osas

KJ Owen Enjoying Retirement

Mon, 23 Mar 2026 13:21:11 GMT

After a 10 year racing career which saw him face the gate close to 300 times, KJ Owen is now learning the ropes as a riding horse.

His lessons are going well, although he did take his trainer, Bert Mollica, for an unexpected ride in the early going. Matthew Loman profiles the 12 year-old gelding in the latest OSAS Pathways which may be read here.

Nutzz N Boltzz And Reven Up Featured

Thu, 12 Mar 2026 22:21:56 GMT

“Having ridden and owned a variety of horses over the last 35 years, the Standardbreds are the most honest ones out there. They are so loyal, smart, safe and sound, they don’t have many bad or off days it seems. So, for that I will forever be grateful,” notes Fran Brethour when speaking of her OSAS graduates Nutzz N Boltzz and Reven Up.

Fran praises her Standardbreds in the latest OSAS Pathways feature by Matthew Loman which may be read through the link below.

https://woodbine.com/mohawk/mohawk-insider/osas-pathways-nutzz-n-boltzz-reven-up/

KJ Owen Joins OSAS

Fri, 06 Mar 2026 16:55:26 GMT

OSAS is pleased to welcome the iron tough KJ Owen to their roster. A 12 year-old gelding by Roll With Joe, KJ Owen faced the gate an incredible 297 time over his 10 year career.

He recorded his 50 ^th lifetime win in April of last year at Flamboro with Austin Sorrie at the controls. Upon his retirement in January of this year he sported a summary of 52-41-38 for $311,000 banked.

The first foal of Winsmith Jess, KJ Owen raced primarily in the US at various racetracks. His first Canadian start was in January of 2025 at Mohawk. He has two brothers with earnings over $200,000 – KJ Hunter and KJ Leo both of whom are still racing at Monticello Raceway.

Owen is now at Susan and Bert Mollica’s foster farm where he will be trained for his second career.

Second Career For Steel Reserve

Sat, 28 Feb 2026 15:35:42 GMT

“I’ve never seen a horse with the emotions he’s shown. When he first arrived, my husband and I were both like, ‘We don’t know what to do.’ We had never seen a horse cry before but there were literal tears in his eyes,” said Susan Mollica of OSAS graduate Steel Reserve.

Bert Mollica used a different training technique with the warhorse whose second career will be somewhat unique. His story is profiled in the latest installment of OSAS Pathways by Matthew Loman and may be read here.

OSAS Auction Closed

Sun, 22 Feb 2026 17:22:51 GMT

The Ontario Stallion Adoption Society’s 2026 Stallion Auction has now closed. Breedings to 16 sires from Ontario and PEI were offered over the past four days.

OSAS extends sincere appreciation to everyone who contributed to the success of this year’s auction including the stallion owners, the stud farms and everyone who placed a bid.

Congratulations to the successful bidders and the best of luck. To view the full list of stallions and buyers please click here.

OSAS Stallion Auction Closes Friday At Noon

Thu, 19 Feb 2026 21:40:55 GMT

Please be advised that the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society’s 2026 Stallion auction will close Friday, February 20 ^th at noon.

It is important to note that the end time can be extended to a maximum of 30 minutes on each of the 16 stallion breedings available if there is continued bidding. You are notified by email and/or text (if you select that option) if you are the winning bidder and if someone has outbid you.

This year OSAS is using 32 Auctions as their auction platform site. Here is the explanation of how the extended bidding works:

How does Extended Bidding work?

If an item receives a bid during the final three (3) minutes of the auction, the item end time will be extended to allow for 3 additional minutes of bidding. This process repeats until no new bids are received during the final 3 minutes of the item bidding window or the auction has been extended for a maximum of 30 minutes beyond the original end time.

When an auction is extended, you'll see Extended Bidding messages displayed throughout the auction with a link for easily viewing all of the extended items.

For further information on this feature, and an example, please click

here. Here is the link to the actual auction site.

OSAS Stallion Auction Starts Today

Tue, 17 Feb 2026 14:58:33 GMT

The 2026 Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society’s Stallion Auction begins today at noon.

This year we offer 16 top stallions from Ontario and PEI including one stallion, King Of The North, whose book is already closed this year.

Use the link below to enter the site and see what stallions are available. Follow the easy steps to register which allows you to bid on any of the stallions. We encourage you to register early.

Good luck to all and thanks to everyone for their support of this popular fundraiser again this year. The auction closes on Friday, February 20 starting at noon.

Enter the auction site here

2026 OSAS Stallion Auction

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 16:10:00 GMT

The Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society is pleased to announce the dates for their 2026 stallion auction. The annual fundraiser will kick off at noon on Tuesday, February 17 and close Friday, February 20 with a staggered close starting at noon.

This may be your last opportunity to obtain breedings to popular sires whose books have already closed or are close to closing for the season. Bids will be in Canadian funds. The sires available to date are as follows (in alphabetical order):

All Bets Off

Betterthancheddar

Betting Line

Big Jim

Century Farroh

Control The Moment

Dancin Lou

Its Academic

King Of The North

Lawless Shadow

Lookslikeachipndale

Malicious (PEI)

McWicked

Shanghai Phil

Sportswriter (PEI)

OSAS thanks every stallion owner for their generosity and support again this year. Additional sires will be accepted up until February 13. To donate, or if you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to Joanne Colville at osashorses@gmail.com or call or text 905-339-6748.

