Michigan Harness Horsemen's Association

Home
Awards
Award Criteria & Nominations

MHHA Awards

GENERAL AWARDS SELECTION & ELIGIBILITY

Unless otherwise specified in an individual award’s criteria, nominations submitted by MHHA members are reviewed and evaluated by the MHHA Awards Committee. The committee is comprised of Hall of Fame members and past Dan Rathka Award winners. The Committee evaluates all eligible nominees according to the established criteria for each award and forwards its selections to the MHHA Board of Directors for final approval.

Membership Eligibility: For awards requiring MHHA membership, the individual must be an MHHA member in good standing at the time of selection unless otherwise specified.

Statistical Awards: Awards determined by established statistical rankings will be presented annually when an eligible recipient meets the criteria, subject to eligibility verification and final Board approval.

Statistical Ties: In the event of a tie in the ranking used to determine a statistical award, the Awards Committee will select the recipient, subject to final Board approval.

Discretionary Awards: Awards based on nominations, achievements, service, or other qualitative considerations need not be presented annually if no candidate sufficiently meets the criteria.

Conflicts of Interest: Committee members must disclose potential conflicts and abstain from voting when they, an immediate family member, or an individual or horse with whom they have a direct ownership or professional relationship is under consideration.

AWARDS CRITERIA

APPRECIATION OR SERVICE AWARD:

The Appreciation or Service Award recognizes an individual or horse whose contributions, accomplishments, dedication, or service have made a significant and positive impact on the harness racing industry in Michigan or at the national level.

Eligible recipients may include, but are not limited to, owners, breeders, trainers, drivers, veterinarians, race officials, elected officials, track management, members of the media, and other industry supporters.

MHHA membership is not required. Consideration will be given to the significance, duration, and overall impact of the recipient's contributions, service, or support of the harness racing industry.

Selection: Discretionary; nominated by MHHA members and evaluated by the Awards Committee, subject to final Board approval.

BREEDERS AWARD:

The Breeders Award recognizes outstanding achievement by a breeder whose breeding program has contributed to the success of Michigan harness racing.

Candidates will be selected from the top five breeders based on earnings at Michigan tracks during the current calendar year.

The breeder must be an MHHA member in good standing. In selecting the recipient, the Awards Committee may consider Michigan earnings, racing performance of colts, stakes accomplishments, and overall contribution to Michigan harness racing.

Selection: The Awards Committee selects the recipient from the top five eligible breeders, subject to final Board approval.

CARETAKER OF THE YEAR AWARD:

The Caretaker of the Year Award recognizes an outstanding groom or caretaker employed by an MHHA member in Michigan who demonstrates exceptional dedication to the care and well-being of Standardbred racehorses.

MHHA membership is not required. Consideration may include horsemanship, professionalism, reliability, dedication, horse welfare, and the individual's contribution to the success of a stable, trainer, or horses under their care.

Selection: Discretionary; nominated by MHHA members and evaluated by the Awards Committee, subject to final Board approval.

DRIVER OF THE YEAR AWARD:

The Driver of the Year Award recognizes outstanding driving performance at Michigan tracks during the current racing season.

The award will be presented to the eligible driver with the highest total purse earnings at Michigan tracks through October 1, with a minimum of 25 starts at Michigan tracks during the current racing season.

To be eligible, the driver must be an MHHA member in good standing and have no major suspensions or positive drug tests during the current year.

Selection: The highest-ranked eligible driver receives the award, subject to eligibility verification and final Board approval. The Awards Committee resolves ties.

TRAINER OF THE YEAR AWARD:

The Trainer of the Year Award recognizes outstanding training performance at Michigan tracks during the current racing season.

The award will be presented to the eligible trainer with the highest total purse earnings at Michigan tracks through October 1, with a minimum of 40 starts at Michigan tracks during the current racing season.

To be eligible, the trainer must be an MHHA member in good standing and have no major suspensions or positive drug tests involving the trainer or horses under their care during the current year.

Selection: The highest-ranked eligible trainer receives the award, subject to eligibility verification and final Board approval. The Awards Committee resolves ties.

OWNER(S) OF THE YEAR AWARD:

The Owner(s) of the Year Award recognizes outstanding achievement and contribution by an owner or ownership group participating in Michigan harness racing during the current race season.

Candidates will be selected from the top ten owners based on earnings at Michigan tracks during the current season.

For an individual owner, the owner must be an MHHA member in good standing. For a partnership or ownership group, all individuals with an ownership interest greater than 5% must be MHHA members in good standing.

In addition to earnings at Michigan tracks, the Awards Committee may consider racing success, participation in Michigan racing, support of the industry, and overall contribution to Michigan harness racing.

