Page 30 - August/September 2007 The Game

30 The Game, August/September 2007 Canada’s Thoroughbred Racing Newspaper
Yearlings Consigned by Michael C. Byrne, Agent for Park Stud CTHS Selected Yearling Sale - Toronto
Park Stud’s Connection to 2007 Plate Winner
Warren Byrne, the son of Park Stud owners Michael and Laurel Byrne, was looking to find people for summer help at the farm when he came across Kempville University student, Emma-Jayne Wilson.
Michael & Laurel were reluctant to hire someone they didn’t know, however Warren was insistent and won over his parents. Emma-Jayne worked for Park Stud for close to two-year’s
before Michael made good on his promise to find her employment at the racetrack, which is where Emma-Jayne ultimately wanted to be in her quest to become a jockey.
It is almost uncanny that the now highly successful Champion jockey would make history by being the first female rider to win the Queen’s Plate on a horse that also has connections to the Byrnes.
According to Michael Byrne, Morgan Firestone, the owner and breeder of Queen’s Plate winner Mike Fox, had been out of the racing business for a number of years when he remarked at a casual dinner party that he wanted to get back into racing.
“He said he’d get back and have race horses if I would help.” mentioned Michael, “Just as a friend.”
Morgan had also casually mentioned to Michael that his dream was to breed a Queen’s Plate winner. His dream would come sooner than they had expected.
The pair then went to Europe and purchased a filly ready to run, Alexis (IRE), who quickly earned back what she had cost. She was the winner of the Dance Smartly Stakes at Woodbine in 2001and after she was retired the decision to breed her to Giant’s Causeway was made because of Michael’s admiration of the stallion whom he’d seen run in England.
“I recommended the stallion because I am a big fan of in-breeding to Northern Dancer and Giant’s Causeway is from a Northern Dancer line.” Mike Fox was the second foal out of the mare.
This year’s Queen’s Plate was special for many people involved. Morgan Firestone accomplished his dream Emma-Jayne Wilson made Queen’s Plate history and the Byrne’s are happy for all of the connections.
Morgan Firestone is also the majority owner of the stallion Tomahawk whose first crop of yearlings are being offered at this year’s CTHS sale (17 in the Select and 2 in the Preferred).
Hip No. 30 a colt by Tomahawk - Katebyrne. A half brother to stakes winners Ruby Park and Tothemoonandback.
Hip No. 50 filly by Royal Academy - Merida (GB). By a leading sire, she is a 1/2 sister to Como, dam of Pencil Hill, a Stakes winning 2-year-old in 2007 in Ireland.
Hip No. 91 filly by Perigee Moon - Pyrite Select. This is the first foal out of the dam who is a 1/2 sister to Rapid Selection, winner of the G3 Athenia H. and is from the family of Lantania Lady.
Black Type Minimum Purse to Increase to $50,000 in 2008
The North American members of the Society of International Thoroughbred Auctioneers (SITA) remind the thoroughbred industry that the minimum purse value for North American black- type races will increase from $45,000 to $50,000 beginning January 1, 2008.
The increase is one of several changes recommended by by the NA representatives of the International Cataloguing Standards Committee (ICSC) designed to maintain the standards of integrity for black type in North America.
Third Annual Fundraising Gala
Friday, Sept. 28, 2007 at Woodbine’s Corporate Tent
Entertainment by Hollywood Heaven with a tribute to Motown & the Famed Apollo Theatre
• Live Music • Dancing • Plated Gourmet Dinner
• Open Bar • Door Prizes • Fantastic live & silent Auction Items
Tickets Now on Sale & Will Sell Out Fast • Sold out last two years
Tickets $250 • Table of 8 - $2000
call 416-675-3993 ext. 3440 or visit the LONGRUN Office at Woodbine www.longrunretirement.com
Hip No. 136 filly by Tomahawk - Unique Gal. she is a half-sister to Except for Wanda ($475,000), winner of the Dance Smartly Stakes.
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