Manitoba's top performers from the 2023 harness racing season were celebrated at the annual Manitoba Standardbred Racing Industry Awards Banquet on Saturday, March 9.
The event, presented by the Manitoba Standardbred Sires and Breeders Association (MSSBA) and Manitoba Harness Horsemen Inc. (MHHI), was held at the Canad Inns Destination Centre in Portage la Prairie, Man.
Braxtons Boy was named the top Manitoba-bred horse in addition to earning divisional honours for his successful three-year-old campaign in 2023. Trainer Richard and Janet Rey's homebred won five of his 11 starts in Manitoba during his debut season including the Golden Boy Stakes final. The son of Whosurboy is out of the Badlands Hanover mare, Nitrous Force, who was named Broodmare of the Year.
Top trainer Trevor Williams was also named Horseperson of the Year while Blake Piwniuk took top driving honours for the second straight year. Other repeat winners included filly AK Nite Lady and sire Andreoli Hanover.
A complete list of award winners follows.
MSRI Manitoba Two-Year-Old Filly
Trust Me Alot
MSRI Manitoba Two-Year-Old Colt/Gelding
Lookinlikeamillion
MSRI Manitoba Three-Year-Old Filly
AK Nite Lady
MRSI Manitoba Three-Year-Old Colt/Gelding
Braxtons Boy
MRSI Manitoba Aged Mare
Skys Little Spunk
MRSI Manitoba Aged Horse/Gelding
Two Shoes
Top Manitoba-Bred
Braxtons Boy
MSRI Broodmare of the Year
Nitrous Force
MSRI Sire of the Year
Andreoli Hanover
MSRI Aged Mare of the Year
I Will Do It
MSRI Aged Horse of the Year
Tuff As Buff
MSRI Claimer of the Year
Tuff As Buff
MSRI Rookie of the Year
Aaron Mason
MSRI See Me Go Award of Sportsmanship
Stefan Rey
MSRI Top Driver - UDRS
Blake Piwniuk
MSRI Top Driver - Wins
Blake Piwniuk
MSRI Top Trainer - UTRS
Trevor Williams
MRSI Top Trainer - Wins
Trevor Williams
MSRI Caretakers of the Year
Maxine Fillion
Patricia Norman
MSRI Lifetime Breeders Achievement Award
Dave Mooney
Standardbred Canada Owner of the Year
Alice Gilbert
MHHI Owner of the Year
Aurel Vodon
MSRI Ron Waples Award
Cliff Cullen
MHHI Horseperson of the Year
Trevor Williams
(Standardbred Canada; Photo of Braxtons Boy winning at The Loop)