When we start out in this great sport of horse racing, whether it be as a hotwalker, groom, working on the farm delivering foals, watching, wagering and simply taking jobs in any capacity just to be close to the horses, in no way do you think a Hall of Fame induction is in the future.
That is how the new inductees to the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame will feel tonight as they are honoured at the ceremony and dinner in Mississuaga, ON.
Dave Landry has been photographing horses and racing for decades. He is a horse racing lover and well respected in the industry. In the late 1980s I met Dave as he was taking photos for Canadian Thoroughbred magazine with his business partner Marco Chiesa. Dave went out on his own and has won Sovereign Awards for his work.
Dan Loioselle worked in the racing office in Standardbred racing and a love of the races found him trying out for a race calling job. He later replaced the incomparable Daryl Wells at Woodbine and became the voice of Ontario racing.
Reade Baker was on a horse as a very young child and he worked his way through numerous jobs at the track. He was a successful jockey agent for Gary Stahlbaum, a blood agent and manager for the great Afleet and he took out his trainer’s license and has trained two Horses of the Years and won a Sovereign Award for top trainer. Now that is cutting a swath through Canadian horse racing.
John Sikura went from an Ontario boy to the leader of one of Kentucky’s biggest stallion and breeding operations, Hill ‘n’ Dale Farm.
We get a chance to celebrate these men tonight along with some wonderful equine stars such as Judy the Beauty and Shaman Ghost, both bred by Frank Stronach, and Standardbred Blissful Hall, who was developed into a star by Ontario’s Ben Wallace, who will be on hand to celebrate his former student’s induction.
Stay tuned to the ‘Blog on Twitter (@jensblog) for updates from tonight.
The Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame Class of 2018 includes:
Two horses bred by Adena Springs –Breeder’s Cup winner Judy the Beauty and Queen’s Plate winner Shaman Ghost.
Ontario-born Thoroughbred breeder, John G. Sikura, operator of one of the most successful breeding farms in Kentucky.
Ontario based, Sovereign Award winning trainer Reade Baker, who has also been a jockey’s agent, operated an international bloodstock service and been a successful breeder.
Dan Loiselle, the track announcer known for his iconic calls of Canadian Triple Crown races.
Bill Andrew, a breeder with ties to Alberta and PEI, who continues to generously give back to the racing industry.
Ontario based photographer Dave Landry whose work has been recognized in Canada and internationally.
The late Jim Doherty, a gentlemanly trainer-driver from New Brunswick with a career spanning six-decades, much of which took place on US tracks.
Blissfull Hall, Quebec-owned winner of North America’s Pacing Triple Crown.
Chancey Lady, Ontario-sired, BC owned pacing mare who earned over $2-million.
Homage will also be paid to 2018 Legend honourees, Frank McMahon and Hector Clouthier, Sr.
The Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame acknowledges the generous sponsorship and valued support for the 2018 Induction Gala by the following sponsors: Platinum Sponsor – OLG, Stallion Auction Donor – Stronach Family/Adena Springs, Video Production Sponsor Woodbine, Audio Visual Supplier FMAV plus Reception and Wine sponsor COSA and Photography Sponsor Omega Alpha.
A limited number tickets are still available to attend the event and may be purchased by contacting Linda Rainey 416-417-9404 or linda.rainey@horseracinghalloffame.com.
SARATOGA YEARLING SALE WRAPS UP WITH 8.7% AVERAGE INCREASE
Scenics, 2018 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Selected Yearling Sale. FASIG TIPTON PHOTO
Scenics 2018 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Selected Yearling Sale
One night after “Pharoahmania” in which first yearlings by American Pharoah dominated the headlines, it was the established stud MEDAGLIA D’ORO (sire of Canadian bred champ WONDER GADOT) who was the star of the 2nd night of the sale.
Three youngsters by the top sire sold for seven-figures including the $1.35 million sales topper.
11 Canadian-breds sold for $4,395,000 for an average of $399,546.
Anderson Farms sold two yearlings for $685,000 and was also the breeder of the top selling Canadian bred on night 2, a colt by Medaglia D’Oro co-bred by Peter Berglar. The colt, out of Androeah, was sold by Anderson and Berglar for $350,000 as a weanling last fall at Keeneland.
Canadian-breds in sale (results included from last night)
Hip Price Buyer Sex Breeding Prov. foaled Consignor
7 $275,000 LIVE OAK PLANTATION C TIZNOW JULES BEST JULES ONTARIO 8 SOUTH POINT SALES AGENCY AGENT III
20 $400,000 F CURLIN LEAVEMINTHEDUST DANZIG ONTARIO 9 EATON SALES AGENT FOR WILLIAM D. GRAHAM (WINDHAVEN FARM)
26 $1,200,000 F AMERICAN PHAROAH LIFE AT TEN MALIBU MOON ONTARIO 6 GAINESWAY AGENT VI
51 $200,000 QUARTER POLE ENTERPRISES F TALE OF THE CAT MY SISTER SANDY MONTBROOK ONTARIO 3 VINERY SALES AGENT II
Tonight..
131 $225,000 CROMWELL BLOODSTOCK C PALACE MALICE TIMELESS SILVER SILVER DEPUTY ONTARIO 8 SOUTH POINT SALES AGENCY AGENT I
133 $375,000 KENJI HOLDINGS F MACLEAN’S MUSIC TOULA BOLD EXECUTIVE ONTARIO 2 HILL ‘N’ DALE SALES AGENCY AGENT
140 $400,000 GODOLPHIN C UNCLE MO UNSPURNED LEMON DROP KID ONTARIO 5 CARA BLOODSTOCK AGENT FOR SAINTSBURY FARMS INC. (CHRISTINE & JAY HAYDEN)
144 $485,0o0 JOHN OXLEY C FLATTER VICTORIOUS AMI VICTORY GALLOP ONTARIO 1 WARRENDALE SALES AGENT FOR TALL OAKS FARM
158 $635,000 LOTHENBACH STABLES C MEDAGLIA D’ORO ANDROEAH ARCH ONTARIO 6 GAINESWAY AGENT VI
(Anderson Farms/ Peter Berglar bred, $350,000 weanling last year sold to Blue Sky Stables)
170 OUT C AMERICAN PHAROAH BANGA RIDGE SNOW RIDGE ONTARIO 5 CARA BLOODSTOCK AGENT, SAINTSBURY FARMS INC. (CHRISTINE & JAY HAYDEN)
217 $460,00 CHEYENNE STABLES F HONOR CODE FLAWLESS DIAMOND SAINT BALLADO ONTARIO 2 ANDERSON FARMS
226 $225,000 F HARD SPUN GAUZE SAINT BALLADO ONTARIO 2 ANDERSON FARMS
237 RNA $195,000 F UNION RAGS HAPPY VALE DISTORTED HUMOR ONTARIO 9 EATON SALES AGENT FOR WILLIAM D. GRAHAM (WINDHAVEN FARM)
A Palace Malice colt from the Silver Deputy mare TIMELESS SILVER sold to Cromwell Bloodstock and was bred by James and Janeane Everatt and Arika Everatt Meeuse. The colt is a half brother to Woodbine stakes winners Silver Princess and Eighty Nine Red
