Canadian Derby Winner Real Grace Named Alberta’s 2020 Horse Of The Year

The Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society (Alberta Division) hosted the 47th Annual Alberta Thoroughbred Awards in a virtual format on May 20th, 2021, led by Horse of the Year Real Grace.

Real Grace, a Mineshaft gelding, won two of nine starts in 2020, highlighted by an 18-1 upset victory in the Grade 3 Canadian Derby at Century Mile. Earlier in the season, he also won the Derby Trial Stakes at Assiniboia Downs.

The gelding started his 2020 campaign at Tampa Bay Downs after selling as a unraced racing-age prospect at the Ocala Breeders' Sales Co. Winter Mixed Sale in January. He raced twice in Florida, including a second-place effort in a maiden special weight for owner and trainer Bernell Rhone. He then shipped north to Canterbury Park for another second-place effort, this time with additional owners Shelley Brown, Jean McEwan, and Bette Holtman.

Real Grace then went north of the border for the remainder of his campaign and raced for trainer Shelley Brown, starting at Assiniboia Downs in Manitoba, where he broke his maiden in the Derby Trial Stakes. He then finished fifth in the Manitoba Derby.

The remainder of the gelding's season was spent at Century Mile in Alberta. He debuted with a win in the Count Lathum Handicap, and later found the highlight of his season in the Canadian Derby, Alberta's biggest race.

In addition to taking home Horse of the Year honors, Real Grace also earned the title as Alberta's champion 3-year-old male.

Bred in Kentucky by Peter Johnson, Real Grace is out of the stakes-winning Yes It's True mare True Way of Grace.

Following is a complete list of winners from the Alberta Thoroughbred Awards.

The H.B.P.A. Trophy
Champion Claimer: Something About Me
Trainer: Allen Goodsell
Owner: Carter Goodsell
Breeder: Paul Treasure & Harry Bettis
Ch. F. 4., by Boos – Justbluffin (Pine Bluff)
2020: 9 Starts – 5 wins – 1 second – 2 thirds – $39,424
Winner: Allowance Optional Claiming, Claiming

The Century Downs Racetrack and Casino Trophy
Champion Sprinter: Stone Carver
Trainer: Tim Rycroft
Owner: Riversedge Racing Stables Ltd.
Breeder: T/C Stable, LLC
B. G. 5., by Birdstone – Vermilion Sea (Boundary)
2020: 7 Starts – 1 wins – 3 second – 0 thirds – $42,290
Winner: Journal Handicap (BT)

The Dwight McLellan Memorial Trophy
Champion 2-Year-Old Filly: She Likes to Party
Trainer: Greg Tracy
Owner: Don Danard
Breeder: Lou Neve
B. F. 2., by Maclean's Music – Gone to Party (All Gone)
2020: 4 Starts – 3 wins – 0 second – 0 thirds – $81,000
Winner: Princess Margaret Stakes, Freedom of the City Stakes (BT)

The Rocky Mountain Turf Club Trophy
Champion 2-Year-Old Colt: Bang On*

Trainer: Craig Smith
Owner: True North Stables Ltd.
Breeder: Running Fawcett Thoroughbreds Ltd.
B. C. 2., by Commissioner – Next Big Nothin' (Forest Wildcat)
2020: 5 Starts – 2 wins – 1 second – 1 thirds – $59,264
Winner: Birdcatcher Stakes (BT)

The Dave Kapchinsky Memorial Trophy
Champion 3-Year-Old Filly: Pearl of Knowledge*
Trainer: Karline Kingston
Owner: Don Danard & Jim Juris
Breeder: Starline Thoroughbreds
B. F. 3., by Cape Canaveral – Lil Missknowitall (Kafwain)
2020: 6 Starts – 2 wins – 2 second – 1 thirds – $54,760
Winner: Alberta Oaks

Sponsored by Bar None Ranches Ltd.
Champion 3-Year-Old Colt: Real Grace
Trainer: Shelley Brown
Owner: Shelley Brown, Jean McEwan, Bette Holtman, Bernell Rhone
Breeder: Peter Johnson
B. G. 3., by Mineshaft – True Way of Grace (Yes It's True)
2020: 9 Starts – 2 wins – 3 second – 0 thirds – $89,162
Winner: Derby Trial Stakes, Canadian Derby (G3)

