Ron's Gizmo, Mid Day Image, Bobcaygeon; Woodbine Fatalities

Ontario racing fans, owners, trainers and backstretch workers passed along condolences this weekend after three horses were fatally injured in races at Woodbine.

Fan favourite RON’S GIZMO, age eight, broke down in the heat of the stretch battle in Woodbine’s eighth race on November 30, was pulled up by Rafael Hernandez and then euthanized. The son of Giant Gizmo – Street Kid by Lemon Drop Kid was making his first start since August when he was sixth in the Niagara Stakes. Owned by Linda Theil and Harri Hosein and trained by Ron Sadler, Ron’s Gizmo won the Steady Growth Stakes last December and he had won his first two races of 2025.

In his career, the big dark bay gelding had won 10 of 35 races and just over $426,000 (US).

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Sadler also trains WAR COURT, who won the race for Chiefswood Stable.

The death of Ron’s Gizmo came just two days after the fatal breakdown of MID DAY IMAGE, a nine-year-old stakes horse with career earnings of $540,000.

Mid Day Image, a stallion, won almost $300,000 for his breeder Patricia Generazio including the Claiming Crown Emerald Stakes in December 2021. The son of Midshipman was then sold as part of Generazio’s dispersal of horses in the winter of 2023. Owner/trainer David Jacobsen bought Mid Day Image for $40,000 and he won over $105,000 with him in his first four races, including thirds in the Laurel Dash and Wolf Hill Stakes. The horse won almost another $100,000 before he was dropped in for $8,000 claiming this past March. He raced twice for trainer Ingrid Mason before he was claimed by Bruno Schickedanz and trainer Norm McKnight for $7,500. After six starts at Woodbine and an eight-place finish on Oct. 3, Mid Day Image was dropped to $4,500 claiming and he won.

On Nov. 29 he broke down on the turn, was pulled up by Austin Adams but then was run into by another horse and rider.

As recently as October 30, Denali Stud’s Conrad Bandaroff, who sold the Generazio horses, offered to purchase Mid Day Image and ship him to Kentucky to find him a home. He was turned down.

On Nov. 23, the two-year-old gelding BOBCAYGEON broke down very close to the spot where Mid Day Image was injured. Bobcaygeon was making his second career start and was showing speed in the 5 1/2 furlng dash on Tapeta before he incident occurred. He was owned by RCC Racing Stable Ltd. and trained by John Mattine.

There was at least one voided claim on the weekend as winner Trip Aces came out of his victory in race 1 on Nov. 30 a little worse for wear and his claim was voided.