Real Grace Honored as Alberta's Horse of the Year

The Alberta Thoroughbred industry recognized its top performers for 2020 during its 47th annual Night of Champions held virtually May 20 through social media and industry websites.

Real Grace  was awarded the 2020 Horse of the Year and champion 3-year-old male titles for his impressive performance over the season, including winning the Canadian Derby (G3) and earnings of $89,162. The Mineshaft   gelding was bred by Peter Johnson and is owned by owner/trainer Shelley Brown, Jean McEwan, Bette Holtman, and Bernell Rhone. Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society Alberta sale graduate Maskwecis  was named the champion Alberta-bred for his outstanding performance in 2020 with wins in the Western Canada Handicap, the Beaufort Stakes, and a third-place finish in the black-type Count Lathum Handicap. The Jimmy Creed   gelding was bred by Doug Oberg and earned $57,760 last season for his owners Jim and Carole Barker and Red Ron Farms.

Highfield Investment Group was named the leading breeder in Alberta with its runners earning $290,736 and 16 wins. Riversedge Racing Stables earned the leading owner title with Riversedge horses earning $417,781 and 23 wins. Tim Rycroft received the leading trainer title for the third consecutive year, with Rycroft trained runners earning 42 wins and $646,551 in earnings. Canadian Sovereign Apprentice Jockey, Mauricio Malvaez, was named leading apprentice jockey for his remarkable season that included a win in Alberta's biggest race, the Canadian Derby. Rico Walcott was named leading jockey for the ninth time in the past 10 years for an outstanding meet with his mounts earning $820,968 and 68 wins.

Special appreciation was given to Master of Ceremonies Ken Gee, and the sponsors of the Night of Champions, including Horse Racing Alberta, Century Mile Racetrack and Casino, Century Downs Racetrack and Casino, the CTHS Alberta Division, the H.B.P.A. of Alberta, Bar None Ranches, Roy McLellan, Moore Equine Veterinary Centre, Paddockhurst Stables, and the Rocky Mountain Turf Club.

A complete listing of the 2020 Alberta Thoroughbred winners is listed below:

Horse of the Year—The Horse Racing Alberta Trophy: Real Grace

Champion Claimer—The H.B.P.A. Trophy: Something About Me 

Champion Sprinter—The Century Downs Racetrack and Casino Trophy: Stone Carver 

Champion 2-Year-Old Filly—The Dwight McLellan Memorial Trophy: She Likes to Party 

Champion 2-Year-Old Male—The Rocky Mountain Turf Club Trophy: Bang On 

Champion 3-Year-Old Filly—The Dave Kapchinsky Memorial Trophy

Sponsored by Paddockhurst Stables: Pearl of Knowledge 

Champion 3-Year-Old Male—Sponsored by Bar None Ranches: Real Grace

Champion Older Mare—The Moore Equine Veterinary Centre Ltd. Trophy: Sunburst 

Champion Older Horse—The Century Mile Racetrack and Casino Trophy: Go Away 

Champion Alberta Bred—The Ted Connor Memorial Trophy: Maskwecis

Leading Apprentice Jockey—Sponsored by the H.B.P.A.: Mauricio Malvaez

Leading Jockey—The Lou Davies Memorial Trophy: Rico Walcott

Leading Trainer—The H.B.P.A. Trophy: Tim Rycroft

Leading Breeder—The C.T.H.S. Trophy: Highfield Investment Group

Leading Owner—The Jockey Club of Canada Trophy: Riversedge Racing Stables