Established in 1996, OSAS is the official adoption agency for Standardbred horses in the province, responsible for spreading the message of the versatility of the breed and finding forever loving homes for retired pacers and trotters.

Spotlight On Sweet Deisel

Fri, 30 Jan 2026 18:04:20 GMT

After earning more than $350,000 during his racing career, Sweet Deisel is set to embark on the second chapter of his career, as a riding horse.

He’ll be leaving Susan and Bert Mollica’s foster farm along side another OSAS trainee, Stetson Seelster, at the end of this month.

His story is featured in WEG’ OSAS Pathways this week and may be read

https://woodbine.com/mohawk/mohawk-news/osas-pathways-sweet-deisel/

Amrock Major Passes

Thu, 29 Jan 2026 15:47:14 GMT

Amrock Major has passed. He was 38. A warrior on the racetrack, the son of River Rouge faced the gate more than 203 times during his career which started as a four-year-old in 1992 and ended during his 10 ^th year in 1998.

Bred by Dennis and Gerald Rock of London, Ontario, the tough performer raced at B tracks and fairs throughout Ontario during the 1990s. His last start was in October of 1998 at the now defunct Elmira Raceway with trainer Gerry Gaynor driving.

Gaynor trained Amrock Major for the last four years of his career. Prior to that he was conditioned by Ron Brintnell. A son of Graylin Jean, Major is a half-brother to Amrock Wise Guy who earned a quarter of a million dollars during his racing career four decades ago.

Amrock Major came into OSAS after his retirement from racing and he was adopted within a few months. Several years later his owner was facing health issues and Major returned to OSAS. He spent his last years at the farm of Pam Brooker who provided him a wonderful life.

Spotlight On Stetson

Thu, 08 Jan 2026 16:01:33 GMT

Stetson Seelster, who celebrated his third birthday a few days ago, is the latest OSAS horse featured in WEG’s ongoing series by writer Matthew Loman.

Stetson is currently training for a career as a riding horse under the watchful eye of Bert and Susan Mollica.

The story of Stetson, who is closely related to Canada’s 2024 Horse of the Year Chantilly, may be read through the link below.

https://woodbine.com/mohawk/mohawk-insider/osas-pathways-stetson-seelster/

Santa’s Second Chance Raffle Winners

Mon, 15 Dec 2025 14:21:30 GMT

The Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society congratulates the winners of our annual Santa’s Second Chance Raffle. We are very grateful for everyone who supported this event again this year by donating prizes and purchasing tickets. This year’s draw raised more than $7,500.

The winners were drawn live on Facebook Sunday (December 14) evening by Emma Christoforou, who organizes the popular fundraiser every year with the assistance of her mother, OSAS’s Joanne Colville, and dedicated long time volunteer Jean Posthuma.

A total of 24 baskets were offered this with varying values and included a myriad of wonderful items including Toronto Maple Leaf tickets, a full harness, various horse supplies, cosmetics, lottery tickets, games night and much more.

The following is a list of this year’s baskets and their lucky winner. Emma will reach out to the winners to organize pick up and/or delivery. Thanks again to everyone for their participation in any way - our horses appreciate your support.

#1 – Dog Lovers - Mary Lou Nerbonne

#2 – Date Night – Laura Toscani

#3 – Mast Harness – Brady Lagace

#4 – Beauty Basket – Mary Lou Nerbonne

#5 – Custom Equine Designs – Sherri Whitworth

#6 – On The Go – Julie Bergsma

#7 – Hopples & Hangers - Kyle Bryant

#8 – Coffee Lovers – Jessica Street

#9 – Chocolate Lover – Rena Soundy

#10 – Lottery Lover - Julianne Watson

#11 – Horse Lovers – Haley Angell

#12 – Girls Night Out - Marie-Soleil Fontaine

#13 – Preserves – Eileen Van Der Deen

#14 – Game Night – Monique MacLean

#15 – Family Night – Rena Soundy

#16 – Wine & Cheese – Tracey Kempffer

#17 – Newborn – Kim Huson

#18 – Self Care – Natasha Steacy

#19 – Car Care – Barry Treen

#20 – Leaf tickets – Susan Mollica

#21 – Home – Tracey Kempffer

#22 – Equine Omega Alpha – Tessa Passero

#23 – LZR Wheels (2025) – Ashleigh Hensley

#24 – OSAS Swag – Ronota Baglole

Bonus draw for a gift card – Tracey Kempffer

Foamy Featured

Fri, 12 Dec 2025 16:02:45 GMT

The heartwarming and heartbreaking story of the trotting mare Foamy, who was adopted from OSAS as a Christmas gift, is spotlighted in today’s OSAS Pathways feature written by WEG’s Matthew Loman.

Julie Kangas, who now lovingly cares for Foamy, was instrumental in ensuring her friend and neighbour had one last horse. The full story is available here.

Christmas Shop & Support OSAS

Mon, 01 Dec 2025 16:11:08 GMT

Once again the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society is pleased to present the Christmas Second Chance Raffle named to reflect our mission to give retired Standardbreds a second chance and forever home.

