Page 8 - March 2019 Thoroughbred Highlight

Spiritual Connection brings Cruz to loving home
Barn helper Kayley Nicoll (left) “right hand gal” Agy Gurr, and owner Tess Maclean with 19 year old mare Cruising Executive
Theresa Maclean knew that something was going to happen. Her late husband David was coming to her in dreams. But she didn’t know why.
David Maclean, a thoroughbred racehorse trainer for more than 20 years, passed away at age 49 in August 2007 survived by Theresa (Tess) and their two teenage sons.
David began training at Woodbine in 1986 and trained for Colonel Baker for eight years with Norcliffe Stable owned Corseque winning the Connaught Cup Stakes on June 1 at Woodbine and Kazbek capturing the Canadian Maturity Stakes July 20 in his rst year of training
The Macleans moved to Illinois in 1991 to train for owner Richard Duchossois at Arlington Park for seven years. It was there that David trained Graded Stakes winner Katahaula County and multiple stakes winner Olden Rijn.
In 2001 the family returned to Ontario and partnered on a venture at Turn for Home Farms in the Mono Cliffs north of Orangeville. Offering training, breaking and layup services it was there that Tess and David broke 2 year old Cruising Executive for racing in 2002.
Bred and owned by William Sorokolit Sr. Cruising Executive’s two career wins came early in her three year old year winning a Maiden Special Weight on July 9 followed by a win in the Passing Mood Stakes July 16 with trainer Phil England.
She was retired to the breeding shed in 2005 and produced 4 foals. Three of her foals raced the last of which, born in 2012, being the most successful on the track.
After David’s passing Tess remained working with horses and became the owner of Gladwyne after he retired from racing in 2011. Jerry, as he is now known at the barn, was having trouble keeping on weight where he was boarded which prompted the decision four years ago to rent Gateway Farms in the rolling hills of Mulmur where Tess and her horses currently reside.
Believing that the universe will tell you what you need to do, Tess, under extraordinary circumstances, has since acquired a small herd of ex-racing and show horses.
Her dreams of David were telling her something and it wasn’t until she saw the face of Cruising Executive in a Facebook post late last year that she knew what she needed to do. Tess wasn’t thinking of taking on any more horses but offered to help save the mare who was in dire circumstances.
Thoroughbred Highlight, March 2019, Page 8