Page 11 - The Game January 2006
P. 11

Your Thoroughbred Racing Community Newspaper The Game, January 2006 11
Kirk Johnson - BetYour Dollars on him in 2006
By Pauline Block
“Next year I’m coming back to Woodbine to make a big impact. And you can hold me to it because I live up to my word.” Those are the words spoken by Kirk Johnson, an aspiring apprentice who, as he says, is looking to have people talking at Woodbine in 2006.
Kirk arrived in Toronto after the season ended at Assiniboia Downs in Winnipeg. He was exercising horses and getting a feel for the racing scene at Woodbine in anticipation of his return as an apprentice jockey for 2006.
When Kirk was nine-years-old you could find him hanging around the stable behind his home in his native Jamaica. He would help out with any chores that needed doing, just so he could be near the horses.
For three years he mucked stalls, hot walked and accepted any task requested. His big break came at the tender age of thirteen. Barely a teenager, he was assigned the responsibility of hot walker and jogger. In Jamaica a saddle is unheard of. A piece of sponge was all that sat between Kirk and the animal beneath him, a technique used to teach balance on a horse.
It can be a little painful however those who persevered learned quickly.
His passion for horses was strong and he soon lost interest in school, bringing a transistor radio with him to class, just so he’d get thrown out.
His scheme worked and he was able to get to the track and watch the races and different riding styles of the jockeys. Eventually by the age of 15 he quit school to pursue his riding career.
Kirk galloped horses at the racetrack for nine years however he got discouraged by the politics and
decided to leave the racetrack, taking a
construction job for close to 18 months.
His heart was still with the horses and in 2002 he returned to take the riding school test. Still facing many obstacles in Jamaica, Kirk started researching options abroad. Trainer Anthony Nunes put him in contact with a trainer in Canada and following his dream of becoming a jockey, Kirk arrived in
Ottawa in 2004.
He took a job galloping for trainer
Norm DeSousa at Woodbine who introduced him to Raymond Luie in Winnipeg.
The immigration laws are slightly different in Manitoba and Kirk was able to ride as an apprentice however in Ontario he must be a landed immigrant and his documents are expected to be completed in April 2006.
Kirk finished off the 2005 season galloping horses for trainer Stanley Baresich in the morning as well as at Paul Buttigieg’s farm in Cookstown in the afternoon.
Kirk says he is determined to be the best upcoming jockey at Woodbine and feels that the experience he has acquired over the years will help him obtain his goal.
During the winter months, Kirk will be returning home to Jamaica to spend time with his two sons, ages 4 and 7 and will also continue galloping horses at the local racetrack to keep in shape.
Back home, Kirk is known for his dependability and determination and they are all looking forward to his return.
Kirk and his 7 siblings were raised by a single mother who taught him not to depend on other people and to appreciate and be thankful for what he has and to continually strive to do the best he can. With his values and determination behind him, it is no wonder he is working so hard to be the next “top jockey.”
2006 Apprentice Jockey hopeful Kirk Johnson
Bartender Paul Symonds bid farewell to his patrons at the third floor Champions bar at Woodbine on his last day of work on December 11 before officially retiring from the company after 34 years.
Paul is definitely a familiar face behind the bar and he says he plans to relax for a while before looking for something to do part-time.
“I am really going to miss this place.” said the sentimental barkeep,“There have been a lot of customers which I have had for years who were just great.”
Hill ‘N’ Dale Buys 3 Young Stakes Mares
Hill ‘N’ Dale Thoroughbred Horses announced in their winter 2005 newsletter that they have purchased 3 young stakes mares to add to their broodmare band.
Roman Romance, a stakes winner of more than $500,000 will be bred to leading freshman sire, El Corredor.
Multiple stakes placed, Clubay, will be bred to Stormy Atlantic while Coastal Fortress, a stakes winner at age 2 and 3 will continue her racing career at Woodbine in 2006. She is out of a stakes placed Bold Ruckus mare and has current earnings of more than $320,000.
Bridles
Reins
Girths
Martingales
Side Reins
Lead Shanks
Stud Shanks Newmarket Shanks
Manufactures of quality tack including:
Exercise Saddles Belly Pads Jumping Boots Ankle Boots Breaking Surcingles Anti-Cast Surcingles Chambons
Halters: Foal, Weanling, Yearling, 2-Year-Old, Mare, Stallion
Custom Work, Repairs, Chaps, Nameplates, Horse Supplies, Gifts
Box 459, Nobleton, ON L0G 1N0 905-859-4052 Fax:905-939-8096 Email: info@finchamsharness.com
www.finchamsharness.com
you asked for the m  n... and we gave you the stars
2006 Fee: $5,000 Lf
PARK STUD
Michael & Laurel Byrne
RR 5, Orangeville, Ontario L9W 2Z2 • (519) 941-3944 Fax (519) 941-8311 • Email: parkstudinc@aol.com
Did You Know....That Breeders’ Cup Classic winner, Volponi has been purchased by the Korean Racing Association and will stand in that country for 2006 at Jeju Stud and Training Farm. The seven-year-old son of Cryptoclearance - Prom Night, by Sir Harry Lewis, retired with earnings of $3,187,232 and was retired to stud at Hopewell Farm in Kentucky in 2004. His first foals arrived in 2005.
P.J. (BOSCO) BUTTIGIEG
Thoroughbred Trainer
with 30+ years Thoroughbred Racing Experience
Accepting New Clients
for 2006 Racing Season at Woodbine
705-770-4524
LGB, LLC 2006


































































































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