The Best of Alberta Racing Honored at Thoroughbred Industry Awards

The Best of Alberta Racing Honoured at Thoroughbred Industry Awards

The evening began with Century Mile Racetrack and Casino Marketing Manager Jentry van Baal serving as Master of Ceremonies. Guests quickly embraced the spirit of the night as a live replay of the Kentucky Oaks was streamed during the cocktail hour. Following dinner, the awards program officially opened with remarks from Horse Racing Alberta Chief Executive Officer Kent Verlik, who delivered an optimistic outlook on the future of the industry.
 
Alberta-bred Big Hug captured both the Bob Clements Memorial Trophy as Champion Older Mare and the Horse Racing Alberta Trophy as Horse of the Year for the second consecutive season. The six-year-old mare, owned by Empire Equestrian and Kerredge Farm and trained by Rick Hedge, recorded four wins, one second, and two thirds while earning $170,000 in 2025.
 
“She has been everything for us and we’re living the dream!” said Rick Hedge of Kerredge Farm with Lori Neyka of Empire Equestrian adding, “She’s the horse of a lifetime.”

Bred by Chalet Stable, Big Hug secured major victories in the Lynn Chouinard Founders Distaff, Alberta Fall Classic Distaff Handicap, R.K. Red Smith Handicap, and the R.A. Red McKenzie Handicap. Purchased for $3,500 at the CTHS Alberta Sale, she finished as the leading horse on the Alberta Leading Earners list and now ranks fifth all-time with earnings exceeding $600,000.

Itsallgoodman earned three titles: Champion Sprinter, Champion Older Horse, and Champion Alberta Bred. Owned by Curtis Landry and trained by Gonzalo Anderson, the five-year-old gelding recorded five wins, two seconds, and one third, earning $151,875.

Bred by Stone Ranches and a graduate of the CTHS Alberta Sale, Itsallgoodman recorded key victories in the CTHS Sales Stakes, Red Diamond Express Handicap, and the Spangled Jimmy Handicap, firmly establishing himself among the top runners in the province. He also captured both the Champion Sprinter and Champion Alberta Bred titles in 2023, highlighting his continued excellence at the top level.
 

Esquirol Farms was awarded the C.T.H.S. Trophy as Leading Breeder for the fourth consecutive year, with runners earning $496,713 and recording 27 wins from 166 starts.

The Jockey Club of Canada Trophy for Leading Owner was presented to Willow Creek Farms, who earned over $250,000 from Alberta runners, including 16 wins from 77 starts. Gonzalo Anderson was Leading Trainer with 50 wins, and Dane Nelson was Leading Jockey with 46 wins.
 
The inaugural Alan Bott Sportsmanship Award was presented to Dave Nicholson, recognizing his integrity and sportsmanship within the racing community.
 
The CTHS Alberta extends thanks to all event sponsors including Horse Racing Alberta, Alberta Veterinary Center, Bar None Ranches, Century Downs Racetrack and Casino, Century Mile Racetrack and Casino, the Clements family, HBPA of Alberta, Jockey Club of Canada, Roy McLellan, Paddockhurst Stables, Rocky Mountain Turf Club, Sublime Stables and TCX Premium Equine Supplements. 

People Awards

Backstretch Appreciation Award – Jane Rickard

Leading Jockey – Dane Nelson

The Lou Davies Memorial Trophy

Leading Trainer – Gonzalo Anderson

The H.B.P.A. Trophy

Leading Owner – Willow Creek Farms

The Jockey Club of Canada Trophy

Leading Breeder – Pierre Esquirol

The C.T.H.S. Trophy

Horse Awards

Champion Claimer – QUARTERBAK DAK

The H.B.P.A. Trophy

(Owner: Stetsco Inc., Blaine McNallie, Buddy Smith & Tim Smith | Trainer: Tim Rycroft | Breeder: Ed Few)

Champion Sprinter – ITSALLGOODMAN

The Century Downs Racetrack and Casino Trophy

(Owner: Curtis Landry | Trainer: Gonzalo Anderson | Breeder: Stone Ranches)

Champion Two-Year-Old Filly – HIWAY FORTYNINE

The Dwight McLellan Memorial Trophy

(Owner: Allan Pitchko | Trainer: Rod Cone | Breeder: Pierre Esquirol)

Champion Two-Year-Old Colt – RELAXGODOITRAMONE

The Rocky Mountain Turf Club Trophy

(Owner: Highfield Investment Group Inc. | Trainer: Tim Rycroft | Breeder: Highfield Investment Group Inc.)

Champion Three-Year-Old Filly – GEE I'M FOXY

The Larry Olesen Memorial Trophy

Sponsored by Paddockhurst Stables Inc.

(Owner: Railside Stable | Trainer: Cheryl Humbke | Breeder: Kathie Maybee & Gary Jemo)

Champion Three-Year-Old Colt – PIONEER STORM KING

Sponsored by Bar None Ranches Ltd.

(Owner: Tiffany Kubas | Trainer: Robert Henson | Breeder: Tiffany Kubas)

Champion Older Mare – BIG HUG

The Bob Clements Memorial Trophy

(Owner: Empire Equestrian & Kerredge Farm | Trainer: Rick Hedge | Breeder: Chalet Stable)

Champion Older Horse – ITSALLGOODMAN

The Century Mile Racetrack and Casino Trophy

(Owner: Curtis Landry | Trainer: Gonzalo Anderson | Breeder: Stone Ranches)

Champion Alberta Bred – ITSALLGOODMAN

The Ted Connor Memorial Trophy

(Owner: Curtis Landry | Trainer: Gonzalo Anderson | Breeder: Stone Ranches)

Horse of the Year – BIG HUG

The Horse Racing Alberta Trophy

(Owner: Empire Equestrian & Kerredge Farm | Trainer: Rick Hedge | Breeder: Chalet Stable)

From rising stars to proven champions, this year’s honourees showcase the strength and depth of Alberta’s Thoroughbred industry.

Here’s to another exciting season ahead in 2026.