The Avelino Gomez Memorial Award is a Canadian thoroughbred horse racing honour given annually to a jockey who is Canadian-born, Canadian-raised, or a regular in the country for more than five years, who has made significant contributions to the sport. The honour is named for the late Cuban-born Canadian and American Hall of Fame jockey Avelino Gomez who died in 1980 of complications from injuries sustained in a racing accident.
Avelino Gomez Memorial Award honourees receive a replica of the life-size statue of Gomez sculpted by Siggy Puchta that stands at Woodbine Racetrack.
In 2004, Francine Villeneuve became the first female recipient of the award.
Award winners
2025 : J.P. Souter 2024 : Gunnar Lindberg 2023 : Russell Baze 2022 : Slade Callaghan 2021 : Eurico Rosa da SilvaToronto Star Accomplished rider Rosa da Silva named 2021 Avelino Gomez Memorial Award recipient 2020 : no award given 2019 : Frank Barroby 2018 : Emma-Jayne Wilson 2017 : Gary Boulanger 2016 : Gary Stahlbaum 2015 : Quincy Welch 2014 : Patrick Husbands 2013 : Mickey Walls 2012 : Steven Bahen
2011 : Emile Ramsammy 2010 : Stewart Elliott 2009 : Robert King 2008 : Jack Lauzon 2007 : George HoSang 2006 : John LeBlanc 2005 : Sam Krasner 2004 : Francine Villeneuve 2003 : Robert Landry 2002 : Richard Dos Ramos 2001 : Chris Loseth 2000 : James McKnight 1999 : David Clark 1998 : Irwin Driedger
1997 : Richard Grubb 1996 : David A. Gall 1995 : Don Seymour 1994 : no award given 1993 : Larry Attard 1992 : Robin Platts 1991 : Hugo Dittfach 1990 : Lloyd Duffy 1989 : Jeffrey Fell 1988 : Chris Rogers 1987 : Don MacBeth 1986 : Sandy Hawley 1985 : Johnny Longden 1984 : Ron Turcotte
References
External links The 2008 Avelino Gomez Memorial Award at Fort Erie Racetrack The 2009 Avelino Gomez Memorial Award at The Bloodhorse.com