![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
Withers, Toboggan, Ruthless Pegasus World Cup works Eclipse Awards Year in Review Santa Anita opening day |
|
![]() The Sovereign Award Master Trophy, with the names of every Horse of the Year around its base |
The 49th annual Sovereign Awards, saluting outstanding achievement in Canadian Thoroughbred racing and breeding in 2023, were handed out at a ceremony on Thursday evening at Paramount EventSpace in Woodbridge, Ontario, northeast of Woodbine Racetrack. Unlike their U.S. equivalent, the Eclipse Awards, horses must have started at least 3 times in Canada to qualify (2 for juveniles). Winning connections are presented with a trophy which is a replica of English racing great St. Simon, with Woodbine television personalities Jeff Bratt and Dawn Lupul serving as co-hosts. As has been the case for several years, speeches about politics or industry issues were avoided, keeping a mostly positive tone to the festivities and optimism for the upcoming Canadian racing season, which at Woodbine begins on Saturday April 27.
![]() Lincoln Collins, bloodstock agent for owner Tracy Farmer, accepts the Horse of the Year trophy for Fev Rover from Glenn Sikura, chief steward of the Jockey Club of Canada |
![]() Robert "Red" McKenzie receiving the Special Sovereign Award from Keith Johns of the Jockey Club of Canada |
![]() Assistant traainer Kathryn Sullivan accepts the Outstanding Trainer award for Mark Casse from Doug Anderson, Chairman of the Sovereign Awards Committee. |
![]() Jim Clark, President of Colio Estate Wines, presents Champion Older Main Track Female to the connections of Millie Girl. |
![]() Frank Stronach accepts the Outstanding Breeder award from Meghan MacKenzie Bell, AVP Sales & Business Development, Henry Equestrian & Agri-Business. |
Mendocino Beano was named Outstanding Broodmare, a lifetime achievement award. She was bred and raced by Sean and Dorothy Fitzhenry, winning the Ontario Colleen (G2). But it was in the breeding shed where she really left her mark. Her 5 foals are all winners, earning over $1.2 million. Her 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 stakes winner Stallion Heiress and stakes-placed Conquest Fleetfeet.
![]() Owner Frank Di Giulio Jr. and trainer Robert Tiller accept the Champion Sprinter award from Frank Romeo, Steward of the Jockey Club of Canada. |
![]() Jennifer Morrison accepts the Outstanding Writing award from Jennifer Anstey, CEO of Canadian Thoroughred Horse Media Group. |
Vote totals for the top three finalists for all the awards along with photos for all of the equine winners are below. Votes were cast for the top three choices, 4 points for first, 2 for second, and 1 for third, in each category by voters and the top point getters were named the finalists. The voters are individuals serving in industry positions such as senior racing officials, racing journalists and commentators, as well as provincial representatives of the Breeding and Horsemen's organizations. The judging for the 2023 media categories was performed by media professionals in the Thoroughbred Racing industry, a change from past years when they were judged by professors at nearby Humber College.
Back to Horse-Races.Net main page
Search Horse-Races.Net: |