The Raceway at Western District has announced its top performers for 2022 and will honour the winners during an in-person event on Saturday, Feb. 25 at the Top Of The Fair restaurant.

The last in-person event was held in 2020 just prior to the onset of the pandemic. The award ceremony was held virtually in 2021 and last year’s was cancelled due to the abbreviated racing schedule, creating added excitement for its return.

“This is a very important night and one that we all look forward to in London,” said Greg Blanchard, Director of Equine Programming. “We are happy to bring our racing community back in person next month and honour those who had outstanding achievements in 2022.”

This year’s winners include a pair of fan favourite Preferred performers, Pembrook Legacy N and Scene A Magician, an undefeated pacing filly named J One Twenty and a rare tie for top driver between Tyler Borth and Travis Henry.

The Jack Wray Stable will take home three awards including Okeeheelee as Three-Year-Old Trotting Filly of the Year and Greystone Treasure as Aged Pacing Mare and Claiming Pacing Mare of the Year. Lorne House conditioned a pair of award winners in Greystone Ian O as Three-Year-Pacing Colt of the Year and the aforementioned Pembrook Legacy as Preferred Pacer of the Year. 

Nominations are now being accepted for Caretaker of the Year. To nominate someone for the award, you are asked to email your submission and reasons why to [email protected] or [email protected]. Text messages or online messages will not be accepted.

To be eligible, a person must race primarily at The Raceway and have worked in a caretaker capacity for a minimum of three years. A voting committee will select the winner, based on nominations, which will be announced the night of the award ceremony along with other selected categories including overall Horse of the Year.

Tickets will go on sale beginning next week and will be available in the paddock race office or by contacting the mutuels department.

Below is a complete listing of the 2022 award winners, excluding those being announced the night of the event:

Three-Year-Old Pacing Colt – Greystone Ian O
Three-Year-Old Pacing Filly – J One Twenty
Three-Year-Old Trotting Colt – Jayport Roadrunner
Three-Year-Old Trotting Filly – Okeeheelee
Aged Pacing Horse – Y S Delight
Aged Pacing Mare – Greystone Treasure
Aged Trotting Horse – Heavy Dude E
Aged Trotting Mare – Power And Grace
Claimer Of The Year – Greystone Treasure
Rookie Of The Year – Punchesinbunches
Preferred Pacer – Pembrook Legacy N
Preferred Trotter – Scene A Magician
Driver Of The Year – Travis Henry and Tyler Borth (Tied)
Trainer Of The Year – Cassidy Schneider
Caretaker Of The Year – TBA
Walltyme Award – TBA
Horsewoman Of The Year – TBA
Overall Horse Of The Year – TBA

(Western Fair District)