Throughout Sunday’s O’Brien Awards Digital Gala, Richard Moreau was voted the nation’s Coach of the 12 months for his eighth straight 12 months, coach Dr. Ian Moore collected 4 O’Brien Awards, together with Horse of the 12 months and Bob McClure was voted Driver of the 12 months for the primary time in his profession.
by Dave Briggs with recordsdata from Standardbred Canada
Century Farroh was introduced because the winner of Canada’s 2020 Somebeachsomewhere Horse of the 12 months on Sunday (Jan. 31) throughout a digital version of the O’Brien Awards honoring the very best in Canadian harness racing produced and broadcast by Standardbred Canada.
It was the fourth O’Brien Award of the night time for coach Dr. Ian Moore. Century Farroh, the 2020 Breeders Crown and Dan Patch winner, each at Harrah’s Hoosier Park, additionally took house the honors because the nation’s Older Pacing Horse after scoring 12 top-three finishes in 16 begins and compiling earnings of $637,000. Moore trainees Lawless Shadow (Two-12 months-Previous Pacing Colt of the 12 months) and Tattoo Artist (Three-12 months-Previous Pacing Colt of the 12 months) had been additionally winners.
“It’s simply good to see the horses get acknowledged. Good assist and good horses… and a few good administration, possibly, makes for a very good mixture, so it’s good to see,” Moore mentioned when reached Sunday night time in Florida the place he’s coaching 20 horses, 14 of them 2-year-olds, together with 4 3-year-olds — together with Lawless Shadow, Alumni Seelster and Girl Arthur — in addition to older horses Century Farroh and Tattoo Artist. “The one cause I’ve gotten a few of these horses have been long-time contributors within the trade… Dave Ratchford, Ron and Gail McLellan, Serge Savard, Frank Cannon and Eric Cherry’s Let It Trip Secure.
Lawless Shadow had an ultra-consistent season that noticed him hit the board in eight of 9 races, together with 4 victories, whereas incomes greater than $307,000. He scored two wins in Ontario Sires Stakes (OSS) occasions, a win within the Nassagaweya, runner-up finishes in his Metro elimination and OSS Tremendous Ultimate and a third-place end within the Metro Ultimate.
Tattoo Artist was a winner of eight of 17 begins and greater than $666,000 final season with victories in 5 OSS occasions and a division of the Simcoe Stakes. One in every of his largest efforts was a runner-up end within the $1 million Pepsi North America Cup.
Moore mentioned he was proud that Lawless Shadow, Tattoo Artist and Century Farroh all bought their begin within the OSS Grassroots Collection.
“Every of these three horses began their profession within the Grassroots. Century Farroh was the Grassroots champion as a 2-year-old. Lawless raced within the Grassroots as soon as as a result of he was late preparing. I had some drawback with him making breaks after which he stepped as much as the Gold after that. And Tattoo did the identical. He raced in a Grassroots as soon as to start out his profession after which he stepped up,” Moore mentioned.
“I believe with infants, particularly in immediately’s fashion of racing and driving, it’s essential (to start out slowly)… They’re all so well-bred and good they usually wish to do it for you, that regardless of how briskly you prepare or qualify them they will exit and race their guts out, 5 or 6 seconds higher than they’ve ever been of their life and that could be a detriment to lots of 2-year-olds so I believe it’s good to start out them in a spot the place you possibly can end the race hanging onto them and understanding that there’s much more for subsequent week.
“I take satisfaction in all of our horses, whether or not they win a Sires Stakes sequence or Gold or no matter. Virtually each horse in our steady has been yearlings that we now have developed and made into racehorses, in order that makes it much more satisfying and gratifying once they exit and win their first race.
It was the second Horse of the 12 months title for a Moore trainee within the final six years. His pupil State Treasurer gained the 2015 Horse of the 12 months award the identical 12 months Moore was named the O’Brien Award winner for Horsemanship.
