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
Patrick Husbands
British Royalty Rules the Turf.
Trainer Barbara Minshall lauds the day that what was lost was found again. On Sunday, she won the 130th running of the Breeders Stakes with British Royalty, a horse she lost through the claiming ranks – but was able to get him back, and quickly. The thought that a horse with such a lofty name could find himself in a claiming race is one thing. But in this contracted … [Read more...] about British Royalty Rules the Turf.
A Diabolical Day
March to the Arch in a Different Class
The $160,600 Niagara Stakes at Woodbine July 25 had its little dramas. Chief among them was the stunning, 4 ½ length, going-away victory by 6 to 5 favourite March to the Arch, a win that made him a millionaire. The 6-year-old gelding, owned by Live Oak Plantation, lay well back in the weeds during the early part of the race – he’s a confirmed closer – while … [Read more...] about March to the Arch in a Different Class
Gary Boulanger: Rebirth
Gary (Boo) Boulanger had a bit of a renaissance at Woodbine July 10. Yet another one. He suffered a serious knee injury in June 2020 and has spent months of rehab to recover after surgery - just after he was to have been inducted into the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame. He’s known this rock and rolling motion of horse racing for his entire career. Up one … [Read more...] about Gary Boulanger: Rebirth
When a Cup and Saucer is Golden
Mrs. Orpen would have loved it. It all sounded so dramatic: a horse called Master Spy came out of the mists at Woodbine Racetrack and won the 84th running of the Cup and Saucer Stakes, a dark streak that could not be caught. The Cup and Saucer was Mrs. Orpen’s race, all those years ago, when it first was held. Her husband Abe Orpen was an Irish immigrant who … [Read more...] about When a Cup and Saucer is Golden