Rules of Eligibility, Selection
& Distribution 2011

To be eligible to receive a Sovereign Award in these divisional categories a horse must race in Canada at least two times as a two year old and three times for all horses 3 year old and up, during the year in which the Award is earned. This rule applies to both Canadian-bred and foreign-bred horses.

2.  Daily Racing Form past performance charts are provided on the most logical eligible contenders in each divisional category based on their performance until December 31, 2011. Voters may vote for any horse whether or not a past performance chart has been included, provided the horse has made the required number of starts prior to the cutoff date.

3.  Sovereign Awards of Merit will be presented in the following categories:
Outstanding Owner in Canada
Outstanding Trainer
Outstanding Breeder
Outstanding Jockey
Outstanding Apprentice Jockey

In each category a minimum number of 10 starts in Canada must be made. Statistical profiles showing total number of starts, wins and earnings will be provided for the individuals or entities placing in the top ten based on total number of wins and total earnings to the end of the 31st day of December. The Jockey Club of Canada will strongly endeavor to provide accurate statistical information but cannot be held responsible for the accuracy of information contained within the statistical profiles. Voters may vote for any individual or entity whether or not a statistical profile has been included, provided the individual or entity has made 10 starts in Canada prior to the 31^st day of December in the current year.

4.  Statistical information or past performance charts will be available online at www.jockeyclubcanada.com for all eligible voters. Voters are free to vote for any eligible contender, whether or not a statistical profile is provided. The finalists in all categories will be determined by a point system. An independent auditing consultant will conduct an audit of the online balloting process and release the names of the three finalists in each category to the Jockey Club of Canada for announcement.

5.  The Jockey Club of Canada’s Board of Stewards will select the recipient(s) of the:

E. P.Taylor Award of Merit (formerly the Man of the Year Award)
Special Sovereign Award(s)

The announcement of the recipient(s) of these awards may be made prior to the awards ceremony. Both the E. P. Taylor Award of Merit and the Special Sovereign Award need not be presented annually.

6.  Outstanding Broodmare is a lifetime achievement award. The mare must have a Canadian-bred Stakes horse (by definition, the horse must have come 1^st, 2^nd, or 3^rd) in the current year and must also have produced a different Canadian-bred stakes horse in a previous year. Produce records on all logical contenders will be sent to voters. Voters will be free to vote for any broodmare that qualifies under the foregoing criteria, whether or not a statistical profile has been provided. Any mare that has previously been honoured with a Sovereign Award for Outstanding Broodmare is ineligible for future consideration. Click Here for a List of Broodmares Previously Honoured.

7.  The privilege of voting for the Sovereign Awards is extended to individuals serving in industry positions such as senior racing officials and racing journalists, as well as provincial representatives of the Breeding and Horsemen’s organizations. If you have ownership interests in a horse in any of the categories please do not vote in those categories.

8.  Voters must cast their ballots online at www.jockeyclubcanada.com.

9.  The names of the winners of each individual award will not be revealed until the time of presentation.  Voters selections will not be disclosed.  However, the point totals in all categories will be released following the presentation.

10.  The names and pertinent information on the three finalists in all categories will be available to the public and press no less than five days before the awards ceremony.  Such information will be included in the Sovereign Awards program distributed at the dinner.

11.  The annual Sovereign Awards presentation will be held in April at a major venue in the Toronto area unless otherwise stipulated by the Board of Stewards of the Jockey Club of Canada.

12.  For the purposes of the awards, a partnership will be considered as a single individual and the name of the partnership will be noted on any citation.  Individuals in partnerships may purchase additional trophies and gold sovereigns at a cost to be determined by the Board of Stewards of the Jockey Club of Canada.

13.  Only one Sovereign Award trophy is to be presented to an individual in his or her lifetime.  Any subsequent awards are to be noted by the addition of a gold sovereign plus a plaque for the original trophy.  Breeders will receive only a plaque.

14.  Only one gold sovereign or trophy is to be awarded in any single year for the accomplishments of a horse, individual, or partnership.  If a horse or person is named champion in more than one category this is to be noted on a plaque to be affixed to the base of the trophy.

15.  The recipient of the divisional horse awards shall be the owner of the horse at the time of the awards presentation and, if the owner is not also the breeder; the breeder listed on the Jockey Club Certificate of Registration may receive a trophy as well.

16.  The owner of the Outstanding Broodmare at the time of the awards presentation shall be the only recipient of that Award.

17.  The name of the Horse of the Year, and the name of the recipient of the E. P. Taylor Award of Merit (formerly the Man of the Year Award) will be engraved on a plaque to be permanently affixed to the base of the Sovereign Awards master trophy.  The master trophy is permanently displayed in the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto, Ontario Canada.