“State Treasurer was a $6,500 yearling and Century Farroh was a $17,000 yearling. Century Farroh has bought $1.4 million and the opposite man had $2 million,” Moore mentioned, proudly.
“The stress shall be on this 12 months, gained’t it?”
In the meantime, Richard Moreau added a document eighth O’Brien trophy to his mantle within the Coach of the 12 months class after a season which noticed him prime the earnings and win charts for Canadian trainers. Primarily based in Puslinch, ON, Moreau is without doubt one of the nation’s busiest trainers sending postward 1,604 starters that made 237 journeys to the winner’s circle and earned greater than $3.6 million in purses.
Bob McClure of Rockwood, ON, gained his first O’Brien trophy as Canada’s Driver of the 12 months following a career-best season for earnings. McClure was the nation’s main cash successful driver and he additionally reached a number of main milestones final 12 months — eclipsing the $7 million mark in earnings, successful his first Breeders Crown Championship and capturing the Lampman Cup because the Ontario Sires Stakes’ main driver. A number of the horses he repeatedly drove who contributed to his earnings milestone and 233 journeys to the winner’s circle included divisional champions Donna Soprano, Lauras Love, Lawless Shadow and Tattoo Artist, whereas sharing the driving duties aboard On A Streak.
“It’s a pleasant accomplishment,” McClure mentioned. “It says lots for the good stables I used to be fortunate sufficient to drive for.”
Kelly Hoerdt of Beaumont, AB, gained his second O’Brien Award of Horsemanship following a 12 months that noticed the Alberta-based trainer-driver situation 157 winners and horses to greater than $877,000 in earnings, whereas driving 163 winners and horses to purse earnings in extra of $895,000.
Scarlett Hanover was topped champion within the Two-12 months-Previous Pacing Filly division following a stellar season which noticed her put up 11 top-three finishes from 14 begins and financial institution greater than $449,000 in earnings. She gained two OSS occasions together with the OSS Tremendous Ultimate and in addition competed towards Grand Circuit firm, scoring a season’s finest 1:51.3 victory within the Champlain Stakes whereas additionally successful an elimination of the Shes A Nice Girl.
Within the Three-12 months-Previous Pacing Filly division, Lauras Love took O’Brien honors. The Betterthancheddar filly was a mannequin of consistency in 2020, scoring 16 top-three finishes, together with eight victories from 20 races, and incomes $331,000 for her connections. Along with a victory in an OSS occasion, she scored a number of victories in in a single day competitors and in addition gained a division of the Simcoe Stakes towards Grand Circuit firm.
So A lot Extra, a dominant competitor within the fillies and mares most well-liked ranks at Woodbine Mohawk Park, took Older Pacing Mare honors. She gained 12 of 30 begins and eclipsed $300,000 in earnings final 12 months whereas scoring a profession finest 1:49.3 at Woodbine Mohawk Park.
Coach Luc Blais had two O’Brien Award winners – Donna Soprano and On A Streak. Donna Soprano was voted Two-12 months-Previous Trotting Filly of the 12 months. The Donato Hanover filly gained 5 of seven races and greater than $575,000 for her connections in a season that included sweeps of the Pure Ivory and Peaceable Means Stakes, a win in a Champlain division and a powerful runner-up end within the inaugural version of the Mohawk Million.
Within the Two-12 months-Previous Trotting Colt division, On A Streak beat out stablemate Macho Martini. On A Streak had solely two wins in 10 begins, however they had been each very profitable ones. His maiden-breaking effort got here within the $525,000 William Wellwood Stakes, which was price $267,500 and a coveted spot within the inaugural Mohawk Million the place he completed a stable third. His second victory got here within the Breeders Crown, and was price $300,000. In whole the Cantab Corridor colt earned in extra of $850,000 for his season which additionally included a runner-up end within the Valley Victory.