Selection: The Awards Committee selects the recipient from the top ten eligible owners or ownership groups, subject to final Board approval.

RISING STAR OF THE YEAR AWARD:

The Rising Star of the Year Award recognizes an emerging driver, trainer, horseman or horsewoman who has demonstrated exceptional achievement and significant promise within the harness racing industry during the current racing season.

Accomplishments may occur in Michigan or at the national level. Eligible nominees must be in good standing with the applicable racing regulatory authority and have no major suspension or positive drug test during the current year.

Consideration may include racing accomplishments, professional growth, industry involvement, and the positive recognition the individual has brought to Michigan harness racing.

Selection: Discretionary and not necessarily presented annually; evaluated by the Awards Committee, subject to final Board approval.

HEADLINER OF THE YEAR AWARD:

The Headliner of the Year Award recognizes a horse or person demonstrating outstanding performance and achievement during the current racing season and bringing positive recognition to Michigan harness racing.

Accomplishments may occur in Michigan or at the national level. Consideration may include racing performance, stakes victories, earnings, records, major accomplishments, and the recognition the horse or person has brought to Michigan harness racing.

Selection: Discretionary and not necessarily presented annually; nominated by MHHA members and evaluated by the Awards Committee, subject to final Board approval.

AGED PACER OF THE YEAR AWARD:

The Aged Pacer of the Year Award recognizes outstanding performance by a pacing horse four years of age or older competing at Michigan pari-mutuel tracks during the current racing season.

To be eligible, the horse must:

Be four years of age or older;
Be owned, in whole or in part, by an MHHA member and/or trained by an MHHA member;
no positive drug tests during the current year.

The award will be based on Michigan pari-mutuel purse earnings through October 1, with the eligible aged pacer earning the highest qualifying amount receiving the award.

Selection: The eligible horse with the highest Michigan pari-mutuel purse earnings through October 1 receives the award, subject to eligibility verification and final Board approval. The Awards Committee resolves ties.

AGED TROTTER OF THE YEAR AWARD:

The Aged Trotter of the Year Award recognizes outstanding performance by a trotting horse four years of age or older competing at Michigan pari-mutuel tracks during the current race season.

To be eligible, the horse must:

Be four years of age or older;
Be owned, in whole or in part, by an MHHA member and/or trained by an MHHA member;
no positive drug tests during the current year.

The award will be based on Michigan pari-mutuel purse earnings through October 1, with the eligible aged trotter earning the highest qualifying amount receiving the award.

LIFE TIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD:

The Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes an individual whose body of work demonstrates exceptional achievement, leadership, service, or lasting influence within the Michigan harness racing industry.

The award recognizes significant contributions made throughout an individual's career rather than accomplishments from a single racing season.

Past and current contributions may be considered. MHHA membership is not required.

Selection: Discretionary and not necessarily presented annually; nominated by MHHA members and evaluated by the Awards Committee, subject to final Board approval.

MICHIGAN HARNESS RACING HALL OF FAME - PERSON:

The Michigan Harness Racing Hall of Fame – Person recognizes an individual whose achievements, leadership, service, or influence have significantly enhanced the stature of Michigan harness racing at the state, national, or international level.

The individual must have been a Michigan resident for a minimum of ten years and may be living or deceased.

Up to four individuals may be inducted in a selection year, with no more than two inductees selected from the driver/trainer category.

Selection: Discretionary; nominated by MHHA members and evaluated by the Awards Committee, subject to final Board approval.

MICHIGAN HARNESS RACING HALL OF FAME - HORSE:

The Michigan Harness Racing Hall of Fame – Horse recognizes an exceptional Standardbred whose racing accomplishments, breeding influence, or overall impact have brought distinction to Michigan harness racing.

To be eligible, the horse must be Michigan-sired, Michigan-bred, or have been owned by a Michigan resident during its racing career. The horse may be living or deceased.

Consideration may include racing performance, stakes accomplishments, records, earnings, breeding accomplishments, influence of offspring, and overall impact on Michigan harness racing.

More than one category may be recognized, including racehorse, stallion, and mare.

Selection: Discretionary; nominated by MHHA members and evaluated by the Awards Committee, subject to final Board approval.

DAN RATHKA AWARD:

The Dan Rathka Award/Horseman of the Year recognizes a horseman or horsewoman who has made an exceptional contribution to the harness racing industry in Michigan.

This award recognizes contributions beyond racing statistics alone. Consideration may include leadership, sportsmanship, service, industry involvement, advocacy, racing achievement, and actions that positively promote and strengthen Michigan harness racing.

Nominees should demonstrate professionalism and conduct that reflects positively on the Michigan harness racing community.

Selection: Discretionary; nominated by MHHA members and evaluated by the Awards Committee, subject to final Board approval.