To participate please view the baskets being offered this year at the Facebook page Santa's Second Chance Raffles. Select the ones you wish to bid on and purchase however many tickets you want for it. Ticket prices are $2 or $5 depending upon the basket.

Here’s how it works.

Raffle tickets can be purchased from November 29th 2025 through to midnight on December 13th 2025.
Tickets may be paid through e-transfer to santassecondchanceraffles@gmail.com . In the message please indicate how many tickets you are purchasing and for what baskets.
You may also pay in cash in person to Emma Christoforou, Joanne Colville or Jean Posthuma. If you wish to pay by credit card please message Emma to set up a convenient time to do so.
If you are unable to pick your basket up and would like it shipped, shipping will be at the basket winners’ expense.
The winners will be announced on a live stream on Sunday, December 14, 2025, time to be determined.
We encourage you to invite as many people as possible to the Facebook page and the raffle.
If you have any questions please contact Joanne at 905-339-6748 or email: osashorses@gmail.com .
Thanks to everyone who supports this fundraiser, everyone who contributed to a basket and volunteers behind the scenes, it is all very much appreciated.
This year there are 24 gift baskets to choose from as follows. To see full descriptions of each basket please go to the Santa’s Second Chance Raffles group on Facebook by clicking here.

2025 Santa’s Second Chance Baskets

#1 – Dog Lovers -Grooming Session, various toys & treats.

#2 – Date Night – Restaurant Gift Cards

#3 – Mast Harness

#4 – Beauty Basket

#5 – Custom Equine Designs

#6 – On The Go

#7 – Hopples & Hangers

#8 – Coffee Lovers

#9 – Chocolate Lover

#10 – Lottery Lover - $125 worth of tickets.

#11 – Horse Lovers

#12 – Girls Night Out

#13 – Preserves

#14 – Game Night

#15 – Family Night

#16 – Wine & Cheese collection

#17 - Newborn

#18 – Self Care

#19 – Car Care

#20 – Hockey Night – Leaf tickets

#21 - Home

#22 – Equine Omega Alpha

#23 – LZR Wheels (2025)

#24 – OSAS Swag

Thanks to everyone for their support, good luck and happy shopping.

Naso Hanover Featured

Fri, 28 Nov 2025 20:49:08 GMT

It’s not often that OSAS has a two-year-old in our program but Naso Hanover is not your average two-year-old.

“He’s just an old soul. He’s like a 20-year-old horse that’s been doing it forever,” Susan Mollica told WEG’s Matthew Loman in this week’s installment of OSAS Pathways which may be read through the link below.

https://woodbine.com/mohawk/mohawk-insider/osas-pathways-naso-hanover/

Easy Lover Hanover Loving Life

Thu, 13 Nov 2025 23:15:08 GMT

The Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society will celebrate its 30 ^th anniversary next year and over those three decades several people have adopted more than one horse from our program. That’s certainly the case with Julie Wilson and her husband Rod MacLean, both retired police sergeants.

The couple operate Northumbria Equine in Port Hope, Ontario, and have adopted four retired Standardbreds thus far from OSAS, the most famous of which is millionaire pacer Easy Lover Hanover.

Affectionately referred to by Julie as ‘the boss of the barn,’ Easy Lover is the latest horse featured in WEG’s OSAS Pathway’s feature which may be read through the link below.

https://woodbine.com/mohawk/mohawk-news/osas-pathways-easy-lover-hanover/

Derf Hanover Joins OSAS

Thu, 06 Nov 2025 17:20:20 GMT

The Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society is pleased to welcome the tough campaigner, Derf Hanover to our program. The talented trotter earned well over half a million dollars the hard way with 234 career starts in 10 seasons at the track.

A son of Cantab Hall, Derf earned his life mark of 1:52.3 last year as a 10-year-old while racing at Mohawk. A regular on the WEG circuit for the past few years, Derf started his racing career south of the border under the guidance of trainer Ake Svanstedt.

Bred by the renowned Hanover Shoe Farms, Derf sold as a yearling for $45,000. It wasn’t until his four-year-old season that he found his groove and he performed steadily for the next few years earning an average of $87,000 in each of his next six years at the track.

From his five-year-old season on he raced in Ontario (with the exception of four starts at Harrahs in 2021). His last full season of racing was spent in the stable of Amanda and Tom Riley who remember him fondly.

“Derf is quite the character; he likes to put on that he’s a grumpy old man but with some treats and scratches he melts right into you. He’s great with other horses; usually when he finds his pal he doesn’t let anyone else in his little posse. He’s as tough as they come,” said Tom recently.

Derf Hanover is the most talented of his dam’s offspring, but his family is loaded with top performers. His dam is a half-sister to $200,000 winner Cocktail Hour who in turn is the dam of $1.3 million winner Bar Hopping. His second dam is a full sister to the great JEFS Spice.

OSAS welcomes Derf Hanover into our program where he will enter training once he’s decompressed from racetrack life.

Conrad Seelster Passes

Mon, 03 Nov 2025 17:00:57 GMT

Iron tough racehorse and well loved retiree Conrad Seelster has passed. He was 33. The son of Threefold made an incredible 445 starts during his racing career with a lifetime summary of 54-61-61 for $310,285 in earnings.

