse
Lucky Score
Palazzi
Champion Older
Main Track Female
Millie Girl
Champion Older
Main Track Male
Treason
Tyson
Champion Female Sprinter
Loyalty
Champion Male Sprinter
Dream Shake
Lucky Score
Outstanding Broodmare
Game (FR)
Sunday Affair
K E E N E L A N D S A L E S
49thAnnual Sovereign Awards
In Canada:
Starts 499; Wins 68; 2nd 95; 3rd 61
Earnings $ 1,105,517
Growing up in Grande Prairie, Alberta, Fraser Aebly was barely a teenager when he first sat on a retired racehorse owned by his father Derek. Knowing that he wanted to pursue a career riding races, Fraser learned the ropes of horse care through working for top trainers such as Tim Rycroft. He soon graduated to galloping horses and, in 2022, went to work for trainer Steve Henson at Hastings in Vancouver. His first ever mount in a race came for Steve on the 11-1 longshot Quagmire on September 18, 2022, and he guided the gelding to a handy victory. After winning three races from 23 mounts in 2022, Fraser rode at racetracks across Canada in 2023, competing in just shy of 500 races. He won an unlisted stakes race aboard Just Jimmy in the CTHS Sales Stakes in August, one of 29 wins he collected at Hastings. Fraser spent much of his summer commuting between there and Assiniboia Downs, where he added another 23 victories. He moved his tack to Woodbine in October, and he fit right in. With former rider Gerry Olguin as his agent, the 19-year old won 16 races before the Woodbine season ended, giving him 68 wins for the year and earnings of just over $1.1 million.
In Canada:
Starts 452; Wins 41; 2nd 52; 3rd 53
Earnings $981,124
It was a good omen when Amanda Vandermeersch won the first race of the 2023 Woodbine meet last April. Guiding longshot Silver Tunes, Amanda kicked off her first full season as a jockey with flair, and it would lead to the Simcoe, Ontario resident winning 41 races and earning her first Sovereign Award nomination. Amanda grew up on her family’s tobacco farm and worked in nursing for a few years before the thought of riding racehorses appeared on her radar. Amanda credits a neighbour, owner Maureen Hewitt-Topp, for encouraging her to exercise some thoroughbreds on her farm. Amanda then took a job exercising horses for trainer Saul McHugh, and rode her first three races late in 2021. She won 15 races from 128 mounts in 2022 before polishing her riding skills at the popular Palm Meadows Training Centre in Florida in early 2023. Amanda, who came close in some stakes races last season, was Fort Erie’s leading apprentice rider with 18 wins, putting her sixth in that track’s overall jockey standings.
In Canada:
Starts 600; Wins 100; 2nd 82; 3rd 74
Earnings $2,956,521
In her first full season riding races, Sofia Vives pulled away from the pack with the most wins of any apprentice in 2023, winning 100 races between Woodbine and Fort Erie. Her impressive win total at Woodbine, 88, put her fourth in the rider standings behind reigning champion Kazushi Kimura, Sahin Civaci, and Rafael Hernandez, and ahead of champions Emma-Jayne Wilson and Patrick Husbands. Sofia also rode at Parx Racing in Bensalem, Pennsylvania. Born in Walterboro, South Carolina, and raised in horse country in Ocala, Florida, Sofia followed her father, former jockey Lazaro Vives, to the barns of dual Hall of Famer Mark Casse, who gave Sofia a leg up to start her riding career. The young rider galloped as many horses as she could each day and rode in her first race late in 2022 at Woodbine. She had just over a dozen mounts that year, winning four of them, and then embarked on a busy first year as a rookie rider. It wasn’t long before Sofia was riding for top stables and racking up wins virtually every day, gaining invaluable experience while competing in a very contentious jockey colony. Horses ridden by Sofia in Canada earned almost $3 million.
– 36 –
Outstanding Apprentice Jockey
Fraser Aebly
Amanda Vandermeersch Sofia Vives
Michael Bye
Congratulations to all the finalists, winners, and their connections. Proudly supporting our breeders!
12 Ontario-bred nominees
4 Ontario-sired nominees
3 Ontario-bred sales graduate nominees Join us at the 2024 Premier Yearling Sale on Wednesday, August 28th.
Where champions begin…
Canadian Thoroughbred
Society
Division)
| info@cthsont.com | 416. 674. 3602
Horse
(Ontario
cthsont.com
49thAnnual Sovereign Awards
In Canada:
Starts 558; Wins 129; 2nd 101; 3rd 83 Earnings $6,252,811 Stakes wins 15
This is the first Sovereign Award nomination for Sahin Civaci who began his riding career in Canada in 2014 at Hastings Racecourse in his hometown, Vancouver, British Columbia. While born in Canada, Sahin grew up in Ankara, Turkey, his family’s country of origin. There, he took school courses sponsored by the Turkish Jockey Club that included horse care and riding. He would later return to Vancouver to launch his career as a jockey.
In the years since he moved his tack to Woodbine in 2019, Sahin has steadily improved his skills. He won 29 races that first season in Ontario, a number that grew to 70 in 2022 and 129 in 2023. It was the best year of his career so far, and saw him finish second in the jockey standings behind reigning champion Kazushi Kimura.
The soft-spoken rider won 15 stakes races, including guiding Team Valor International and Gary Barber’s Elysian Field to victory in the $500,000 Woodbine Oaks, his first Canadian classic victory. Sahin and Elysian Field came back to finish a good second in the King’s Plate to Paramount Prince. He also won graded stakes races on Il Malocchio, Lucky Score, Palazzi, and Solo Album, as well as two black-type races aboard My Boy Prince, all of whom are Sovereign Award finalists this evening.
In Canada:
Starts 647; Wins 119; 2nd 80; 3rd 89 Earnings $5,142,707 Stakes wins 9
One of Canada’s perennial leading riders after making Ontario his home eight years ago, Rafael Hernandez won this award in 2020 and has been runner-up each of the last two years. In 2023, Rafael not only had another superb Woodbine campaign, but he landed a special milestone, winning his 3,000th career race on July 14 aboard Sean and Dorothy Fitzhenry’s Bill Needle. Rafael was also the regular rider for a number of the stars of last year: He partnered the flashy grey colt Tyson to victory in the Grade 2 Seagram Cup Stakes and Grade 3 Dominion Day Stakes and that Josie Carroll-trainee is a finalist for Champion Older Main Track Male in 2023. Rafael teamed up with Millie Girl, who won the Grade 3 Maple Leaf Stakes and Grade 3 Ontario Matron Stakes to stamp herself one of the top older mares of the season. The Catherine Day Phillips trainee is a finalist for Champion Older Main Track Female this evening. Certainly a satisfying win for Rafael last season came with one of his favourite mounts, reigning Horse of the Year, Moira, who won the Grade 2 Canadian Stakes for her first graded stakes win. Rafael and Moira then went on to finish third in the Grade 1 E. P. Taylor Stakes. Rafael also won graded stakes races on Dream Shake, another Sovereign Award finalist, and Ready to Venture (GB).
