The annual Manitoba Thoroughbred Awards presented by the CTHS and HBPA took place on Saturday, May 9 at Assiniboia Downs, and although there were few surprises, there was a tie for Horse of the Year on the CTHS side between Mighty Mikee and Mechanic Susie.
Bred by Larry Falloon, Mighty Mikee (Mitole-Piccadilly Line by Air Force Blue) was trained by Devon Gittens to win the CTHS Sales Stakes and Buffalo Stakes in 2025 for owners Falloon, Mclaren Racing and Anne Champion. Mechanic Susie (Nonios-Quantum Mechanics by Einstein) was also bred by Falloon, and trained by Elton Dickey to win the Distaff Stakes for ownership partners Falloon, Dickey, and Tom Payne.
CTHS Milestone Awards were presented to Dr. Ross McKague and Hedy Kling.
The Horse of the Year on the HBPA side was Judo, trained by Steve Keplin, Jr. for owner James Parisien to win three stakes in 2025, including the Free Press, the R.J. Speers Memorial, and the Harvey Warner Manitoba Mile. Longtime owner/breeder Barry Arnason was also presented with the HBPA Award of Distinction.
2025 CTHS AWARD WINNERS
2-Year-Old Colt/Gelding: Mighty Mikee, Breeder – Larry Falloon
3-Year-Old Filly: Twolefttoload, Breeders – Cam Ziprick, Charles Fouillard & Stephane Fouillard
3-Year-Old Colt/Gelding: Betterlucknexttime, Breeders – Larry Falloon & Denis Huberdeau
Older Mare: Mechanic Susie, Breeder – Larry Falloon
Older Horse: McKague, Breeder – Nearco Ltd.
Broodmare Award of Excellence: Quantum Mechanics Owner – Larry Falloon
Breeder of the Year: Larry Falloon and Denis Huberdeau
Stallion of the Year: Nonios, Owner – Larry Falloon and Denis Huberdeau
Co-Champion Manitoba Bred Horse of the Year: Mechanic Susie, Mighty Mikee
CTHS Milestone Award: Dr. Ross McKague, Hedy Kling
The 2026 Assiniboia Downs season got underway last week and 2025 leading trainer Steve Keplin, Jr. won with five of his first seven starters on Tuesday and Wednesday, and also had a third-place finish to surge to the lead in the standings.
Keplin won the second and fourth races on Tuesday with Ceepeegee ($2.60) and Steal Your Soul ($3.50), and followed up Wednesday with wins in the second, third, and fifth races with Emirates Affair ($3.70), Prime Suspect ($2.10), and Taillights ($5.90). While the prices weren’t long, the horses ran like they were money in the bank, and it looks like Keplin is heading for another great meeting in 2026.
The only other trainer to win more than a single race during the first week was Wendy Anderson, who won the third race on Tuesday via a DQ with Please the Court ($4.10), and the sixth race on Wednesday with Bati King ($12.20). Singles went to trainers Jerry Gourneau, Eugene Burns, Make Nault, Chance Dales, and Demetris Topouzis. Topouzis, a new arrival from Vancouver, saddled the longest shot of the week, winning the first race on Wednesday with Stilettos Only ($30.20).
On the jockey side, jockey Antonio Whitehall was also white hot, winning with four of his six mounts to secure a one-win lead over Sven Balroop with three victories, and Javaniel Patterson with a pair. Singles went to last year’s leading rider Damario Bynoe, Tyrone Nelson, and Shavon Townsend.
Bettors flocked back to the windows both on foot and through the wires to wager $875,464 on opening night and $1,325,168 on Wednesday.
2025 HBPA AWARD WINNERS
2-Year-Old Colt/Gelding: Omaha Warrior, Owners – Bonnie McCrory and Gary Danelson, Trainer – Jared Brown
2-Year-Old Filly: Wecanonlyimagine, Owners – Jared Brown and John Ganas, Trainer – Jared Brown
3-Year-Old Filly: Welcometohollywood, Owners – Jared Brown and John Ganas, Trainer – Jared Brown
3-Year-Old Colt/Gelding: Mr Jaws, Owner – Henry S. Witt, Jr., Trainer – Jerry Gourneau
Older Mare: Burrow Down, Owner – Gerald Bachishin, Trainer – Mike Taphorn
Older Horse: Judo, Owner – James Parisien, Trainer – Steve Keplin, Jr.
Sprinter of the Year: Sophia’s Storm, Owners – Arnason Farms, James Keplin, Parker Wallette, Trainer – Steve Keplin, Jr.
Harry Crane Memorial: Best of Greeley, Owners – Drop ‘en Racing, James Keplin, Parker Wallette, Trainer – Steve Keplin, Jr.
Most Astute Claim: Blackteca, Owners – Drop ‘en Racing, James Keplin, Parker Wallette, Trainer – Steve Keplin, Jr.
Horse of the Year: Judo, Owner – James Parisien, Trainer – Steve Keplin, Jr.
Leading Trainer: Steve Keplin, Jr. – 130 starts / 40 wins / 32%
High Win Percentage Trainer: Mike Nault – 89 starts / 32 wins / 36%
Leading Jockey: Damario Bynoe – 226 starts / 60 wins
Leading Apprentice Jockey: Ciera Pruitt – 123 starts / 12 wins
HBPA Award of Distinction: Barry Arnason
More News
