Today marks 25 years since Jeff Robillard, Director of Marketing & Promotions, joined Horse Racing Alberta.
Twenty-five years is a remarkable milestone on its own, but when you look at what Jeff Robillard has accomplished during those 25 years, it becomes something much bigger than an anniversary.
Jeff's work with Horse Racing Alberta has been recognized by some of the most respected organizations in horse racing and equine media, including The Jockey Club of Canada Sovereign Awards, the National Thoroughbred Racing Association Eclipse Awards, the American Quarter Horse Association AQHA Marketing & Media Awards, Standardbred Canada's O'Brien Media Excellence Awards, the United States Harness Writers Association and the World Trotting Conference. His work has been recognized across all platforms of Thoroughbred, Standardbred and Quarter Horse racing, while also earning recognition outside of racing through advertising, tourism, broadcasting and marketing awards.
There are multiple Jockey Club of Canada Sovereign Awards among those accomplishments, including recognition for productions featuring the Canadian Derby, Brother Derek's Run for the Roses, The Alberta Derby, The Ky Alta Stakes, Super Trooper and, most recently, Women in Thoroughbred Racing. In 2007, the Alberta Derby broadcast produced by Jeff Robillard and Bruce Yost, in association with White Iron Productions (Mike Little), won both the Sovereign Award and the Eclipse Award for Local Television Achievement. That is an incredible distinction for an Alberta racing production to be recognized at the highest levels of both Canadian and American Thoroughbred racing media.
Jeff's work in Standardbred racing has been just as significant, with multiple O'Brien Media Excellence Awards and Sam McKee Awards from the United States Harness Writers Association, as well as recognition for stories that went far beyond what happens on the racetrack. From A Special Lady and the Tyler Redwood stories to Women in Standardbred Racing and the Crackers Hot Shot story, Jeff has consistently been part of the teams telling stories about the people, horses and experiences that make this industry special.
And then there is the Quarter Horse side, along with years of work promoting and telling the story of Alberta horse racing to audiences well beyond our industry. His work has been recognized by the American Quarter Horse Association, including a first-place Marketing & Media Award for Multimedia, as well as the viral video featuring Quarter Horse sensation Timbersknightryder and his second career in barrel racing.
What I think is most impressive about Jeff's 25 years, though, is that this isn't a marketing career where the awards are all sitting in the past. He's still winning them! In 2025, HRA and Shine Light Entertainment were recognized with both an O'Brien Media Excellence Award and a USHWA Sam McKee Award for the Crackers Hot Shot story, while Women in Thoroughbred Racing, produced by HRA and Shine Light Entertainment, earned a Sovereign Award. All three awards were for work produced in 2024.
And the recognition has continued. In 2025, Jeff and Mike Little of Shine Light Entertainment produced The Career of Robertino Diodoro, which was named a Sovereign Award finalist for Digital Audio/Visual and Broadcast. Recognition like this reflects the quality and range of work Jeff has been part of throughout his 25 years with Horse Racing Alberta.
That speaks to something that is easy to forget when someone works in your industry for a long time. Jeff hasn't simply spent 25 years working in horse racing, he has spent 25 years documenting it. He has captured champions, major races, important moments, personal struggles, comebacks and including the people who often don't get the spotlight. He has helped tell the story of Alberta horse racing across all three breeds and has helped take those stories far beyond our own racetracks to recognition on a North American stage.
Congratulations, Jeff, on 25 years with Horse Racing Alberta. From all of us at Horse Racing Alberta, thank you for the incredible body of work you have created, for the history you have captured and for the countless stories you and your team have helped bring to life. Your 25 years of work have helped preserve an important part of Alberta's horse racing history and have shown audiences far beyond our industry the people, horses and stories that make Alberta racing so special.
MEETING: Evergreen Park, Grande Prairie, Alberta, Canada - August 26, 2026
JOCKEY, TREVOR WAYNE SIMPSON, PERM. ADD.: KINGSTON, JAMAICA, D.O.B. FEBRUARY 19, 1969, is hereby FINED THE SUM OF ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS ($100.00) AND SUSPENDED FROM RIDING FOR ONE (1) RACE DAY, SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2026 for allowing his mount #6 “LENNYS ON TIME” to come out when not properly clear during the stretch run, interfering with #2 “TABULA ROSSO” on his outside thereby causing #6 “LENNYS ON TIME” to be DISQUALIFIED from 1st and placed 2nd in Race 7, Saturday, August 22, 2026.
