London, Ontario – February 21, 2026 – Western Fair District Raceway celebrated another exceptional season of harness racing on Saturday evening as horse people, owners, caretakers and supporters gathered in the Top of the Fair dining room for the annual awards ceremony, honoring the top performers of the 2025 campaign.
The evening highlighted excellence across all divisions, with standout horses and horse people recognized for their achievements throughout a memorable season in London.
The spotlight shone particularly on Ladies From Hell, who not only repeated the title of Aged Pacing Mare of the Year, but was also honored with The Raceway’s top prize as Overall Horse of the Year. The popular pace mare posted another impressive double-digit season, scoring 10 wins and earning more than $67,000 for owners Shae and Michael Sumner of London. Her consistent form and fan-favorite presence made her the clear choice for song’s top honor.
Another repeat champion, The Great Reset, claimed his title as Aged Trotting Horse of the Year. The trotting track record holder recorded 18 top-three finishes from 31 starts in 2025, raising more than $46,000 for owners Lorne House of Dutton and Chantal Ruijs of Georgian Bluffs.
On a human level, Austin Sorrie capped off his national riding title with a memorable local season. Sorrie led the country with 404 wins and a career-high $2.7 million in purse earnings – 155 of those wins coming at The Raceway, which earned him his first driving title in London.
Trainer Lindsey Kerr also celebrated a great night with two division winners to take home her first training crown in London. Kerr had a career season with 83 wins, nearly $550,000 in purse earnings and a stellar .373 UTRS – 60 of those wins were recorded locally.
This year’s Caretaker of the Year, a special award honoring the dedicated individuals who form the backbone of every racing company, saw two winners, with Matilda Shephard and James Johnston taking home the hardware. The Ruth Herbert Horsewoman of the Year award was also presented and this year it went to renowned local rider Pam Forgie.
Horse category prizes were based on the leading money winners in each division who had made a minimum of 6 starts at The Raceway during the calendar year, with the exception of the claim categories which were based on the number of wins claimed at The Raceway during the calendar year.
The full list of 2025 winners can be found below:
Prize winners 2025
Three-year-old trotting foal – Cleveland Royalty
Three-year-old trotting filly – Royal Flush magic
Old trotting horse – The great reset
Old trotting mare – April Duford
Three-year-old Pacing foal – Silver walls
Three-year-old Pacing filly – Twin B Bodacious
Old pacing horse – Prestige Seelster
Old pacing mare – Ladies from hell
Trotter claim – Oh Perfect Narutac
Claim Pacer – Letjimit takeover
Novice artist – Drink talk
Lead driver – Austin Sorry
Lead Trainer – Lindsey Kerr
Leading owner – Colonel Schneider Jr.
Caregiver of the Year – Matilda Shephard and James Johnston
Ruth Herbert Horsewoman of the Year – Pam Forge
The Raceway’s 2025 Horse of the Year – Ladies from hell
By KRW media
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