Harness racing icon Stan Bergstein of Hoof Beats Magazine was honoured on Saturday with the American Horse Publications 2009 Champion Award, along with Bob Gray and Audie Rackley, all past AHP Presidents

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In 2007, American Horse Publications created the AHP Champion Award, which is presented to individuals who are instrumental in the development and growth of the association.

Bergstein, 85, was the Executive Vice-President of Harness Tracks of America for almost a half-century and has made various contributions to the sport over the years as a broadcaster, auctioneer, writer, race secretary and historian.

Often referred to as a pioneer, Bergstein was among the founders of American Horse Publications and served as its second president. He is also credited for creating the USTA Stakes Guide, the HTA Youth Scholarship to assist young people in harness who hope to attend college, the HTA Art Auction, the John Hervey Awards for Excellence in Journalism in Harness Racing, the Experimental Ratings for the USTA, the HTA series to give four-year-olds an opportunity to race at major tracks across North America, the Harness Racing Hotline in the 1970s to provide recorded race results to fans, and the Harness Racing Institute to help generate publicity for harness racing.

Bergstein was also a driving force behind the creation of the Racing Medication & Testing Consortium to promote better drug testing and regulations.

Collectively, the winners are known as the AHP Circle of Champions. Each recipient receives a commemorative pin, individual plaque, and their names honoured online at the AHP website.

(With files from American Horse Publications)