Esguerra horse owner of the year

Sportsman Hermie Esguerra was named horse owner of the year during the eighth annual Gintong Lahi Awards, local horseracing’s version of the Eclipse Awards in the United States.

Speed Advantage was also cited as the year’s top local horse and Aristeo Puyat named breeder of the year during the rites held Monday.

It was the fourth owner-of-the-year citation for Esguerra, whose victory was determined by the number of stakes races his stables won. He actually won two awards, the other for champion three-year-old filly Eurobucks.

The awards were held at the Strumms Restaurant, where the who’s who in the local horseracing world gathered for what is regarded as the "Oscars of Philippine horseracing."

Nonoy Niles, president of the sponsoring Philippine Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Organization, awarded the trophies to the winners and promised an even bigger Philtobo racing festival this year.

Esguerra came to the awards night straight from Davao, where he personally awarded Apo Golf and Country Club a trophy in recognition of former Apo bag-toter Jonel Ababa’s win in last year’s first National Caddies’ Open.

"It’s a great feeling to again be recognized as such," Esguerra, whose handsome colt Real Spicy won last year’s third leg of the Triple Crown.  "This did not come overnight, but with a lot of hard work and years of preparations."

Sharing the winner’s stage with Esguerra and Puyat, who bred Triple Crown hope Juggernaut, were Jose Fernandez as trainer of the year and Jonathan Hernandez as the year’s top rider.

Wild Orchid was recognized as last season’s top imported galloper with Dixie The Younger named champion two-year-old colt and Special Edition top two-year-old filly.

Cover Girl of C&H Enterprises was the hands-down choice as champion older filly/mare, with Empire King of David Lee named champion older horse. Leandro Naval’s Vivere was the top sprinter; with Lady Ping and Khoozam named top broodmare and stallion, respectively.