He was adopted from the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society at the conclusion of his racing career by noted equine artist Michelle Hogan Casson of Miller Lake, Ontario. Conrad happily spent the last 15 years as part of Michelle’s family.

His story was shared by OSAS a few years back and may be read

https://www.osas.ca/osas-stories#AnEquineLoveStory

Playsomthincountry On Stage

Thu, 30 Oct 2025 14:35:50 GMT

WEG’s Matthew Lemon is spotlighting horses connected to the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society in a bi-weekly feature called OSAS Pathways.

Playsomthincountry is featured in the latest installment. The 16-year-old pacer hails from two of Canada’s longest running and well known Standardbred nurseries. He was bred by Seelster Farms, a stalwart in the industry for many years now and now operated by the second generation of Van Bussel family. His dam, Daylon Luxury, was bred and raised by Dave and Mary Lemon’s Daylon Farms of Komoka, Ontario.

Playsomthincountry is a half-brother to $200,000 winner Luxury Seelster p, 4, 1:53s and another sister, Luxury Vacation, is the dam of a horse currently racing in Ontario, Honolulu Vacation. That four-year-old by Betterthancheddar earned his life mark of 1:53s with a win at Mohawk earlier this year. Honolulu Vacation last raced this past Sunday (October 26) at Flamboro for trainer Cody Hawkins who was also the trainer and owner of Playsomthincountry during his career.

To read the story, please use the link below.

https://woodbine.com/mohawk/mohawk-news/osas-pathways-playsomthincountry/

WEG Profiles OSAS Horses

Fri, 17 Oct 2025 16:21:39 GMT

Matthew Lomon of Woodbine Entertainment has started a series which will be updated twice a month and feature a horse connected to the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society.

The feature began this week with Beach Bet the first horse in the spotlight. A five-year-old son of All Bets Off, Beach Bet is currently training at the foster farm of Susan and Bert Mollica before embarking on his second career as a riding horse.

Beach Bet, who Susan refers to as an equine Dennis The Menace, has royalty in his bloodlines as his second dam is a half-sister to one of the best pacers of all time, Somebeachsomewhere.

The story may be read through this link.

OSAS is a charitable organization founded in 1996 to assist in the adoption and relocation of retired and non-racing Standardbred horses and showcases the versatility of the breed.

Reverend Is A Rockstar

Fri, 19 Sep 2025 22:49:18 GMT

Reverend Hanover was a star on the track during his racing career but he’s even busier these days representing the Standardbred breed as one of the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society’s ambassadors.

Now 13, the son of Sportswriter’s most recent promotion was an appearance on Breakfast Television on September 18. OSAS’s Joanne Colville brought Reverend to Mohawk Racetrack where she met with CITY TV’s Rick Campanelli along with leading driver Bob McClure.

Outfitted in Louis-Philippe Roy’s colours, Rick went for a tour around Mohawk with Bob as they discussed the upcoming incredible night of racing on Saturday night which features two $1 million races – the Mohawk Million and Metro Final for rookie trotters and pacers respectively along with the rich Elengantimage, Shes A Great Lady and Canadian Trotting Classic finals.

“As always Rev was a rockstar,” Joanne noted. “He’s always such a professional and today was no different. Part of OSAS’s mandate is to showcase the Standardbred breed and he’s perfect for that role.”

A couple of week ago Reverend Hanover participated, along with another OSAS ambassador, The Painted Pony, at Mohawk’s Community Day which encouraged patrons to bring their family to the track and get a close up look at a harness horse. Many of the visitors were able to sit beside a driver and ride behind Reverend as he took guests around the racetrack.

Giving folks a new perspective of racing, from the actual driver’s view, is nothing new for Reverend Hanover. For several years now he has served as OSAS’s Drive With Us horse. Throughout the summer he is on hand at the Campbellville track pulling double duty. At the start of the evening he serves as the Meet & Greet horse and then gives folks rides around the oval in between races.

During his career Reverend Hanover was a top performer in the Ontario Sires Stakes program. In total he made 27 lifetime starts and earned $551,213. He last raced in 2017 but he still makes lots of trips around the racetrack in his ambassador role.

To watch the CITY TV segment please click here.

Wheels On Fire Joins OSAS

Thu, 18 Sep 2025 22:57:27 GMT

Iron horse Wheels On Fire has joined the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society where he’ll be trained for a second career after excelling at his first. As a racehorse the now 10 year-old faced the gate 197 times. He retires with an impressive summary of 51-41-29 and $1.2 million in earnings.

The son of Somebeachsomewhere began his career as a two-year-old in 2017 and retired in September of 2025. His most productive year was 2022, as a seven-year-old, when he won more than $316,000 racing primarily in the preferred class on the WEG circuit. The previous season he won the O’Brien Award as Canada’s top older male pacer of the year.

“He has been a great horse to have as well as a fan favourite for many years. He retires with over $1.2 million on his card as well as an O’Brien Award to his credit,” noted owner Brad Grant when he announced Wheels On Fire’s retirement last month.

Wheels On Fire’s dam, Ab Fab, is a sister to three millionaire performers – Ashlees Big Guy, Betterthancheddar and Courtly Choice. She is also a sister to the dam of the fastest harness horse of all time, Bulldog Hanover.

