The successes and accomplishments of the Alberta Thoroughbred industry stars of 2017 were celebrated this past Saturday evening at the 44th annual Night of Champions held at the Chateau Lacombe in Edmonton. Over 175 industry members took part in the evening event including breeders, owners, trainers and representatives from the Alberta Owners and Breeders Association, Century Casino, Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society (Alberta Division) Horse Racing Alberta, Northlands and Olds College.
Dinner was followed by a speech honoring, in memoriam, the tireless champion of the Alberta Thoroughbred industry champion, Lynn Chouinard, given by close friend Max Gibb. A video celebrating the industry was next on the program along with the presentation of the Thoroughbred awards.
The 2017 Champion Alberta bred and Two Year Old Colt title was awarded to SHIMSHINE, winner of 4 races and earnings of $110,911 in his first season on the track. The Wilko gelding is owned by White Pine Ranch and was bred by Wally Pugh and Andy Stronach. TROOPER JOHN was awarded the title of 2017 Horse of the Year for a season that included 3 wins and earnings of $138,900 for owner Riversedge Racing Stables Ltd. The Pennsylvania bred gelding is by Colonel John and was bred by Smart Angle, LLP.
The 2017 Ken Cohoe Lifetime Achievement Award and Horseperson of the Year title was awarded to Ken and Maxine Anderson to reward lifelong personal involvement and contribution for the love of the Thoroughbred. Jean Kruse, CTHS Alberta Manager, addressed the audience highlighting the contributions of Ken and Maxine and their immense value especially as mentors for people new to the Thoroughbred industry. Theresa Sealy accepted the award on behalf of Ken and Maxine who were unable to be present. The 2017 Special Appreciation Award in recognition of exemplary services to the Thoroughbred industry was awarded to Lynn Chouinard in memoriam and accepted by his daughter, Jennifer Mundy.
A full list of the 2017 Alberta Thoroughbred Award winners is listed below:
THE H.B.P.A. TROPHY
2017 CHAMPION CLAIMER
SPECTRUS
THE CENTURY DOWNS RACE TRACK AND CASINO TROPHY
2017 CHAMPION SPRINTER
HEMLOCK CHANNEL
THE ROY McLELLAN TROPHY
2017 CHAMPION TWO YEAR OLD FILLY
SUZETTE
THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN TURF CLUB TROPHY
2017 CHAMPION TWO YEAR OLD COLT
SHIMSHINE
THE DAVE KAPCHINSKY MEMORIAL TROPHY
SPONSORED BY PADDOCKHURST STABLES
2017 CHAMPION THREE YEAR OLD FILLY
ANSTRUM
THE GALILEO EQUINE INSURANCE TROPHY
2017 CHAMPION THREE YEAR OLD COLT
TROOPER JOHN
THE MOORE EQUINE VETERINARY CENTRE LTD. TROPHY
2017 CHAMPION OLDER MARE
TARA’S WAY
THE NORTHLANDS PARK TROPHY
2017 CHAMPION OLDER HORSE
KILLIN ME SMALLS
THE TED CONNOR TROPHY
2017 CHAMPION ALBERTA-BRED
SHIMSHINE
THE HORSE RACING ALBERTA TROPHY
2017 HORSE OF THE YEAR
TROOPER JOHN
2017 BACKSTRETCH APPRECIATION AWARD
SPONSORED BY DR. STEVEN SMITH
JASON TEAGUE
2017 APPRENTICE JOCKEY AWARD
SPONSORED BY THE H.B.P.A. AND NORTHLANDS
REY WILLIAMS
THE LOU DAVIES MEMORIAL TROPHY
2017 LEADING JOCKEY
RICO WALCOTT
THE H.B.P.A. TROPHY
2017 LEADING TRAINER
GREG TRACY
THE JOCKEY CLUB OF CANADA TROPHY (Provided by Jockey Club of Canada)
2017 LEADING OWNERS
BAR NONE RANCHES LTD.
THE C.T.H.S. TROPHY
2017 LEADING BREEDER
WALLY PUGH (WOOD RIVER RANCHES) AND ANDY STRONACH
THE LLOYD AND MARY WILSON TROPHY
2017 SPECIAL APPRECIATION AWARD
LYNN CHOUINARD (IN MEMORIAM)
THE KEN COHOE TROPHY
2017 HORSE PERSONS OF THE YEAR
KEN AND MAXINE ANDERSON
Please contact the C.T.H.S. Alberta office at 403-229-3609 or visit the web site at www.cthsalta.com for further information
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