TORONTO, ON – Windfields Farm’s Natalma, the mare whose first offspring, Northern Dancer, was the catalyst in creating a global Thoroughbred dynasty, and three Queen’s Plate winners, have been elected into the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame.
The regally bred filly Natalma, a daughter of Native Dancer and Almahmoud, the stakes-winning daughter of English Derby winner Mahmoud, was bred to Windfields’ precocious stallion Nearctic late in the 1960 breeding season at age three and the following May gave birth to the future winner of the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Queen’s Plate. Northern Dancer went on to gain recognition as the preeminent sire of the 20th century. Another of Natalma’s important offspring was Arctic Dancer, who produced Eclipse Award champion La Prevoyante. Natalma also produced stakes winners Native Victor, Regal Dancer and Born A Lady.
The 16-member Thoroughbred election committee also inducted Russ and Lois Bennett of Flying Horse Farm in Westbank, B.C., in the Builders’ category and jockey Chris Loseth of Vancouver, B.C. The Bennetts are the most successful breeders in the history of the province, earning a Sovereign Award in 1983 and 20 titles as the leading breeder. Loseth, who earned Sovereign Awards as the leading apprentice jockey and later champion jockey in Canada, once rode eight winners in 10 races at Hastings Park. He retired in 2005 with 3,668 career victories. Some of his memorable rides came on Sovereign Award winner Travelling Victor, who was bred by the Bennetts.
The Veterans’ committee elected Bill Beasley’s Canadian Champ, winner of the first Plate race at the newly built Woodbine racetrack in 1956. Canadian Champ was Canada’s champion 2-year-old, winning the Cup and Saucer and Coronation Futurity and two other stakes races. He was Canada’s Horse of the Year in 1956, winning the three races than now constitute the Triple Crown – The Queen’s Plate, Prince of Wales and Breeders’ Stakes. He retired in 1957 as Canada’s leading money winner with 15 stakes among his 20 wins. Sold back to his breeder, E.P. Taylor, he stood at Windfields and sired Triple Crown winner Canebora and Queen’s Plate winner Titled Hero.
The Standardbred election committee elected the incredible pacing colt Bettors Delight, winner of the Little Brown Jug and twice champion in Canada, leading juvenile colt in North America and winner of $2.5 million, along with Cathedra, champion at age two and the marvelous broodmare producer of millionaires Cathedra Dot Dom and Cabrini Hanover. Jack McNiven of Killean Acres in Ingersoll, Ont., one of the leading breeders of stakes class standardbreds for more than 40 years, was inducted in the Builders category.
The gala dinner and induction ceremonies will be held on Thursday, August 23rd, at the Mississauga Convention Centre. Guest speaker will be former professional goalie and comic Jim Ralph.
For further information contact Managing Director Louis Cauz at 416 675-3993, ext. 2399, or email: lzc@woodbineentertainment.com
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