These kids are alright!
The second episode of the new horse racing in Ontario podcast, the Down the Stretch podcast with Peter Gross, assembled a group of teenagers who are immersed in horse racing whether it be owning a horse, writing about racing and learning how to figure out who the winner of a race will be.
Lori Cirillo, Libby Buntain, Nicholas Barnsdale and Joshua Attard sat down with Peter for the second edition of the DOWN THE STRETCH podcast, covering horse racing in Ontario. The fun podcast includes some great ideas these young people have for horse racing and its future.
The DTS podcast is sponsored by the HBPA, Ontario Racing, Ajax Downs and Woodbine Entertainment and covers all three breeds of horse racing in the province.
Lori Cirillo
Lori Cirillo is 16 and her father Frank owns 11 Thoroughbreds and a number of standardbreds but she also owns 14 standardbred horses.
“Mohawk does a night for families with ice cream, cotton candy machines, pony rides and when I was younger I remember going there and I kept wanting to go back. And then if you had a junior betting class with prizes to help young people learn about the races.”
Libby Buntain, 14-years-old, had the horse owned by her father Angus, Krachenwagon, compete in the Queen’s Plate in 2019. The Buntain family have raced horses in Ontario for several decades and Libby has become involved in the family business.
Joshua Attard was 10-years-old when his father Kevin bought him his first horse to race. “I would go on Equibase and search the horses stats, my Dad’s horses, my horses, look up workouts, everything,” said Joshua.
Peter asked each of his young guests about luring young people back to the horse races and getting to know horses.
“It’s fun, I hope more young people will come and visit the track, get a tour of the barns and meet owners and trainers,” said Joshua.
Nicholas Barnsdale, who is now a published racing writer, grew up learning about racing through his father Garnet, one of Ontario racing’s most recognizable handicappers and writers. “I have brought friends to the track and taught them to read the racing form. I like Libby’s idea of a video game, riding a mechanical horse in a simulcast race and let’s get people more hands on with horses,” said Nicholas.
“Have barn tours, meet and greets with people in racing and get everyone more involved. Racing is seen as behind-the-curtains, an elite club, to make it more accessible have [events] to get young people more involved.”
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