A Bit O'Gold Named Canadian Horse of Year

Two Bit Racing Stable's A Bit O'Gold, a winner of three stakes in seven starts with earnings of nearly $600,000 in 2005, was named the Sovereign Award winner as Canadian Horse of the Year Dec. 16.

The 4-year-old was also named champion older horse and champion male turf horse. The 3-year-old champion in 2004 became the first to win the Sovereign for older male since Frost King in 1981-82.

Catherine Day Phillips trains A Bit O'Gold, a son of Gold Fever who won the Dominion Day (Can-III) on the dirt and the Sky Classic (Can-II) and the Chinese Cultural Centre Stakes (Can-II) on the Woodbine turf course.

The Jockey Club of Canada announced the names of the recipients of Sovereign Awards at the Wyndham Bristol Place Hotel in Toronto.

Horse of the Year: A Bit O'Gold

Champion 2-Year-Old Filly: Knights Templar

Champion 2-Year-Old Male: Edenwold

Champion 3-Year-Old Filly: Gold Strike

Champion 3-Year-Old Male: Palladio

Champion Older Female: One for Rose

Champion Older Male Horse: A Bit O'Gold

Champion Female Turf Horse: Ambitious Cat

Champion Male Turf Horse: A Bit O'Gold

Champion Sprinter: Judiths Wild Rush

Outstanding Broodmare: Native Rights

Outstanding Breeder: Adena Springs

Outstanding Trainer :Reade Baker

Outstanding Owner: Stronach Stables

Outstanding Apprentice Jockey: Emma-Jayne Wilson

Outstanding Jockey: Todd Kabel

Outstanding Newspaper Story: Beverley Smith, "Obituary: Jerry Meyer"

Outstanding Feature Story: Peter Gross, "The Amazing Story of Jack Lauzon"

Outstanding Photograph: Dave Landry, "Emma's Classic WIn"

Outstanding Film/Video/Broadcast: CBC Radio Canada, "LIfe and Times of Northern Dancer"

E.P. Taylor Award of Merit: Michael C. Byrne