The Moore Equine Veterinary Centre Ltd. Trophy
Champion Older Mare: Sunburst
Trainer: Barbara Heads
Owner: Russell & Lois Bennett
Breeder: Mr. & Mrs. R J Bennett
Ch. F. 4., by Sungold – Tierra Del Feugo (Finality)
2020: 4 Starts – 2 wins – 1 second – 1 thirds – $70,560
Winner: Redtail Landing Handicap, Northlands Distaff Handicap (Listed)

The Century Mile Racetrack and Casino Trophy
Champion Older Horse: Go Away
Trainer: James Brown
Owner: Kirk Sutherland
Breeder: Lynch Bages Ltd.
B. G. 4., by Scat Daddy – Elbow (Woodman)
2020: 11 Starts – 3 wins – 3 second – 3 thirds – $80,980
Winner: Don Getty Handicap (BT)

The Ted Connor Memorial Trophy
Champion Alberta-bred: Maskwecis*
Trainer: Ron K Smith
Owner: Jim & Carole Barker, Red Ron Farms
Breeder: Doug Oberg
B. G. 3., by Jimmy Creed – Maidstone (Aptitude)
2020: 5 Starts – 3 wins – 0 second – 1 thirds – $57,760
Winner: Western Canada Handicap, Beaufort Stakes

The Horse Racing Alberta Trophy
Horse of the Year: Real Grace
Trainer: Shelley Brown
Owner: Shelley Brown, Jean McEwan, Bette Holtman, Bernell Rhone
Breeder: Peter Johnson
B. G. 3., by Mineshaft – True Way of Grace (Yes It's True)
2020: 9 Starts – 2 wins – 3 second – 0 thirds – $89,162
Winner: Derby Trial Stakes, Canadian Derby (G3)

Sponsored by the H.B.P.A.
Leading Apprentice Jockey: Mauricio Malvaez
Starts: 191 – Wins: 16 – Seconds: 27 – Thirds: 16
Earnings $280,625

Canadian Sovereign Apprentice Jockey, Mauricio Malvaez, was the top apprentice last season at Century Mile with 16 wins including a victory in the biggest race in Alberta, the Grade 3 Canadian Derby/

The Lou Davies Memorial Trophy
Leading Jockey: Rico Walcott
Starts: 204 – Wins: 68 – Seconds: 39 – Thirds: 38
Earnings $820,968  

Rico Walcott returned to the track last season after a health battle sidelined him in 2019. This award becomes the ninth Leading Jockey title for Rico in the past ten years.

The H.B.P.A. Trophy
Leading Trainer: Tim Rycroft
Starts: 237 – Wins: 42 – Seconds: 38 – Thirds: 46
Earnings $646,551  

Tim Rycroft earned the third Leading Trainer title for the third consecutive year with Rycroft trained horses earning over $640,000 and 42 wins last season. The top runner for Tim in 2020 was the multiple stakes placed Alberta bred runner, Saveitforarainyday.

The C.T.H.S. Trophy
Leading Breeder: Highfield Investment Group
Starts: 74 – Wins: 16 – Seconds: 4 – Thirds: 7
Earnings: $290,736

The Leading Breeder goes to Highfield Investment Group for a season that saw horses bred by Highfield earn over $290,000 with 16 wins. The top Highfield-bred horse last season was Jasper Shine, out of their multiple stakes winning mare, Golden Made. 

The Jockey Club of Canada Trophy
Leading Owner: Riversedge Racing Stables Ltd.
Starts: 130 – Wins:  23 – Seconds: 25 – Thirds: 23
Earnings: $417,781

The Leading Owner title was awarded to Riversedge Racing Stables Ltd. for back to back awards in this category. Horses owned by Riversedge earned over $400,000 with 23 wins. The leading earners for Riversedge last season include Stone Carver, Bareback Jack and Dad's Legacy. 

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Ontario Racing Organizations To Form Industry Relations Sub-Committee; CTHS Sales To Be Held At Woodbine

In the spirit of Stronger Together, the Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society (Ontario Division) (CTHS), Ontario Racing Management (ORM) and Woodbine Entertainment (Woodbine) announced today that they have reached an agreement which includes the CTHS forming an industry relations sub-committee of its Board of Directors.

