Tall Oaks wins a pair of 2021 Sovereign Awards

The 2021 season at the 47th Annual Sovereign Awards, hosted by The Jockey Club of Canada on April 14 just outside of Toronto, were a very special night for Tall Oaks owner Ivan Dalos, who was the recipient of the E. P. Taylor Award of Merit.

Tall Oaks’ Avie’s Empire was named the Outstanding Broodmare, giving the farm its second trophy of the evening.

The Jockey Club of Canada’s Stewards note that the E. P. Taylor Award is a lifetime achievement award honouring those who have made significant contributions to the Thoroughbred Industry in Canada and accomplished outstanding individual achievements in Canadian thoroughbred racing and breeding.

Dalos has been involved in the Canadian racing industry for 45 years and has won more than a dozen Sovereign awards and has bred champions Channel Maker and Victory Gallop. Tall Oaks currently has more than three dozen broodmares and three stallions in Canada.

“I started Tall Oaks for my family,” said Ivan of his wife Irene and three daughters. “I try to breed every horse to the best of my ability.”

Avie’s Empire, whose dam Fly for Avie won the E. P. Taylor S. (G1), has produced 2018 2-year-old champion Avie’s Flatter, who won the Nearctic S. (G2) and Connaught Cup S. (G2) in 2021, as well as stakes winner Avie’s Mineshaft and graded stakes-placed Avie’s Mesa.