2024 Alberta Thoroughbred Industry Award Winners Celebrated
The achievements of Alberta’s Thoroughbred industry were proudly recognized on Saturday, May 3, as the new racing season kicked off at Century Mile Racetrack and Casino.
The achievements of Alberta’s Thoroughbred industry were proudly recognized on Saturday, May 3, as the new racing season kicked off at Century Mile Racetrack and Casino. More than 130 owners, breeders, trainers, and passionate fans gathered in the Triple Crown Suites for the annual Night of Champions celebration. Against the backdrop of a thrilling day of live racing — and the excitement of the Kentucky Derby — Alberta’s top Thoroughbreds and their connections were honored for their success during the 2024 season. With champions crowned and the starting gates open, the 2025 season began in true Alberta racing style.
This year, the Night of Champions was a highlight of Champions Weekend, a multi-day celebration that also featured the Casino Mixer in support of the Horse Racing Alberta backstretch community. The weekend kicked off with Clockers Corner, where fans and newcomers alike were invited to experience the thrill of morning workouts while enjoying complimentary coffee.
The evening began with a warm welcome and the introduction of distinguished guests, including City of Leduc Mayor Bob Young, Councillor Larry Wanchuk, MLA Brandon Lunty, and Honorary Member of Parliament Dale Nally.
Master of Ceremonies Ken Gee brought greetings from Horse Racing Alberta CEO, Kent Verlik, who gave a positive outlook for the industry; “In 2025, Purses will rise to $6.4 Million, making Alberta’s purse program the most competitive in Western Canada. Also, our Thoroughbred Breed Improvement Program is increasing from $2.8 Million in 2025, to $2.9 Million in 2026 and will reach $3.05 Million in 2027. A 7.8% growth rate over 3 years.”
Reflecting on the past yearling sale, Kent remarked, “There is renewed interest and confidence in the markets… a momentum we haven’t seen in years. We are excited to watch these young horses develop and look forward to the day we see some of them celebrated at a night just like tonight.” He concluded his speech with a message of gratitude and optimism: “Thank you for your continued support and dedication. Together, we are helping the sport of horse racing in Alberta grow stronger, more vibrant, and more sustainable.”
Alberta bred BIG HUG won all three of her nominations – the Bob Clements Memorial Trophy for Champion Older Mare; the Ted Connor Memorial Trophy for Champion Alberta Bred and the Horse Racing Alberta Trophy for Horse of the Year. Big Hug had her best season in 2024 with wins in six of her eight starts in Alberta for owners Rick Hedge and Lori Neyka. The Mr. Big mare captured the Founders Distaff, CTHS Sales stake, the Fall Classic Distaff and the R.K. ‘Red’ Smith Handicap for total season earnings of $175,500 and lifetime earnings of half a million. Bred by Chalet Stable, the CTHS Alberta sale graduate was sold for a bargain price of $2,759 and trained by her owner, Rick Hedge.
The Century Downs Racetrack and Casino Trophy for Champion Sprinter and the Dwight McLellan Memorial Trophy for Champion Two Year Old Filly were both awarded to the Alberta bred runner NO MORE LIES for her outstanding accomplishments in her debut season. The Fed Biz filly won four of her five starts including the Sturgeon River Stakes, the CTHS Alberta Sales Stakes and the Freedom of the City Stakes for earnings of $115,000. No More Lies was bred by Bushido Stables, trained by Tim Rycroft and is owned by Stetson Inc., Ryan Stetson, Stetson Enterprises Ltd. and Everblack Cattle Co.
Alberta-bred runner WEDGE POND received the H.B.P.A. Trophy for Champion Claimer following a standout season. The Cape Canaveral gelding earned $68,155 with five wins from 14 starts. Wedge Pond is trained by James Brown, bred by Highfield Investment Group, and owned by Mitch Sutherland.
The British Columbia bred PUTTINGONTHEFOIL earned the Rocky Mountain Turf Club Trophy for Champion Two Year Old Colt, winning both of his Alberta starts last season in the black type Canadian Juvenile Stakes and the Martin Deerline Juvenile Stakes. The Counterforce gelding is owned by Curtis Landry, trained by Gonzalo Anderson and had earnings of $80,000 last season.
