Page 13 - The Game June 2006
P. 13

Your Thoroughbred Racing Community Newspaper The Game, June 2006 13
'Not everyone gets their own Bobblehead'
Recently, management at Hastings Racecourse did something never heard of in thoroughbred horse racing in British Columbia. They held a special day in honour of the most popular rider in Exhibition Park and Hastings history, Chris Loseth.
Management also went a step further by offering the fans in attendance a Chris Loseth 'Bobblehead' doll in the likeness of the former jockey.
“They (Hastings) were great, they gave me the final say on how the bobblehead would look. So I made only one change and that was to fix Chris's banged up nose." said Tracy McCarty, wife of Loseth, "And knowing Chris, it will be the same old thing. He will tell me, Tracy, this doesn't look like me at all. When in reality, the bobblehead really does resemble Chris."
Among his many accomplishments, Loseth has won two Sovereign Awards for Top Apprentice (1976) and Outstanding Jockey (1984).
In 1984, he tied a North American record of eight winners in one day, won the
Hastings riding title an unprecedented eight times. In 2002, he was elected into the B C Racing Hall of Fame. In 2001, Loseth was named recipient of the coveted Avelino Gomez Award.
"I really appreciate all those milestones. But the award I am most proud of is the Avelino Gomez Award. That really meant something to me, because it was giving to be by my peers the jockeys and that makes it special." said Loseth.
Those achievements and more did not go unnoticed by Hastings management. After suddenly announcing his retirement on June 12, 2005, Hastings approached him about allowing them to do something special to show their appreciation for all he had done both on and off the racetrack during his thirty-one years of riding.
It was an offer nearly every profession- al athlete would have accepted, however, Loseth, who had always avoided the spot- light, graciously declined.
The reasoning behind his decision dated back to a promise he made to himself upon his initial arrival at Exhibition Park in 1973.
"When I first came to Ex Park, it was without any fanfare. And I always told myself, that would be how I would like to end my riding career," said Loseth.
Hastings understood and accepted his wishes until the suggestion was once again brought forward to Loseth this year and to the delight of his fans, he accepted.
"They (Hastings) had recently asked me if I would reconsider allowing them in some way to recognize my riding career." said Loseth, "I really was surprised and honoured they would spend the time to do this. So I agreed. And it sure was a great day."
For Loseth's longtime fans who wagered and cheered on many of his 3,567 victories, along with all the thousands of horsemen who threw him aboard some of those 25,332 mounts that earned an astonishing $32,231,900 in purse money, Chris Loseth Day at Hastings was a great day for them as well.
Photo Right - Hastings Racecourse Management present Chris Loseth with commemorative poster in ceremony with Hastings jockeys
Chris Loseth Bobblehead
Halters: Foal, Weanling, Yearling, 2-Year-Old, Mare, Stallion
All Natural
100% Guaranteed Call for more info
Chinese
Pain Killer Limited Supply - Stock Up Now
Problems? Stops Bleeding Immediately
100% Guaranteed
Will Not Test - Original Chinese Herb
Silver Willow Farm
Tommy Wolski
Backstretch Briefs
Silva Returns As Journeyman
By Jackie Humber
Carlos Ignacio Silva first rode at Hastings in 2003 as a 17 year-old bugboy. Despite winning 11 races and showing outstanding success in a very short time, his youthfulness led him back to his home country of Mexico. "I was only 17 and young then so I wanted to go back home to be with my family," said Silva. He is the youngest son of Mexico's most successful trainer, Miguel Angel Silva. His uncle Seferino is also a successful trainer in California. According to Carlos it was during his first trip to the racetrack with his father that the love of horses and racing enveloped his life.
"When my dad took me to the races one day I just loved it. I asked him why don't you let me come here in the mornings with you, and he agreed," said Silva.
At the young age of thirteen, Carlos was ponying horses and working in his fathers 98 horse stable in Mexico. "I was still doing my studies and during my vacation I
would help my dad," said Silva. After four years of working side by side with his father he decided that he was going to become a jockey. Although he showed exceptional talent as a soccer star he decided to hang up his cleats and stick with the horses.
Carlos began his apprenticeship at The Hipodromo De Las Americas in Mexico. His grin stretches from ear to ear when he recalls his first win.
"Ah ...it was great. It was a very good feeling. My first win was on April 4, 2002. I still remember," said Silva.
Although Silva has no problem managing his weight , tacking only 115- 116, the low weights for jockeys in Mexico did seem problematic. Fortunately, one of his father’s owners, Juan Lara, had moved to Vancouver and had remembered Carlos and his aspirations of becoming a jockey.
"When Juan moved, he phoned me and said why don't you come ride here in Vancouver. So I moved to Vancouver,"
said Silva.
According to Carlos the weight for
jockeys in Mexico is only 107 pounds compared to the weights of 112-114 in Vancouver. The move to Vancouver seemed like a good opportunity and made the move in 2003. However it wasn’t long before he became homesick and returned to Mexico to continue his fledgling career and improve his skills.
"I rode in California for about one and a half years and then returned to Mexico when my work permit expired," said Silva.
His time in California proved to be a good experience as the now 21 year-old Silva proved he could ride. Among his many wins he won four Stake races. "I rode many for Vladimir Cerin in California. He is a very good trainer and he gave me the opportunity to ride," said Silva.
Since arriving in Vancouver for the 2006 season, Silva
has hired Hastings
top jockey Agent,
Wayne Snow.
"I worked hard since I came here and Wayne knew I was successful in California. Wayne knows I work hard and he works hard, so he is my agent," said Silva.
Snow has been a successful agent for many jockeys in the past and he is confi- dent in the abilities of his new rider. "He is the best rider on the grounds and if I'm any kind of an agent at all, he'll be going head to head with Pedro (Alvarado) for the lead.
Silva is determined to ride the entire 2006 season at Hastings and is eager to begin. "I missed my opportunity last time I was here, but now I came back to do well. I want to win. I want to win a lot of races," said a confident Silva.
With Snow's ability as his agent and Silva's talent as a rider there is no doubt that success will be sure to follow. See you in the winners circle Carlos, Good Luck!
Silver Willow Farm
Powder on feed - works instantly
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
Natural
ULCER PROBLEMS? PICKY EATERS? Pre-Race Proven Herbal Supplement
100% CURE GUARANTEED #1 Seller Overseas - Will Not Test
Bleeding
Don’t Give Up!
Proven Herbal Supplement
Tied Up? Untie. 26 years proven results. All natural ingredients.
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
World Famous - Proven Results
Does NOT test.
Works on many inflammatory conditions
ABBEY ROAD • Call for details (248) 521-2221 • Fax (248) 324-3605 www.abbeyroadpresents.com
EXCEPTIONAL BROODMARE & FOAL CARE YEARLING SALE PREP
When nothing but the best will do.....
Laura McArthur 705-434-0800
NEW
Proven Results


































































































   11   12   13   14   15