36th Annual Darley Awards Crowns Eleven Champions for 2022

The 36th Annual Darley Awards was hosted last Friday evening at Sam Houston Race Park and saw eleven individuals donned with Darley Champion titles:

Kicking off the evening was a pair of full siblings to take the 3 Year Old Titles. The then-unbeaten Diamond Gem AA took the award for Colt/Gelding category, while his full sister, Pearls Spirit AA, claimed the filly category. It was an apt beginning to the awards, as the familiar AA acronym – standing for Joe & Betty Gillis' Allegro Arabians – would win several categories later that evening.

Next came the colt/gelding and filly categories for 4 Year Olds. Four Hundred Proof AA took the male category, while West-Coast mare, Dreamm – daughter of Darley Champion Dream Pearl+/ – was named Darley Champion 4 Year Old Filly for owners/breeders Terri Eaton and Cory Soltau.

The winner of the 2022 Texas Stallion Stakes (G3), Like Moulin Rouge, bred and owned by Ken & Valerie Danyluk, was named Darley Older Horse of the Year. Uptown Lady Arabella, bred and owned by Jon & Krista Henningsgard of Uptown Arabians, took the title for Darley Older Mare of the Year.

As the winner of 3 of the six horse categories, it came as no surprise that Joe & Betty Gillis took to the stage for both Darley Breeder of the Year and Darley Owner of the Year. With a staggering 40% win rate and $244,429 in winnings, both titles were well deserved.

Veteran trainer, Jerenesto Torrez, took home Darley Trainer of the Year, while Anardis Rodriguez was named Jockey of the Year.

The awards concluded with evening's crowning moment: Awarding the prestigious title of Darley Horse of the Year. And once more, the Gillis' found themselves approaching the podium as their star 3-year-old, Diamond Gem AA, was called as the winner.

It was an evening full of memories, cheers, and joys fulfilled. Additionally, the Arabian Racing Cup Stallion Auction raised over $12,000. Many thanks to host Greg Thompson, the staff at Sam Houston Race Park, and everyone who attended! It was a pleasure for TABA to once again be the headliner sponsor for this memorable annual event honoring the best in USA Arabian racing.