In Canada:
Starts 816; Wins 161; 2nd 158; 3rd 113 Earnings $7,177,876 Stakes wins 15
Canada’s riding sensation, Kazushi Kimura, seeks his third consecutive Sovereign Award for Outstanding Jockey only six years into his riding career. The Japanese-born jockey burst onto the scene in 2018 with 104 victories, won the Sovereign Award as Outstanding Apprentice that year and repeated in 2019. He was also the Eclipse Award Outstanding Apprentice Jockey in 2019. It has been a smooth transition for Kazushi as a journeyman and in 2023, he won more races at Woodbine than he ever has and set a personal best for purse money. He won 15 stakes races including the third jewel of Canada’s Triple Crown, the Breeders’ Stakes, aboard Chiefswood Stables Limited’s Touch’n Ride. Kazushi won graded stakes races aboard Loyalty, a contender for Champion Female Sprinter for 2023, and Wolfie’s Dynaghost and Treason, both finalists for Champion Older Main Track Male. Kazushi won at an exceptional 20 percent rate in 2023. In addition, Kazushi accomplished milestones south of the border in 2023: He won his first American Grade 1 race with Gold Phoenix (IRE) in the Frank E. Kilroe Mile at Santa Anita and rode in his first Kentucky Derby, also a Grade 1, finishing 12th aboard Mandarin Hero (JPN).
– 38 –
Outstanding Jockey
Sahin Civaci
Rafael Manuel Hernandez Kazushi Kimura
Cindy Pierson Dulay
Thank you to everyone here tonight to honour our great horses.
My deepest appreciation to the racing community.
Your ongoing support and dedication play an integral role in my business and success.
Thank you again!
Sahin Civaci
to all the 2023 Sovereign Award winners and finalists Jockeys Benefit Association of Canada
DAY PHILLIPS RACING
DAVE LANDRY Congratulations We Celebrate Hard Work, Dedication & Talent Congratulations to all Nominees & Winners C.
CatherineDayPhillipsRacing.com | Woodbine Racetrack
– 39 –
DAVE LANDRY
49thAnnual Sovereign Awards
Fev Rover *IRE
B. M. 5, by Gutaifan *Ire
– Laurelita *Ire (High Chaparral *Ire)
Trainer: Mark E. Casse
Owner: Tracy Farmer
Breeder: Manister House Stud
2023: 6 Starts – 3 wins – 0 seconds – 1 third – $787,320
Winner: Beverly D. S. (G1)
E. P. Taylor S. (G1)
Nassau S. (G2)
Stakes Placings: 3rd Diana S. (G1)
Moira
B. F. 4, by Ghostzapper
– Devine Aida (Unbridled’s Song)
Trainer: Kevin Attard
Owner: Madaket Stables LLC, SF Racing LLC and X-Men Racing
Breeder: Adena Springs
2023: 6 Starts – 1 win – 3 seconds – 2 thirds – $445,317
Winner: Canadian S. Presented by the Japan Racing Association (G2)
Stakes Placings: 2nd Dance Smartly S. (G2)
2nd Nassau S. (G2)
2nd Belle Mahone S. (G3)
3rd E. P. Taylor S. (G1)
3rd Maker’s Mark Breeders’ Cup
Filly & Mare Turf (G1)
Our Flash Drive
B. M. 5, by Ghostzapper – Dynamotor (Dynaformer)
Trainer: Mark E. Casse
Owner: Live Oak Plantation
Breeder: Live Oak Stud
2023: 6 Starts – 2 wins – 0 seconds – 0 thirds – $189,415
Winner: Royal North S. (G2) Whimsical S. (G3)
– 40 –
Female
Horse
Champion
Turf
Congratulations to all 2023 Sovereign Award Nominees
Back Better than Ever in 2024 EARLE I. MACK LLC
Lucky Score
B. G. 5, by Lookin at Lucky – Miss Matzo (Royal Academy)
Trainer: Mark E. Casse
Owner: Pantofel Stables, LLC, Wachtel Stable, and Barber, Gary
Breeder: James Everatt, Janeane Everatt & Arika Everatt-Meeuse
2023: 8 Starts – 1 win – 2 seconds
– 3 thirds – $318,220
Winner: Highlander S. (G2)
Stakes Placings: 2nd Nearctic S. (G2)
3rd Ricoh Woodbine Mile S. (G1)
3rd Connaught Cup S.
Presented by Bulleit Bourbon (G2)
3rd King Edward S. (G2)
My Boy Prince
GR./RO. C. 2, by Cairo Prince
– Hopping Not Hoping (Silent Name *Jpn)
Trainer: Mark E. Casse
Owner: Gary Barber
Breeder: Murray Graham Smith
2023: 6 Starts – 3 wins – 2 seconds
– 1 third – $429,638
Winner: Cup and Saucer S.
Simcoe S.
MSW
Stakes Placings: 2nd bet365 Summer S. (G1)
3rd Prevagen Breeders’ Cup
Juvenile Turf (G1)
Palazzi
B. G. 5, by Pioneerof the Nile – Kindle (Indian Charlie)
Trainer: Mark E. Casse
Owner: Gary Barber
Breeder: HnR Nothhaft Horseracing LLC & Pioneerof the Nile Syndicate
2023: 6 Starts – 3 wins – 0 seconds
– 0 thirds – $169,267
Winner: Pattison Singspiel S. (G3) AOC AOC
– 42 –
49thAnnual Sovereign Awards
Champion
Male Turf Horse sponsored by Woodbine Entertainment
CHIEFSWOOD STABLES
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2023
SOVEREIGN AWARD NOMINEES
Best of luck tonight from the Chiefswood Stables team.
Congratulations to the 2023 Sovereign Award Finalists
Mark & Tina CASSE
– 43 –
MICHAEL BURNS
49thAnnual Sovereign Awards
In Canada:
Starts 406; Wins 73; 2nd 66; 3rd 61
Earnings $4,295,580 Stakes wins 12
For the seventh time in his career, Kevin Attard is a finalist for Canada’s Outstanding Trainer. Kevin’s barn is home to many horses, and his 12 stakes wins came with 10 different horses for half a dozen different owners.
His preparation of the three-year old Velocitor last year was a highlight, as Al and Bill Ulwelling’s gelding finished fourth in the King’s Plate before battling to victory in the Prince of Wales Stakes, the second consecutive win in the second jewel of Canada’s Triple Crown for Kevin and the Ulwellings. He sent out the two-year old filly Inudation, also owned by the Ulwellings, to win the prestigious Princess Elizabeth Stakes. Three of Kevin’s stakes winners from 2023 are Sovereign Award finalists including Terra Racing Stables’ Fashionably Fab, who won three stakes last year. His star pupil, Moira, won the Grade 2 Canadian Stakes and was third in the Grade 1 E. P. Taylor Stakes before finishing a close third in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf at Santa Anita. Tripolina, a finalist for Champion Two-year Old Female, won the Display Stakes over the colts for X-Men Racing 3, Madaket Stables LLC and SF Racing LLC. Kevin’s other stakes winners were Love to Shop, who beat colts in the Toronto Cup for Repole Stable and St. Elias Stables LLC, and the two-year olds Airosa, Pipit, War Painter, and Zippy Gizmo.
