Page 13 - November 2005 The Game

Your Thoroughbred Racing Community Newspaper The Game, November 2005 13
Reigning InYour Dreams
by Jackie Humber
After two years of chomping on the bit, Tyler Walker’s dream of galloping racehorses has finally come true.
Tyler Walker is the son of former Hastings jockey Mark Walker and although the excitement of horse racing always seemed like a lot of fun when he was a child, young Tyler had different visions for himself and followed a different career path....until now.
"I really only thought about galloping two years ago,” remarked the nineteen year-old who came to Hastings to find himself a job. "I had an urge to get on horses, so that's why I came here."
Like most people just starting out, Tyler remained on the ground and took a job
as a hotwalker working for
trainer Barbara Heads.
An opportunity became available to work as a groom for trainer Jim Brown which worked out perfectly for Tyler as his girlfriend , Jim’s daughter, Dion, was also working in the barn.
"I was really happy working for Jim because he said he would teach me how to gallop." said Walker.
At the end of the 2004 season at Hastings, Brown sent Tyler, Dion and six head of horses to Phoenix Arizona to continue racing during the winter months where he continued his grooming duties.
Tyler was hopeful that upon his return to Hastings in the spring he would have the opportunity to ride however with Jim Brown’s busy training schedule, there wasn’t time to teach and Tyler was forced to seek out another barn where he might be able to gallop.
"That's the only reason I started down here. My dad told me that I would have to start mucking stalls and work my way up and that's what I'm doing." said Walker.
Tyler worked at a couple of different barns at Hastings until late July when he heard about an opening at Canmor Farms with trainer Tracy McCarthy and her husband, former jockey, Chris Loseth.
This was great news because it was the perfect opportunity to fulfill his dream.
Tyler and Dion both began working at Canmor and he secretly wanted to ask former Jockey and racing legend Chris Loseth to teach him how to gallop. He had mentioned his aspirations to Tracy but never to Chris.
After one month, Chris approached him and asked him about wanting to gallop. Tyler remembers the moment
vividly. "He walked up to me and said ‘what's this I hear about you wanting to gallop.’ I said Yeah, will you teach me? and Chris said ‘Hell ya.’
“I was pretty happy", said Walker.
Since that day the pair have been driving to Canmor Farms in Langley after all their work is done at track where Chris has been teaching Walker how to gallop.
"I gallop the pony but he can really take hold of the bit. The other day he tried to run off on me but I took a hold of him", said Tyler.
Chris says he is impressed at the young mans ability after such a short time in training. "He's pretty natural", said Loseth."It's in his genes".
CONTINUED PAGE 30 - SEE TYLER WALKER
Tyler Walker (left) and Chris Loseth at Hastings - Jackie Humber Photo
THERE IS A
CANADIAN-BRED THOROUGHBRED
TO FIT ANY SIZE DREAM Find yours at Woodbine
Find yours at Woodbine
December 3rd and 4th
December 3rd and 4th
PHOTOS BY DAVE LANDRY
2005 Winter Mixed Sale @ Woodbine Racetrack
Sales Pavilion December 3rd & 4th
Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society (Ontario Division) P.O. Box 172, Rexdale, Ontario, M9W 5L1 PH: 416-675-3602 FX: 416-675-9405 email: cthsont@idirect.com website: www.cthsont.com