Page 8 - March 2005 The Game
P. 8

8 The Game, March 2005 Your Thoroughbred Racing Community Newspaper
Backstretch Briefs! - By Tommy Wolski
A big Heart for horses!
Graded Stakes Announced for 2005
Since his first encounter with horse racing as a youngster visiting Lansdowne Park in Richmond, Kim Hart had become fascinated with the sport. This fascination led with the sport becoming his preoccupation.
For him nothing short of grandeur would satisfy his vision for horse racing in British Columbia.
Which is why the recent news of his death at only 48, has left the thoroughbred industry here in British Columbia in shock.
Kim Hart, was a person, who whenever we would meet and talk, the discussion would always center on his horses.
His conversations had become so interesting, I sometimes began keeping notes of what he had to say.
Always with the hopes one day, they would be seen in print.
That time unexpectedly is now. When he first became going to the racetrack, it was strictly for the fun of watching the horse.
“I decided betting wasn’t for me. Next thing I know, I was making the occasional wager. I remember telling friends, I would never buy a horse. Next thing I know, I was buying one horse after another.” said Hart.
He later mentioned the last thing, he would do is be a horse breeder. “To me it is like pouring money down the drain.” said Hart.
Soon after saying that, Hart began breeding horses on a major scale. “The reason for my becoming a breeder was simply because I quickly realized we race to breed and breed to race. For me it was I knew how to improve the racing stock here in British Columbia.” added Hart.
Hart truly believed horses were the greatest athletes on this planet. And was determined that by purchasing top notch race horses, the public would begin seeing what he knew all his life.
“Horses as you know put out more than any athlete in the world. They are ten times our size and run on ankles the same size as humans while running as fast as a car.” said Hart.
He believed the horse racing industry was truly one of the last multi- faceted entertainment outlets, where
people from all facets of society can get involved.
“For me, there is nothing like when the gates open to the barn area, before the sun even rises. Then watching your horses get ready for their morning exercise. It has this always truly serene environment for me. And something I wish everyone also could enjoy.” added Hart.
At the time of his passing. Kim Hart had fourteen horses in training with Barb Heads, with another fifteen on farms in the lower mainland.
“He was without a doubt, one of the most passionate persons I know in the horse racing industry. Every day when he would come to the racetrack, he was full of optimizing about not only his horses, but also racing here in British Columbia.” said trainer Barb Heads.
“At times we would have disagree- ments about things, but we always got them settled. He was never afraid to spend money to improve his stables.
Among those many top horses, who adorned his silks with red hearts on a white background, were Wandering, winner of the 1999 B C Derby, now a stallion standing in this Province, Futural, winner of the 2003 Winston Churchill Stakes, Proud Son and Honky Tonk Pat.
At last year’s CTHS Sales, Hart purchased the sales topper, yet to be named for $72.000.
His loss definitely will leave a big void within the horse racing industry in this province.
The horse racing industry sends their condolences to the Hart Family.
Popular owner/ breeder Kim Hart passed away suddenly Feb 17, 2005
The Canadian Graded Stakes Committee met in December 2004, to review 146 open races carrying purses of $40,000 or more. Graded status was assigned to 37 races in Canada for 2005.
The Toronto Cup and the Premiers’ Handicap have lost the G3 designation and are now listed races.
The Grey Breeders’ Cup, the Mazarine Breeders’ Cup and the Selene were downgraded from G2 to G3s.
Two races were upgraded to G2, the Play the King S. and the Nassau S. The Seagram Cup was
upgraded from a listed race to G3.
To qualify for graded status in Canada in 2005, races must carry a minimum purse of $250,000
for G1 eligibility, $150,000 for G2 eligibility and $100,000 for G3 eligibility.
The following is a listing of all graded races in Canada in 2005.
