Hannelore Hanover win harness Horse of the Year

Published Feb. 26, 2018 3:59 p.m. ET

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) Hannelore Hanover is harness racing's Horse of the Year.

The 6-year-old mare scored a dominant win in the balloting for the sport's highest honor. She got 95 votes cast by members of the U.S. Harness Writers Association, easily outdistancing runner-up Ariana G, who received 15 in the results announced Sunday night at the organization's annual banquet.

In addition to Horse of the Year, Hannelore Hanover also took home 2017 Dan Patch championship trophies as Trotter of the Year and best older female trotter.

Hannelore Hanover is the first trotting mare to be named Horse of the Year since Moni Maker in 1999. She won 10 of 17 races last season, earning $1.04 million for the ownership team of Burke Racing Stable, Mark Weaver, Mike Bruscemi, Frank Baldachino, and J&T Silva Stables.

Co-owner Ron Burke is the trainer; Yannick Gingras is her usual driver.