Come Saturday afternoon, the frantic hours leading up to the 165th King’s Plate at Woodbine will have quieted down. It will be time for Evette Chartrand-Hoek and her staff to begin preparing Friendly Ghost – Casper as he is known affectionately – for his race with destiny.
Friendly Ghost is owned by Sue Leslie, whose resumé in horse racing includes just about every position one can imagine from owner, trainer to leader of groups such as the Ontario Horse Racing Industry Alliance and the Ontario Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association, for which she is still president. Leslie’s determination to see horse racing in Ontario thrive has seen her meet challenges too numerous to mention dealing with government, representing horsepeople, and helping keep Fort Erie racetrack going. She was recognized for all of it when she was inducted into the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame in 2020.
Around that time, Chartrand-Hoek, who had been Leslie’s assistant for about a decade, took over Leslie’s training duties. Now, together with Friendly Ghost, they have a chance to win the biggest prize of them all in Canadian racing.
“He’s such a cool horse,’ said Chartrand-Hoek of Friendly Ghost, who was purchased by Leslie for $46,000 from breeder Deb Holmes at the 2021 CTHS Ontario yearling sale. A scopey dark bay son of Outwork from the Ghostzapper mate Kin’s Ghost, Friendly Ghost earned his way into the 13-horse King’s Plate field with his determined third-place finish in the Plate Trial. That race, at 1 1/8 miles, came just five weeks after he won his 2024 opener, a maiden race at six furlongs.
The time and preparation given to Friendly Ghost is typical of Chartrand-Hoek and Leslie, both accomplished horsepeople who can read a horse like it was their kin.
Chartrand-Hoek grew up on a large cattle ranch in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan and horses were always in her life. Family trips often were to Manitoba to watch the races at Assiniboia Downs where she had relatives who were involved in the sport. By the time she was into her teen years, Chartrand-Hoek had fallen hard for racing and working at Assiniboia Downs, living with an aunt.
“I was grooming horses and worked for Jack Robertson for several years. I learned a lot from him. Then I worked for Hazel Bochinski who was also with the Manitoba HBPA. She decided to step down from training and asked if I would train her horses. That’s how I got my trainer’s license.”
Chartrand-Hoek won with the first horse she started for Bochinski, It’s Gally Time, in May, 1996.
She stayed in Winnipeg for 12 years, was married and had her daughter, Rebecca. The new family then went to the U.S. to work for Canadian trainer Dan Vella, initially in New Orleans and then at Frank Stronach’s Adena Springs Farm in Ocala, Florida.
Chartrand-Hoek returned in 2010 and through Vella got a job as an assistant to Leslie, who was first immersed in a big stable of horses with her late husband Alan. At that time Leslie was training a very successful stable of horses she owned herself and in partnership with high-profile clients such as NHL goalie Curtis Joseph and hockey agent Don Meehan.
One of the first horses Chartrand-Hoek worked with was Moment of Majesty, who was second in that year’s Woodbine Oaks before going on to be a stakes winner of over $600,000.
Chartrand-Hoek admits that the much more hectic lifestyle at a big track like Woodbine was a lot to get used to for a country woman, but she stayed on and when Leslie was ready to hand over the reins, she was ready.
Now a single mother, Chartrand-Hoek spends long hours at the barn with a small stable of horses before attending to Rebecca, who grew up with learning disabilities but is a high-functioning 27-year-old. “It’s hard at times, but she’s doing good. She goes to day programs and has odd jobs here and there.”
One can imagine how suddenly having a three-year-old in the $1 million Plate can be a bit nerve-wracking for Chartrand-Hoek and Leslie. But the horse’s laid-back demeanor has kept everyone calm for the most part.
“I was anxious going into the Trial, but I have been okay during Plate week. He’s not a revved-up handful of a horse.”
For Leslie, having her horse starting in the Plate as a contender is a cherry on top of what has been a remarkable career, one she won’t be retiring from anytime soon, And she is thrilled she is doing it with Chartrand-Hoek. “She’s the nicest person you will ever meet. And she is humble, too.”
Chartrand-Hoek echoes the sentiments and hopes Friendly Ghost gives her friend that one, huge thrill.
“I would really love to do this for her.”