This new CTHS Industry Relations Sub-Committee (IRSC), will include representation from the CTHS, ORM and Woodbine with a mandate to work together for the betterment of the entire industry. Initial members of IRSC include Peter Berringer (President (Ont)) and National Vice President, CTHS), members of the CTHS Board of Directors, Tom Via (Chief Operating Officer, Woodbine Entertainment) and Jonathan Zammit (Executive Director, Ontario Racing Management).

As part of the agreement, the CTHS will be provided administrative office space that has been relocated to the paddock at the west-end of Woodbine Racetrack. The 2021 CTHS Yearling and Winter Mixed Sale will be held in the sales pavilion on the Woodbine backstretch (subject to the latest government restrictions regarding the COVID-19 Pandemic) later this year.

Quotes:

Jim Lawson, CEO, Woodbine Entertainment

“This is another constructive step as part of our concerted effort to foster positive, working relationships across the horse racing industry that is critical for the advancement of our sport. We firmly believe that our industry is much stronger together and we are hopeful this is a first step towards evolving a working relationship with the CTHS.”

Jonathan Zammit, Executive Director, Ontario Racing Management

“Breeding is such a critical ingredient of a vibrant horse racing industry and this establishes a new forum to manage important issues and collaborate on ideas intended to benefit the industry as a whole, its participants and the tens of thousands of jobs it supports across the province.”

Peter Berringer, President (Ont) and National Vice President, CTHS

“This is positive news for the industry and especially for the Breeders of Ontario being acknowledged as a vital industry partner. On behalf of the CTHS, I would like to thank Woodbine Entertainment and Ontario Racing Management for their support and efforts towards reaching this new agreement which we hope will benefit the entire industry and horse people throughout the province.”

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Canadian Horseman James T. Sabiston, 97, Dies; Remembered For ‘The Integrity Of His Handshake’

Woodbine Entertainment in Toronto, Ontario, extends its condolences to the family and friends of Canadian breeder and owner James (Jim) T. Sabiston, who passed away on Saturday, Oct. 10, at the age of 97.

A longtime member of the Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society and supporter of the Ontario breeding program, Sabiston operated Longview Farm near Stouffville, Ont. for more than six decades, beginning in 1956 with his first stallion Bimini Bay. He went on to build a successful breeding operation and stood numerous sires including Dawn Flight, Triumphant, Ground Cover, Good Old Mort and Bold Revenue.

Among the stars he bred were stakes winners Rose and Shine, Grecian Touch, Silent Fleet, Katahaula County, Big Blunder and Bold Agent. Rose and Shine, winner of the 2011 Muskoka Stakes and Princess Elizabeth Stakes at Woodbine, went on to produce last year's Eclipse Award-winning two-year-old filly and Breeders' Cup champion British Idiom.

Highly respected by his fellow horsemen and clients, Sabiston was known for the integrity of his handshake and the time he put into nurturing his partnerships and the horses he raised.

Sabiston was awarded the Mint Julep Cup in 1996 by the CTHS in recognition of his dedication and lifetime contributions to the Thoroughbred industry.

A private funeral service will take place, with a Celebration of Life to be held at a later date.

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Jim Sabiston Passes Away

Canadian breeder Jim Sabiston passed away Saturday. He was 97. Sabiston operated Longview Farm near Stouffville, Ontario for more than six decades, beginning in 1956 with his first stallion Bimini Bay. Among the numerous sires he stood were Dawn Flight, Triumphant, Ground Cover, Good Old Mort and Bold Revenue. He bred stakes winners Rose and Shine, Grecian Touch, Silent Fleet, Katahaula County, Big Blunder and Bold Agent. Rose and Shine, winner of the 2011 Muskoka S. and Princess Elizabeth S., went on to produce last year’s Eclipse Award-winning 2-year-old filly and GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies winner British Idiom (Flashback).

A longtime member of the Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society, he was awarded that organization’s Mint Julep Cup in 1996 in recognition of his dedication and lifetime contributions to the Thoroughbred industry.

A private funeral service will take place, with a Celebration of Life to be held at a later date.

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