by Dan Delisle for the Quebec Jockey Club

Trois-Rivieres, PQ — The annual Champions Gala, honoring the top horsemen and women and the leading horses of the 2017 harness racing season in Quebec, was held Saturday, (Nov. 18) at the Hippodrome 3R. The event was sold out well in advance.

There were numerous special awards honoring the top men and women in harness racing this past season plus the crowning of the champion horses in stakes races and overnight events. A great time was had by all as track announcer Guy Lafontaine was again superb as the evenings emcee along with his associate, Daniel Delisle.

Trophy table at the annual Gala Champions Dinner at H3R on Saturday.

Female Groom of the Year Award went to Joanie Leonard, a member of the Maxime Velaye Team Stable. She was always present throughout the summer to paddock horses for the team. This young woman is very good at her business; efficient and competent.

Male Groom of the Year is Maxim Dubuc, a member of the Simon Delisle Team. Highly visible at the paddock in virtually every program, you will see him working on one or more horses with speed, efficiency and skill. It is a sure bet that Delisle relies on this man.

A 4th Star Award went to Sylvain Fontaine. The 4th Star is awarded to a person from the business of harness racing that often goes under the radar, but which is no less deserving. The honor goes to Fontaine, a driver/trainer, who is busy at the paddock on race days. Rarely one word higher than the other, he does his work well and positions his horses well in the race without brutalizing them. Nicknamed “Balou” for friends, he has so many friends in the paddock they cannot be counted anymore.

A 4th Star Award went to driver Steeven Genois. He is never discouraged, despite sometimes long periods without a trip to the winner’s circle. With some trainers helping to build his confidence, he persevered and finally earned his share of victories. With the support of his wife Melanie, Genois finally sees better days dawning on the horizon.

The Excellence in Media Award was presented to Carole Dumont for the launch and production of the program “On Track” which was presented on Videotron as part of the Ma TV series. Dumont gives all his heart and expertise to this series of broadcasts that were intended to open the doors to an unknown universe in harness racing. The show was hailed by the industry and the general public as a must see.

Trotter of the Year: Lucky Promesses is owned, bred and driven by Jérôme Lombart and trained by Andréane Lapierre. Her record at H3R was absolutely sensational. It reads: 22 starts (8-1-0) C$20,832, record of 1.58.2 taken at Rideau while at home it was 2.00.4. She has had nine straight wins, including her time at Bedford and Rideau. Hats off to Lombart, who with his patience brought the mare to this high level of performance.

The Pacer of the Year: Rainbow Palace, is owned and driven by Francis Picard and trained by Dominique Picard. She was bought for C$7,500 at the Forest City Auction. This daughter of Royal Mattjesty had a year that dreams are made of in 2017 while producing only at home. Her record at H3R is: 21 starts (7-2-5) C$24,102, and especially a record of 1.54.3.

Owner of the Year: This was a new category introduced this year and the winner was Kevin Maguire. Who other than Maguire to illustrate the investment of time and money in the industry? His efforts and funds gave him a little return on his investments this year by crowning his mare Magestic M, winner of the Breeders Cup. Previous years have not always been as rewarding as this one. Our man, nevertheless, continued to devote himself to his passion. His statistics at H3R were also impressive in 2017 and are: 75 starts (11-14-8) and C$94,094 in earnings.

thephotodeskca. photos

Trainer of the Year: This goes to Francis Richard. He represents a new generation, a new approach, is a great talent and is an extremely friendly personality. This is a big plus for the industry because of the contributions of he mad ethis year. Also, the number of owners who trust him is a testament to his talent and expertise. His latest title is well-deserved title as his record stands at 109 (26-16-11) C$142,139.

Driver of the Year: This was awarded to Stéphane Brosseau, who is another outstanding ambassador for the industry. This was the year of the great return to the summit as many trainers recognized his talent is out of the ordinary to drive young horses so skillfully. A combination of events and people will have allowed Brousseau to experience a dream year in a job he loves. His record: 277 (53-55-44) C$297,817, average URS of .355.