OSAS is honoured to assist this talented performer as he transitions into life away from the racetrack.

Big Thanks

Thu, 11 Sep 2025 15:52:21 GMT

The Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society is very fortunate to be strongly supported by the entire harness racing industry in the province and that was certainly evident from yesterday’s annual golf tournament.

The popular event sold out quickly and Wildwinds Golf Course was an ideal course once again this year.

OSAS is sincerely grateful to everyone who contributed to this year’s success – the golfers, the sponsors, our incredible volunteers and support staff and all those who contributed prizes. We, and all of the OSAS horses, acknowledge and appreciate your support.

OSAS Golf Reminder

Tue, 09 Sep 2025 17:16:52 GMT

The Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society would like to remind participants that their annual golf tournament starts tomorrow at Wildwinds Golf Links (Guelph). Shotgun start is at 1 p.m.

The always popular fundraiser, now in its 27 ^th year, sold out very quickly. OSAS thanks all those who signed up to golf and look forward to hosting you tomorrow. Note that registration takes place from 11:45 followed by lunch prior to tee off.

Additional thanks to all those who supported the tournament through hole sponsorship and prize donations.

2025 OSAS Golf Tournament Set

Tue, 08 Jul 2025 17:08:55 GMT

For the 27 ^th year, the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society will be hosting a golf tournament to help support our mandate to find forever homes for retired harness horses.

This year’s tourney will be held on Wednesday, September 10 ^th at the Wildwinds Golf Links (near Guelph). Golfers will receive a BBQ lunch, golf, cart, a steak and chicken dinner and prizes. Price per golfer is $165 and hole sponsors are $200.

Shotgun start is 1 p.m. Please register early as this popular event always fills up quickly. Non golfers are more than welcome to attend and/or contribute by sponsoring a hole or an item for the prize table. Please contact Joanne Colville 905-339-6748 ( osashorses@gmail.com ) or Emma Christoforou 289-971-4675 to register to play, regarding sponsorship, to donate prizes or for additional information.

Sweet Deisel To OSAS

Sun, 29 Jun 2025 15:09:00 GMT

A popular pacer on the WEG circuit for the past several years, Sweet Deisel, has joined OSAS on his way to finding his forever retirement home.

A son of Sweet Lou, the gelding had his most productive season of racing last year at age eight, winning over $125,000 in purse money, all at Mohawk. It was also a hectic time for him as he was claimed five times in five months in 2024.

Sweet Deisel’s quickest time of 1:50 was first earned at four and then matched again at five. In total he faced the gate 120 times and retired with a summary of 30-24-12 for $355,125 banked.

Sweet Deisel is the first foal of his Bettors Delight dam Gentlemens Delight, a full sister to the $1.5 million winner See You At Peelers, a world record holder and winner of 22 races in a row in her distinguished career. She is also a half-sister to the dam of last year’s O’Brien Award winner Its A Love Thing.

Sweet Deisel will be enjoying some time for R&R away from the racetrack before he’ll begin training for his second career.

WEG's Support For OSAS Continues

Tue, 17 Jun 2025 20:44:08 GMT

The Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society is so grateful for the support of Woodbine Entertainment Group who generously donated $20,000 to OSAS this past weekend. We are so fortunate to partner with WEG on numerous projects including having a Meet & Greet horse at Mohawk throughout the summer months to allow newcomers the opportunity to pet a horse for the first time.

We also give patrons the opportunity to sit behind an incredible Standardbred horse through our Drive With Us program with features our wonderful ambassador Reverend Hanover. WEG and OSAS have been working together for the benefit of the industry for close to 30 years and we appreciate their unwavering support.

CLICK HERE FOR FULL STORY

Another Iron Horse Enters OSAS

Mon, 28 Apr 2025 15:30:56 GMT

Casimir Richie P, who made a total of 157 lifetime starts during his long career, has started training for his second role as a riding horse at the OSAS foster farm owned and operated by Susan and Bert Mollica.

A now 10 year-old son of Astronomical, Richie earned $478,000 during his racing career which started as a rookie in 2017. Under the guidance of trainer Dr. Ian Moore, he was competitive as a two-year-old, winning an Ontario Sires Stakes Grassroots event at Grand River Raceway as well as an elimination of the Battle Of Waterloo (fifth in final).

At three he was a multiple OSS winner and took in over $100,000 and his four-year-old campaign was his richest with over $130,000 in purses earned thanks to strong showings in WEG’s preferred paces. The highlight of his five-year-old season was a win in the coveted Gold Cup & Saucer trials at Charlottetown Driving Park.

During his storied racing career Casimir Richie P started at 15 different racetracks across North America. His last official start was a four length win at London’s Western Fair Raceway on January 29 ^th of this year.

Bred by Casmir Farms of Hagar, Ontario, Richie is the richest performer of his dam, Casimir Hugs who has produced three other $200,000+ winners in Tuggingoncredit ($307,000), Rays Kredit ($259,000) and Grits N Gravy ($235,000).

Standardbred Endurance Riders Wanted

Mon, 14 Apr 2025 14:50:55 GMT

The Ontario Competitive Trail Riding Association (OCTRA) is reaching out to riders of Standardbreds to participate in a training ride on May 3. There are two rides, one seven miles, the other 14, and will be held at the Dufferin County Forest Main Tract.

