The annual Quebec Champions Gala, organized this year by l'Association Trot et Amble du Québec (ATAQ), took place on Saturday, March 29, 2025 at Delta Trois-Rivières with the 2024 harness racing season's top performers honoured in front of a crowd of more than 230 people.
Among the evening's highlights, Pascal Bérubé was named Driver of the Year for the fifth consecutive year while Marc-André Simoneau took home his second straight Trainer of the Year title after leading all horsepeople in their respective categories during Hippodrome 3R's 2024 meet. Trainer Pierre Piedalue's homebred Shanghaigold was celebrated as Pacer of the Year and trainer Peter Lepage's Thats Hooligan won the Trotter of the Year award.
The 2024 award winners and additional honourees are listed below.
Driver of the Year: Pascal Bérubé
Trainer of the Year: Marc-André Simoneau
Groom of the Year: Arianne Girard
Breeder of the Year: Alain Carrier
Owner of the Year: Yannick Corriveau
Pacer of the Year: Shanghaigold
Trotter of the Year: Thats Hooligan
Most Improved Horse: Albert Alpha
Outstanding Stable for Dedication: Écurie Louis-Philippe Turcotte
Event of the Year: National Driving Championship
Achievement of the Year: Marie-Claude Auger
Heartfelt Favourite of the Year: Boomboom Tonight Bus
Regional Circuit: Nicole Gagné
Amateur Driver "Coupe François Carignan" Final: Nancy Auger
Track Record - Three-Year-Old Pacing Filly: One More Bet - 1:54.2
Track Record - Aged Trotter: Royalty Beer - 1:54
Special presentations were also made to honour the following individuals for outstanding service at the paddock's restaurant:
Louise Charpentier, Huguette Dubillard, Émilie Charpentier and Larry Charpentier.
Longtime committed racing commission employees retiring from the Régie des alcools, des courses et des jeux (RACJ) were recognized, including Ginette Ricard and Chantal Lambert.
An award for dedication to heath and safety went to Yanick Lefebvre.
(Standardbred Canada & ATAQ; photo of Marc-André Simoneau and Pascal Bérubé last year at Hippodrome 3R)