THE GALA DU CERCLE DES VAINQUEURS
Quebec’s harness racing industry honours its winners for 2007
MONTREAL, January 21, 2008 – The Harness Racing industry took the time to honour its champions for 2007 last Saturday, at the Centaure restaurant in the Montreal Hippodrome during the very first Gala du Cercle des vainqueurs.
Attractions Hippiques, all associations and professionals in the industry, the Quebec Trotting and Pacing Association (A.T.A.Q.), SPECSQ (Société des propriétaires et éleveurs de chevaux Standardbred du Québec), the Canadian Standardbred Amateur Drivers Association (CSADA) and the Circuit régional came together to organize this event.
Mr. Donald Pinard, renowned and respected in the industry, served as honorary president for this official industry gathering. Representatives from all segments of the harness racing community were present to honour the standouts from 2007.
The big winner of the evening was Sylvain Filion, who was awarded the Benoît Côté trophy for ‘Best Driver of the Year’ again. He holds the title for the seventh consecutive year.
In the ‘Best Horse of the Year’ category, Val Taurus earned the Gala du Cercle des Vainqueurs trophy. Owned by Mrs Lorraine Auger, the horse has experienced a second successful year, winning $244, 836 and 8 victories in 10 starts.
Here is the list of the prizes in all the categories as well as special mentions:
| 2 year-old filly trot: | Canaco Runner |
| 2 year-old colt trot: | Rageur Normand |
| 2 year-old filly pace: | Lucky Josie |
| 2 year-old colt pace: | Big Bam Ray |
| 3 year-old filly trot: | Amazing Dealer |
| 3 year-old colt trot: | Val Taurus |
| 3 year-old filly pace: | Casual Behavior |
| 3 year-old colt pace: | Rudy Valentino |
| 4 year-old an up mare trot: | Norway No Day |
| 4 year-old and up horse trot: | Naif Normand |
| 4 year-old and up mare pace: | Wendy Semalu |
| 4 year-old and up horse pace: | Power Park |
| Gala trophy: (Horse of the Year) |
Val Taurus |
| Benoit Côté trophy: (Driver of the year) |
Sylvain Filion |
| Roger White trophy: (Trainer of the Year) |
Richard Moreau |
| Gordon Wells trophy: (Owner of the Year) |
Conrad Leber |
| Breeder of the Year: | Semalu Inc. |
| Garland Lobell trophy: (Improvement of Quebec breeding) |
Réjeant Lassonde |
| Serge Turenne trophy: (Recruit of the Year) |
Simon Allard |
| SPECSQ trophy: (Broodmare of the Year) |
Luce Tempest |
| Circuit Regional trophy: (Record of the Year) |
Pierre-Luc Roy |
| ACCAS tribute trophy:
(Tribute to a leader) |
Jean-Claude Dessureault |
| ATAQ tribute trophy:
(Trot and Pace Pioneer) |
Roger Ponton |
INFORMATION:
Contact: Renée Cardinal
Telephone: 514-739-2741 ext. 2240