In Canada:
Starts 556; Wins 113; 2nd 105; 3rd 81 Earnings $7,821,080 Stakes wins 24
A member of both the Canadian and U. S. Horse Racing Halls of Fame, Mark Casse has been atop the Outstanding Trainer category for more than a decade, having won twelve consecutive times. Incredibly, his stable set a new record in 2023 for purse earnings at Woodbine and its starters collected over $7.8 million in Canada. Mark trained the winners of 113 races and 24 stakes races in Canada. His 24 stakes wins in Canada, ten of them graded, were by 21 different horses, of which 12 are Sovereign Awards finalists this evening. Among the stars for the Mark Casse team in 2023 was Fev Rover (IRE) who provided Mark with his first victory in the Grade 1 E. P. Taylor Stakes. Already a Grade 1 winner on turf in the U. S. during the year, Fev Rover also won the Grade 2 Nassau Stakes at Woodbine.
Mark’s trainees took home the two most prestigious races for three-year olds as Elysian Field won the Woodbine Oaks and Paramount Prince won the King’s Plate. Gary Barber’s My Boy Prince won the $250,000 Cup and Saucer Stakes before he finished a strong third in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf. Our Flash Drive had another big season for the Casse team with two graded stakes wins. His other graded winners included Lucky Score, Palazzi, Solo Album, Souper Hoity Toity, and Conglomerate, who won the year’s final graded stakes race, the Grade 3 Valedictory Stakes.
In Canada:
Starts 357; Wins 86; 2nd 59; 3rd 42 Earnings $2,982,917 Stakes wins 2
This is the first Sovereign Award nomination for Martin Drexler, who finished second in the trainer standings at Woodbine in 2023 thanks to a career year. Martin set personal records with winners in Canada, 86, and purses, which totaled just shy of $3 million.
Born in Slovakia, Martin went to Winnipeg, Manitoba as a teenager and fell in love with horseracing at Assiniboia Downs, where his father was a physician for the jockeys. Martin worked as a mutuel clerk, hotwalker, and groom, studying under some of the top trainers in Manitoba before taking out his trainer’s license and racing his first horse in 2002. Martin has gradually built up his stable and is now a fixture at the top of the trainer standings. Il Malocchio, a finalist for Champion Older Main Track Female, won the Grade 3 Trillium Stakes and was third in the Grade 3 Seaway Stakes and Grade 3 Ontario Matron Stakes for Martin last year. Old Chestnut, owned by Bruno Schickedanz, was third in both the Grade 3 Jacques Cartier Stakes and the Grade 3 Bold Venture Stakes. Carrothers, claimed last winter at Gulfstream Park, came north for Martin and was second in the Grade 2 Eclipse Stakes and Grade 2 Seagram Cup Stakes. Martin also had a good season with his young horses with Hurricane Clair winning the Muskoka Stakes and finishing second in the South Ocean Stakes. Martin had an impressive 24 percent win rate at Woodbine in 2023.
– 44 –
Outstanding Trainer
Kevin Attard Mark Casse Martin Drexler
Congratulations TO THE 2023 SOVEREIGN AWARD FINALISTS!
Kevin Attard offers sincere thanks to his Owners for their trust and loyalty throughout the 2023 Racing Season and once again gives special recognition to his dedicated team for all their hard work, commitment and dedication.
KEVIN ATTARD RACING STABLE
Il Malocchio
B. M. 5, by Souper Speedy – Egbert Bay (Sligo Bay *Ire)
Trainer: Martin Drexler
Owner: Franco S. Meli
Breeder: Franco Meli
2023: 6 Starts – 1 win – 0 seconds – 2 thirds – $123,430
Winner: Trillium S. Presented by Stella Artois (G3)
Stakes Placings: 3rd Ontario Matron S. (G3) 3rd Seaway S. (G3)
Infinite Patience
B. M. 6, by Sungold – Montero (Louis Quatorze)
Trainer: Barbara Heads
Owner: Decoursey, William and R. N. H. Stable
Breeder: William DeCoursey
2023: 5 Starts – 4 wins – 0 seconds – 0 thirds – $126,027
Winner: Ballerina S.
BC Cup Distaff H. Delta Colleen H. Northlands Distaff H.
Millie Girl
B. M. 5, by Hard Spun – Mendocino Beano (Smart Strike)
Trainer: Catherine Day Phillips
Owner: Kingfield Racing Stable, Ltd., Braconcrest Inc. and Apricot Valley Thoroughbreds
Breeder: Sean Fitzhenry
2023: 7 Starts – 3 wins – 1 second – 2 thirds – $257,344
Winner: Maple Leaf S. (G3) Ontario Matron S. (G3) AOC
Stakes Placings: 2nd Seaway S. (G3)
3rd Nassau S. (G2)
3rd Royal North S. (G2)
– 46 –
49thAnnual Sovereign Awards
Champion Older Main Track Female Four Footed Fotos
THE BEST IN HIS FIELD
$35,000 S&N
Sovereign Award finalists Elysian Field, Loyalty, Millie Girl: all daughters of Hard Spun. They are among his 26 Black Type performers in 2023 – no stallion under $65k could top that. The best indeed...
49thAnnual Sovereign Awards
Treason
B. G. 5, by Constitution – Cougarstown (Speightstown)
Trainer: Josie Carroll
Owner: LNJ Foxwoods and MSK Racing Ventures, LLC
Breeder: Ramspring Farm
2023: 4 Starts – 1 win – 2 seconds – 0 thirds – $135,876
Winner: Eclipse S. Presented by Don Julio (G2)
Stakes Placings: 2nd King Edward S. (G2) 2nd Dominion Day S. (G3)
Tyson
GR/RO. C. 4, by Tapit – Honouring (Smart Strike)
Trainer: Josie Carroll
Owner: Hill ‘n’ Dale Equine Holdings, Inc. (J. G. Sikura) and Stetch Run Ventures, LLC
Breeder: Hill ‘n’ Dale Equine Holdings, Inc and Stetch Run Ventures, LLC
2023: 7 Starts – 3 wins – 0 seconds – 2 thirds – $319,967
Winner: Seagram Cup S. (G2)
Dominion Day S. (G3) AOC
Stakes Placings: 3rd Jockey Club Gold Cup S. (G1)
3rd Eclipse S. Presented by Don Julio (G2)
Wolfie’s Dynaghost
B. G. 5, by Ghostzapper – Dynaire (Dynaformer)
Trainer: Jonathan Thomas
Owner: Woodslane Farm
Breeder: Woodslane Farm
2023: 8 Starts – 5 wins – 0 seconds – 1 third – $541,246
Winner: Autumn S. (G2)
Prairie Bayou S.
