The Jockey Club of Canada is proud to announce a new category honoring an Outstanding Groom, proudly sponsored by OLG. This Award will be presented at the 42nd Annual Sovereign Awards on Thursday, April 13, 2017 at the Palais Royale, located in Toronto.

Dexter Brathwaite was nominated by his current Employer Barbara Minshall for whom he has worked for since 2004. “Dexter is the most competent, reliable and first class groom anyone could wish for. He has true compassion for his horses and treats them all like stars.” statement from Barbara Minshall.

Nominees for this award were submitted by Trainers and/or Assistant Trainers, from Northlands Park, Hastings Racecourse and Woodbine Racetrack and further accompanied by a short resume of the Groom in which they nominated for further consideration of this award.

This may have been have been the most difficult decision for The Jockey Club of Canada Stewards to make, as all the Grooms deserve recognition for all the time and effort dedicated to their equine athletes.

This year’s event will now be held on Thursday night to be more accommodating allowing everyone to come out and have fun prior to the of the start of Thoroughbred racing in Canada with Woodbine Racetrack’s 2017 Thoroughbred season set to begin on the Saturday , April 15, 2017 at 1:00 pm (EST).

Tickets to the 42nd Annual Sovereign Awards Ceremony are $250 each and tables of 10 are slightly discounted at $2400. Please note there is an Early Bird discount on ticket purchasing available until March 15, 2017. Tickets can be purchased for $200 each and Tables of 10 would be $2000. All tickets are plus applicable taxes and must be reserved in advance by contacting The Jockey Club of Canada at 416-675-7756 or email: jockeyclub@bellnet.ca

The Jockey Club of Canada was founded in 1973 by E.P. Taylor to serve as the international representative of the Canadian Thoroughbred industry. The mission of The Jockey Club of Canada is to promote and maintain a high standard for Thoroughbred racing and breeding in Canada at a level which is recognized internationally for the benefit of all those interested in the sport including the general public by operations and services such as, but not limited to: evaluating all Graded, Listed and Black-type races in Canada annually; conducting the annual Sovereign Awards for outstanding achievement in Thoroughbred racing and breeding in Canada; maintaining a field office in Canada for the Jockey Club of the United States and the Jockey Club Registry Service; and by representing Canada as a Member of the IFHA.