In accordance with HORSE RACING ALBERTA Rules 240, 270(a), 271, 276(1)(2)(a)(c)(4) and 296(1)(a)(2)(a)(b).
In accordance with HORSE RACING ALBERTA Rule 297 fine to be paid within ten (10) days.
(If fine remains unpaid after ten (10) days from its imposition, any licence held by the participant shall be suspended until the fine is paid in full, unless the Board of Stewards otherwise directs.)
MEETING: The Track on 2, Lacombe, Alberta, Canada - August 28, 2026
In the opinion of the Board of Judges, OWNER/TRAINER/DRIVER, CLINTON BOYD WARRINGTON, JR, PERM ADD: SURREY, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA, D.O.B. AUGUST 31, 1960, did violate HORSE RACING ALBERTA Rule 144(1)(c); Trainers must report promptly to the official veterinarian the sickness, unsoundness, or injury of any horse in their charge that is entered to race; for failing to notify HORSE RACING ALBERTA Official Veterinarian prior to scratch time of #4 “ITS TIME ICEMAN” entered in Race 8, Sunday, August 23, 2026.
PENALTY: CLINTON WARRINGTON, JR. is hereby FINED THE SUM OF ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS ($100.00).
In accordance with HORSE RACING ALBERTA Rule 297(1) fine to be paid within ten (10) days.
(Failure to pay the fine by September 7, 2026 will result in licence suspension.)
MEETING: The Track on 2, Lacombe, Alberta, Canada - August 28, 2026
In the opinion of the Board of Judges, TRAINER/OWNER, REBECCA LEE KANAK, PERM. ADD.: SASKATOON, SASKATCHEWAN, CANADA, D.O.B. MAY 15, 1999, did violate HORSE RACING ALBERTA Rule 286(a); A person violates these rules who, in the opinion of the judges/stewards board, conducts themselves in a manner prejudicial to the best interest of horse racing; by failing to report directly to the test barn with the horse #6 “FROSTFIRE”, the 2nd place finisher in Race 4, Sunday, August 23, 2026.
PENALTY: REBECCA KANAK is hereby FINED THE SUM OF ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS ($100.00).
In accordance with HORSE RACING ALBERTA Rule 297(1) fine to be paid within ten (10) days.
(Failure to pay the fine by September 7, 2026 will result in licence suspension.)
MEETING: Century Downs Racetrack and Casino, Balzac, Alberta, Canada - August 22, 2026
In the opinion of the Board of Judges, TRAINER, AUTHORIZED AGENT, MATHEW PATRICK HOWLETT, WINNIPEG, MANITOBA, CANADA D.O.B. MAY 10, 2000, did violate HORSE RACING ALBERTA Rule 134(2)(b)(ii)(3); If a horse is on EIPH certified list, its trainer or the trainer’s licensed representative must, before the horse competes, if a Standardbred, the trainer or his authorized representative must report with the horse to the test barn at the appointed time for the injection and assist if required, the administration of furosemide. The stewards/judges board must scratch a horse from a race if the requirements of this section are not met; thereby causing “IMA FIST FIGHT to be scratched from Race 4, Saturday, August 22, 2026.
PENALTY: MATHEW HOWLETT is hereby FINED THE SUM OF ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS ($100.00).
In accordance with HORSE RACING ALBERTA Rule 297(1) fine to be paid within ten (10) days.
(Failure to pay the fine by August 31, 2026 will result in licence suspension.)
MEETING: Century Downs Racetrack and Casino, Balzac, Alberta, Canada - August 22, 2026
In the opinion of the Board of Judges TRAINER, GORDON ALBERT ABBOTT, PERM. ADD.: SURREY, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA, D.O.B.: APRIL 16, 1962, did violate HORSE RACING ALBERTA
Rule 123(1); Any person responsible for a horse stabled at a Horse Racing Alberta licensed racetrack must provide proof of a negative Equine Infectious Anemia (Coggins test). The test must be dated within the past 12 months (365 days) and submitted at least 48 hours before admittance to the racetrack. Proof of the negative test must be reported to Horse Racing Alberta Security. For full requirements, refer to Policy RLP012 Equine Infectious Anemia Policy; for having the horse “TOFINO BEACH” on the grounds with expired Coggins at Century Downs Racetrack and Casino.
PENALTY: GORDON ABBOTT is hereby FINED THE SUM OF ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS ($100.00).
