Giant Oak Voted 2011 Illinois HOY

• Email
• Print
• Tweet

Photo: Courtesy Fair Grounds/Alexander Barkoff

Giant Oak
Order This Photo

Multiple grade I winner Giant Oak   has been named the Illinois Horse of the Year and champion older handicap male for 2011. A son of Giant's Causeway   bred and owned by Virginia H. Tarra Trust, Giant Oak was retired to Ro Parra’s Millennium Farms following last season.

Giant Oak had a career record of 5-5-6 from 31 starts with earnings of $1,484,829. His victories included the Clark Handicap and Donn Handicap, both grade I. In his four-year career, Giant Oak won on dirt, turf, and synthetic, and either won or placed in 12 graded events, including the Breeders’ Cup Marathon (gr. II) at Churchill Downs in his last start.

Other divisional award winners, which were voted on by members of the state’s racing media and racing secretaries and announced Feb. 13 by the Illinois Thoroughbred Breeders and Owners Foundation, were:

Champion 2-Year-Old Male: Banner Bill
Breeder: Ron Magers & Robert Marcocchio
Owner: R Plus Partners

Champion 2-Year-Old Filly: Class Break
Breeder: Renee & Wayne Catalano Racing Stable
Owner: Shelbi Catalano

Champion 3-Year-Old Colt or Gelding, Champion Male Turf Horse: Suntracer
Breeder and Owner: Team Block

Champion 3-Year-Old Filly, Champion Female Sprint Horse: Third Chance
Breeder: Ron Magers
Owner: Ron Magers, Roe Conn, Bob Marcocchio & Russell Scurto

Champion Older Handicap Female, Champion Female Turf Horse: Peyote PattyBreeder: Barr Three
Owner: Timothy J. Keeley

Champion Male Sprint Horse: River BearBreeder and Owner: DanaWaier Thoroughbreds

• Email
• Print
• Tweet