SILKSTONE was named Champion Three Year Old Filly and awarded the Larry Olesen Memorial Trophy, sponsored by Paddockhurst Stables. The Ontario bred runner had three wins in six starts including the Sonoma Handicap for earnings of $67,920 last season. The Birdstone filly won three of six starts for owners Ryan Stetson, Stetson Enterprises Ltd. and Everblack Cattle Co. and trainer Tim Rycroft.
The Champion Three Year Old Colt trophy sponsored by Bar None Ranches Ltd. was given to the Kentucky bred CLASSY CITY. This Classic Empire colt won both the Western Canada Handicap and the Count Lathum Handicap for owners Highfield Investment Group, Inc., Dialed In Racing Stable and Smokin Guns Stable. Under trainer Craig Smith, Classy City earned a total of $82,170 last season for his connections.
VARATTI was awarded the Century Mile Racetrack and Casino Trophy for Champion Older Horse with a stellar performance last season that included wins in both the Don Getty Handicap and Speed to Spare Stakes. The Into Mischief sired runner earned $140,325 under the guidance of trainer Craig Smith for owners Highfield Investment Group, Inc., Dialed In Racing Stable and Smokin Guns Stable with five wins and three thirds from nine starts.
For the third consecutive year, Esquirol Farms was honoured as Alberta’s Leading Breeder, with Esquirol-bred runners earning an impressive $418,330 and securing 28 wins from 170 starts. Kirk Sutherland earned the title of Leading Owner, with his horses capturing 16 victories from 79 starts and amassing $313,950 in earnings. The prestigious Lou Davies Memorial Trophy for Leading Jockey was awarded to Jose Asencio, who guided horses to 69 wins from 266 starts. The H.B.P.A. Trophy for Leading Trainer was presented to Craig Smith for the second straight year, recognizing a stellar season in which his trainees claimed 49 wins from 182 starts and earned $863,258. Rounding out the major awards, Kemar Chase was named Apprentice Jockey of the Year — an honor sponsored by the H.B.P.A. — after posting five wins and $117,685 in earnings.
Special recognition and appreciation goes to the Night of Champions sponsors: Horse Racing Alberta, Bar None Ranches Ltd., Century Mile Racetrack and Casino, Century Downs Racetrack and Casino, HBPA of Alberta, Roy McLellan, Moore Equine Veterinary Centre Ltd., Paddockhurst Stables and Rocky Mountain Turf Club and the Clements Family.
The complete list of 2024 Alberta Thoroughbred award winners are show below:
Apprentice Jockey of the Year Award
Sponsored by the H.B.P.A.
KEMAR CHASE
Leading Jockey
The Lou Davies Memorial Trophy
JOSE ASENCIO
Leading Trainer
The H.B.P.A. Trophy
CRAIG SMITH
Leading Owner
The Jockey Club of Canada Trophy
KIRK SUTHERLAND
Leading Breeder
The C.T.H.S. Trophy
PIERRE ESQUIROL
Champion Claimer
The H.B.P.A. Trophy
WEDGE POND
Champion Sprinter
The Century Downs Racetrack and Casino Trophy
NO MORE LIES*
Champion Two Year Old Filly
The Dwight McLellan Memorial Trophy
NO MORE LIES*
Champion Two Year Old Colt
The Rocky Mountain Turf Club Trophy
PUTTINGONTHEFOIL
Champion Three Year Old Filly
The Larry Olesen Memorial Trophy
Sponsored by Paddockhurst Stables Inc.
SILKSTONE
Champion Three Year Old Colt
Sponsored by Bar None Ranches Ltd.
CLASSY CITY
Champion Older Mare
The Bob Clements Memorial Trophy
BIG HUG*
Champion Older Horse
The Century Mile Racetrack and Casino Trophy
VARATTI
Champion Alberta Bred
The Ted Connor Memorial Trophy
BIG HUG*
Horse of the Year
The Horse Racing Alberta Trophy
BIG HUG*
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