The fifth start of the career of Sedbury’s Ghost was a revelation. The gelding by Shaman Ghost, which won the Queen’s Plate 10 years ago, launched himself into major contention for the King’s Plate next month at Woodbine after an easy win in the Plate Trial July 20. Nobody really knows what a Sedbury is, and the chestnut was only 10 to 1 in the morning line, 7 to 1 in the … [Read more...] about Ghosts
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Cruden Bay
Cruden Bay has a special spot in trainer Donald MacRae’s heart. Especially after the 7-year-old gelding – making only the 24th start of his life and his first in almost a year, won his second consecutive G2 Connaught Cup at Woodbine June 20. Cruden Bay had raced only once since he won the Connaught Cup last year at seven furlongs. He finished fifth in the mile King Edward … [Read more...] about Cruden Bay
Perfect Result: Canadians win the Canadian Stakes
It hasn’t rained nearly enough in Toronto. Although the grass was lush and deep, the turf course at Woodbine Racetrack was a firm, rattling thing. And it worried trainer Roger Attfield when he had to race Ready For Shirl on it in the Canadian Stakes on July 20. Imagine, putting a 4-year-old filly on it, who had in the past had a difficult time maintaining weight. Was it wise … [Read more...] about Perfect Result: Canadians win the Canadian Stakes
Bill Megens: A Lifetime in Racing
(A story from 9 years ago. Re-posting it because Bill Megens just won a race - driving - at The Raceway in London, Ont. at age 91. ) The trotting colts bore down the long Woodbine stretch in the yellow pools of light, like torpedoes from a distant war. Up the slope on a turn waited Bill Megens -- trainer/breeder/owner/sometime driver/blacksmith/tackler-of-life’s-blows -- to … [Read more...] about Bill Megens: A Lifetime in Racing
An Unlikely Story
Sure, right. What was that again? The horse that won the first King’s Plate in 72 years is owned by a guy who had never bought a yearling before from a woman who breeds only one or two mares a year? And oh yes, this horse, Paramount Prince, had to break from lucky post 13? Doesn’t sound like the recipe to win Canada’s most important race, worth $1-million to boot. But … [Read more...] about An Unlikely Story
Pink Lloyd: The Crazy Diamond
November 27, 2021 “Come on, you raver, you seer of visions. Come on, you painter, you piper, you prisoner and shine! “ From “Shine On You Crazy Diamond,” by Pink Floyd. And on Saturday, Pink Lloyd shone, against all odds. There were tears, for sure. Happy ones. Ones with mixed emotions, too. Pink Lloyd wrought a storybook ending to his long tale on … [Read more...] about Pink Lloyd: The Crazy Diamond
Stormy Skies, Gritty Wins
The sky looked ominous. It couldn’t decide between sunshine and rain and rainbows on Oct. 17, suddenly autumn. The winds chased the dark clouds around and the people too. And beneath it all, French-born trainer Christophe Clements almost swept the $602,000 E.P. Taylor Stakes, winning with British-bred Mutamakina, and finishing second with La Dragontea, another British-bred … [Read more...] about Stormy Skies, Gritty Wins