Page 16 - The Game July 2006

16 The Game, July 2006 Your Thoroughbred Racing Community Newspaper
Building a Successful Business
Bill and Bonnie Rowntree have a dream of one day breeding, raising and racing their own thoroughbred race- horse. But for now, they are happy just turning out well mannered, healthy and happy racehorses for their growing list of clients.
Bonnie met her future husband more than a quarter century ago when Bill wandered into the Thrifty’s Tack and Togs store where she worked in Mississauga.
Bonnie moved to Erin Mills from Montreal with her family in 1979 around the same time that Bill, born and raised in Flesherton, Ontario, was attending Humber College to complete the Horse Studies course.
The pair moved to Flesherton in 1980 and married one
year later on June 6, 1981.
Bonnie had ridden hunters as a child and
held on to her interest in horses throughout her adult life while Bill was born and raised on a horse farm and showed horses for fourteen years before becoming the manager of a cow/calf farm near their home.
Both worked at various jobs throughout the years. Bonnie was a school bus driver and a dispatcher, guard and auxiliary constable for the OPP. Bill worked for a veneer company and built a golf course before working for Durham furniture.
Bonnie and Bill Rowntree at their Willow Ridge Farm with the mare Win Du Jour and her 13-week-old Friends Lake colt who is owned in partnership with George Farr’s Farr Bloodstock.
However the one constant in their lives has been horses.
Even though Bill is a cousin to trainer, Gil Rowntree, it was their friend Merv Kirby who “put the bug in their ear” about getting into the business of thoroughbred race horses.
The OPP dispatch where Bonnie worked had asked her to transfer to London and not wanting to move from their home, the pair decided that the time was right to take a new direction in life.
They purchased their first thoroughbred broodmare, Love Disarmed, from McMahon Thoroughbreds in NY in 2002 and that same year they leased the 100 acre farm across the road and ren- ovated the old pig barn into a home for thoroughbred horses. They then registered their new business, Willow Ridge Farm.
Gil Rowntree’s filly, Silver Twine, was the first foal that was born and raised at Willow Ridge Farm. Bill broke her in the fall of 2005 and galloped her during the winter months. Silver Twine made her 2-year-old debut at Woodbine in April and won a $60,000 allowance race in her very first start.
Merv had also introduced them to Mr. George Farr and he too became a Willow Ridge client. Gil sent more lay-ups to the farm and other clients, James Perron and Ed Lang sent some of their horses.
Willow Ridge Farm was begin- ning to show promise however it was the first yearling sale as con- signors in 2005 that complete- ly changed their lives.
“We had an outstanding sale for our first year,” said Bonnie who explained that Bill has since quit his job at the furniture store to work with the horses full-time.
“It is exciting enough to have horses go through the sale,” commented Bill, “but when you’ve done all the work yourself, it is very exciting.”
CONTINUED PAGE 17 - SEE WILLOW RIDGE
BFL CANADA CLASSIC EQUINETM
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Gerry Belanger & Bad Hat
BFL wishes Gerry Belanger success on his extended Bloodstock Services
Gerry is expanding his bloodstock services to include advice to owners buying and selling, breeding, racehorse management, insurance etc.
We will miss Gerry, however we will continue to work closely with him on insurance matters.
BFL wishes him all the best!
Visit his website at www.gerrybelanger.com
Wendy Price-Brown & Cigar
Call Stephanie Kirton or Christine Henry for a quote today!!!
BFL CANADA
B.F. LORENZETTI & ASSOCIATES (ONTARIO) INC.
1-800-668-5901 or 416-599-5530
New Calgary Office - Cathy Wilson 1-888-451-4132 VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT www.BFL87.ca
Wendy Price-Brown (Noakes) retires to the good life
on the lake!
Wendy retired from BFL at the end of 2005. Her long time service and dedication to her clients will be missed.
She is enjoying her days with her husband, kids and grandchildren.
BFL wishes her all the best!
We will miss you Wendell!
BFL CANADA, NAMED ONE OF THE 50 BEST MANAGED PRIVATELY OWNED FIRMS IN CANADA