On Saturday night (Nov. 28), Hippodrome 3R honoured the top performers of their recently-completed season by way of a virtual presentation of the Québec Gala des Champions.
The winners were as follows:
Trainer of the Year - Francis Richard
Some might argue that it is easy to rack up wins when a trainer has several top horses in his stable. But others will argue that 12 horses often equal 12 problems. Francis' winning recipe in 2020 was the same: a lot of teamwork, and he will be the first to say it. A job that is so demanding that his stable is made up mostly of young horses, often just starting out. The lessons learned in Ontario from David Menary will have once again served Francis in the difficult art of bringing horses to the winner's circle. This is the fourth straight year that Francis has been the leading trainer at H3R.
Driver of the Year - Pascal Berube
Pascal's background serves him well and makes him one of the most popular drivers for a wide variety of trainers and owners. This is what sets him apart from many of his colleagues: he drives horses from almost all stables with equal success. In addition, he is second to none when it comes to throwing his horses in front of the peloton and especially advancing them under the wire. Widely favourite horses, he doesn’t drive dozens and that’s his strength: in getting the best out of each of his mounts. A great and beautiful year for him in 2020.
Rookie of the Year - Samuel Fillion
At the end of the 2019 season, when Samuel finally obtained his license to drive in professional races, it was difficult. The victories did not come; his nervousness was palpable. Until the start of this season and a notable win with DJ Power, he is off to a good start, with a season that has elevated him to the best at H3R. And it’s not over yet, you can say. With more and more drives for top teams, Samuel has acquired great experience which serves him better and better. He is also learned from the best as he is a brother-in-law of driving greats Louis-Philippe Roy and Pierre-Luc Roy.
Groom of the Year - Wendy St-Pierre
Behind every great man, they say, hides a woman who makes him great! The Marc-André Simoneau team can be counted lucky to have a rare pearl in its ranks in Wendy St-Pierre. Wendy is tireless, competent and passoinate, with talent and skill recognized by her peers. When we think of the success of the Simoneau team, we inevitably think of the skill and dedication of Marc-André's wife, Wendy. A groom, who makes all these little things that go unnoticed but make a difference.
Breeder of the Year - Denitza Petrova
It was a great year for the Kinnder Stable — not one, but two Québec finals champions, a track record in the books for the three-year-old filly Kinnder High Class, and an undefeated two-year-old season for Kinnder Dangerzone! Kinnder has become, thanks to the flair and hard work of its leader, a winning and high quality trademark. And the future looks even brighter, if possible, with Denitza's acquisition of sire Northern Escort, who has been the source of many of the team's successes in the past. Better still, thanks to this acquisition, breeders in the Québec province will also be able to benefit from this champion line.
Trotter of the Year - Kinnder High Class
10-7-1-1, $52,933, 1.58.1, Denitza Petrova stable
Denitza Petrova's top filly, skillfully driven by Pierre-Luc Roy and later by Samuel Fillion, was a serious contender for this title by virtue of her eight victories, including in the Québec Championship final which earned her a track record of 1.58.1. A remarkable progression for this chestnut filly from Royalty For Life, whose mane flapping in the wind, has gone viral. In 2019, in seven small starts, no victory, but as it often happens with trotters, second-hand, explosion, blossoming of a talent that the most discerning observers had had a hunch about. She was also the winningest horse at H3R this season.
Pacer of the Year - Enavant
7-7-0-0, $11,950, 1.54.3
Owners: Determination and Guy Corbeil
Trainer: Maxime Velaye
Driver: Stéphane Gendron
The incredible story of this pacemaker will have struck everyone's mind, not only at H3R but also across Canada, as he continued in Toronto to put together an 11-race winning streak and claim a record of 1.49.4. A worthy son of Somebeachsomewhere, who sold for $260,000 as a yearling, his career was going nowhere until he ended up with Guy Corbeil. There, they cured his colic problems and waited patiently for the blossoming of his talent that no one thought was very big. And that is precisely what happened. With remarkable patience and skill, he was instilled with confidence and the results were evident.
Owner of the Year - Brian Paquet
Brian Paquet's history with horses goes back several decades. The owner and breeder has made his trademark, the Panics, a proud standard. Each year, a good half-dozen of the product of his breeding arrives in the races, often in the stable of Francis Richard. Paquet faces the good as well as the less good with the stolidity that characterizes him. A golden owner, said Francis Richard. An owner who gives each horse the chance to show off.
Personality of the Year - Dominique Michel
The tragedy experienced this year by Dominique and her husband, Daniel Martin, is difficult to measure as the impact of this cardiovascular accident was significant and the consequences of which are still difficult to measure. Dominique bravely faced the storm with courage, resilience, and sometimes stoicism. The appointment to this prestigious title, the leaders of the Québec Jockey Club hope that it will serve as an encouragement for the future, because, one can imagine, the road of Dominique will be still difficult for the months to come. This appointment wishes to salute her immense courage which arouses the admiration of all horse people.
To watch the video, follow this link.
(Québec Jockey Club)