Personality of the Year: HP here, HP there, the HP of Claude Hamel, the breeder, is now known throughout Canada. The man has given a lot to the industry in recent decades. With his wife Céline Paquin, he has set up a farm which they can be rightly proud of. This year again, the HP horses have shone, the most beautiful flagship being so far, the incredible HP Sissy, winner here and in the U.S. at the highest levels at Yonkers Raceway. And we’re not talking about the many horses that Hamel is associated with in Ontario, and they too race at the highest level.

The Special Achievement Award: François Carignan, the Director of Operations at H3R, was presented with this award. The Quebec Jockey Club paid tribute to the man who has worked the Trois-Rivières racecourse throughout the region and in Quebec over the last fifty years. To speak about Carignan is to talk about his passion for the racetrack, the races, the horses and the customers with whom he has developed great relationships over the years: a complicity that is rarely seen.

It was a superb way to close a very successful gala which was the fifth annual since the revival of the industry by the Quebec Jockey Club.

2017 Champion Horses
2-year-old filly trotter
Precious CC (Angus Hall – Marion Chocolate – Chocolatier) 2:03.3
Owner: Marie-Andrée Cornoyer Breeder: Raymond Larose
Trainer-driver: Claude Beausoleil
2-year-old colt trotter
Ganymede Lavec (Ganymede – Promising Lavec – Mr Lavec) 2.07
Owner and breeder: Jérôme Lombart
Trainer: Andréane Lapierre
Driver: Jérôme Lombart
2- year-old filly pacer
Rose Bed (Bayama Leader – Intense – Shanghai Phil) 2:02
Owner-breeder: Guy Corbeil
Trainer: Maxime Velaye
Driver: Daniel Dubé
2-year-old colt pacer
Stock (Sportswriter – Whycantiforgetyou – The Panderosa) 1:57
Proprietors: Sotirios Anastasopoulos, Gaétan Bono
Breeder: Sotirios Anastasopoulos
Trainer: Dany Fontaine
Driver: Stéphane Brosseau
3-year-old filly trotter
Magestic M (The Majestic Son – Striking Sybil – Striking Sahbra) 2.03.1
Owner – Breeder: Kevin Maguire
Trainer: Kevin Maguire
Driver: Louis-Philippe Roy
3-year-old colt trotter
Dream Sensor (Muscle Mass – Nobility – Monte Hall) 2.00.1
Owner-Breeder: Provocative Stable
Trainer: Maxime Velaye
Driver: Daniel Dubé
3-year-old filly pacer
YS Tallia (Western Ideal – Tallinn Bolero – Arts Conquest) 1.58.4
Owner – breeder: Yves Sarrazin
Trainer: Michel Allard
Driver: Daniel Dubé
3-year-old colt pacer
Wildriverbumblebee (Sportswriter – Alcor Semalu – Mach Three) 1.59.1
Breeder owner: Dr. John Bradbury
Coach: Francis Richard
Driver: Stéphane Brosseau
Older mare trotter
Artemis Duharas (Andover Hall – Athena Duharas – Victory Force) 2.03.1
Owner – breeder: Haras De l’Estrie
Trainer: Manon Levasseur
Driver: Raymond Gingras
Older horse trotter
Wildwild Men (Muscle Mass – Seeyouinthecircle – Angus Hall) 1.59.1
Owner: Catheline Pelletier
Breeder: Chantal Gravel
Coach: Isabelle Darveau
Driver: Rob Shepherd
Older mare pacer
HP Sissy (Up The Credit – Monica Blue Chip – Cams Card Shark) 1.55
Owner – breeder: Claude Hamel
Trainer: Jean Tourigny
Driver: Louis-Philippe Roy
Older horse pacer
Half Billion (Sportswriter – Racey Date – Western Hanover) 1.52.2
Proprietors: Michel Letarte, Francois Letarte, Jean Allaire, Corey Giles
Breeder: Hudson Standardbred
Trainer: Francis Richard
Driver: Louis-Philippe Roy
New Track Record
Windsun Cheyenne Trainer and owner: Gina Bragagnolo
Driver: Stéphane Brosseau
1-1/2 miles, 2.58.1, Aug. 2, 5th race