Twinspires Kentucky Cup Classic S. Allowance
Handicap
Stakes Placings: 3rd Durham Cup S. (G3)
– 48 –
Champion Older Main Track Male
– 49 –
Outstanding Owner sponsored by HBPA of Ontario
In Canada:
Starts 96; Wins 22; 2nd 19; 3rd 15 Earnings: $1,873,307 Stakes wins 6
Gary Barber has been one of Ontario horse racing’s most successful owners in the last decade and this evening he seeks his first Sovereign Award as Outstanding Owner. A film producer in Hollywood, Gary is a staunch supporter of racing in Ontario and led all owners by earnings at Woodbine in 2020 and 2021. Gary’s statistics as a sole owner in 2023 were impressive once again as he won 22 races, six of them stakes, and his horses collected over $1.8 million. Among those winners were My Boy Prince, a CTHS Ontario Yearling Sale purchase who won the Cup and Saucer Stakes and Simcoe Stakes before finishing a gallant third in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf. The colt also placed in the Grade 1 Summer Stakes and is a finalist for Champion Two-year Old Male this evening. Gary also won graded stakes races with Conglomerate, Palazzi, and Witwatersrand. In partnership, Gary won two of the biggest races in the country last year: Paramount Prince, whom he owns with Mike Langlois, won the King’s Plate and Plate Trial Stakes and Elysian Field, co-owned with Team Valor International, won the Woodbine Oaks. Gary was also co-owner of graded stakes winners Lucky Score and Solo Album.
49thAnnual Sovereign Awards
In Canada:
Starts 126; Wins 17; 2nd 18; 3rd 13 Earnings $1,776,738 Stakes wins 2
A winner in this category in 2017 and 2018, Chiefswood Stables is the powerhouse breeding and racing operation of Robert and Mark Krembil. The stable ended 2023 just two wins shy of 400 victories since its first winner in 2000, and last year the Chiefswood horses won 17 races in Canada, two of them stakes races. They were third in the owner’s standings at Woodbine by purse earnings. Touch’n Ride, a gelding by Candy Ride (ARG), was their Woodbine-based star after being given plenty of time to develop by trainer Layne Gliforte. Touch’n Ride, a finalist for Champion Three-year Old Male, broke his maiden at second asking with an impressive 91 Beyer Speed Figure before reeling back to finish a troubled fifth in the King’s Plate. In the 1 1/2 mile Breeders’ Stakes, Touch’n Ride won a hard-fought battle with top filly Elysian Field to win by a nose. He completed his first season of racing with a second-place finish in the Grade 3 Ontario Derby but was placed first when the winner, Solo Album, was disqualified. Other top Chiefswood performers in 2023 were graded stakes-placed two-year old Piper’s Factor, older horse Collective Force, and stakes-placed Western Whirl.
In Canada:
Starts 569; Wins 81; 2nd 91; 3rd 65 Earnings $2,887,883 Stakes wins 2
Toronto businessman Bruno Schickedanz won his first Sovereign Award for Outstanding Owner in 2022 and is up for a repeat after another banner season with his runners. Since 2015, Bruno has led all owners at Woodbine by number of wins and did so again in 2023, with his runners heading to the winner’s circle 58 times. He also topped all owners by purses at $1.8 million to go along with being the leading owner at Fort Erie Race Track for the third straight year, collecting 23 victories at the border oval. Bruno had 569 starts with his horses in Canada last year, a personal record, which helped him win his first North American leading owner title by wins at 178 from over 1,100 starters. Bruno’s star horses of 2023 included his consistently good gelding, War Bomber (IRE), who won the Grade 2 King Edward Stakes on the Woodbine turf. The hard-knocking son of War Front, who was claimed by Bruno for $25,000 in 2021, was also second in the Grade 2 Connaught Cup Stakes. Another claimed horse, Old Chestnut, was third in the Grade 3 Jacques Cartier Stakes and Grade 3 Bold Venture Stakes. Old Chestnut is trained by Martin Drexler, a finalist for Outstanding Trainer this evening.
– 50 –
Gary Barber Chiefswood Stables Limited
Bruno Schickedanz
Congratulations to the 2023 Sovereign Award nominees. We wish you success in the upcoming racing season.
From the HBPA
Board of Directors & Staff
– 51 –
Horse of the Year
2023 HORSE OF THE YEAR
The three finalists are:
1. 2.
3. Canada’s Horse of the Year for 2023 is:
49thAnnual Sovereign Awards
2022 HORSE OF THE YEAR
Moira
– 52 –
Michael Burns
THE QUARTERLY MAGAZINE FOR THE TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE THOROUGHBRED
SCAN THE QR CODE TO SIGN UP NOW TO READ OUR LATEST ISSUE ONLINE OR REGISTER VIA TRAINERMAGAZINE.COM/REGISTER
SPECIAL SOVEREIGN
1998: Awesome Again
2002: Roland Roberts
2007: Louis Romanet
2011: Sue Leslie
2017: Sam Lima
2019: Harvey Warner
2020: Sam-Son Farm
THE JOCKEY CLUB OF CANADA SCHOLARSHIP AWARD
2016: Tyler Hehn
2017: Tyson
Lautenschlager
MAN OF THE YEAR
1975: E.P. Taylor
1976: Jack Diamond
1977: E.P. Taylor
1978: Ron Turcotte
1979: George C. Hendrie
1980: Jack Stafford
1981: Jim Bentley
1982: Jean-Louis Levesque
1983: Joe Thomas
2018: Bobby Mihalik
HORSE OF THE YEAR
1951: Bull Page
E.P. Taylor
1952: Canadiana
E.P. Taylor
1953: King Maple
Mrs. G. McMacken
1954: Queen’s Own
E.P. Taylor
1955: Ace Marine
Larkin Maloney
1956: Canadian Champ
Bill Beasley
1957: Hartney
Col. K.R. Marshall
1958: Nearctic
Windfields Farm
1959: Wonder Where
1984: Jim Coleman
1985: George Gardiner
1986: D.G. (Bud) Willmot
1987: Lawrence D. Regan
1988: Sandy Hawley
1989: George C. Frostad
1990: James W. Wright
1991: Ernest L. Samuel
1992: Charles Baker
E.P. TAYLOR AWARD OF MERIT
1994: Jack H. Kenney
1995: Charles Taylor
1998: David S. Willmot
1999: George M. Hendrie
2000: Honourable
Michael D. Harris
2005: Michael C. Byrne
2010: Robert Anderson
2015: R.J (Russell) and Lois Bennett
2016: Frank Stronach
2018: Gustav Schickedanz
2018: William D. Graham
2021: Ivan Dalos
2022: Dale Saunders
1970: Fanfreluche
Jean-Louis Levesque
1971: Lauries Dancer
Mrs. A.W. Stollery
1972: La Prevoyante
Jean-Louis Levesque
1973: Kennedy Road
Mrs. A.W. Stollery
1974: L’Enjoleur
Jean-Louis Levesque
1975: L’Enjoleur
Jean-Louis Levesque
1976: Norcliffe
Norcliffe Stable
1977: L’Alezane
Jean-Louis Levesque
1978: Overskate
L. Maloney & Conn Smythe
1960: Victoria Park
Windfields Farm
1961: Hidden Treasure
Bill Beasley
1962: Crafty Lace
Jerome M. Jacobs
1963: Canebora
Windfields Farm
1964: Northern Dancer
Windfields Farm
1965: George Royal
E.C. Hammond & R.W. Hall
1966: Victorian Era
Windfields Farm
1967: He’s a Smoothie
Bill Beasley
1968: Viceregal
Windfields Farm
1969: Jumpin Joseph
Warren Beasley
1988: Play the King
Kinghaven Farms
1989: With Approval
Kinghaven Farms
1990: Izvestia
Kinghaven Farms
1991: Dance Smartly
Sam-Son Farm
1992: Benburb
Knob Hill Stable
1993: Peteski
Earle I. Mack
1994: Alywow
Kinghaven Farms
1995: Peaks and Valleys
Pin Oak Stable
1996: Mt. Sassafras
Stafford Farms
1979: Overskate
Stafford Farms
1980: Glorious Song
Frank Stronach & Nelson Bunker Hunt
1981: Deputy Minister
Kinghaven Farms & Centurion Farm
1982: Frost King
Bill Marko & Ted Smith
1983: Travelling Victor
R.J. Bennett
1984: Dauphin Fabuleux
Sam-Son Farm
1985: Imperial Choice
Sam-Son Farm
1986: Ruling Angel
Sam-Son Farm
1987: Afleet
Richard Kennedy & Taylor Made Farms
2007: Sealy Hill
Melnyk Racing
Stables, Inc.
