On Saturday evening (April 8) in Trois-Rivieres, Guy Lafontaine and Sophie Mongeon hosted a gala that brought together 160 people at Hippodrome 3R to crown the champions of the 2022 season.
Pascal Bérubé was crowned as the 2022 Driver of the Year. Bérubé made more than a hundred trips to the winner's circle despite only 41 race days. With earnings of more than $1 million in the 2022 meet, the champion and 3R ambassador had a career-best season.
Bérubé doubled up in awards after winning the Event of the Year title for his 102 victories. Whether he drove underdogs or favourites, from the back of the pack or dictating the tempo, Bérubé managed the incredible feat in the relatively short season at 3R.
Sylvain Tremblay earned the Trainer of the Year title after just three seasons as a trainer. It was his second consecutive 3R training title. Tremblay is described as a workaholic, passionate, intelligent and persevering.
The Rookie of the Year title was awarded to Kiwon Waldron, who came to 3R for a complete season in 2022, breaking through the ranks in the top five drivers.
Groom of the Year, Jessica Théroux, comes from a family of harness horsemen. Théroux is described as dedicated and evoking the most positive mood, well deserved of the title.
Bruno Lepage had a successful lineup of horses to claim the Breeder of the Year title for the second consecutive year. His lifetime earnings of $180,000 follow remarkable careers of Got Charlie, Got Precious Jewells, Got Beach Body, Got Hot Mom, Got Lucky Watching and Got Sexy Scars.
Stella Alpha, a winner of $38,419 with a record of 9-2-4 in 17 starts at 3R, was the Trotter of the Year. Alpha Stable owns the four-year-old daughter of Royalty For Life out of the Muscle Mass mare Eclair Chocolat. Pascal Bérubé was the regular driver for the Sylvain Tremblay trainee.
Pacer of the Year was awarded to Histoire Encantee, a winner of $22,440 with seven wins and two thirds in 19 starts. Aurélie Delisle and Raymond Bouffard own the nine-year-old gelding. Simon Delisle trained and drove the Shanghai Phil son for his season at 3R.
Royal Pearl Stable achieved the Owner Group of the Year award. Their trips to the winner's circle were marked by large turnouts of up to 30 members. Dominique and Francis Picard led the ownership group as trainer and driver, respectively.
The presentation of the 2022 Gala was credited to the team efforts of François Carignan, Guy Lafontaine, Sophie Mongeon and the technical team.
The 2023 harness racing season at 3R gets underway with qualifiers on Saturday, April 15 before opening day on April 30.
(With files from the Quebec Jockey Club)