In accordance with HORSE RACING ALBERTA Rule 297(1) fine to be paid within ten (10)days.
(Failure to pay the fine by August 31, 2026, will result in licence suspension.)
MEETING: Century Downs Racetrack and Casino, Balzac, Alberta, Canada - August 22, 2026
In the opinion of the Board of Judges, DRIVER/OWNER, LEE JAMES IBEY, PERM. ADD.: WHITECOURT, ALBERTA, CANADA, D.O.B. MARCH 11, 1988, did violate HORSE RACING ALBERTA Rule 298(1) and 300(1)(a); In accordance with Section 16 of the Act, a racing official designated to carry out inspections and other functions and duties under Section 16(1) may on, at or near a race track, on demand, take samples of breath and bodily fluids from a racing participant. A racing official or racing participant violates these rules if they report to work with blood/alcohol concentration reading of more than 50 milligrams of alcohol in one hundred milliliters of blood.
PENALTY: LEE IBEY is hereby FINED THE SUM OF ONE HUNDRED FIFTY DOLLARS ($150.00) AND SUSPENDED FROM HIS DUTIES IN THE PADDOCK, TEST BARN, JOGGING AND WARMING UP HORSES FOR A PERIOD OF TEN (10) CALENDAR DAYS, AUGUST 22 TO AUGUST 31, 2026 (INCLUSIVE).
In accordance with HORSE RACING ALBERTA Rule 296(1)(a)(2)(a)(b) and HORSE RACING ALBERTA Drug and Alcohol Policy dated September 1, 2019.
In accordance with HORSE RACING ALBERTA Rule 297(1) fine to be paid within ten (10) days.
(Failure to pay the fine by August 31, 2026 will result in licence suspension.)
MEETING: Century Mile Racetrack & Casino, Alberta, Canada - August 29, 2026
TRAINER, PONY PERSON, AUTHORIZED AGENT, MAKAYLA JOSEPHINE EDWARDS, PERM. ADD.: CALMAR, ALBERTA, CANADA, D.O.B.: FEBRUARY 1, 2002, is hereby FINED THE SUM OF ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS ($100.00) for entering the horse “NINEOCLOCKSOMEWHER” in the wrong race, necessitating a late Stewards Scratch in Race 7, Friday, August 28, 2026.
In accordance with HORSE RACING ALBERTA Rule 190, 286(1)(a), 296(1)(a)(2)(a).
In accordance with HORSE RACING ALBERTA Rule 297(1)(2) fine to be paid within ten (10) days.
(If fine remains unpaid after ten (10) days from its imposition, any licence held by the participant shall be suspended until the fine is paid in full, unless the Board of Stewards otherwise directs.)
MEETING: Century Mile Racetrack & Casino, Alberta, Canada - August 29, 2026
OWNER/TRAINER, AUTHORIZED AGENT, JASON EDWARD CONEY, PERM. ADD.: SEXSMITH, ALBERTA, CANADA, D.O.B.: SEPTEMBER 14, 1977, is hereby FINED THE SUM OF FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS ($500.00) for his unprofessional conduct towards HORSE RACING ALBERTA Racing Officials (Stewards) on Saturday, August 22, 2026.
In accordance with HORSE RACING ALBERTA Rule 286(1)(a)(2)(3)(c)(d), and 296(1)(a)(2)(a).
In accordance with HORSE RACING ALBERTA Rule 297(1)(2) fine to be paid within ten (10) days.
(If fine remains unpaid after ten (10) days from its imposition, any licence held by the participant shall be suspended until the fine is paid in full, unless the Board of Stewards otherwise directs.)
MEETING: Century Mile Racetrack & Casino, Alberta, Canada - August 29, 2026
GROOM, EXERCISE PERSON, PONY PERSON, TERRI ANNE LANDRAKER, PERM. ADD.: PITT MEADOWS, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA, D.O.B.: MARCH 16, 1972, is hereby FINED THE SUM OF ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS ($100.00) for her unprofessional conduct towards another racing participant on Wednesday, August 26, 2026.
In accordance with HORSE RACING ALBERTA Rule 286(1)(a)(2), 287(xxx), and 296(1)(a)(2)(a).
In accordance with HORSE RACING ALBERTA Rule 297(1)(2) fine to be paid within ten (10) days.
(If fine remains unpaid after ten (10) days from its imposition, any licence held by the participant shall be suspended until the fine is paid in full, unless the Board of Stewards otherwise directs.)