Canadian Hall of Fame Nominees
On the 20th of May, the names of the inductees to the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame will be announced. Until then, the twenty-two nominees will have to wait patiently to find out if their names will be read at the induction ceremony, taking place in August. A twenty person committee has been announced to vote, and to be inducted, a nominee must receive a seventy-five percent vote. Of the twenty-two nominees, there are few names that stand out above the rest, and that many are hoping will be inducted into the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame.
First up, is a horse named Smart Strike. Now, at age sixteen, he stands at the Lane’s End Farm in Kentucky. The Grade 1 champion, who is half brother to the legendary Dance Smartly, has become a famous sire, as he is the only horse to have sired three Grade 1 winning horses, to take part in the Belmont Park meet, where English Channel won the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational Stakes, Fabulous Strike took the Vosburgh Stakes and the magnificent Curlin was victorious in the Jockey Club Gold Cup Stakes, all on the same day, 30 September 2007.
Other horses on the nominations list include Wando and Peteski, both are Triple Crown winners. Peaceful Way is a standardbred that also stands a good chance, as does Run the Table, Glorys Comet and Garland Lobell. Alywow finds her way into the fillies’ category, as does Wilderness Song and Rainbow Connection.
Amongst the trainers, nominated for the Canadian Hall of Fame, and for their contribution to horse racing, deserving names such as Red McKenzie, Robert Tiller and David Foster are seen. Louis Cauz, Gustav Schickedanz, Bruce Walker, Stew Firlotte, Doug Harkness and Jacques Herbert are also on the nominees list. David Willmot has also been nominated for his influence on racing, which has made a positive impact on the sport in the last ten years.
With so many talented and truly breathtaking horses in the racing industry, together with hundreds of people making contributions and bringing forth change and development in the world of horse racing, it seems that having such a great and quality selection, makes nominations harder each year. The Canadian Hall of Fame will once again be honoring a select few, but in the hearts of owners, fans and spectators, there are too many heroes to mention.
