Gil Rowntree is racing’s best yarn. A man who made something out of nothing at all. Now 92 years old, and a member of the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame for 29 years, Rowntree still holds historical punch: a four-time winner of the Queen’s Plate (Royal Chocolate, Amber Herod, Sound Reason, Key to the Moon). He was also the guiding hand behind a feisty little red colt … [Read more...] about Gil Rowntree: Fishin’ Without Bait
thoroughbred
You Win Some, You Lose Some
It’s like catching rain. Jockey Faleh Bughenaim was in Canada for a bit of a lark, riding The Striking Viking in the $250,000 Nearctic Stakes (not a factor, he finished fourth) when the opportunity of a lifetime fell in his lap. On Friday, Qatari trainer Hamad Al Jehani asked Bughenaim to take the mount on longshot Silawi in the $750,000 Canadian International Stakes at … [Read more...] about You Win Some, You Lose Some
Woodbine Oaks: a Photo History
Ghosts
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
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
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