Honours Bestowed Upon Alberta's 2023 Champions

The cream of the crop from Alberta's 2023 harness racing season was celebrated at the prestigious Alberta Standardbred Horse Association (ASHA) Awards, held amidst glitz and glamour at the Best Western Calgary Plaza Hotel on Saturday, March 9.

The standout performer of the evening was Shark Week (Vertical Horizon-Shark Gone Bad), who clinched the title of Alberta's Horse of the Year. Shark Week's remarkable 20-win season in 2023, culminating in his groundbreaking 1:49.2 mile last June at Century Downs, etched his name in the annals of history as the inaugural sub-1:50 pacer in Western Canada. Recognizing the collective efforts, trainer Rod Hennessy was bestowed with the title of Horseperson of the Year, while Meridian Farms earned the esteemed accolade of Breeder of the Year.

Brandon Campbell dominated both the Trainer and Driver of the Year categories, showcasing career-defining performances across the board. The evening proved to be monumental for the Calgary-based horseman, as his prized stable stars Virtual Horizon, Grey Horizon, and Metaki also secured their places among the winners' circle.