From his teenage days standing at the rail of Fort Erie Racetrack, to his current role as timer high above Woodbine Racetrack, Gregg Peacock has always appreciated a bird’s eye view of thoroughbred racing. He grew up a horseshoe’s throw from the track known as the border oval, a place where he’d regularly meet up with his friends for a day at the races.
The biggest obstacle those days for Peacock and his pals? Making sure they got to Fort Erie before first race post time. “It was as easy as crossing the road to get there,” recalled Peacock. “The only challenge was being there in time so that we could bet the early daily double. But, we always had a great time when we went. I can even remember the odd time picking up tickets off the floor to see if there was any winners.”
Over the years, Peacock’s interest in handicapping horses continued to grow. So, too, did his affinity for the thoroughbreds themselves. “I eventually got my owner’s licence, which I had for 26 years,” recalled Peacock. “I remember the first one I co-owned got beat by a nose and was claimed. It took 1-1/2 years before we had our first winner. (Clever Romance) won three in a row and then got claimed. That’s the nature of the business.”