Page 20 - The Game June 2006

20 The Game, June 2006 Your Thoroughbred Racing Community Newspaper
A Day at the Races - Stampede Park
Technology KeepsYou Close
By Cody Gregory
For those fortunate enough to work in the horse racing industry, we get to experience some pretty magical moments. Maybe it’s those times when you open the barn doors just as the sun comes up to be greeted by neighs and knickers. Or maybe it’s those moments when your horse is leading the pack by a length and a half.
On May 20, a few lucky winners got the opportunity the spend a day at the races at Stampede Park to experience a magical moment of their own.
Participants of the day’s events were winners of a contest held at the horse breeders conference earlier this year. To kick off the morning everybody was treated to breakfast and guest speakers. Réal Simard spoke on behalf of a
jockey’s point of view, explain- ing the responsibilities of jockeys and their role during a race. Everyone was excited to pass around and hold Réal’s racing saddle as he explained the tack used during races and work outs. It was equally exciting to hear his long history and stories about being a jockey at Stampede Park.
Réal also spoke about the teamwork behind every horse that makes it to the races which involves not only jockeys but the owners, trainers and grooms.
me, it has been a good overview of this industry.” mentioned Mark Taylor who came all the way from Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Theresa Sealy lead the next leg of the day which was spent touring the paddock and the barns on the backstretch. The group was met by Carson Frey who enlightened everyone about his job as a trainer.
“I treat every horse as their own individual, this includes the way we work them out to their daily nutritional needs.” Carson explained, “These horses are like my kids. I see them more than anybody else.” he joked with the group.
Mat Monaco, General Manager of the HBPA of
Alberta, gave an informative
speech on the involvement of
owners in horse racing. A dedicated ‘hands on’ owner him-
self since 1971, Mat elaborated
on methods of ownership such as
buying yearlings, claiming and breeding. He also touched on partnerships between owners and the relationships with trainers. The speech also gave some insight on the HBPA, “We are horsemen helping horsemen”, explained Mat, “It is encouraging to help those within our industry who have fallen upon some hard times, after all, the rewards are the highest but the risks are the greatest.”
Participants were also fortunate enough to hear a few words from Rennie Gellner representing the Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society. Rennie divulged the importance of thoroughbred racing to Alberta’s economy and job market. Rennie also explained the role of the CTHS in Alberta, “We want to promote Alberta Thoroughbreds and encourage participation in the breeding industry.” he explained while sharing some of the breeders bonuses and supplementals available to the industry. He also touched on the CTHS’s relationship with Olds College who has developed groom training and a jockey school programs to support and promote the industry.
There were plenty of questions asked by the enthusiastic audience and every speaker was quick to give a informative and thoughtful answer.
“This has been a great experience for
The group participated in a blanket presentation
Photos - Cody Gregory
One of the topics covered was the safety in the barns for both horses and people as Carson went through the process of breaking in yearlings and the requirement for sound horses in the barns. “A lot of hard work goes into the future of these horses. Most of their learning is done on the track and it takes a lot of teamwork and communication to see them progress.” Carson adds.
With a few curious horses looking on and a few pats on the head, Theresa lead the group to the clubhouse in the grandstand for some much anticipated lunch.
Later in the day the group was given the opportunity to present a blanket and have their picture taken in the winners circle with a winning horse, a highlight for many of the participants who wouldn’t have had the chance to do so otherwise.
“Overall this has been a really great day, I think it was well presented and informative.” commented Joyce Sparks who came along with her husband Allan.
The day at the races was a huge success and without a doubt there are some new race fans out there.
It looked like the stars were in alignment when Jennifer booked her flight from Florida on her spring break in March. She would be home for 10 days and her mare's due date was the day after she arrived. However, how often do brood- mares cooperate or look at the calendar; it wasn't to be. Jennifer returned to school March 13 and “Dixie” didn't foal until March 31. However 2000 kilometers wasn't going to stop Jennifer from seeing the birth - live.
re-breeding. These 5 yearlings have all been nominated for the CTHS September Yearling Sale.
The Unbridled line is much sought after and not readily available in Ontario, and Gun Power is now becoming a popular stallion. His overall pedigree is impressive and he represents good value for the Ontario Sires Stakes program. This year's incentive of "Free to Black Type mares and producers" has proven to be good for
Luckily, tech- nology was in her favour. With the help of a security camera from Home Depot and a wireless trans- mitter, the video and audio were transmit- ted to the televisions in the house. A web- cam was then setup in front of the TV and the live video of the birth could be viewed on her computer in Florida. Neighbours were also able to tune in on their own televisions.
The colt arrived with no difficulty, unaware that many people were watching his first breath, first steps and first drink. All was calm at last and we were finally able to get a full night's sleep.
Stallion Gun Power
attracting excellent mares and those breeders also elected to send along some very well bred stable- mates. One in par- ticular is a Sovereign Award winning breeder who has booked some top-notch mares.
We purchased Gun Power in 2002 after our black- smith informed us about the stallion arriving at Adena Springs North from Kentucky. We were intrigued and when we had the oppor- tunity to visit the farm, there wasn't anything we didn't like about him.
This was the thoroughbred stallion, Gun Power's first non-Thoroughbred foal. Dixie is a palomino sport horse mare and this is her second foal - the first being by a Trakehner stallion.
Gun Power, sired by Unbridled, officially entered into stud in 2003, but his first two "test mares" did not produce live foals. In 2004 he covered 11 Thoroughbred mares. Those foals are his first crop and are yearlings this year. He produced 6 nice foals; all are athletic, correct, and well balanced with powerful hind ends. Of these, 5 are from race stables and those mares are all back this spring for
The fact that he was unraced was an concern however with his classic pedi- gree, he likely wouldn’t be in Canada had he raced. Mr. Stronach had originally pur- chased Gun Power as a yearling at
colt born March 31, by Gun Power, "Remmington" out of the sport horse palomino mare, Dixie, owned by Jennifer Schickedanz.
Keeneland for $350,000 US.
People are always impressed when they
see Gun Power in person. He has tons of stallion presence, loves to show off and, as one horseowner puts it, he "oozes" quality.
Calibre Farm is a family operation located just off Hwy 404 on St. John's Sd. Road just east of the Newmarket/Aurora outskirts. For more information or to come and visit, contact Debbie MacLean at (905) 727-1690 or email debbie_maclean@yahoo.com.
Trainer Carson Frey answered many questions from the group.
Now in their 45th year, the Toronto Thoroughbred Racing Club held its first meeting of the 2006 racing season on Wednesday, May 10 in a special area of Champions at Woodbine Racetrack.
The Toronto Thoroughbred Racing Club hosts monthly meetings which feature special guest speakers including jockeys, trainers and vari- ous others involved in the thorough- bred industry. The Club also hosts an annual Thoroughbred Farm Tour and
a backstretch tour and breakfast as well as an annual bus trip to various racetracks. This year’s bus tour will be to Monmouth Park in New Jersey.
New members are always welcome. The annual membership is $45 or
couples can join for $70. You can drop by the next regular meeting which is Wednesday June 7 beginning at 7:30pm or call Sam Lima at 416-239-2236. The TTRC annual Awards Day will be held Sunday, June 18 at Woodbine.
(l-r) TTRC Director Don Burton; TTRC President Sam Lima; and guests, former jockey Lloyd Duffy and Daily Racing Form’s Bill Tallon.