Canada's Two-Year-Old Pacing Filly of the Year in 2022 and Somebeachsomewhere Horse of the Year in 2023, Sylvia Hanover finds herself in the spotlight once again as an O'Brien Award finalist in 2024.
That said, Sylvia Hanover's season didn't end how the connections had envisioned.
After sweeping divisional honours both in Canada and the U.S. at two and three, Sylvia Hanover certainly had the target on her back heading into her four-year-old season. And that season is traditionally an adjustment for many horses.
Twin B Joe Fresh, her archrival and fellow O'Brien Award finalist for the Older Pacing Mare of the Year title, just happened to adjust beyond expectations and virtually run the table in 2024 en route to likely U.S. Horse of the Year honours.
Sylvia Hanover did prevail in two of the stakes events for older pacing mares in 2024 — the Clara Barton Distaff at Plainridge Park in July and the Allerage Farm Mares Open at The Red Mile in October, earning her 1:47.3 lifetime mark — before concluding her season with a victory in the Fillies & Mares Preferred ranks at Woodbine Mohawk Park on Nov. 16.
All told, the daughter of Always B Miki - Shyaway posted 12 top-three finishes and accrued $492,700 in purses throughout her season to eclipse the $2 million mark in lifetime earnings for trainers Mark & Shawn Steacy and owner Hudson Standardbred Stable Inc. of Hudson, Que.
The connections had more in store for Sylvia Hanover in 2024 after that Nov. 16 victory. She was set to compete against the top class at Mohawk on Nov. 23, but had to bow out of that test...and the one to follow.
"'Sylvia' had come down with a moderate fever and low grade mucous when she was scratched at Mohawk after winning the Mares Open the week before," Hudson Standardbred's Tony Infilise told Trot Insider. "The plan was to race twice at Mohawk and finish the season with the FanDuel on Nov. 30 at The Meadowlands.
"When we trained her lightly before the box closed for the FanDuel, Mark & Shawn Steacy concluded that she wasn’t 100 per cent, and of course, chose not to race her the 30th."
With Infilise noting she's sound and well, Sylvia Hanover is scheduled to start jogging this week in preparation for her return to the races as a five-year-old. Regardless of what that season brings, the ownership group deeply appreciates the journey thus far and the recognition as a 2024 O'Brien Award finalist.
"Betty and I, and our family, are so appreciative of the dream racing journey and positive experiences 'Sylvia' has enabled for us the last three years through her exceptional talent and heart.
"Even though she wasn’t dominant as a four-year-old as she was as a two and three-year-old we’re so proud of her accomplishments in 2024 having raced very well and earned close to $500,000 during the year. We look forward to cheering her on in 2025 and are grateful for the amazing journey with her. She’s really enjoyed her rest, looks great and will start jogging this week to prepare for the upcoming season."
The 2024 O’Brien Award winners will be announced on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025 at the O’Brien Awards Gala, which will take place at the Delta Meadowvale / Mississauga in Mississauga, Ont. To reserve your tickets for the O'Brien Awards, please fill out the O'Brien Awards ticket reservation form and send it to Jade Regina at [email protected].
(Standardbred Canada; photos courtesy Tom Melanson, New Image Media, Gail MacDonald)