Breeders Crown Charity Challenge Returns

July 11, 2022

The Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society was honoured to be the winner of the inaugural Breeders Crown Charity Challenge in 2019 thanks to so much engagement from our supporters.

Since that time the event has raised over $800,000 for charities close to the Breeders Crown host track that given year. Today Woodbine Entertainment, the Hambletonian Society and the Breeders Crown presenting sponsor the Libfeld-Katz Breeding Partnership announced details of the 2022 challenge when the Breeders Crown returns to Mohawk.

The 2022 version will see four teams made up of a prominent owner, their charity of choice and a top WEG driver vying to secure the highest donation amount possible from a minimum pool of $200,000.

This year’s teams are as follows:

 

Owner/Driver                                                                 Charity

Brad Grant/Doug McNair                                Milton District Hospital Foundation

Determination Stable/Bob McClure             Kids Help Phone Line

Steve Heimbecker/James MacDonald        Pine River Institute

Libfeld/Katz/Louis-Philippe Roy                     Toronto General Hospital Health Research Centre

 

Each team has pledged $25,000 which guarantees their charity a minimum donation of that amount. An addition $100,000 has been raised through gracious donations by industry participants. With a minimum $25,000 guaranteed to each charity, the addition funds will be up for grabs through a Driver and Social Media Challenges.

 

The Driver Challenge will distribute $50,000 to the charities based on each driver’s performance in the Ontario Sires Stakes Lampman Cup (top driver) standings. The team with the driver earning the most points in the OSS season will be awarded $20,000. The remaining $30,000 will be distributed $15,000, $10,000 and $5,000 based on the remaining drivers’ rankings.

 

The social media challenge starts September 1 and will distribute $50,000 to the charities based on each team’s social media engagement. The team creating the most engagement by using #Crown22 and a team hashtag will earn $20,000. The remaining $30,000 will be distributed as in the drivers’ challenge.

 

In addition, the Lexington Select Yearling Sale will feature the popular Cocktails For A Cause which will also raise funds for charity.

 

The 2022 Breeders Crown, presented by the Libfeld-Katz Breeding Partnership, will take place on Friday, October 28 and Saturday, October 29 at Mohawk.

 

The 2022 Charity Challenge would not be possible without the generous support of the following:

 

Al Libfeld

Marvin Katz

Determination Stable

Brad Grant

Steve Heimbecker

Bob McClure

Doug McNair

James MacDonald

Louis-Philippe Roy

Alagna Racing

Bettors Delight Syndicate (Blue Chip Farms)

Hanover Shoe Farms

Hunterton/Southwind Farms

Muscle Mass – Bob Brady

Seelster Farms

Tara Hills Stud

Winbak Farm

Carmen Auciello

John Bax

Cameo Hills Farm

Richard Moreau

Eager Emilleah

July 8, 2026
“She’s a very social, happy-go-lucky girl,” is how Susan Mollica describes Emilleah, a four-year-old daughter of Dancin Lou who is currently being retrained for her second career. Emilleah is the latest OSAS horse featured in WEG’s OSAS Pathways which may be read through the link below. https://woodbine.com/mohawk/mohawk-insider/osas-pathways-emilleah/

A Wonderful Second Career

June 29, 2026
“For us, Ares is proof that retirement doesn’t have to mean the end of a horse’s story. Sometimes, it simply means finding the career they were always meant to have,” notes Jessica Abbott regarding her OSAS graduate Isnt He An Angel. The 10 year-old former trotter is enjoying his best life as described by WEG’s Matthew Loman in his latest installment of OSAS pathways which may be read below. OSAS Pathways: Isnt He An Angel - Woodbine Mohawk Park

OSAS Turns 30

June 9, 2026
The Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society is proud to be celebrating our 30 th anniversary in 2026. Over those three decades we have fostered second careers and found forever homes for hundreds of pacers and trotters. A main component of OSAS’s mandate is to showcase the versatility of the Standardbred horse, a goal which has been reached with so many graduates enjoying second careers as riding horses. Some disciplines include trail or distance riding, dressage, pleasure, etc. One of our graduates, Masseno, is currently a member of the Canadian Cowgirls Precision Drill team. To celebrate this milestone, we have launched our “30 Years, 30 Stories” campaign which will feature horses and people who have contributed to OSAS’s success and will be released throughout the year. These can be read and viewed on our website osas.ca and on our Facebook page. We have also commissioned a limited series of t-shirts featuring the incredibly talented Beau Jangles, one of the best Ontario-bred pacers of all time. These will be available for sale throughout the year at various racetracks and online. To everyone who has supported OSAS, our horses and our volunteers, a very sincere thank you. We look forward to finding forever homes for our wonderful breed for many years to come. Donations at osas.ca are always appreciated.

