01/24/2012 3:22AM

Congratulations to 2011 Horse of the Year Havre de Grace!

By Barbara Livingston
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A heartfelt congratulations to Havre de Grace and her connections - including Rick Porter and his Fox Hill Farm, trainer Larry Jones and his wife Cindy, jockey Ramon Dominguez, assistant Corey York and breeder Nancy S. Dillman - on the lovely filly's 2011 Horse of the Year title.

Havre de Grace (bay mare, born May 12, 2007, by Saint Liam - Easter Bunnette, by Carson City)

2011 record:  Seven starts, five wins, one second, earnings of $1,623,000

Career record (through 2011):  Fifteen starts, eight firsts, four seconds, two thirds, earnings of $2,496,175

Added:  Career record through April 23, 2012, when her retirement was announced:  Sixteen starts, nine wins, four seconds, two thirds, earnings of $2,586,175.

Above:  At Keeneland with Gabe Saez up.

Above:  Media star Havre de Grace, Breeders' Cup week.

Above:  Visiting with Cindy Jones.

Above:  Larry and Havre de Grace study the famous Saratoga roofline.

Above:  Corey York gives the filly a bath, Saratoga.

Above:  Gabriel Saez, equine paparazzi.

Above:  Rick Porter (left) with Larry, Cindy and Havre de Grace.

Above/below:  Havre de Grace after her Woodward victory and, below, with Corey York and Larry Jones before the Breeders' Cup.  How wonderful it is that Larry can even smile during such a tense time!  

Above: Havre de Grace and Flat Out, 2011 Woodward at Saratoga.

Above:  Defeating champion-to-be Royal Delta in the G1 Beldame.

Above and below:  Couldn't resist including these - Havre de Grace becoming airborne in 2010.  Go, baby, go!

Above/below:  Larry Jones up, above, and with Ramon aboard, below.

Above:  Regular pilot Ramon Dominguez gives his filly an appreciative pat.  They both earned Eclipse Awards in 2011.

Above:  Love the orange bucket!

Above/below:  The Woodward at Saratoga and, below, the Beldame at Belmont Park.  Ramon Dominguez up.

Above:  Larry Jones wore an EquiSight jockey cam on occasion, including during Breeders' Cup week.  At the bottom of page is a link to the recording.

Above/below:  Cindy Jones with Havre de Grace, above, and owner Rick Porter offers the filly a treat, below.

Above:  Corey York, left, and Larry Jones.

Above:  Rick Porter with his champion filly.

Cindy and Larry Jones and Havre de Grace, Breeders' Cup week.

Above:  Larry Jones and Havre de Grace after their popular Woodward victory.

Above/below:  The morning after the Breeders' Cup, Cindy and Larry Jones spent time with their beloved filly.  

Here's to a wonderful 2012 for Havre de Grace and her entire team!

Havre de Grace's Woodward: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yfP1GmvZxZo

Havre de Grace and Larry Jones, EquiSight jockey cam, Breeders' Cup week: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZiXtm8pdtTs

Havre de Grace's complete past performances: http://www.equibase.com/premium/eqbHorseInfo.cfm?refno=8069196&registry=T

Erin More than 1 year ago
There are three facebook pages I visit each day. HDG, Zenyatta who is expecting soon, and her half-sister Eblouissante who is in training with John Shirreffs and is to have her debut race early Spring. So pleased the media is spotlighting our fabulous girls. 2012 is already showing much to be excited about.
Nic More than 1 year ago
She seems to look so much like her magnificent sire (and my most favorite horse), any future plans for a blog entry comparing the two? [ please! :o) ]
laura More than 1 year ago
Barbara, What a lovely mare! She is so worthy of the honor, her connections as well! You have to like Larry Jones and that smile! I'm happy for both of them. The orange bucket makes me smile too! Your photos are wonderful! ........ No rush but I too would be interested in seeing the Easy Goer gallery, when time allows. Take care.
ripfinch More than 1 year ago
Just Loving these photos! Best day at Saratoga was tagging along and waiting for her van to arrive. She was royal coming off that trailer,,,such a magic moment watching HDG and Larry assessing the track and seeing the bond between them. Thanks so much for the memories, and the day!
Elaine Kucharski More than 1 year ago
Beautiful pics of my favorite girl....thanks!
Linda More than 1 year ago
Thank you for the wonderful study of Havre de Grace. What a shame her sire had such a short life. Looking forward to 2012.
Frank More than 1 year ago
Great Pictures. But one is missing -- haha. I would to see one of her fighting it out with her greatest competition during the year -- Blind Luck (another great filly). I thought even though Havre de Grace didnt win the Del Cap -- It was the best race of the year. Her and Blind Luck battling it out down the stretch -- that day the fans were the big winners we got to see a classic memorable race.
Deborah Grondin More than 1 year ago
I can look at her all day Barbara. Thank you for sharing these gorgeous pictures.
jean More than 1 year ago
Stunning subject and photography! I especially love the images of Larry and Havre de Grace; a beautiful mare and a wonderful, gracious trainer. Well deserved Horse Of The Year, she captured our imaginations and helped rekindle the love of racing.
Janice More than 1 year ago
Lovely tribute to a lovely, talented filly and team! Thanks for all the wonderful pictures and memories!