Name of Stakes Race Grade Date Dist Track Purse G/A Age/Sex
Atto Mile G1 18-Sep-05 8T WO $ 1,000,000 G All 3up
Pattison Canadian International G1 23-Oct-05 12T WO $ 2 mill. G All 3up E.P. Taylor Stakes G1 23-Oct-05 10T WO $ 1,000,000 G All 3up f/m Nassau Stakes G2 4-Jun-05 8.5T WO $ 300,000 A All 3up f/m
King Edward Breeders' Cup G2 3-Jul-05 9T WO $ 300,000 A All 3up Chinese Cultural Centre Stakes G2 24-Jul-05 11T WO $ 300,000 A All 3up Play The King Stakes G2 27-Aug-05 7T WO $ 200,000 A All 3up Niagara Breeders' Cup Stakes G2 5-Sep-05 12T WO $ 300,000 A All 3up Summer Stakes G2 18-Sep-05 8T WO $ 250,000 A 2yo
Canadian Stakes G2 18-Sep-05 9T WO $ 300,000 A All 3up f/m Sky Classic Stakes G2 2-Oct-05 11T WO $ 300,000 A All 3up Nearctic Stakes G2 23-Oct-05 6T WO $ 500,000 G All 3up Vigil Stakes G3 30-Apr-05 7 WO $ 150,000 A All 3up
Hendrie Stakes G3 15-May-05 6.5 WO $ 150,000 A All 3up f/m Marine Stakes G3 21-May-05 8.5 WO $ 150,000 A All 3yo
Selene Stakes G3 22-May-05 8.5 WO $ 250,000 A All 3yof
Eclipse Stakes G3 23-May-05 8.5 WO $ 150,000 A All 3up Connaught Cup Stakes G3 29-May-05 8.5T WO $ 150,000 A All 3up Scotts Highlander Stakes G3 26-Jun-05 6T WO $ 200,000 A All 3up Dominion Day Stakes G3 1-Jul-05 10 WO $ 200,000 A All 3up
Lt. Governors' Stakes G3 1-Jul-05 9 Hst $ 125,000 G All 3up
Dance Smartly Stakes G3 16-Jul-05 9T WO $ 300,000 A All 3up f/m Seagram Cup Stakes G3 30-Jul-05 8.5 WO $ 150,000 A All 3up Royal North Stakes G3 1-Aug-05 6T WO $ 150,000 A All 3up f/m Duchess Stakes G3 13-Aug-05 7 WO $ 150,000 A All 3yof
WOODLANDS
Sales Representation and Preparation Boarding/Layups Training/Foaling Bloodstock Consultation
ECTA Annual Awards Night
The Eastern Canadian Thoroughbred Association’s Annual Banquet and Awards Night is scheduled for March 26, 2005 at the Irish Hills Golf Course, in Carp, Ontario.
Tickets are $35.00 and include a fabulous dinner and dancing as well as door prizes and a chance to bid on
terrific items in the Silent Auction. Proceeds from the silent auction will benefit LongRun Thoroughbred Retirement Society and the ECTA. ECTA is looking for donations, big or
small, for the silent auction.
Contact MaryEllen Kennedy at
613-257-5827.
Property Tax Assessment Change for Horse Farms
The Ontario Municipal Property
Assessment Corporation (MPAC) is
attempting to change various sectors
of Ontario’s equine industry from to horseracing will remain classified
agricultural to commercial taxation. Breeding facilities, training facilities and other services provided
as agricultural while all other horse barns will be classed as commercial.
If the change is allowed to go through, property taxes for horse farms could increase from 0.3% to 4% annually. An increase that most boarding and riding facilities cannot afford or will pass along to the riders.
Due to an outcry from horse farm owners across the province, Ontario MP Greg Sorbera has delayed the action temporarily for further review of the changes.
GAIL WOOD
P.O. Box 164 Hillsburgh, Ont. N0B 1Z0 www.woodlandsfarm.com
Phone: (519) 855-4915 Fax: (519)855-4514
PERRY TRANSPORT LTD.
Dependable Air Ride Horse Van Service Throughout Canada & USA
Tel: (905) 859-0333 Toll Free: 1-800-263-2396
Vans Equipped with Satellite Tracking
P.O. Box 880, Nobleton, Ontario L0G 1N0 Website:www.perryt.com


































































































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