Sorella took divisional honors as Canada’s Three-12 months-Previous Trotting Filly of the 12 months for a season which noticed her win eight of 15 races and $737,000. The Muscle Hill filly posted victories in a number of stakes occasions together with the Hambletonian Oaks, the Reynolds, the Informal Breeze, the Bluegrass and the Matron.
Pemberton, a son of Wheeling N Dealin, was voted Canada’s Three-12 months-Previous Trotting Colt of the 12 months. A winner of eight of 10 races, he earned greater than $363,000 throughout his sophomore season. 4 of his victories got here in Ontario Sires Stakes occasions together with the season-ending Tremendous Ultimate.
Within the Older Trotting Mare class, Hey Livvy gained O’Brien honors for her season which included 9 wins and greater than $283,000 in 23 journeys postward, highlighted by her richest payday, a powerful victory within the Armbro Flight Stakes.
Perfetto was voted Older Trotting Horse of the 12 months after successful seven of 25 races and greater than $151,000 whereas making all however one begin at Woodbine Mohawk Park. The son of Majestic Son posted a profession finest effort of 1:52.3 on December 14.
Austin Sorrie, of Freelton, ON, was acknowledged with the Future Star Award.The Prince Edward Island native was in demand on the Ontario B Observe circuit in 2020, driving in additional than 1,200 races, scoring 151 wins and driving horses to greater than $923,000 in purse earnings.
Within the Armstrong Breeder of the 12 months class, Seelster Farms in Lucan, ON, added a fourth O’Brien bronze to their trophy case. In 2020, horses bred by Seelster gained 260 races and earned greater than $3.5 million. High performers included O’Brien divisional winner Lawless Shadow, O’Brien finalist Karma Seelster together with Tokyo Seelster.
Garnet Barnsdale, writing in HRU, took house the Media Excellence Award for Excellent Written Work for his tribute to the late Invoice Galvin (full story right here). Clive Cohen gained his fifth Media Excellence Award for Excellent Pictures and the Woodbine Leisure Group gained its unprecedented 10thMedia Excellence Award for Excellent Broadcast.
Brady Jackson of Sunderland, ON was voted the Excellent Groom of 2020.
Right here is the entire checklist of 2020 O’BRIEN AWARD WINNERS
PACERS
TWO-YEAR-OLD PACING FILLY
SCARLETT HANOVER (Bettors Delight—Sammys Magic Woman)
Bred by: Hanover Shoe Farms
Owned by: Burke Racing Secure LLC, Fredericktown, PA – Frank Baldachino, Clarksburg, NJ – JandT Silva Purnel & Libby, Delray Seaside, FL – Weaver Bruscemi LLC, Canonsburg, PA
Skilled by: Ashleigh Hensley / Ron Burke
Pushed by: Ed Hensley / Yannick Gingras / Matt Kakaley
Caretaker: Ashleigh Hensley
TWO-YEAR-OLD PACING COLT
LAWLESS SHADOW (Shadow Play—Ladycino)
Bred by: Seelster Farms
Owned by: Dr. Ian Moore, Cambridge, ON – R G McGroup Ltd., Bathurst, NB – Serge Savard, St-Bruno, QC – Frank Cannon, Sanford, FL
Skilled by: Dr. Ian Moore
Pushed by: Bob McClure
