Earlier this evening, the Champions of Alberta were celebrated at the 2018 Alberta Standardbred Horse Associations annual Awards Gala.

Industry partners from Horse Racing Alberta, Century Downs Racetrack and Casino, Century Mile Racetrack and Casino, The Track on 2, the ASHA, and many Sponsors, Owners, Breeders, and Horsemen were on hand to congratulate the horses and horsemen who excelled in 2018.

“Exit Smiling” and Jamie Gray definitely made their mark this year.  “Exit Smiling” was victorious in winning Three Year Old Alberta Sired Colt as well as the prestigious title of Horse of the Year.  Trained and driven by long time horsemen Jamie Gray who also won Trainer of the Year under 200 starts and Horseperson of the year, and owned by Fred Gillis, Geoff Smith, Natasha Peiskar, and Jamie himself.  Both Jamie and “Mick” (Exit Smiling) were stand outs for these categories.

The Rod Hennessy trained, “Cheddar Jack”, co-owned by Lorne Duffield and Diane Hennessy had a stand out year and took home Three Year Old Colt (Open) of the year.

The two year old filly categories, Alberta Sired and Open, were both taken by Chris Lancaster trained  “Rockin Mystery”, and “Lady Neigh Neigh”.  Chris was also triumphant in the Claiming Fillies & Mares category with “Big Shir” who he owns with Derek Gilbert and Chris Lambie.  It’s not hard to see how Chris was the winner of the 2018 O’Brien Rising Star award.

We are sure Outlaw Stable proud of “Outlawgrabbingears”, co-trained by Paul Davies and Rod Starkewski, this two year old took home both Two Year Old Alberta Sired Colt and Two Year Old Open Colt.  This young star is owned by Paul & Nicole Davies, and Deborah Pinel.

This year Don Richardson took home Owner of the Year as well as Three Year Old Alberta Sired Filly “Maid In Alberta” trained by Harold Haining.

Once again, the Fastest Girl of the Year “Tajmeallover” also took home Champion Aged Mare and Fastest Boy of the Year “Iwontdothatagain” also took home Champion Aged Horse.  These teams are sure to make a mark in racing, every year.

The Ron McLeod Award was presented to Shelley Gray.  Shelley has dedicated many years to the industry starting out driving the starting gate some years ago in Saskatchewan.  Shelley is also our Alberta Standardbred Canada Rep, Chart Caller, and you can find her in the barn every morning working hard alongside husband/trainer Jamie Gray.

Long time owner and breeder Richard (Dick) Schneider was honoured with the Breeders Award of Recognition for over 30 years of dedication to the industry.  Dick has bred, owned, trained and driven Standardbreds over many years.  Both of his sons, Richard & Quentin have carried on the family tradition and are well involved in the Standardbred Industry racing across Western Canada and into the United States.

The Alberta Standardbred Horse Association was also please to present two new award this year. The Meadowlark Farms Sponsored Breeder of the Year under 6 Mares went to long time Owner/Breeders Jim McPhail and George Rogers and the ASHA Director’s Award presented by the ASHA staff went to John Hind for his many years of service.

Thank you to our many sponsors for making this night a huge success including new sponsors for this year, Alberta Veterinary Center, Exit Smiling Group, and The Raynmen.