Hall of Fame horseman Frank Barroby was honoured at the annual Woodbine Oaks day presentation of the Avelino Gomez Memorial Award held in the winner’s circle following the second race on Saturday afternoon.
The Gomez Award is presented annually on Oaks day to a person — Canadian-born, Canadian-raised or regular rider in the country for more than five years — who has made significant contributions to sport of horse racing. The honour is named in memory of one of the sport’s most heralded and loved performers, who died of complications following an accident in the 1980 Canadian Oaks.
A winner of riding titles across the country before transitioning with success to training horses, Barroby was joined by his wife Lynn and members of the Woodbine jockey colony in front of the grandstand to accept the award, which was presented by Patricia Gomez, wife of the late jockey.