The event also includes sessions covering the following topics:

Camping with your horse

Trail etiquette

Horse Health, before during and after the ride

Vetting the horse in for the ride

Taking your horses heart rate

Pacing your horse’s speed

And an introduction to the different OCTRA disciplines, 1) Set Speed, 2) Ride & Tie, 3) Limited Distance, 4) Competitive Trail Riding, 5) Endurance.

The event organizers are encouraging riders with Standardbreds to take part and are willing to pay the entry fee for four participants riding a harness horse. The Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society already has representation with Sarah Cutherbertson who adopted the successful trotter West Grey Bay several years ago. Their story may be read here.

OSAS strongly supports this initiative as it follows our mandate to showcase the versatility of the Standardbred bred to a wide, relevant audience and encourages anyone interested in participating to visit the OCTRA’s website for more information or to enter the event.

Farewell Y Chance It

Tue, 25 Feb 2025 20:19:36 GMT

Millionaire trotter Y Chance It was laid to rest last week following a battle with colic. He was 26. The talented trotter joined the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society along with his best friend, Railroad Ron, several years ago.

Long time race fans will remember both trotters who were regulars on the WEG circuit from 2001 through 2008. Trainer Ron O’Neill purchased Y Chance It, a son of Yentls Image, as a yearling for $5,000 and would be the horse’s trainer throughout his impressive career.

“He was big and uncoordinated when I started to train him. He was never flashy, but he did everything right.” O’Neill remembered for a feature story I wrote in 2005. In total Y Chance It would face the gate 134 times for a summary of 43-15-15 and $1,081,364 in earnings.

One of the highlights of his long career, which concluded as a nine-year-old in 2008, was his sweep of the 2004 Horsemen’s Series at Woodbine. O’Neill describes his performance in the first leg of the event: “He broke at the start and we figured he spotted the field a good 20 lengths. He was catching up to them by the quarter and kept digging in and I was thinking we might have a chance to get a cheque. He kept coming and I’m thinking ‘wow, we might get third’ and he just kept going and won.

“I could watch the tape of that race every day and not get sick of it. To be able to do that against that calibre of horses in there was unbelievable.” In the $116,500 Horsemen’s final Y Chance It was impressive once more, winning from post eight for his regular pilot Randy Fritz.

Fritz drove Y Chance it in most of his career starts but when the driver was sidelined with an injury in early 2005 Paul MacDonell climbed into the sulky and guided the trotter to another Horsemen’s Trot final win in January of 2005.

Not only did Y Chance It and Railroad Ron compete against each other on the racetrack, they spent their entire retirement together. For several years the pair received wonderful care from the late Dr. Ted Clarke, his wife Val and daughter Carrie. The Clarke family were ardent supporters of OSAS for years and took in many older, companion horses like Y Chance It and Railroad Ron.

When the Clarkes’ farm was sold, the pair moved to the farm of Lynn and Kevin Bodz.

“We were asked by their connections if we could accommodate them and take them both as they were great friends and had been together for years,” OSAS’s Joanne Colville said. “We send condolences to Y Chance It’s connections who trusted us with his retirement and gratitude to those who fostered him and let him live the life he so deserved.”

Railroad Ron, 23, earned a quarter of a million in his career guided by Paula Wellwood and Mike Keeling. He now has a new paddock mate in Bettor Not Bitter, a 13-year-old Bettors Delight gelding.

Great Night At The Races

Tue, 25 Feb 2025 20:17:15 GMT

The Wellington-Waterloo Hunt Club has hosted many Standardbreds and their riders at their events over the past few years and the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society returned the favour by hosting a large group from the club at Mohawk Racetrack this past Saturday night.

OSAS’s Joanne Colville, Emma Christoforou and board member Kelly Spencer were on hand to answer any questions the enthusiastic group had about the races, the horses, betting, etc. In addition to a wonderful dinner, they also enjoyed a backstretch tour and sponsored the sixth race.

“It was a great evening at the races for the Wellington-Waterloo folks who were an enthusiastic and lovely group,” Kelly noted. “The relationship OSAS has fostered with the club has allowed us to showcase the Standardbred breed to a new, relevant audience that will ultimately allow us to adopt out more horses.”

This year’s W-WH Hunter Pace Series events will take place on April 27 (Meadowrock Farm), June 1 (Snapping Turtle Stables), September 7 (The Kennels at Hunters’ Run) and October 5 (Conestogo River Horseback Adventures). All dates are Sundays and will have strong Standardbred representation as we continue to demonstrate the versatility of our breed to other riders.

Photos by Kelly Spencer

Shadow Place Featured Again

Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:26:54 GMT

Thanks to Chris Loman of Woodbine Entertainment for following up on the story of Shadow Place who was recently found a forever home by OSAS.

An iron horse who included the coveted Gold Cup and Saucer among his accomplishments,Shadow Place has found a loving forever home with Alexandra and Tim Dickieson on their farm in Holland Centre.

In Chris's feature story, he explains the significance of the Gold Cup victory for his longtime owner Katie Miller, a detective with the Regional Police in Waterloo and the Dickiesons.

