Page 10 - October 2005 The Game

10 The Game, October 2005 Your Thoroughbred Racing Community Newspaper
Gillian Carol Luxton
June 23, 1942 - September 9, 2005
Gill passed away comfortably at home surrounded by friends and family, both four legged and two legged, after an illness fought with great spirit and good humour. Eldest daughter of Allan and Elsie King, and dear wife of Allan William (George) Luxton. She will be dearly missed by more-than-son Kirk Harris, Vikki Learmont and grandson Tyson. Well-loved sister of Jack and Linda King (Calgary), Keith and Karen King (Ajax), and Shelley King and John Pierce (Kingston) and loving aunt to Darren and Katie King, Cory and Jenna King, Kelly and Jarl Northwood, Laura and John Dow, and Travis King; she cherished the continuing bloodline in Karley, Jaimie, Coleman and John Daniel.
Vera Simpson, her friend and fiercest companion, will never find a dearer cause. Special thanks for the loving kindness of friends Mark Donahoe and Juanita Michelis. The family would like to acknowledge their support and dedication of her health-care team.
Gill’s compassion and intellect will be remembered both by her patients and by her many colleagues in the Hamilton Health Care system. Those who knew her in her true vocation will remember her commitment to the beauty of the Thoroughbred and the dream of champions.
Private interment took place at St. John’s Anglican Church, South Cayuga, September 10. Family, friends and colleagues were invited to the Northern Dancer Room at Woodbine on September 16 to enjoy “a day at the races” to celebrate Gill’s passion for life.
Those wishing to make memorial donations, Gill has requested that they be directed to LongRun Thoroughbred Retirement Society 416-675-3993, ext 3440.
Robert King Jr. in Hospital
Jockey Robert King Jr., who just returned to the saddle this year after a ten year hiatus, remained in hospital after a fluke accident in the outside paddock before the first race on Wednesday, September 21 at Woodbine.
Robert was getting a leg up on the Danny O’Callaghan trained, Call Me Danny, in the first race, when the horse turned and cow kicked him in the rib area on the right side.
Robert was sent to hospital where they released him stating that there was nothing broken however they wanted him back for a C.A.T. scan the next day. The results of the scan revealed that in fact Robert had broken ribs front and back and that he had internal bleeding from a lacerated liver as well as blood clot on the liver which will result in him being unable to ride for an estimated six months.
According to his agent, Don Parente, Robbie remains in good spirits and says Robbie has already talked to the doctors about a re-evaluation in three months to determine when he can ride again. “The blood clot means no physical activity.” said Don, “It was a fluke accident. Robbie has been on this horse 30 times and he is the most docile horse you want to meet. It was a fluke.”
Robert was expected to be released from hospital on September 28 or 29.
Olds College joins Horse Racing Alberta to create new program
MAGNA - CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8
Officially this new little town has no name, but Mills likes to call it Canadaville and why not? Magna’s initial expense is in the 3-4 Million dollar neighbourhood, but several Canadian companies have already promised to contribute. Mills mentions the Canadian Auto Workers, the Royal Bank, Nortel and the engineers and architects of Norr.
A cynical view of Stronach’s generosity might suggest he could easily afford it, so what’s the big deal, but Van Den Broek knows the man better than that.
“Frank Stronach never does anything halfway,” insists Van Den Broek, “He is very generous because he was there once himself, knowing what it’s like not to have a lot of stuff.”
Van Den Broek sums up Stronach’s extreme act of charity very succinctly,
“He wants to help and he can.”
It may be years before most of the 200 who made it to Palm Meadows can ever call their lives ‘normal’ but the Stronach staff, the Red Cross and the sympathetic locals are doing their best. The hurricane guests have been invited to take in a Marlins baseball game, a Dolphins foot- ball game and a Panthers hockey tilt. There’s no racing right now at the Magna owned Gulfstream track, which would be a short bus ride away, but for most of the storm survivors, after what they went through, it must feel as if they’d hit the best triactor of all.
Food. Shelter. Stability.
A growing partnership between Olds College and Horse Racing Alberta is leading changes to alleviate a growing shortage of skilled professionals in the equine racing industry.
In conjunction with the Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association of Alberta, a second intensive program has be developed to provide specific skills to learners and graduate skilled workers to the industry. A 12-week Certified Exercise Rider & Jockey School will be offered for the first time in November, following on the heels of a highly successful Groom school which is entering its third year.
“The most valuable assets and resources we have are our people, and they are in short supply,” said Dr. David C. Reid, Chairman of the Board for Horse Racing Alberta. “The industry is in need of both grooms and exercise riders, and that supply is going to become even more acute in the future. The best way to deal with that shortage is to be proactive in developing our own workforce and to continue working toward our goal of improving overall life on the backstretch.
“It is vital that we create educational opportunities, so we are thrilled we can partner with Olds College expertise and knowl- edge to develop this program. We’re very proud of our partner- ship and what we have already achieved.”
The Groom School has graduated virtually every student directly from the program into the field, and organizers expect the same results from the Certified Exercise Rider & Jockey School.
“Our Groom School has been wildly successful, with every one of our 2005 grads offered jobs before the course was even complete,” said Mara Coote-Freeman, Program Coordinator. “The industry needs trained professionals in the many different capacities, and competent workers are in big demand. The industry is already huge in Canada and it continues to grow very quickly. This unique program will deliver the specific expertise the industry is demanding.”
Olds College has worked directly with industry professionals to develop and deliver the program. Olds College fitness professionals will also be involved with the program, delivering the individual assessments and development plans to each student. The course will develop a variety of skills, and will involve theory, riding industry horses, galloping thoroughbreds and participating in race-day activities on the track. Students will learn at Olds College, on nearby training farms and at Calgary Stampede Park.
“There is definitely physical demands to this program, but the students who reach our competency requirements will have the skill-set to enter the field as an exercise rider and potential jockey.” said Coote-Freeman.
For information visit www.college.ca/animalscience/extension or call 1-800-661-6537.
News in Review
The Frank Stronach owned, Ghostzapper, 2004 Horse of the Year and Breeders’ Cup Classic winner, will begin his stallion career with a fee of $200,000 at Adena Springs Farm in Kentucky. The fee is said to be a record for an incoming stallion (($150,000 Fusaichi Pegasus; $100,000 each Empire Maker, Mineshaft and Smarty Jones). Ghostzapper retired with nine wins in 11 starts and $3,446,120 in earnings.
Epsom Derby winner, North Light, will join Ghostzapper, at Adena in Kentucky. The 4-year-old English Champion is a son of deceased Danehill and retires with a record of 3 wins in seven starts and $1,989,577. He is owned by Stronach in partnership with Michael Daly of Ireland. His stud fee is to be announced.
Jockey Gary Boulanger, has filed a lawsuit against Gulfstream Park seeking damages for injuries he sustained in a spill at the racetrack on January 30, 2005.
The suit claims that the racetrack failed to properly maintain the new course which was installed before the meet started and did not provide timely transportation to the hospital after Boulanger was injured. Gary Boulanger has not returned to racing since the incident.
Canadian Champion Wando to stand at Lane’s End
Canada’s Champion 3-year-old in 2003, Wando, will enter stud next year at Lane’s End Farm in Kentucky for a $10,000 US$ stud fee.
Owned by Gus Schickedanz and trained by Mike Keogh, Wando, who won the Canadian Triple Crown in 2003, was retired in May after suffering a slight tear in his left hind suspensory during the Westchester stakes at Belmont.
Wando retires with a record of 11-2-2 from 23 starts and more than $2.5 million in earnings.
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