The Truro Harness Horse Owners Association (THHOA) hosted its annual awards banquet for the 2024 harness racing season on Saturday, March 22 at the Debert Hospitality Centre in Debert, N.S.
The guest speaker for the evening was Shannon 'Sugar' Doyle, track announcer at The Raceway at Western Fair District in London, Ont.
A pair of young horses trained and driven by Paul Langille swept the awards for two and three-year-old male pacers with those honours going to stakes stars Malevolent and Good Omen, respectively. Langille also took the top driver award in the 50-100 starts category.
Malevolent, a gelded son of Malicious out of Lady Kelleigh Anne, went nine-for-10 in freshman stakes action and earned $83,087 for owners Debbie Francis of Sweets Corner, N.S., and Rosanne Langille of Lower Onslow, N.S.
Good Omen (Betterthancheddar-Paulas Promise), a Rosanne Langille homebred co-owned by Ellie Driscoll, ended his three-for-nine sophomore campaign with a victory in the Phil Pinkney Memorial (pictured above) to boost his seasonal earnings to $22,029.
George Rennison, who was awarded top trainer with more than 100 starts, had a big night with multiple trainees taking home hardware, including two-year-old male pacer DJ Cowboy, three-year-old trotting filly Dusty Lane Mable, claiming mare Top Of Her Trade, claiming horse Privilege and fan favourite American Risk.
Michelle Patriquin was among the multiple award winners, named Horsewoman of the Year and Owner of the Year.
The THHOA also held a 50/50 draw with proceeds being directed to the family of Hunter Myers, who passed away this week from injuries sustained in a racing accident.
A complete list of the award winners follows.
Two-Year-Old Pacing Colt/Gelding
Malevolent
Two-Year-Old Pacing Filly
Howmac Maleficent
Three-Year-Old Pacing Colt/Gelding
Good Omen
Three-Year-Old Pacing Filly
Saulsbrook Feisty
Two-Year-Old Trotting Filly
Majian Mystery
Three-Year-Old Trotting Colt/Gelding
Majian Rocket
Three-Year-Old Trotting Filly
Dusty Lane Mable
THHOA President's Winning Edge Award - Two-Year-Old Colt/Gelding
DJ Cowboy
THHOA President's Winning Edge Award - Two-Year-Old Filly
Oh Pretty Blaise
THHOA President's Winning Edge Award - Three-Year-Old Colt/Gelding
Woodmere Sinatra
THHOA President's Winning Edge Award - Three-Year-Old Filly
Waterford Girl
Atlantic Breeders Crown Champion - Two-Year-Old Pacing Colt/Gelding
Malevolent
Atlantic Breeders Crown Champion - Two-Year-Old Trotter
West River Jet
Claiming Horse of the Year
Privilege
Claiming Mare of the Year
Top Of Her Trade
Horse of the Year
Fifth Estate
Mare of the Year
Lady N Paradise
Fan Favourite Horse of the Year
American Risk
Driver Over 100 Starts
Darren Crowe
Driver Over 50 & Under 100 Starts
Paul Langille
Highest Percentage Driver
Todd Trites
Trainer Over 100 Starts
George Rennison
Trainer Over 50 & Under 100 Starts
Darren Crowe
Senior Horseperson of the Year
Danny Romo
Horsewoman of the Year
Michelle Patriquin
Groom of the Year
Elaine Slaunwhite
Junior Groom of the Year
Madelyn Ellis
Youth Recognition Awards
All Youth
Owner of the Year
Michelle Patriquin
Fan Favourite Horseperson of the Year
Emmons MacKay
Jim Chambers Sportsmanship Groom Award
Zachary Landry
Jim Chambers Sportsmanship Trainer Award
Ernie Laffin
Jim Chambers Sportsmanship Driver Award
Andrew Campbell
(Standardbred Canada)