Fan-favourite Mighty Heart was named Canadian Horse of the Year April 14 during the 47th Annual Sovereign Awards ceremony, the second consecutive year he has been awarded the prize. Larry Cordes' popular one-eyed horse brought home the hardware for champion main track male as well Thursday evening.
"I've been in this business 45 years. It took 40 years of many ups and many, many downs, but five years ago, maybe six years ago, I won the Valedictorian with Turkish," Cordes said. "Exciting? Absolutely. And then comes along Mighty Heart. And in two years, he's won four Sovereign Awards: 3-year-old champion (male) and Horse of the Year in 2020, and today, older horse on dirt and Horse of the Year again. I can't expect any more of him, yet he's the type of horse that wants to run. He loves to run.
"We as people… can learn a lot from our fellow four-legged friends. Mighty Heart, despite his handicap, has prevailed."
The evening ceremony began with awards issued to Will Wong for outstanding photograph, Hayley Morrison for outstanding writing, and Woodbine Entertainment for outstanding audio visual/digital broadcast. Denzil Fonseca was honored as outstanding groom, and owner/breeder Ivan Dalos received the E. P. Taylor Award of Merit.
Among equines, Mrs. Barbara was voted as champion 2-year-old filly, God of Love as champion 2-year-old male, Munnyfor Ro as champion 3-year-old filly, and Frosted Over as champion 3-year-old male.
Avie's Empire took home the award as outstanding broodmare, while Sam-Son Farm was honored as outstanding breeder.
Champion female sprinter went to Amalfi Coast , while Pink Lloyd secured the prize as male sprinter.
