Page 20 - The Game January 2006

20 The Game, January 2006 Your Thoroughbred Racing Community Newspaper
Strutting in Style at the Sovereigns
By Peter Gross
Some 300 of the most important people in Canadian Thoroughbred Racing gathered in their gowns and tuxedos at Toronto's Wyndham Bristol Place Hotel on Friday December 16th. I think it's important right at the start of this column to know this isn't going to be a particularly humble or objective report.
That's because The Game was nominated for one of the coveted statues. The article I wrote on jockey Jack Lauzon for the December, 2004 issue of this paper was one of three finalists in the Feature Article category. The other two candidates were each multiple winners of this in the past. Paul Wiecek (three lifetime Sovereigns) was nominated for an epic six-page story on the agonies of jockeys trying to keep their weight down. It was published in the Winnipeg Free Press. And Jennifer Morrison (winner 1998 and 1999), who hits more longshots at Woodbine than anyone else I know, was 9-2 in the morning line with a piece she wrote for Blood-Horse Magazine about Woodlands Farm, a leading Thoroughbred operation.
It's customary at the Sovereigns to present the media prizes at the beginning of the program. So there I was, just moments after savouring the last bite of the sumptuous dessert (White and Dark Chocolate Layered Torte with Hazelnut Crunch and Brandied Raspberries) and feeling very much as I do sweating out a tight photo finish when presenter Brian Bygrave tore open the envelope and incredibly announced,
"The winner is Peter Gross."
This was pretty thrilling stuff, considering it's the only thing I've ever won where I didn't send in 100 ballots for myself. And the trophy, a cast replica of St. Simon who went undefeated in two seasons more that 120 years ago, is a heavy sucker.
Basking in my resplendent glory, I was then able to enjoy the rest of the evening as the memorable accomplishments of the racing year were celebrated.
Legendary jockey Sandy Hawley and legend-in the-making sportscaster Jason Portuondo shared emcee duties, giving the presentations a brisk and entertaining pace.
Jockey Emma-Jayne Wilson was the obvious choice as the best Apprentice Jockey. When she accepted her Sovereign,
she echoed the thoughts of anyone who saw her work this year.
"Wow!" she exclaimed.
"It's just the way to cap off the year," she elaborated a little later, "Until you're named on a horse, it's not official and it's not official until you have it in your hand and the only words that could come to my mouth were Wow!"
Sam-Son Farms’ Tammy Samuel-Balaz (right) presents Emma-Jayne Wilson with her Sovereign Award for 2005 Outstanding Apprentice Jockey. Michael Burns Photo
2005 Sovereign Award winning Trainer Reade Baker
with his wife Janis Maine
Veteran jock Todd Kabel remains the reigning champ, scoring his third straight win, and fifth in 15 years, as Outstanding Jockey. He may have to refine his stand-up comedy act, but he did have the crowd giggling at a mischievous reference to Emma Wilson.
"I hear she's going to New York," he informed, tongue firmly in cheek, "And I
Andy Bryant, President and C.O.O. of Horse Racing Alberta (left) presented Jockey Todd Kabel with the 2005 Sovereign Award for Outstanding Jockey. Michael Burns photo
Woodbine Entertainment Group’s Jane Holmes presents Mike Rogers, a representative for Stronach Stables, with the Sovereign Award for Outstanding Owner.
Michael Burns photo
Photo Left -
Peter Gross was the winner
of the Sovereign Award for Outstanding Feature Story
for his article on
Jockey Jack Lauzon published in The Game.
His award winning story has been reprinted in this issue of The Game on Page 28
~
For a complete Recap of the 2005 Sovereign Award winners go to page 22
wish her the best of luck."
In her bright red gown, trainer Catherine
Day Phillips might have been the most stunning woman in the room (well, next to my date, Eleanor). By the end of the night, Day Phillips was definitely the most honoured. Her four year-old gelding A Bit O'Gold swept three statues, winning as Champion Male Turf Horse, Champion Older Male Horse and Horse of the year.
"He's been a tremendous horse," said the beaming Day Phillips of A Bit O'Gold, "He had a wonderful two year-old campaign, his three-year-old campaign was almost perfect and his four year-old campaign, I can't believe how good he's been and how consistent he's been. It's very unusual in this industry."
The loudest ovation on the night came for trainer Reade Baker, named the sport's Outstanding Trainer.
"I'm thrilled to death," he told us and he made a special point of thanking his wife Janice.
"I thought I should thank 100 people, but she's done more than all of them together for me," Baker said emotionally. Though the filly Gold Strike and sprinter Judith's Wild Rush gave him some great thrills, Baker says he has a young one we all should keep an eye on in 2006.
"I ran a two year-old in the fall called Edmonton who went 57 and change and to me that was the highlight of the year. He's the real deal."
The nicest moment of the night came when The Globe and Mail's Beverley Smith won for Outstanding Newspaper Article. Smith's winning piece was a heart-tugging obituary on the very popular Jerry (JC) Meyer who died in July.
"Jerry always wanted to win a Sovereign Award," Smith said, holding her sculpture of St. Simon up proudly, "And now he has."
Later that night, racing historian Lou Cauz added an incredible footnote to the life of Jerry Meyer. Shortly before Meyer died, one of his horses, Chelopech, finished second in a race at Woodbine. A month later, the winner was disqualified for a drug infraction and Chelopech was declared the winner.
"So Jerry Meyer became the first trainer to ever win a race while interred in Mt. Pleasant cemetery," proclaimed Cauz.
Isn't this a great game?
Michael Byrne Receives Award of Merit
Richard Bonnycastle, chair of the Jockey Club of Canada (right) presents Michael C. Byrne with the E.P. Taylor Award of Merit at this year’s Sovereign Awards Ceremony.
Established in 1994, the E.P. Taylor Award of Merit is presented to individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to Canadian Thoroughbred horse racing.
Canada in 1987. He served as chair from 1995 – 2005. Mr. Byrne will continue his involvement with the Jockey Club of Canada and will remain on sever- al committees including the Canadian Graded Stakes Committee. Mr. Byrne was instrumental in the formation of the Canadian Graded Stakes Committee which currently overseas 37 internationally graded races across Canada.
Michael Byrne was elected to The Jockey Club of
Michael Burns Photo