Page 6 - January 2005 The Game

6 The Game, January 2005 Your Thoroughbred Racing Community Newspaper
Jake Wylie missed, not forgotten.
By Elena Fenech
“Life is pleasant. Death is peaceful. It’s the transition that is troublesome.” - Isaac Asimov (1920-1992)
John Thomas Wylie was better known at Woodbine race track as Jake. On December 2, 2004, he walked into the hospital to have a blood test when he suddenly suf- fered a heart attack. It was his third heart attack in the past four years and sadly he wasn’t able to recover from this one.
As a young man Jake was the number one NHL Draft Pick for all of Canada and earned a scholarship to attend Boston University. He played one season in the NHL for the Boston Bruins before taking advantage of an opportu- nity to play hockey in Russia. After a year he began coaching hockey in Switzerland before returning to Canada and getting into the horseracing business.
He worked on the backstretch at Woodbine for a num-
ber of years and was most recently an assistant trainer Abraham Katryan for the last five years. Although Jake was a rather reserved person who liked to keep to himself, he had many friends at the barn and the crew was sad- dened by his passing. For them they didn’t just lose a fel- low employee, they lost a friend, “As for me I lost a good friend and an employee.” said Abraham Katryan. Everyone in the barn expressed the same sentiment.
Over the years Jake groomed several good horses, one of his favourites was Vice N Friendly a claimer that moved up and developed to become a Stakes horse defeat- ing the likes of One Way Love and Deputy Inxs.
Abraham recalls how Jake worked alone with the horse and spent endless hours taking care of him. Around the barn Jake would always volunteer his assistance whenev- er needed. If a horse was ill and needed care throughout the night Jake would always be there regardless of who
the groom was.
His love for the horses was
paramount and money was irrelevant to Jake. He fol- lowed his passion choosing happiness over wealth.
The crew at the barn talk fondly of Jake saying that, his spirit is still there, lingering where he loved to be.
Jake was a private person who valued the privacy of his family. He would talk about anything else around the barn except for his family affairs. He made friends easily and was very well liked. Everybody at the barn always felt comfortable and at ease around him.
In his life Jake touched many people and horses alike. His two children Jeff and Bianca will miss him as well as everyone else who knew him for the great person he was.
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Did You Know.....
That six year old Canadian Champion, Ginger Gold, has been retired to the breeding shed. Bred and owned by Mel Lawson, and trained by Sid Attard, the 2002 Woodbine Oaks winner retired with career earnings of more than $1 million after 7 wins and 15 in-the-money finishes in 25 starts.
The Ontario-bred by Golden Gear won the 2001 Sovereign Award in the 2-year-old filly division and was a finalist the following season in her three-year-old campaign.
The 81-year old Lawson has plans to breed Ginger Gold to Pulpit at Claiborne Farm and will foal in Canada at Curraghmore Farm. Mr. Lawson will keep both the mare and foal.