After selling a yearling for $320,000, a breeder buys a different yearling for $320,000 and that horse goes on to be an O'Brien Award finalist after providing nearly a 150 percent return on investment. Sounds unbelievable? Believe it.

Back in 2017, the opening session of the Standardbred Horse Sales Company's annual yearling sale had two offspring of Muscle Hill share the leaderboard with Sheer Muscle and The Ice Dutchess each fetching high bids of $320,000 for the day. Sheer Muscle was sold as Hip 112 by Coyote Wynd Farm of Vancouver, B.C., who then purchased The Ice Dutchess some 50 horses later for that exact same amount.

"It has been a dream come true and a lifelong goal to have a trotter of this caliber," owner John Floren said.

In 11 starts, The Ice Dutchess won five races and banked more than $472,000. Of her achievements, including a win in the Bluegrass and a mark of 1:53.4 taken in the $357,450 Jim Doherty Memorial, Floren looks most fondly on her victory in the Peaceful Way Stakes at Woodbine Mohawk Park.

"Winning the Peaceful Way at Mohawk, which I consider my home track," Floren said. "Very nerve-racking to go into such a premier race as the favourite."

The rookie season for The Ice Dutchess came at the heels of hall-of-famer Jimmy Takter's training career. The conditioner of numerous O'Brien Award winners retired from racing effective December 2018, ending a career highlighted by his ability to condition young trotters at the highest competition among several more accolades and modes to success.

"I owe the success to my entire team that worked so hard to pay attention to the details to enable 'Dutchie' to succeed," Floren said. "Jimmy is the consummate professional who knows how to train premier trotters. He has lots of experience developing and racing top trotting fillies. He has a great team who care immensely for the horses.

As a result of Takter's retirement, his daughter Nancy Johansson has acquired the training task for The Ice Dutchess heading into her sophomore year.

"I am confident Nancy will do a great job with 'Dutchie' this year," Floren said. "Anette Zackrisson, 'Dutchie’s' caretaker last year, will continue looking after her which I believe is important as she enters her three-year-old year."

Floren will experience national recognition for the first time as he will attend the O'Brien Awards for his only nomination to date.

"Very humbled and honoured to be nominated," Floren said. "Really it is our entire team that are nominated. My wife, Sherry, and I are just the owners. I have never attended and plan to attend this year with my wife and daughter as well as my friend Morris Feldman and his family. I am looking forward to the experience and it should be a great night."

Standardbred Canada will present the 30th edition of the O’Brien Awards on Saturday, February 2, 2019 at the Hilton Mississauga/Meadowvale Hotel. Tickets are now on sale and can be purchased by contacting the Member & Stakeholder Relations Department at 905-858-3060. Tickets are $200 each (includes HST) and include a cocktail reception, gourmet dinner, wine, and complimentary portrait.