The full story may be read: https://newsroom.woodbine.com/shadow-place-strikes-gold...

2025 Stallion Auction Results

Fri, 14 Feb 2025 14:17:29 GMT

The 2025 OSAS Stallion Auction concluded today with tremendous interest and bidding, and we appreciate everyone who donated and bid to make it another successful fundraiser for our retired harness horses.

The following are the stallions and their successful purchasers.

STALLION BUYER

Alarm Detector Calabode Farms

All Bets Off Chris Cain

Betterthancheddar Zach Carroll

Big Jim Chris Bradt

Bulldog Hanover Ben Ramsey

Cattlewash Philippe Trudeau

Century Farroh Bill Mackay

Control The Moment Ashley MacDonald

Dancin Lou Nancy MacNevin

Dancin Lou Michelle Bohrer

Lookslikeachpndale Ian Fleming

McWicked Stuart Bolender

Run Director Vernon Wagler

Sunshine Beach Kelly Bryczka

We express our sincere appreciation to Seelster Farms, Tara Hills Stud, Winbak Farms, Steve Calhoun, Dave Kryway, Ontario 1362313 and Heather Davies for their generous stallion breeding donations and to all the bidders for your interest and support.

Founded in 1996, OSAS is the official agency responsible for finding forever homes for retired Standardbreds and to showcase the versatility of the breed.

Last Day For OSAS Stallion Auction

Wed, 12 Feb 2025 20:08:49 GMT

A reminder that the 2025 OSAS Stallion Auction closes today, Thursday, February 13, starting at noon. The annual fundraiser features 13 of the province’s top sires as follows:

Alarm Detector

All Bets Off

Betterthanheddar

Big Jim

Bulldog Hanover

Cattlewash

Century Farroh

Control The Moment

Dancin Lou

Lookslikeachpndale

McWicked

Run Director

Sunshine Beach

It will be a staggered close starting alphabetically with Alarm Detector at noon and the next horse 15 minutes later until it concludes with Sunshine Beach. Note that if a bid occurs in the final 60 seconds of the stallion’s availability, the auction for that stallion will be extended for 120 seconds or until all bidding ceases.

To view the auction please click here . A reminder that you are required to register prior to placing your first bid. Any questions or concerns, please reach out to Joanne Colville at osashorses@gmail.com or call or text 905-339-6748.

There has been a tremendous response to this year’s auction and we are extremely grateful to the stallion owners for their generous donations and to the many bidders for your support.

2025 OSAS Stallion Auction Starts Today

Mon, 10 Feb 2025 13:24:00 GMT

The Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society’s annual Stallion Auction gets underway today (Monday, February 10) at noon and features some of the most popular and prolific sires in the province.

At the recent O’Brien Awards the first two trophies given out were to offspring of sires in our auction – Chantilly by Big Jim and Stonebridge Wizard by Dancin Lou. Many of the stallions available were O’Brien winners themselves including three named Canada’s Horse of the Year – Bulldog Hanover, Century Farroh and McWicked.

The auction also gives breeders the opportunity to access Cattlewash whose book is full and closed for the 2025 breeding season as well as to the sport’s fastest performer of all time, Bulldog Hanover. The complete list of stallions available are, in alphabetical order:

Alarm Detector

All Bets Off

Betterthanheddar

Big Jim

Bulldog Hanover

Cattlewash

Century Farroh

Control The Moment

Dancin Lou

Lookslikeachpndale

McWicked

Run Director

Sunshine Beach

The auction will end Thursday, February 13 with a staggered close also starting at noon and is once again hosted by Easy Auction and may be accessed here . A reminder that you are required to register prior to placing your first bid.

This auction is annually one of the most successful fundraisers for OSAS and we are so grateful to all the stallion owners for their generous donations and to all the bidders for your support. Any questions or concerns, please reach out to Joanne Colville at osashorses@gmail.com or call or text 905-339-6748.

2025 OSAS Stallion Auction

Sun, 02 Feb 2025 16:53:09 GMT

OSAS is pleased to announce the dates for their annual stallion auction which could be the last opportunity to obtain a breeding to popular sires whose books have already closed for this year’s season.

The 2025 OSAS Stallion Auction will run from Monday, February 10 starting at noon and close Thursday, February 13 with a staggered close also starting at noon. Always one of OSAS’s most popular fundraisers, this year’s stallion auction will be once again hosted by Easy Auction which may be accessed here .

To date the sires which will be available are, in alphabetical order:

Alarm Detector

All Bets Off

Betterthanheddar

Big Jim

Bulldog Hanover

Cattlewash

Century Farroh

Control The Moment

Dancin Lou

Lookslikeachpndale

McWicked

Run Director

Sunshine Beach

Please check back regularly for updates to the list.

OSAS thanks every stallion owner for their generosity and support again this year. Additional sires will be accepted up until February 8. To donate, or if you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to Joanne Colville at osashorses@gmail.com or call or text 905-339-6748.

New Home For Gold Cup Champ

Mon, 20 Jan 2025 21:09:08 GMT

Shadow Place, whose accomplishments during his storied career included winning the coveted Gold Cup and Saucer, recently found a forever home through the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society.

