Press Release for Immediate Release
Lindsay Ward Media Relations Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society (Alberta Division) (403)229-3609 [email protected]
May 14th, 2019
Alberta Thoroughbred Industry Winners Announced
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. Over 130 breeders, owners, trainers and fans turned out to cheer on industry partners as awards were presented for accomplishments throughout the 2018 season.
Kent Verlik, Chief Executive Officer of Horse Racing Alberta, brought greetings from his organization and thanked everyone in the industry as we “say goodbye to one chapter of our history while we look forward to another.” Mayor Tanni Doblanko was in attendance to represent Leduc County - the new home of Century Mile - and emphasized that “it is an honour for Leduc County to be included in your celebrations.” 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, Century Downs Racetrack and Casino and Olds College.
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, the Birdcatcher 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 outstanding accomplishments last season. The Alberta highlights for this graded stakes winner included victories in the CTHS Alberta Sales Stake, Lynn Chouinard Founders Distaff and the City of Edmonton Distaff. Bred by Cam Ziprick & Arnason Farms, the Going Commando Manitoba bred mare 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.
Appreciation goes to the sponsors of this event including Horse Racing Alberta, Century Mile Racetrack and Casino, Century Downs Racetrack and Casino, HBPA of Alberta, Galileo Equine Insurance, Roy McLellan, Moore Equine Veterinary Centre Ltd., Paddockhurst Stables, Rocky Mountain Turf Club and Dr. Steve Smith.
A complete 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
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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.
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