#HORSERACING: A YEAR IN HORSES 2021

True to tradition, we present to you our A YEAR IN HORSES 2021 Review! While the season at Woodbine Racetrack started a bit later this year due to Covid-19 delays, it still proved to be an action-packed abbreviated season. There was no shortage of excitement.

The Community wrote the story. I was simply there.

While 2021 turned out to be a season without any one definitive standout star, what we did witness was some of Woodbine‘s greatest go on to retain their form of previous seasons, proving exactly why they are fan favourites. The greats had a chance to share the spotlight.

Will Horse of the Year go to now-retired legend PINK LLOYD whom at age 9 proved he still is the best sprinter in Canada? Or will the honours go to Canada’s reigning Horse of the Year, the one-eyed MIGHTY YEART who notched wins north and south of the Border, winning two key stake races in his division locally, the Dominion Day and the Autumn. Or perhaps the hard-trying three-year-old filly MUNNYFOR RO will spring a surprise and win the hearts of Sovereign Award voters with her Woodbine Oaks, Wonder Where and Ontario Damsel scores both turf and Tapeta? Let’s not forget TOWN CRUISE‘s epic wire-to-wire score in the $1-million Woodbine Mile against international-quality competition! So many great moments, even if it genuinely is a coin toss this year who might be named top horse in the country!

This was Kazushi Kimura‘s year to shine, running away with the most amount of wins for a jockey at Woodbine, ahead of last year’s leading rider Rafael Hernandez, Emma-Jayne Wilson and Justin Stein. Hard to believe he was only an apprentice a few years back! And of course Mark Casse dominated trainer standings this year with his top caliber stock and hardworking Toronto team.

I have always pushed for an inclusive representation of the sport and have compiled some of my top memories from 2021 in this Video Review, set to Ed Sheeran‘s “Bad Habits“, in my opinion one of the best songs this year. No bad habits here, we love spreading the joy Canadian Horse Racing brings us!

The 2022 racing season begins at Woodbine on April 16, 2022. The Queen’s Plate retains its later date, slotted for August 21, 2022. We cannot wait! We hope everyone has an amazing Holiday and some well-deserved relaxation after what was an intense meet!

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)