Hastings: Herbie D wins big at British Columbia awards dinner

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Herbie D was named Horse of the Year in British Columbia at the 2013 Thoroughbred awards dinner held by the Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society’s British Columbia division at the Newlands Golf & Country Club.

Owners George Robbins and Darcia Doman made multiple trips to the podium to pick up awards for Herbie D, who also was named British Columbia-bred Horse of the Year, champion older male in both the open and British Columbia-bred divisions, and champion sprinter.

“This is one of those nights that happen once in a lifetime” Robbins said on his final trip to the podium.

Trained by Rob Gilker and ridden by Amadeo Perez, Herbie D won four of his five starts in 2013, including a score in the Grade 3 Longacres Mile at Emerald Downs. He also was voted the horse of the meeting and top older horse at Emerald.

At Hastings, he used his excellent speed to win the John Longden 6000 going 6 1/2 furlongs and the 1 1/16-mile Lieutenant Governors’ Handicap.

British Columbia Derby winner Title Contender won the award for the top 3-year-old. Owned by Peter Redekop and trained by Anita Bolton, Title Contender finished second in the Grade 3 Premiers in his only other start at Hastings.

Go for Guinness, trained by Dave Forster, was named champion 3-year-old British Columbia-bred. Go for Guinness is owned and bred by George Gilbert.

Tempered Steel was voted champion 3-year-old filly in both the open and British Columbia-bred divisions. Bought as a yearling for $500, Tempered Steel increased her earnings to $158,145 when she won the $100,000 British Columbia Oaks. She is owned by Nite n Day Management and Joanne Todd. The daughter of Tempered Appeal is trained by Todd’s husband, Brian O’Connell. She was bred by Tod Mountain Thoroughbreds.

Other winners: Madeira Park, older filly or mare open division; Dance the Wind, British Columbia-bred older filly or mare; Neverabettercause, 2-year-old colt or gelding, both divisions; Architecture, 2-year-old filly, both divisions; Cry Cry Cry, claimer of the year over $15,000; Yes He’s Trouble, claimer of the year under $15,000; Finality, champion sire; Cause to Believe, 2-year-old sire; Chilli Chines, broodmare; Tod Mountain Thoroughbreds, leading breeder.

The Diamond Award of Excellence went to Robbins and trainer Rosann Anderson. Trainer Larry Fielding received the backstretch award from the Horsemen’s Benevolence & Protective Association.

Redekop and breeder Canyon Farms (Wally and Terry Leong) were inducted into the British Columbia Horse Racing Hall of Fame.

Lynn White received the Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society’s ambassador award. The CTHS also honored Ed and Gladys Dittloff and Karen Dittloff and Mr. and Mrs. Robert W. Hall for 50 years of consecutive membership in the CTHS.