2008: Fatal Bullet
Bear Stables, Ltd.
2009: Champs Elysees (GB)
Juddmonte Farms Inc.
2010: Biofuel
Brereton Jones
2011: Never Retreat
Team Block
2012: Uncaptured
John C. Oxley
2013: Up with the Birds
Sam-Son Farm
2014: Lexie Lou
Gary Barber
Minshall Farms
1997: Chief Bearhart
Sam-Son Farm
1998: Chief Bearhart
Sam-Son Farm
1999: Thornfield
Knob Hill Stable
2000: Quiet Resolve
Sam-Son Farm
2001: Win City
Frank Di Giulio Jr.
2002: Wake At Noon
Bruno Schickedanz
2003: Wando
Gus Schickedanz
2004: Soaring Free
Sam-Son Farm
2005: A Bit O’Gold
Two Bit Racing Stable
2006: Arravale
Robert Costigan
2015: Catch a Glimpse
– 54 –
Past Winners 49thAnnual Sovereign Awards
Gary Barber, Michael Ambler & Windways Farm 2016: Caren Robert Marzilli 2017: Pink Lloyd Entourage Stable 2018: Wonder Gadot Gary Barber 2019: Starship Jubilee Blue Heaven Farm 2020: Mighty Heart Lawrence Cordes 2021: Mighty Heart Lawrence Cordes 2022: Moira Madaket Stables LLC, SF Racing LLC and X-Men Racing
Jean Romanet
Honourable Frank Drea
Sunny’s Halo
Duchossois
Milt
1978:
1979:
1983: John Finney 1983:
1988: Richard
1991: Rothmans Ltd. 1992:
Dunnell
Protect your equine interests with this concise guide.
$39.95 CAD
Legal contracts sold separately at www.self-counsel.com/books-on-law/canadian-equine-law.html
Congratulations to all connections of this year’s Sovereign Awards finalists.
We wish everyone continued success in 2024.
– 55 –
Congratulations
Proudly serving the Equine Industry since 2008
.COM
TO ALL SOVEREIGN AWARD 2023 FINALISTS
MICHAEL BURNS PHOTO
Past Winners
CHAMPION TWO-YEAR OLD MALE
1975: Proud Tobin
1976: Sound Reason
1977: Overskate
1978: Medaille d’Or
1979: Allan Blue
1980: Bayford
1981: Deputy Minister
1982: Sunny’s Halo
1983: Prince Avatar
1984: Dauphin Fabuleux
1985: Grey Classic
1986: Blue Finn
1987: Regal Classic
1988: Mercedes Won
1989: Sky Classic
1990: Rainbows For Life
1991: Free At Last
1992: Truth Of It All
1993: Comet Shine
1994: Talkin Man
1995: Gomtuu
1996: Cash Deposit
1997: Dawson’s Legacy
1998: Riddell’s Creek
1999: Exciting Story
2000: Highland Legacy
2001: Rare Friends
2002: Added Edge
2003: Judiths Wild Rush
2004: Wholelottabourbon
2005: Edenwold
2006: Leonnatus Anteas
2007: Kodiak Kowboy
2008: Mine That Bird
2009: Hollinger
2010: Madman Diaries
2011: Maritimer
2012: Uncaptured
2013: Go Greeley
2014: Conquest Typhoon
2015: Riker
2016: King and His Court
2017: Admiralty Pier
2018: Avie’s Flatter
2019: Mr. Hustle
2020: Gretzky The Great
2021: God of Love
2022: Philip My Dear CHAMPION
TWO-YEAR OLD FEMALE
1975: Seraphic
1976: Northernette
1977: L’Alezane
1978: Liz’s Pride
1979: Par Excellence
1980: Rainbow Connection
1981: Choral Group
1982: Candle Bright
1983: Ada Prospect
1984: Deceit Dancer
1985: Stage Flite
1986: Ruling Angel
1987: Phoenix Factor
1988: Legarto
1989: Wavering Girl
1990: Dance Smartly
49thAnnual Sovereign Awards
1991: Bucky’s Solution
1992: Deputy Jane West
1993: Term Limits
1994: Honky Tonk Tune
1995: Silken Cat
1996: Larkwhistle
1997: Primaly
1998: Fantasy Lake
1999: Hello Seattle
2000: Poetically
2001: Ginger Gold
2002: Brusque
2003: My Vintage Port
2004: Simply Lovely
2005: Knights Templar
2006: Catch the Thrill
CHAMPION THREE-YEAR OLD MALE
1975: L’Enjoleur
1976: Norcliffe
1977: Dance in Time
1978: Overskate
1979: Steady Growth
1980: Ben Fab
1981: Frost King
1982: Runaway Groom
1983: Bompago
1984: Key To The Moon
1985: Imperial Choice
1986: Golden Choice
1987: Afleet
1988: Regal Intention
1989: With Approval
1990: Izvestia
2007: Dancing Allstar
2008: Van Lear Rose
2009: Biofuel
2010: Delightful Mary
2011: Tu Endie Wei
2012: Spring in the Air
2013: Ria Antonia
2014: Conquest Harlanate
2015: Catch a Glimpse
2016: Victory to Victory
2017: Wonder Gadot
2018: Bold Script
2019: Curlin’s Voyage
2020: Lady Speightspeare
2021: Mrs. Barbara
2022: Cairo Consort
1991: Bolulight
1992: Benburb
1993: Peteski
1994: Bruce’s Mill
1995: Peaks And Valleys
1996: Victor Cooley
1997: Cryptocloser
1998: Archers Bay
1999: Woodcarver
2000: Kiss A Native
2001: Win City
2002: Le Cinquieme Essai
2003: Wando
2004: A Bit O’Gold
2005: Palladio
2006: Shillelagh Slew
CHAMPION THREE-YEAR OLD
2007: Alezzandro
2008: Not Bourbon
2009: Eye of the Leopard
2010: Big Red Mike
2011: Pender Harbour
2012: Strait of Dover
2013: Up with the Birds
2014: Heart to Heart
2015: Shaman Ghost
2016: Amis Gizmo
2017: Channel Maker
2018:
– 56 –
Sky Promise 2019: Global Access 2020: Mighty Heart 2021: Frosted Over 2022: Sir For Sure
1975: Momigi 1976: Bye Bye Paris 1977: Northernette 1978: La Voyageuse 1979: Kamar 1980: Par Excellence 1981: Rainbow Connection 1982: Avowal 1983: Northern Blossom 1984: Classy ‘N Smart 1985: La Lorgnette 1986: Carotene 1987: One From Heaven 1988: Tilt My Halo 1989: Blushing Katy 1990: Lubicon 1991: Dance Smartly 1992: Hope For A Breeze 1993: Deputy Jane West 1994: Alywow 1995: Scotzanna 1996: Silent Fleet 1997: Cotton Carnival 1998: Kiry’s Song 1999: Gandria 2000: Catch The Ring 2001: Dancethruthedawn 2002: Lady Shari 2003: Too Late Now 2004: Eye of the Sphynx 2005: Gold Strike 2006: Kimchi 2007: Sealy Hill 2008: Ginger Brew 2009: Milwaukee Appeal 2010: Biofuel 2011: Inglorious 2012: Irish Mission 2013: Leigh Court 2014: Lexie Lou 2015: Academic 2016: Caren 2017: Holy Helena 2018: Wonder Gadot 2019: Desert Ride 2020: Curlin’s Voyage 2021: Munnyfor Ro 2022: Moira
FEMALE
ThankYou
– 57 –
Josie Carroll
to everyone here tonight to honor good horses and dedicated horsemen WILL WONG Good luck to our nominees Loyalty, Treason, and Tyson!