Spotlight On James Arthur

June 9, 2026
The star of the most recent OSAS Pathways by Matthew Loman is James Arthur who will be heading to his forever home this week. To read the full story please click OSAS Pathways: James Arthur - Woodbine Mohawk Park

Positive Finish For Bettor Notbitter

May 8, 2026
“I would like to thank driver Phil Hudon, Mohawk’s starting gate crew and track maintenance team, OSAS’ financial support, the veterinarians, blacksmiths, caregivers, and, in particular, Joanne Colville, for not giving up on Bettor Notbitter. He deserved the effort,” notes Dr. Julie Ballinger. Her comments are part of the latest installment of OSAS pathways written by Matthew Loman and featuring iron horse Bettor Notbitter who is now enjoying a wonderful retirement after a journeyman career with a scary conclusion. To read the full story please click below. OSAS Pathways: Bettor Notbitter - Woodbine Mohawk Park

Wheels Enjoying Life

April 27, 2026
Wheels On Fire, a prolific race horse who hails from pacing royalty, is the latest horse profiled in OSAS Pathways by WEG’s Matthew Loman. A winner of over $1 million during his racing career, Wheels is enjoying his training for his second career as a riding horse. The full story may be read: OSAS Pathways: Wheels On Fire - Woodbine Mohawk Park

KJ Owen Enjoying Retirement

March 23, 2026
After a 10 year racing career which saw him face the gate close to 300 times, KJ Owen is now learning the ropes as a riding horse. His lessons are going well, although he did take his trainer, Bert Mollica, for an unexpected ride in the early going. Matthew Loman profiles the 12 year-old gelding in the latest OSAS Pathways which may be read here.

Nutzz N Boltzz And Reven Up Featured

March 12, 2026
“Having ridden and owned a variety of horses over the last 35 years, the Standardbreds are the most honest ones out there. They are so loyal, smart, safe and sound, they don’t have many bad or off days it seems. So, for that I will forever be grateful,” notes Fran Brethour when speaking of her OSAS graduates Nutzz N Boltzz and Reven Up. Fran praises her Standardbreds in the latest OSAS Pathways feature by Matthew Loman which may be read through the link below. https://woodbine.com/mohawk/mohawk-insider/osas-pathways-nutzz-n-boltzz-reven-up/ 

KJ Owen Joins OSAS

March 6, 2026
OSAS is pleased to welcome the iron tough KJ Owen to their roster. A 12 year-old gelding by Roll With Joe, KJ Owen faced the gate an incredible 297 time over his 10 year career. He recorded his 50 th lifetime win in April of last year at Flamboro with Austin Sorrie at the controls. Upon his retirement in January of this year he sported a summary of 52-41-38 for $311,000 banked. The first foal of Winsmith Jess, KJ Owen raced primarily in the US at various racetracks. His first Canadian start was in January of 2025 at Mohawk. He has two brothers with earnings over $200,000 – KJ Hunter and KJ Leo both of whom are still racing at Monticello Raceway. Owen is now at Susan and Bert Mollica’s foster farm where he will be trained for his second career.

Second Career For Steel Reserve

February 28, 2026
“I’ve never seen a horse with the emotions he’s shown. When he first arrived, my husband and I were both like, ‘We don’t know what to do.’ We had never seen a horse cry before but there were literal tears in his eyes,” said Susan Mollica of OSAS graduate Steel Reserve. Bert Mollica used a different training technique with the warhorse whose second career will be somewhat unique. His story is profiled in the latest installment of OSAS Pathways by Matthew Loman and may be read here.
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