The 2008 Sovereign Awards, Canadian Thoroughbred racing's version of the Eclipse Awards, were handed out at the Four Seasons Hotel on December 12. To qualify, equine nominees must have made three starts in Canada (juveniles need two starts), while human nominees need ten starts in this country. This differs significantly from the U.S. Eclipse Awards, where many European-based horses have won championships off of just one start. Winners receive a trophy depicting St. Simon, an undefeated colt who raced in England in the 1880's and then went on to an illustrious career at stud.
The night belonged to owner Danny Dion's Bear Stables. After capturing the Sovereign Award for Champion Sprinter, the son of Red Bullet was named Canada's Horse of the Year for 2008. He won 6 of 8 starts this year, including the Bold Venture at Woodbine, the Tom Ridge Labor Day at Presque Isle, and the Kentucky Cup Sprint (G3) at Turfway. He capped off his championship season with a second place finish in the Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1). Dion said, "People ask me why he wasn't named Bear something. Well, Bear Bullet was already taken. So I named him Fatal, after my 'femme fatale', my wife who picked him in the sale. It's the Bear invasion of Toronto! I am shocked! I was not expecting owner of the year or Horse of the Year (for Fatal Bullet). I thank my horses and the Bear team. It's amazing when the little guy has a chance. It's beyond my dreams." Wanting to share the spotlight, Dion handed the microphone off to trainer Reade Baker, who quipped, "Thank God for fast horses!" Bear Stables was also named Outstanding Owner, and Bear Now was named Champion Older Female on the Main Track. The daughter of Tiznow won the Hill N Dale, Ontario Matron, and Kentucky Cup Distaff (G3), before finishing last after setting the pace in the Breeders' Cup Ladies Classic (G1).
Patrick Husbands was named Outstanding Jockey, and trainer Mark Casse was named Outstanding Trainer, repeating as the winners in these categories. Casse is the first three-peat winner in his category and Husbands has won the jockey award 6 times.
Frank Stronach's Adena Springs picked up two awards on the night, being named Outstanding Breeder for the fourth year in a row and seventh overall, but also for Champion 3-Year-Old Filly Ginger Brew. The daughter of Milwaukee Brew was never worse than second in her 8 lifetime starts, which included wins in the Calder Oaks on the turf, then the Woodbine Oaks, and the Jammed Lovely on the Polytrack. Her most impressive race was against males in the Queen's Plate when she finished a close second. Frank Stronach's wife Elfrieda accepted the award. She said, "Ginger Brew, Ginger Punch, that name seems to work for us!" Adena Springs also bred Horse of the Year Fatal Bullet.
Van Lear Rose was named Champion 2-Year-Old Filly. The daughter of Stroll won the Muskoka and the Mazarine (G3) at Woodbine, and was third in the Shady Well in July. She finished off the season with a sixth place finish to Stardom Bound in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies and Santa Anita. Mine That Bird was named Champion 2-Year-Old Male. The son of Birdstone won four races in a row for trainer David Cotey including the Silver Deputy, Swynford, and Grey (G3), before being sold privately to Double Eagle Farm who sent him to California and trainer Richard Mandella, where he finished last in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile at Santa Anita.
Kathie's Colleen, best known as the dam of 2003 Canadian Triple Crown winner Wando, was named Outstanding Broodmare, a lifetime achievement award, in her first year of eligibility. The daughter of Woodman won the Monmouth Oaks and was second in the Woodbine Oaks for owner-breeder Gus Schickedanz before going on to produce Wando and stakes winner Six Sexy Sisters, both by Langfuhr, and stakes placed Half Sister, by More than Ready.
Queen's Plate winner Not Bourbon was named Champion 3-Year-Old Male, edging out Horse of the Year Fatal Bullet in the voting. In his championship year where he won 4 of 6 starts, Not Bourbon also won the Queenston, the Plate Trial, and the Overskate, with his only out-of-the-money finish being in the Prince of Wales Stakes. Owner-breeder Charles Fipke accepted the award. He talked about Not Bourbon's unraced sire Not Impossible, who had physical problems as a yearling and veterinarians had written him off, recommending he be put down.
The Champion Female Turf Horse voting was close, with Callwood Dancer edging out Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf runner-up Sealy Hill. Callwood Dancer was 3 for 7 in 2008, including a win in the Nassau Stakes (G2) and runner-up finishes in both the Canadian (G2) and the E.P. Taylor (G1), finishing in front of Sealy Hill on both occasions. She finished off the season with a close fourth in the Cardinal Handicap (G3) at Churchill Downs. Owner Richard Bonnycastle Jr. was unable to attend so trainer Roger Attfield accepted the award on his behalf.
The Champion Male Turf Horse award went to Rahy's Attorney. He only had two wins in 8 starts this year, the Connaught Cup (G3) and an upset in the Woodbine Mile (G1) over Ventura and Kip Deville, but he also showed distance versatility on the turf finishing second in the Singspiel Stakes at 1 1/2 miles. He ended off his championship season finishing 9th but only 3 lengths behind in the Mile Championship (G1) at Kyoto, Japan in November. Owners Joe and Ellen MacLellan accepted the trophy.
Janine Stianson was named Outstanding Apprentice Jockey. The 25-year-old from Saskatchewan won 68 of 370 starts at Assiniboia Downs this year, including wins in the Hazel Wright Sire Stakes aboard Blueberry Blonde and the Gold Strike Mile aboard Bella Mariella. On opening day at Assiniboia, her debut at the Winnipeg track, she won the first four races on the card.
