Harness: Hannelore Hanover named Canada's Horse of the Year

Hannelore Hanover was voted Canada's top Standardbred for 2017, taking home the newly re-christened Somebeachsomewhere Horse of the Year Award during Saturday night's O'Brien Awards ceremony.

The 6-year-old daughter of Swan For All, who also won the O'Brien Award for top older trotting mare for the second straight year, defeated Ariana G in the final vote. In 2017 Hannelore Hanover claimed races like the Breeders Crown, Maple Leaf Trot, and Allerage Farms. The last event she won in 1:49 2/5 at The Red Mile, the second-fastest mile ever trotted in the history of the sport. She is trained by Ron Burke for the ownership group of Burke Racing Stable LLC., Weaver Bruscemi LLC., Frank Baldachino, and J And T Silva Stables LLC.

"Hopefully she shows as good as she showed last year this year going forward," said co-owner Jerry Silva. "Winning the races up in Canada with Hannelore was fantastic. Everybody treats us so well up here, and we thank everybody."

Ariana G, who won the O'Brien Award for best 2-year-old trotting filly in 2016, won again this year in the 3-year-old trotting filly category. The winner of the Hambletonian Oaks, Breeders Crown, and Elegantimage, Ariana G is trained by Jimmy Takter for owners/breeders Al Libfeld and Marvin Katz, who scored their third straight Armstrong Breeder of the Year trophy during the ceremony. Ariana G, by Cantab Hall, has won 21 times in 26 career starts.

For the fifth straight year, Richard Moreau won the O'Brien Award as Trainer of the Year. In addition to his own victory, his charge Sandbetweenurtoes took the O'Brien Award for top older pacing mare.

"I'd like to thank my staff," the reserved-as-usual Moreau said.

Doug McNair, who won his first Breeders Crown with O'Brien Award winner Stay Hungry (2-year-old pacing colt) and the Fan Hanover with Bettor's Up (O'Brien Award winner for top 3-year-old pacing filly), also took home his first O'Brien as Canada's Driver of the Year.

"I'd like to thank my dad, Brad Grant, and all the other trainers and owners. Also without the horses I wouldn't be here," said McNair.

The rest of the winners were:

Older Trotting Horse
Odds On Amethyst

Older Pacing Horse
Sintra

3-Year-Old Pacing Colt
Classic Pro

3-Year-Old Trotting Colt
International Moni

2-Year-Old Trotting Colt
Alarm Detector

2-Year-Old Trotting Filly
Kadabra Queen

2-Year-Old Pacing Filly
Percy Bluechip

O'Brien Award of Horsemanship
Marc Campbell

Rising Star Award
Brett MacDonald

Outstanding Written Work
Dave Briggs

Outstanding Broadcast
Woodbine Entertainment Group

Outstanding Photography
Kyle Burton

Outstanding Groom Award
Chantel Gillis