The interim Racing Director for Hippodrome 3R, François Carignan has confirmed in recent days that the 2021 Gala des Champions will indeed take place in the coming months.

There is talk of a date around January 15. Details of the location, precise date, time and format will come later.

The process was set in motion already a few weeks ago and the list of nominees has been finalized.

As a first step, the most involved members of 3R — Cynthia Thériault, Murielle Thomassin, Carignan, Guy Lafontaine, Maximilien Bradette and Daniel Delisle — made a list from which the vote was taken.

This vote involved five people plus Mr. Carignan, the five people being René Quessy and Jacques Fortin of ATAQ, Paul-André Lehoux of the CRCCQ and Bradette and Delisle for 3R.

Five points were awarded to the first choice, three to the second and one to the third. In the event of a tie, Carignan decided the debate.

Here are the two finalists in each category; the winners will be announced at the Gala.

Trainer of the Year

Francis Richard — 88 starts (19-18-15) — $142,250
Sylvain Tremblay — 89 starts (31-7-12) — $106,678

Driver of the Year

Pascal Bérubé — 289 starts (63-24-43) — $225,179
Samuel Fillion — 253 starts (36-55-36) — $178,071

Rookie of the Year

Antoine Desrochers — 32 starts (1-4-6) — $9,167
Jessica Turenne — 103 starts (16-10-6) — $42,791

Groom of the Year

Linda Bélanger — Dany Fontaine Stable
Emma Bouchard — Écurie Alpha

Breeder of the Year

Kevin Maguire
Sylvain Tremblay

Trotter of the Year

Hall Win — 13 starts (6-1-4) — $46,574
XOXO — 16 starts (7-3-0) — $27,378

Pacer of the Year

DGS De Vito — 17 starts (7-6-2) — $26,830
Histoire Enchantee — 15 starts (7-3-3) — $19,786

Owner of the Year

Jean Fontaine
Jean-François Reid

Family of the Year

Desrochers family
Gagnon family

All the statistics compiled take into account what happened at 3R in 2021. Congratulations to all the nominees and good luck with the final unveiling.

(Quebec Jockey Club)