Past Winners
CHAMPION OLDER MALE
1975: Rash Move
1976: Victorian Prince
1977: Norcliffe
1978: Giboulee
1979: Overskate
1980: Overskate
1981: Driving Home
1982: Frost King
1983: Travelling Victor
1984: Canadian Factor
1985: Ten Gold Pots
1986: Let’s Go Blue
1987: Play the King
1988: Play the King
1989: Steady Power
1990: Twist the Snow
1991: Sky Classic
1992: Rainbows for Life
1993: Cozzene’s Prince
1994: King Ruckus
1995: Basqueian
1996: Mt. Sassafras
1997: Chief Bearhart
1998: Terremoto
1999: Deputy Inxs
2000: One Way Love
2001: A Fleets Dancer
2002: Wake At Noon
2003: Phantom Light
2004: Mobil
2005: A Bit O’Gold
2006: True Metropolitan
CHAMPION OLDER FEMALE
1975: Victorian Queen
1976: Momigi
1977: Reasonable Win
1978: Christy’s Mount
1979: La Voyageuse
1980: Glorious Song
1981: Glorious Song
1982: Eternal Search
1983: Eternal Search
1984: Sintrillium
1985: Lake Country
1986: Bessarabian
1987: Carotene
1988: Carotene
1989: Proper Evidence
1990: Diva’s Debut
49thAnnual Sovereign Awards
1991: Avant’s Gold
1992: Wilderness Song
1993: Dance for Donna
1994: Pennyhill Park
1995: Bold Ruritana
1996: Windsharp
1997: Woolloomooloo
1998: Santa Amelia
1999: Magic Code
2000: Saoirse
2001: Mountain Angel
2002: Small Promises
2003: One For Rose
2004: One For Rose
2005: One For Rose
2006: Financingavailable
2007: True Metropolitan
2008: Marchfield 2009: Marchfield 2010: Sand Cove
2011: Fifty Proof
2012: Hunters Bay 2013: Alpha Bettor
2014: Lukes Alley
2015: Are You Kidding Me
2016: Are You Kidding Me
2017: Pink Lloyd
2018: Mr Havercamp 2019: Pink Lloyd 2020: Skywire
2021: Mighty Heart
2022: Who’s the Star
CHAMPION SPRINTER
1980: La Voyageuse
1981: Eternal Search
1982: Avowal
1983: Fraud Squad
1984: Diapason
1985: Summer Mood
1986: New Connection
1987: Play the King
1988: Play the King
1989: Mr. Hot Shot
1990: Twist the Snow
1991: King Corrie
1992: King Corrie
Apelia
2007: Financingavailable
2008: Bear Now
2009: Serenading
2010: Impossible Time
2011: Embur’s Song
2012: Roxy Gap
2013: Sisterly Love
2014: Strut the Course
2015: Miss Mischief
2016: Midnight Miley
2017: Ami’s Mesa
2018: Escape Clause
2019: Here’s Hannah
2020: Souper Escape
2021: Skygaze
2022: Lady Speightspeare
– 58 –
1999:
2003: Soaring
2004:
2005: Judiths Wild Rush 2006: Judiths Wild Rush 2007: Financingavailable 2008: Fatal Bullet CHAMPION MALE SPRINTER 2009: Field Commission 2010: Hollywood Hit 2011: Essence Hit Man 2012: Essence Hit Man 2013: Phil’s Dream 2014: Calgary Cat 2015: Stacked Deck 2016: Noholdingback Bear 2017: Pink Lloyd 2018: Pink Lloyd 2019: Pink Lloyd 2020: Pink Lloyd 2021: Pink Lloyd 2022: Filo di Arianna (BRZ)
FEMALE SPRINTER 2009: Tribal Belle 2010: Indian Apple Is 2011: Atlantic Hurricane 2012: Roxy Gap 2013: Youcan’tcatchme 2014: Hillaby 2015: Miss Mischief 2016: River Maid 2017: Ami’s Mesa 2018: Moonlit Promise 2019: Summer Sunday 2020: Artie’s Princess 2021: Amalfi Coast 2022: Hazelbrook
1975: Victorian Queen 1976: Victorian Queen 1977: Momigi 1978: Overskate 1979: Overskate 1980: Overskate 1981: Ben Fab 1982: Frost King 1983: Kingsbridge 1984: Bounding Away 1985: Imperial Choice 1986: Carotene 1987: Carotene 1988: Carotene 1989: Charlie Barley 1990: Izvestia 1991: Sky Classic 1992: Rainbows For Life 1993: Hero’s Love 1994: Alywow
1993:
1994: King Ruckus 1995: Scotzanna 1996: Langfuhr 1997: Glanmire 1998: Deputy Inxs
Deputy Inxs 2000: One Way Love 2001: Mr. Epperson 2002: Wake At Noon
Free
Blonde Executive
CHAMPION
TOP GRASS HORSE
CHAMPION MALE TURF HORSE
1995: Hasten To Add
1996: Chief Bearhart
1997: Chief Bearhart
1998: Chief Bearhart
1999: Thornfield
2000: Quiet Resolve
2001: Numerous Times
2002: Portculllis
2003: Perfect Soul
2004: Soaring Free
2005: A Bit O’Gold
2006: Sky Conqueror
2007: Cloudy’s Knight
2008: Rahy’s Attorney
2009: Champs Elysees (GB)
2010: Grand Adventure
2011: Musketier (GER)
2012: Riding the River
2013: Forte Dei Marmi (GB)
2014: Dynamic Sky
CHAMPION FEMALE TURF HORSE
1995: Bold Ruritana
1996: Windsharp
1997: Woolloomooloo
1998: Colorful Vices
1999: Free Vacation
2000: Heliotrope
2001: Sweetest Thing
2002: Chopinina
2003: Inish Glora
2004: Inish Glora
2005: Ambitous Cat
2006: Arravale
2007: Sealy Hill
2008: Callwood Dancer (IRE)
2009: Points of Grace
2010: Miss Keller (IRE)
2011: Never Retreat
2012: Irish Mission
2013: Solid Appeal
2014: Lexie Lou
2015: Interpol
2016: Conquest Enforcer
2017: Johnny Bear
2018: Mr Havercamp
2019: El Tormenta
2020: Say The Word
2021: Town Cruise
2022: Filo di Arianna (BRZ)
OUTSTANDING BROODMARE
1975: Reasonable Wife
1976: Northern Minx
1977: Doris White
1978: Fanfreluche
1979: Fitz’s Fancy
1980: Hangin Round
1981: Native Flower
1982: Yonnie Girl
1983: Two Rings
1984: Friendly Ways
1985: No Class
1986: Loudrangle
2015: Catch a Glimpse
2016: Lexie Lou
2017: Starship Jubilee
2018: Starship Jubilee
2019: Starship Jubilee
2020: Theodora B.
