Snow Moose Crowned 2023 Horse of the Year at Ajax Downs

The esteemed grey Ontario-bred Snow Moose clinched the prestigious title of Horse of the Year at the annual Awards Banquet of the Quarter Racing Owners Of Ontario on February 24. Hosted at the Ajax Convention Centre, the event honoured the standout performers of the 2023 racing season at Ajax Downs.

Among the distinguished attendees were local Ajax MP Patrice Barnes, representatives from the Ontario Lottery and Gaming, and Ontario Racing.

Hailing from Burlington, ON, Snow Moose is both owned and bred by Milena Kwiecien. Under the expert guidance of trainer Jason Pascoe from Pontypool, the talented colt captured victory in five out of nine races as a 3-year-old in 2023, triumphing in the QROOI Derby and Ontario Bred Derby.

Despite winning two additional races, including the Alex Picov Championship, Snow Moose faced disqualification on both occasions. The coveted Horse of the Year accolade was determined through a vote by the QROOI board of directors.

In a closely contested race for the High Point 3-year-old title, Snow Moose secured the top spot with 45 QROOI points, edging past his rival Sour Candy by a narrow margin of just one point. Sour Candy had notably outpaced Snow Moose in the Picov Derby.

Kwiecien's foray into Quarter Horse racing began nine years ago, culminating in the success of her Snow Pony stable as the 2023 High Point owner and the leading owner by wins for the third consecutive year.

Meanwhile, Pascoe's adept training of Kwiecien's horses earned him the distinguished title of High Point Trainer for the fifth consecutive year.