REMEMBER HIM?
FOREVER GRAND – 2nd in the Queen’s Plate 14 years ago, is an accomplished chuckwagon horse in Alberta. He is 17-years-old this season and this photo, provided by Jenelle Motz, shows him recently in Provost, Alberta.
‘MUFFIN’ TOPS FILLIES AT THE MARCH OCALA 2-YEAR-OLD SALE – SESSION 1
A 2-year-old bay filly bred in Ontario was the most expensive filly at the first session of the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company’s March 2-Year-Olds in Training sale and it is fascinating to trace the history of this filly’s family tree.
Sold for $500,000 (US) Tuesday to Spendthrift Farm, the daughter of Into Mischief – Narrate by Medaaglia d’Oro was sold by Niall Brennan Stables, agent. She had been purchased for $160,000 (US) last fall at the Fasig-Tipton October yearling sale by Everest Bloodstrock from Ontarians James and Janeane Everatt and Arika Everatt-Meeuse of St. Thomas Ontario. The family’s Shannondoe Farm has been one this country’s most successful breeders, stallion owners and consignors for many decades.
The Everatts were the original breeders of this filly’s dam, Narrate, and sold her at Keeneland September yearling in 2008 to Bill Farish for $50,000. The filly was trained at the track by Mark Casse and she showed promise as a 2-year-old but it took her a number of races to win her maiden. In fact, the filly was still a maiden when Farish tried to see her in January, 2011 at the Keeneland Horses of All Ages sale. She was bought back for $25,000 and then purchased by Tina Casse and Centennial Farms (Niagara) Inc.
The filly won her maiden as a 4-year-old for $25,000 claiming at Woodbine and later was claimed for $10,000 by owner Gary McMaster and trainer Daryl Ezra. She won her first race for the new interests in Nov. 2011 at Woodbine for $20,000 claiming.
The following August, Narrate was racing for $7,500 claiming for McMaster, finished third at odds-on and was claimed by Jeanne Ryan and trainer Daniel Wills.
The filly was unable to race anymore, however, and the Everatts, who had been following their homebred, bought her back.
Narrates first mate was Into Mischief and the $500,000 filly is her first foal.
Narrate is a daughter of the aging mare Jo Zak, who is a Shannondoe special. Jo Zak, a 1994 model by Vilzak, never raced but she has been a very good producer.
Of course her best known foal currently is CAREN, one of the top 2-year-old fillies in Canada in 2015 and a Sovereign Award finalist. Jo Zak has had 11 foals to race, 9 winners and Narrate was her second foal for the Everatts.
Last fall at the Keeneland November sale, the Everatts also grabbed another member of the family.
“We now have [Narrate’s half] sister as well, Expressly Yours by Big Brown,” said Everatt-Meeuse. “She will be bred to Society’s Chairman this year after just foaling her first by new NY sire Central Banker. We bought her at Keeneland Nov. for $30k. Narrate has a gorgeous filly by Old Fashioned right now and is due to Street Sense, booked back to Bodimiester…”
Whether the $500,000 filly becomes a major runner or not remains to be seen but for her dam, a one-time $7,500 claimer, that is a lot of money she has made in her brief career to this point as a broodmare.
“Muffin” – is the INTO MISCHIEF – NARRATE, by Medaglia D’Oro 2-year-old filly bred in Ontario by James and Janeane Everatt and Arika Everatt-Meeuse whho brought $500,000 at the March Ocala sale on Tuesday
CANADIAN BUYERS at OBS
Robert Harvey and George Ledson paid $22,00 for a grey More than Ready colt from the mare Zazz by Tapit. The colt worked in 21 2/5 for the sale.
Don MacRae paid $20,000 for a Florida bred colt by Adios Charlie form the Known Fact mare Facts of Winning. The colt had worked in 21 3/5 for the sale.
Robert McMartin, agent signed the ticket for $550,000 for an Arch colt out of the Officer mare Frisk Her. The colt had worked in 9 4/5.
ONTARIO-BREDS IN MARCH OBS SALE
57 10.0 C Gemologist Kick’em Jenny Ontario de Meric Sales, Agent for Golden Legacy Stables
-bought for $50,000 by Juan Pancanin
145 10.0 F Into Mischief Narrate Ontario Niall Brennan Stables, Agent IV
– bought for $500,000 by Spendthrift Farm
213 out C Candy Ride (ARG) Roan Inish Ontario Hidden Brook, Agent II 9
399 10.1 C Super Saver American Armada Ontario Niall Brennan Stables, Agent I 8
481 10.2 C Tiznow Cotton Bay Ontario Secure Investments 9
528 10.3 F Court Vision Druidess Ontario Wavertree Stables, Inc. (Ciaran Dunne), Agent I
- not sold
WOODBINE’S NEW TAPETA SURFACE OPENS FRIDAY
The Main Track will open as of Friday, March 18.
Following is a complete schedule:
Main Track:
Hours of operation : 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
Harrow break : 7:30 a.m. to 8:00 a.m.
Starting Gates: 2 Gates available, one at the top of the stretch and one at the 3/4 chute.
Hours of operation : 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Wednesday through Sunday.
Training Track:
Hours of operation: 6:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Harrow break : 8:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.
Sand Ring:
Hours of operation : 6:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon.
Paddock Schooling:
Will commence on Friday, April 8 from 6:00 a.m. through 9:40 a.m.
There will be paddock schooling 3 days a week, Friday through Sunday.
JOHN CALHOUN,94, SERVICE SATURDAY
JOHN CALHOUN – Peacefully after a lengthy illness on Monday, March 14, 2016 at the Georgetown Hospital at the age of 94. Beloved husband of Nora and loving father of Janet Calhoun, Donna Pizarro and Tom (Kathy) Calhoun. Proud grandfather to Kerri Duggan (Brian), Tyler Pizarro, Travis Calhoun and Kyle Calhoun and great-grandfather to Jack. Also survived by Shirley Calhoun, the mother of his children.
Predeceased by his brother Bob Calhoun. Fondly remembered by his sisters-in-law Marilyn Colpitts and Carol Ritchie.
John worked until he was 92 as a Thoroughbred Horse Trainer at Woodbine Racetrack.
Friends will be received at the J.S. Jones & Son Funeral Home, 11582 Trafalgar Rd., north of Maple Ave., Georgetown, 905-877-3631, on Saturday, March 19th from 4-6 p.m. In memory contributions to LongRun Thoroughbred Retirement Society or Prostate Cancer Canada would be appreciated. To send expressions of sympathy, visit jsjonesandsonfuneralhome.com – See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/thestar/obituary.aspx?n=john-calhoun&pid=178069198&fhid=17686#sthash.sooUEhO8.dpuf
CANADIAN HORSE RACING HALL OF FAME – 40TH ANNIVERSARY
IMPORTANT DATES COMING UP –
2016 Nominee List Announced: March 21, 2016
2016 Inductees Announced: April 5, 2016
2016 CHRHF Induction & 40th Anniversary Gala: Wednesday, August 3, 2016, Mississauga Convention Centre. Additonal details to be posted as available.
http://canadianhorseracinghalloffame.com/
EURICO DA SILVA won his first race in Hong Kong on Mar. 16 and the media went wild – HKJC photo