Caretaker: Emma Marie Pierson
THREE-YEAR-OLD PACING FILLY
LAURAS LOVE (Betterthancheddar—Match N Unhealthy)
Bred by: Winbak Farm
Owned by: John Pentland, London, ON – Gracie Mae Barr, Thamesford, ON
Skilled by: John Pentland
Pushed by: Bob McClure
Caretaker: Gracie Mae Barr
THREE-YEAR-OLD PACING COLT
TATTOO ARTIST (Hes Watching—Trendy Artist)
Bred by: Tara Hills Stud
Owned by: Frank Cannon, Sanford, FL – Let It Trip Stables Inc., Boca Raton, FL
Skilled by: Dr. Ian Moore
Pushed by: Bob McClure
Caretaker: Giselle Loder
OLDER PACING MARE
SO MUCH MORE (Huge Jim—Ladysai)
Bred by: Doug MacPhee
Owned by: Don Beatson, Granton, ON – Ken Beatson, Palgrave, ON – Cole England, Exeter, ON
Skilled by: Don Beatson
Pushed by: James MacDonald / Louis-Philippe Roy
Caretakers: Cole England / Don and Kenn Beatson
OLDER PACING HORSE
CENTURY FARROH (Mach Three—Beachy Woman)
Bred by: Century Spring Farms
Owned by: Ratchford Secure NS, North Sydney, NS
Skilled by: Dr. Ian Moore
Pushed by: David Miller / Sylvain Filion
Caretaker: Dustin Boyd
TROTTERS
TWO-YEAR-OLD TROTTING FILLY
DONNA SOPRANO (Donato Hanover—Windsong Soprano)
Bred by: White Birch Farm
Owned by: Dedication, Montreal, QC
Skilled by: Luc Blais
Pushed by: Bob McClure
Caretaker: Nadia Carrieres
TWO-YEAR-OLD TROTTING COLT
ON A STREAK (Cantab Corridor—Behavior’s Finest)
Bred by: Fredericka Caldwell
Owned by: Dedication, Montreal, QC
Skilled by: Luc Blais
Pushed by: Bob McClure / Scott Younger
Caretaker: Randy Cudney
THREE-YEAR-OLD TROTTING FILLY
SORELLA (Muscle Hill—Kadealia)
Bred by: Elmer Fannin
Owned by: Elmer Fannin, Lincoln, DE – Crawford Farms Racing, Syracuse, NY – Brent Fannin, Milford, DE
Skilled by: Nancy Takter
Pushed by: Yannick Gingras
Caretaker: Anette Zackrisson
THREE-YEAR-OLD TROTTING COLT
PEMBERTON (Wheeling N Dealin—Dayshifter)
Bred by: Christine Walker / Brenda Walker
Owned by: Brenda Walker, Owen Sound, ON – Christine Walker, Tara, ON
Skilled by: Paul Walker
Pushed by: Trevor Henry / Paul Walker
Caretaker: Brenda Walker
OLDER TROTTING MARE
HEY LIVVY (Donato Hanover—Nervis Bi)
Bred by: M. Biasuzzi Secure Inc.
Owned by: Blue Chip Bloodstock Inc., Wallkill, NY – Ellen Ott, Buffalo, NY-Trevor Henry, Arthur, ON
Skilled by: Jeff Gillis
Pushed by: Trevor Henry
Caretaker: Sandi Lawrence
OLDER TROTTING HORSE
PERFETTO (Majestic Son—Good Prelude)
Bred by: Seawind Amg Stables
Owned by: Gerald Haggerty, Camden East, ON
Skilled by: Dagfin Henriksen
Pushed by: Dagfin Henriksen
Caretaker: Laura Trask
SOMEBEACHSOMEWHERE HORSE OF THE YEAR
CENTURY FARROH
PEOPLE AWARDS
O’BRIEN AWARD OF HORSEMANSHIP
KELLY HOERDT, Beaumont, AB
ARMSTRONG BREEDER OF THE YEAR
SEELSTER FARMS, Lucan, ON
DRIVER OF THE YEAR
BOB MCCLURE, Rockwood, ON
TRAINER OF THE YEAR
RICHARD MOREAU, Puslinch, ON
FUTURE STAR AWARD
AUSTIN SORRIE, Freelton, ON
Excellent Groom Award
BRADY JACKSON, Sunderland, ON
Media Excellence Awards
Excellent Written Work
GARNET BARNSDALE
Excellent Pictures
CLIVE COHEN
Excellent Broadcast
WOODBINE ENTERTAINMENT