2021: Jolie Olimpica
2022: Lady Speightspeare
1987: Arctic Vixen
1988: Polite Lady
1989: Passing Mood
1990: Shy Spirit
1991: Classy ‘N Smart
1992: Ballade
1993: Bold Debra
1994: Rainbow Connection
1995: Sea Regent
1996: Amelia Bearhart
1997: Charming Sassafras
1998: Fleet Courage
1999: Sharpening Up
2000: Primarily
2001: Dance Smartly
2002: First Class Gal
2003: Radiant Ring
2004: Annasan
2005: Native Rights
2006: Dream Smartly
OUTSTANDING OWNER
1975: Jack Stafford
1976: George Gardiner
1977: Bory Margolus
1978: Conn Smythe
1979: James Shields
1980: Ernest L. Samuel
1981: Dave Kapchinsky
1982: Kinghaven Farms
1983: Bahnam K. Yousif 1984
Stable 2004: Sam-Son Farm 2005: Stronach Stable 2006: Sam-Son Farm
2007: Melnyk Racing Stables
2008: Bear Stables
2007: Lover’s Talk
2008: Kathie’s Colleen
2009: Pico Teneriffe
2010: Destroy
2011: Noble Strike
2012: Misty Mission
2013: Captivating
2014: Eye of the Sphynx
2015: Rare Opportunity
2016: Galloping Ami
2017: Victorious Ami
2018: In Return
2019: Loving Vindication
2020: Danceforthecause
2021: Avie’s Empire
2022: Count to Three
2011: TIE
Stable
Todd AND Patrick Kinsella
2012: John C. Oxley
2013: John C. Oxley
2014: John C. Oxley
2015: Sam-Son Farm
2016: Conquest Stables, LLC
2017: Chiefswood Stable Limited
2018: Chiefswood Stables Limited
2019: Sam-Son Farm
2009: Melnyk Racing Stables 2010: Sam-Son Farm
2020: Live Oak Plantation
2021: Live Oak Plantation
2022: Bruno Schickendanz
– 59 –
:
1990:
Ernest L. Samuel 1985: Ernest L. Samuel 1986: Kinghaven Farms 1987: Kinghaven Farms 1988: Ernest L. Samuel 1989: Kinghaven Farms
Kinghaven Farms 1991: Ernest L. Samuel 1992: Knob Hill Stable 1993: Frank Stronach 1994: Frank Stronach 1995: Frank Stronach 1996: Minshall Farms 1997: Frank Stronach 1998: Frank Stronach 1999: Frank Stronach 2000: Sam-Son Farm 2001: Sam-Son Farm 2002: Stronach Stable 2003: Stronach
Donver
Glen
OUTSTANDING BREEDER
1975: Bory Margolus
1976: E.P. Taylor
1977: Conn Smythe
1978: Jean Louis Levesque
1979: Kinghaven Farms
1980: Marvin Hamilton
1981: Tom Webb
1982: Kinghaven Farms
1983: Russell J. Bennett
1984: Frank Stronach
1985: E.P. Taylor
1986: Kinghaven Farms
1987: Kinghaven Farms
1988: Ernest Samuel
1989: Kinghaven Farms
1990: Kinghaven Farms
1991: Ernest L. Samuel
1992: Knob Hill Stable
1993: Kinghaven Farms
1994: Kinghaven Farms
1995: Kinghaven Farms
1996: Minshall Farms
1997: Frank Stronach
1998: Frank Stronach
1999: Frank Stronach
2000: Sam-Son Farm
2001: Sam-Son Farm 2002: Sam-Son Farm
Sam-Son Farm
Sam-Son Farm
Adena Springs
OUTSTANDING TRAINER
1975: Gil Rowntree
1976: Lou Cavalaris
1977: “Red” Smith
1978: Frank H. Merrill, Jr.
1979: Jim Day
1980: Gerry Belanger
1981: Ron Brock
1982: Bill Marko
1983: Bill Marko
1984: Mike Doyle
1985: Jim Day
1986: Roger Attfield
1987: Roger Attfield
1988: Jim Day
1989: Roger Attfield
1990: Roger Attfield
1991: Jim Day
1992: Phil England
1993: Roger Attfield
1994: Daniel J. Vella
1995: Daniel J. Vella
1996: Barbara J. Minshall
1997: Mark Frostad
1998: Michael Wright, Jr.
1999: Mark Frostad
2000: Mark Frostad
2001: Robert P. Tiller
2002: Roger Attfield
2003: Robert P. Tiller
2004: Robert P. Tiller
2005: Reade Baker
2006: Mark Casse
OUTSTANDING JOCKEY
1975: Hugo Dittfach
1976: Chris Rogers
1977: Avelino Gomez
1978: Sandy Hawley
1979: Robin Platts
1980: Gary Stahlbaum
1981: Irwin Driedger
1982: Lloyd
Todd Kabel
2007: Mark Casse
Mark Casse
Roger Attfield
OUTSTANDING HANDICAPPER
OUTSTANDING APPRENTICE JOCKEY
Mark Casse 2021: Mark Casse 2022: Mark Casse
– 60 –
Past Winners 49thAnnual Sovereign Awards
2005:
2006:
2007:
2008: Adena Springs 2009:
2010: Adena Springs 2011: Gardiner
2012: William
2013: Sam-Son
2014: Sam-Son Farm 2015: Adena Springs 2016: Adena Springs 2017: Adena Springs 2018: Tall Oaks Farm 2019: Sam-Son Farm 2020: Live Oak Plantation 2021: Sam-Son Farm 2022: Adena Springs
2003:
2004:
Adena Springs
Adena Springs
Eugene Melnyk
Farms Ltd.
