Leading Standardbred owner Brad Grant is stepping up to raise funds for the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) Player Assistance Program in the wake of the tragic Humboldt Broncos bus crash.
Grant, who is Chairman of the Ontario Hockey Association (OHA) and former owner of the Milton Icehawks, currently owns a four-year-old pacer named Humboldt, which he purchased in mid-January at a sale in New Jersey.
In the wake of the Humboldt Broncos tragedy, Grant has graciously offered to donate all of Humboldt’s earnings from the next month towards the SJHL Player Assistance Program.
“I know Bill Chow from the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League and I’m involved with the Ontario Hockey Association and then I have a horse named Humboldt,” said Grant. “I thought what a great connection and maybe we can help use it to generate some funds for the program Bill and his group have put in,”
The Player Assistance Program will aid in providing mental health assistance and counselling for all players in the SJHL. The SJHL has announced that any extra funds raised for the Player Assistance Program will go into an education plan in memory of the lives lost.
The racehorse Humboldt is a bay gelding and is scheduled to race this Saturday (April 14) at Woodbine Mohawk Park in Campbellville, Ontario. The four-year-old pacer has a win and five top-three finishes in six starts since being purchased by Grant.
Humboldt will be racing in Saturday’s third-race (8:10 p.m.).
“I’m a firm believer in health and well-being,” said Grant. “I thought it was quite ironic with me being involved in hockey, knowing the people and owning this horse, so I thought why not see if we can do it this way and get some other people on board and do some more good.”
Grant is encouraging others in the racing community to join him and raise funds for the SJHL Player Assistance Program. He is also extending an open invitation for anyone to the winner’s circle should Humboldt win any of his starts over the next month.
Fans are invited to wear their favourite hockey jersey to the track when Humboldt is racing.
Any horsepeople interested in joining Grant and donating to the SJHL Assistance Fund can see Pamela Murphy, Horsemen’s Bookkeeper, in the Woodbine Mohawk Park Race Office.
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