Leduc County, AB - The successes of the Alberta Thoroughbred Industry were celebrated at the 45th Annual Night of Champions, held at the brand new Century Mile Racetrack and Casino this past Saturday evening. Breeders, owners, trainers and fans turned out to cheer on their industry partners as awards were presented for triumphs in the Thoroughbred industry.
Kent Verlik, Chief Executive Officer of Horse Racing Alberta, brought greetings from his organization and Mayor Tanni Doblanko was in attendance to represent Leduc County and the new home of Century Mile. Other industry representatives present included the Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society (Alberta Division), Northlands Park, Horsemens’ Benevolent and Protective Association of Alberta, Jockey Club of Canada, Century Mile Racetrack and Casino and Century Downs Racetrack and Casino.
The 2018 Champion Alberta bred and Two Year Old Colt title was awarded to SMARTY RIVER PANTS, stakes winner of four races including the Princess Margaret Stakes, the Birdcatcher Stakes and the Alberta Premiers’ Futurity with total season earnings of $125,052. The stakes winning Afleet Alex runner is bred and owned by Riversedge Racing Stables Ltd. of Okotoks, Alberta. ESCAPE CLAUSE earned the Champion Older Mare and the 2018 Champion Horse of the Year title for her impressive accomplishments during her four year old season. The Alberta highlights for this graded stakes winner included victories in the CTHS Alberta Sales Stake, the Lynn Chouinard Founders Distaff and the City of Edmonton Distaff. The Going Commando Manitoba bred mare was bred by Cam Ziprick and Arnason Farms and is owned by Don Schnell, Barry Arnason and True North.
The Ken Cohoe Lifetime Achievement Award and Horseperson of the Year award was given to eight time consecutive Leading Jockey, Rico Walcott. This title recognizes Rico’s lifelong personal involvement and contribution for the love of the Thoroughbred. Northlands Racing Secretary Jason Teague was presented with the Lloyd and Mary Wilson Trophy and Special Appreciation Award in recognition of exemplary services to the Thoroughbred industry.
A full record of the 2018 Alberta Thoroughbred Award winners is listed below:
THE H.B.P.A. TROPHY 2018 CHAMPION CLAIMER SUPREME RUSH |
THE CENTURY DOWNS RACE TRACK AND CASINO TROPHY 2018 CHAMPION SPRINTER SIR BRONX |
THE ROY McLELLAN TROPHY 2018 CHAMPION TWO YEAR OLD FILLY NOTICE |
THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN TURF CLUB TROPHY 2018 CHAMPION TWO YEAR OLD COLT SMARTY RIVER PANTS |
THE DAVE KAPCHINSKY MEMORIAL TROPHY SPONSORED BY PADDOCKHURST STABLES 2018 CHAMPION THREE YEAR OLD FILLY RAIDER |
THE GALILEO EQUINE INSURANCE TROPHY 2018 CHAMPION THREE YEAR OLD COLT REGAL MAX |
THE MOORE EQUINE VETERINARY CENTRE LTD. TROPHY 2018 CHAMPION OLDER MARE ESCAPE CLAUSE |
THE NORTHLANDS PARK TROPHY 2018 CHAMPION OLDER HORSE SIR BRONX |
THE TED CONNOR TROPHY 2018 CHAMPION ALBERTA-BRED SMARTY RIVER PANTS |
THE HORSE RACING ALBERTA TROPHY 2018 HORSE OF THE YEAR ESCAPE CLAUSE |
2018 BACKSTRETCH APPRECIATION AWARD SPONSORED BY DR. STEVEN SMITH JOHN HEATH |
THE LOU DAVIES MEMORIAL TROPHY 2018 LEADING JOCKEY RICO WALCOTT |
THE H.B.P.A. TROPHY 2018 LEADING TRAINER TIM RYCROFT |
THE JOCKEY CLUB OF CANADA TROPHY Provided by Jockey Club of Canada) 2018 LEADING OWNER RIVERSEDGE RACING STABLES LTD. |
THE C.T.H.S. TROPHY - 2018 LEADING BREEDER WALLY PUGH (WOOD RIVER RANCHES) AND ANDY STRONACH |
THE LLOYD AND MARY WILSON TROPHY 2018 SPECIAL APPRECIATION AWARD JASON TEAGUE |
THE KEN COHOE TROPHY - 2018 HORSE PERSON OF THE YEAR RICO WALCOTT |
About the CTHS Alberta
Founded in 1906, the Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society (CTHS) was incorporated under the Animal Pedigree Act as the official registry of Thoroughbred horses in Canada.
The CTHS (Alberta Division) and its membership are a major part of the agriculture community in Alberta with a goal to ensure a viable future for members by providing assistance and developing programs to ensure that future.
The CTHS mandate is to promote the purchase of Alberta Thoroughbreds, keep records, organize sales, disseminate information, compile statistics and assist our membership with registration.
To learn more about the Night of Champions, please contact the C.T.H.S. Alberta office at 403-229-3609 or visit www.cthsalta.com.