D Graham
Farm
2008:
2009:
2010:
2011:
2012:
2013:
2014:
2015:
2016:
2017:
2018:
2019:
2020:
Roger Attfield
Mark Casse
Mark Casse
Mark Casse
Mark Casse
Mark Casse
Mark Casse
Mark Casse
Mark Casse
Mark Casse
Duffy 1983: Larry Attard 1984: Chris Loseth 1985: Don Seymour 1986: Larry Attard 1987: Don Seymour 1988: Sandy Hawley 1989: Don Seymour 1990: Don Seymour 1991: Mickey Walls 1992: Todd Kabel 1993: Robert Landry 1994: Robert Landry 1995: Todd Kabel 1996:
2000:
2002:
2003:
2004:
2005:
2006:
2007:
2009:
2010:
2011:
2012:
2013:
2014:
2015:
2016:
2017:
2018: Eurico Rosa Da Silva 2019: Eurico Rosa Da Silva 2020: Rafael Hernandez 2021: Kazushi Kimura 2022: Kazushi Kimura
Emile Ramsammy 1997: Emile Ramsammy 1998: David Clark 1999: Patrick Husbands
Patrick Husbands 2001: Patrick Husbands
Patrick Husbands
Todd Kabel
Todd Kabel
Todd Kabel
Patrick Husbands 2008: Patrick Husbands
Patrick Husbands
Eurico Rosa Da Silva
Luis Contreras
Luis Contreras
Eurico Rosa Da Silva
Patrick Husbands
Eurico Rosa Da Silva
Eurico Rosa Da Silva
Eurico Rosa Da Silva
2017: Michael Eisen 2018: Nick Noce 2019: Paul Shurman
1975: Jeff Fell 1976: Chris Loseth 1977: Brad Smythe 1978: Ron Hansen 1979: Ray Creighton 1980: Valerie Thompson 1981: Richard Dos Ramos 1982: Richard Dos Ramos 1983: Robert King Jr. 1984: Robert King Jr. 1985: Nancy Jumpsen 1986: Todd Kabel 1987: Jim McAleney 1988: Jim McAleney 1989: Maree Richards 1990: Mickey Walls 1991: Mickey Walls 1992: Stanley Bethley 1993: Constant Montpellier 1994: Dave Wilson 1995: Dave Wilson 1996: Neil Poznansky 1997: Rui Pimentel 1998: Helen Vanek 1999: Ben Russell 2000: Cory Clark 2001: Chantal Sutherland 2002: Chantal Sutherland 2003: Julia Brimo 2004: Corey Fraser 2005: Emma-Jayne Wilson 2006: Emma-Jayne WIlson 2007: Tyler Pizarro 2008: Janine Stianson 2009: Omar Moreno 2010: Omar Moreno 2011: Ryan Pacheco 2012: Scott Williams 2013: Skye Chernetz 2014: Sheena Ryan 2015: Erika Smilovsky 2016: Kayla Pizarro 2017: Rey Williams 2018: Kazushi Kimura 2019: Kazushi Kimura 2020: Mauricio Malvaez 2021: Mauricio Malvaez 2022: Slade Jones
OUTSTANDING GROOM
2016: Dexter Brathwaite
2017: Alfredo Ramos
2018: Amanda Erwin
2019: Michael Williams
2020: Michelle Gibson
2021: Denzil Fonseca
2022: TIE
Amber Hutchinson AND Ricardo Nichalson
OUTSTANDING DIGITAL AUDIO/VISUAL & BROADCAST
2012: Horse Racing Alberta & WhiteIron Productions
2013: Woodbine Entertainment Group Broadcast Department
2014: Scott Jagow
2015: Talkin Horses
2016: Woodbine Entertainment Group Broadcast Department
OUTSTANDING WRITING
2012: Denise Ryan
2013: Alex Campbell
2014: David Briggs
2015: Curtis Stock
2017: Horse Racing Alberta
2018: Horse Racing Radio Network
2019: Woodbine Entertainment Group Broadcast Department
2020: Santino Di Paola
2021: Woodbine Entertainment Group Broadcast Department
2022: Woodbine Entertainment
2016: Beverley Smith
2017: Perry Lefko
2018: Hayley Morrison
2019: David Briggs
OUTSTANDING PHOTOGRAPH
1975: Michael Burns
1976: Michael Burns
1977: Bob Gilmour
1978: Michael Burns
1979: Jeff Goode
1980: Wayne Glowack
1981: Bob Gilmour
1982: Jeff Goode
1983: Michael Burns
1984: Patricia Burns
1985: Michael Burns Jr
1986: Katey Barrett
1987: Boris Spremo
1988: Les Bazso
1989: Jeff Goode
1990: Michael Burns Jr.
1991: Mike Moore
1992: Jeff Goode
1993: Michael Burns Jr
1994: Michael Burns
1995: Ken Villeneuve
1996: Skip Dickstein
1997: Michael Burns Jr.
1998: Ryan Haynes
1999: David Landry
2000: David Landry
2001: Michael Burns Jr.
2002: Michael Burns Jr.
2003: Michael Burns Jr.
2004: David Landry
2005: David Landry
2006: David Landry
2007: Michael Burns Jr.
2008: Matt Waples
2020: Chris Lomon
2021: Hayley Morrison
2022: George Williams
2009: Michael Burns
2010: Tod Marks
2011: David Landry
2012: Michael Burns
2013: Patti Tubbs
2014: Cindy Pierson Dulay
2015: Chris Young
2016: Cody Gregory
2017: David Landry
2018: Santino Di Paola
2019: Michael R. Bye
2020: Will Wong
2021: Will Wong
2022: TIE
Allan de la Plante AND Julie Wright
– 62 –
Sovereign Awards
Past Winners 49thAnnual
MICHAEL BURNS PHOTOGRAPHY LTD. Servicing the Horse Racing Industry ~ Established 1949 Wishes to congratulate all the SOVEREIGN FINALISTS 2023 Thank You Congratulations to all Sovereign
finalists and winners, including
winner of the Special Sovereign Award. to each of our Sovereign Awards sponsors.
Awards
Robert “Red” McKenzie,
DAVE LANDRY
MAKE WOODBINE YOUR HOME TURF
#1 TURF RACING IN NORTH AMERICA
WORLD RENOWNED
E.P. TAYLOR TURF COURSE
INNER TURF COURSE
TAPETA MAIN TRACK
DIRT & TURF TRAINING TRACKS
$ 62 + MILLION IN PURSES
4 GRADE 1 STAKES
38 GRADED STAKES
WORLD CLASS RACING APRIL TO DECEMBER
$16+ MILLION STAKES
PROGRAM
/INCENTIVES
Trademark of Woodbine Entertainment Group
TM
LGB, LLC 2024
$15,000
KANTHAROS $7,500
LOGGINS $40,000
MUSIC $125,000
GOOD MAGIC $40,000
VIOLENCE $10,000
CHARLATAN
ARMY
www.hillndalefarms.com
LFSN
LFSN
LFSN MACLEAN’S
LFSN
LFSN
LFSN MIDNIGHT LUTE $5,000 LFSN WORLD OF TROUBLE $75,000 LFSN GHOSTZAPPER $50,000 LFSN
$25,000 LFSN
MULE $250,000 LFSN CURLIN