Trainer Jared Brown is back at Assiniboia Downs earlier than usual this spring, eager to get his promising new crop of babies on the track.
“You’ve got to get them going early,” said Brown as we walked through his barn on Thursday morning.
Brown purchased six yearlings at the Keeneland September Sale last fall, paying particular attention to pedigree and conformation. Normally in Turf Paradise in Phoenix at this time of year, Brown still has some horses there after that track’s late opening, but they’ll all soon be here.
As we continue through the shedrow, Brown points out the first horse, a strapping chestnut filly by Del Mar Futurity (G1) winner Klimt. “I knew I could buy a Klimt for a good price,” said Brown. “His babies don’t seem to sell well for some reason.”
He got her for $1,000.
Next is a well-bred daughter of Arkansas Derby (G1) winner Omaha Beach out of a mare that is a half sister to Monmouth Breeders’ Cup Oaks (G3) winner Flying Glitter. Brown is partnered on the filly with owner John Ganas. Another filly, this one by multiple Grade 2 stakes winner Catalina Cruiser, was a bargain purchase for top Manitoba/owner breeder Cam Ziprick.
Brown’s stable star for now is 2023 ASD Gold Cup runner-up Convention, who also ran second in the Harvey Warner Manitoba Mile. The friendly 5-year-old gelding posed for a photo with Brown, as his trainer fed him peppermints.
“Convention is the barn leader right now until these babies hopefully step up,” said Brown. “His biggest win is still ahead of him.”
In addition to the six babies already on the grounds, Brown is expecting more horses to arrive soon. He currently has a string of 10 horses at Turf Paradise overseen by his barn foreman and partner Susan Crane.
“I’ve got about 26 horses so far this year between here, Phoenix, some at the farm in Saskatchewan, and a few others I’ve claimed or bought privately,” said Brown “And I haven’t really started putting partnerships together and claiming yet.”
For the 56-year-old conditioner, now in his 25th year of training at Assiniboia Downs, it’s the lifestyle that keeps him coming back each spring.
“Just being around the horses is the best part,” he says simply, greeting his grooms Dodie Chmilowsky and Christine Greaves, who’ve worked for him for over a decade combined. “Some of my favourite horses over the years were Alpine Luck, Mixed Intent, and of course, champion claimer and sprinter Mark Ye Well.”
Brown has compiled a career record of 577-560-519 from 3,924 starts for purse earnings of $4,603,375. While he has yet to win a training title at the Downs, he has had some huge years here. He finished third in the standings in 2023, and second in both 2021 and 2022. He’s looking forward to 2024 at ASD with a solid mix of older horses and 2-year-olds, but he won’t be pushing the youngsters too hard.
“Two-year-olds to me aren’t make or break at two,” said Brown. “I just want to see how they progress, and have a good solid year overall. If we can get a couple stakes horses out of this group when they turn three and four, even better.”
Brown has an excellent group of owners backing him including Kane Kachur, John Ganas, Lorna Gray, Pat Wallace, Ingrid Lee, Cam Ziprick and Violetta Adamczyk. His Omaha Beach filly fits perfectly with this bunch. Her name?
Welcome to Hollywood.
Grooms Christine Greaves (left) and Dodie Chmilowsky with the Omaha Beach two-year-old Welcome to Hollywood. (George Williams photo)
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