Standardbred Canada is pleased to announce the finalists for the 2020 Outstanding Groom Award. Congratulations to the 2020 finalists, Brady Jackson, of Sunderland, Ont., and Tanya Mitchell of Rockwood, Ont.
Submissions were received and considered for grooms from across the country, and SC would like to extend a thank you to everyone who took the time to send in their nominations.
Left: Brady Jackson with Village Champ; Right: Tanya Mitchell and Lennon Blue Chip
The Outstanding Groom Award was introduced in 2015 and recognizes grooms who put their horses first, treat them with kindness and outstanding care, regardless of the horse or its ability, in addition to having a strong work ethic and being a good sportsman.
Brady Jackson works for the Murray Brethour Stable where he has been employed for more than six years. He and his family have been friends with the Brethour family for years and Brady was introduced to standardbreds when he worked at their farm for a high school co-op term. He hasn’t looked back since, and stayed on as a full-time employee.
Jackson, who is praised for his work ethic and horsemanship, is currently taking care of six horses. His favourite is an unraced Betterthancheddar three-year-old pacing filly, Skip Across, who he has high hopes for. Some of the horses under his care the past few years include American Sara, Bronson Delight, Village Champ, Remembering Shorty, Gonnahaveonemore and Age Is A Number.
Brady Jackson at the head of Gonnahaveonemore
According to one of Jackson’s colleagues, “it didn’t take me long to realize why he arrives at 7 a.m. with a lunch pail the size of a Yogi Bear picnic basket. He would have a smile on his face and never know how long his day would be; always seemed like they ran to 4:30 or 5:00 pm. He is very dedicated; when you leave the paddock at Mohawk at midnight, drive an hour and 20 minutes home and still back to work for 7:00 am, it's very short nights. If anything, he is a little over competitive, loves to win, but not the kind to brag about it, he just grins at you. That's what baffles me the most about him, how anyone could love to win so much and be a die-hard Leafs fan!”
In addition to caring for the horses on a daily basis, Jackson is also very involved in track maintenance and farm work, including plowing snow and haying.
Tanya Mitchell, a native of Montreal, lives and breathes horses. She’s been involved in the standardbred industry for more than 25 years. She found her home at the racetrack, and moved from Quebec to Ontario at the age of 17.
“In high school, I would take two buses and a subway after school to go to the racetrack and paddock a horse for $25,” said Mitchell. “Horses were definitely a passion.”
She has worked for Eddie Howard, Casie Coleman, Milton Equine Hospital, the University of Guelph and is now employed by trainer Ben Baillargeon.
Tanya was featured in a story titled A Lover and A Fighter in the December issue of TROT. Written by Keith McCalmont, the story recounts her journey as a horseperson and her personal journey with cancer.
HP Mama B, one of Mitchell’s favourites in the Baillargeon Stable, won four of eight races and more than $76,000 last season including a victory in the $75,000 Ontario Sires Stakes Grassroots Championship at Woodbine Mohawk Park on October 10.
HP Mama B in the winner's circle with Tanya Mitchell and driver Sylvain Filion after the OSS Grassroots Championship victory
When she was contacted about her nomination, Mitchell was quick to credit the horses she takes care of for being responsible for her nomination. “HP Mama B, HP Royal Theo, Voelz Delight, Rhythm In Motion, Zig Zag and Traceur Hanover all contributed to the huge year I had, and they should get some of the recognition for making me look good!”
“The horses count on her every day,” stated Mitchell’s nominator. “I have seen her dedication many times over. It is not about how good the horse is or how much money it’s made. It is about looking after and caring for that racehorse the best she can, no matter its ability. Tanya is a quiet person and spends her time on her horses. Even when she dealt with her own health issues, she was there as much as she could be. Sometimes the silent ones are the true heroes.”
The winner of the 2020 Outstanding Groom Award will be announced on the Virtual O’Brien Awards Gala Broadcast on Sunday, January 31. The video stream starts at 7 p.m. (EST) and can be viewed on standardbredcanada.ca.
Previous winners of the Outstanding Groom Award include:
2019: Rachel Dupuis
2018: Scott Lecain & Trevor Forgie, co-winners
2017: Chantel Gillis
2016: Teesha Symes
2015: Cindy Acton
Congratulations! Jack A Well
Congratulations! Jack A Well deserved nomination from all your friends at Kawartha Downs