The Raceway at Western Fair District has announced its 2025 award winners, recognizing the top performers from an outstanding season of harness racing in London, Ont. The annual Awards Night will take place on Saturday, Feb. 21 in the Top of the Fair dining room, where the local industry will gather to celebrate.
The honourees include standout horses, horsepeople and connections who made their mark during the 2025 campaign. Notably, Ladies From Hell and The Great Reset return as repeat winners in their respective categories, continuing their dominance as the track's top older pacing mare and older male trotter.
Ladies From Hell enjoyed another double-digit winning season with 10 trips to the winner’s circle and more than $67,000 in earnings for owners Shae and Michael Sumner of London. Meanwhile, trotting track record holder The Great Reset enjoyed another busy and productive campaign with 18 top three finishes from 31 trips postward and just over $46,000 earned for owners Lorne House of Dutton, Ont., and Chantal Ruijs of Georgian Bluffs, Ont.
Austin Sorrie led the nation with 404 wins while compiling a personal best $2.7 million purse winnings. He garnered his first driving title at The Raceway with 155 of his wins at the London oval. On the training side, Lindsey Kerr also enjoyed a career-best season with 83 wins, almost $550,000 in purse winnings and a sparkling UTRS of .373. She earned her first title at the London oval with 60 local wins.
Nominations are now being accepted for Caretaker of the Year. To nominate someone for the award, email submissions with an explanation of why the nominee should be awarded to Amy O'Toole, Manager of Equine Programming, at [email protected]. Text messages or online messages will not be accepted. Those interested in being an award sponsor for the evening can also contact The Raceway at the same email address.
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.
The horse awards are based on the highest earnings with a minimum of six starts at The Raceway during the calendar year while the claiming awards are based on the number of claiming wins at The Raceway during the same period. The complete list of the 2025 winners, including categories that will be announced the night of the event, are listed below.
2025 Award Winners
Three-Year-Old Trotting Colt – Cleveland Royalty
Three-Year-Old Trotting Filly – Royal Flush Magic
Aged Trotting Horse – The Great Reset
Aged Trotting Mare – April Duford
Three-Year-Old Pacing Colt – Silverwalls
Three-Year-Old Pacing Filly – Twin B Bodacious
Aged Pacing Horse – Prestige Seelster
Aged Pacing Mare – Ladies From Hell
Claiming Trotter – O Narutac Perfetto
Claiming Pacer – Letjimitakeover
Rookie Performer – Liquor Talkin
Leading Driver – Austin Sorrie
Leading Trainer – Lindsey Kerr
Leading Owner – Colonel Schneider Jr.
Caretaker – TBA
Ruth Herbert Horsewoman of the Year – TBA
Horse of the Year – TBA
Ticket information and additional details on this celebration of racing excellence at The Raceway will be announced soon.
(With files from Western Fair District)