Now 14, Shadow Place began his career as a two-year-old in 2013 which saw him successfully compete in the Ontario Sires Stakes, winning a Grassroots event at Hanover Raceway in his second lifetime start.

The son of Shadow Play had additional OSS wins as a sophomore and then went on to enjoy a long career as a veteran campaigner throughout Ontario in addition to a couple of stints at US tracks.

His most successful year was 2017, his seven-year-old season, which saw him take in over $136,000 and capture the Maritime’s most prestigious harness race, the Gold Cup and Saucer at Charlottetown Driving Park. That was very special for Katie Miller, who was with Shadow Place for the majority of his career as well as his retirement up until now.

“Obviously growing up on the east coast, the Gold Cup & Saucer is the holy grail. So, to take him there, let alone win it, was beyond anything I can ever describe. I actually thought I was going to pass out walking back to the winner’s circle that night. He stood there for 20 minutes, like an angel, while people took very muddy photos with him,” she described.

Shadow Place’s final career start came in December of 2021 at The Raceway in London. Upon his retirement his stats show 142 trips behind the gate for a summary of 27-13-19 with $360,539 banked. His life best of 1:49.1 was recorded at Mohawk during his five-year-old season.

“When I retired him four years ago, he had a tendon injury and he stayed with me until the opportunity came through OSAS to give him an amazing forever home with Alexandra and Tim Dickieson, who are lovely. I personally can’t provide such a picturesque property for him to live out his days and may never be able to,” explained Katie, a detective with the Regional Police in Waterloo, Ontario.

“All we can do is put our horses first and I think this is the least I can do for him given all he has done for me,” added Katie who plans to visit Shadow Place at his new home at the Dickieson’s farm in Holland Centre, Ontario where he moved to last week.

Shadow Place, who Katie broke to ride, has joined the couple’s other horses who are saddle horses or Standardbreds enjoying some time away from the racetrack.

“He loves it, he has two other geldings and three mares as buddies. They are out together during the day and in stalls at night,” said Tim who currently has five horses racing. Four: Kaptain Karlos, Mamba, Ilikemebettor and No Wait List - are with Blake MacIntosh while Tyler Moore trains the recently acquired Fashion Forward for them.

While Shadow Place will never grace the winners’ circle again, it seems he’s found a winning retirement surrounded by people who simply want the best for him.

Peace & Joy To All

Tue, 24 Dec 2024 23:15:59 GMT

The Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society sends warm wishes to all for a wonderful holiday season and happy and healthy 2025. Thanks to Brooke Luke for this wonderful photo of Frightful Watch (aka Kevin) and Weatherly (Wes) who she adopted from OSAS a few years back. At the time she had no idea the pair were former stablemates in the Julie Walker barn. That story was a feature on OSAS and may be read Racing Buddies Together Again In Retirement

Second Chance Raffle Winners

Tue, 17 Dec 2024 13:08:36 GMT

The Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society congratulates the winners of our annual Second Chance Raffle and sincerely thanks all who donated prizes and purchased tickets.

The winners were drawn on a live Facebook post on Friday (December 13) evening by Emma Christoforou, who co-ordinated this year’s event once again with the assistance of her mother, OSAS’s Joanne Colville, and dedicated long time volunteer Jean Posthuma.

This year 19 baskets were offered with varying values and included a myriad of wonderful items including Toronto Maple Leaf tickets, a full harness, various horse supplies, cosmetics and much more.

2024 Santa’s Second Chance Raffle Winners

BASKET WINNER

Basket 1 Nat Steacy

Get Western

Two $25 Pleasant Ridge Gift Certificates, The Hat Effect, Bushel Barn and $100 Greenhawk gift certificate.

Basket 2 Zara Thurgood

Leaf Tickets

Two tickets to Toronto Maple Leafs (January 29, 2025). Value approx. $600.

Basket 3 Sue Brookes

Marlies Night

Four tickets to Toronto Marlies vs. Bakersfield Condors (December 14, 2024).

Basket 4 Dianne Currie

Date Night

Two gift certificates to Jakes Oyster House ($50 each), Yuk Yuks at Grand River, $100 Keg & $50 & $25 multi restaurant cards.

Basket 5 Cathy Walsh

Wildwinds

4 golf passes to Wildwinds Golf Course, value $320.

Basket 6 Cathy Walsh

Lucky Lotto

$170 worth of lottery tickets.

Basket 7 Sheri Whitworth

Preserves

Assorted homemade preserves, heated blanket, holiday cutting board, dish towels and three in one wireless charging station.

Basket 8 Derek Reid

Granite Ridge

Four golf passes to Granite Ridge golf club. Approx. value $360.

Basket 9 Debi O’Brien Moran

Chocolate Lovers

Large assortment of a variety of chocolates.

Basket 10 Nat Steacy

Equine Oil

1 18L bucket Smart Earth Camelina Oil

Basket 11 Rena Soundy

Girls’ Night

Assortment of wine, coolers, shots. Value $170.

Basket 12 Sally Roberts

Chevy

GMC travel mug, t-shirt & toque.

Basket 13 Bethany Bahr

Self-Care/Beauty Basket

A myriad of wonderful self-care and beauty products. Value: $1,700.

Basket 14 Nat Steacy

Horse Care

Two gallons Smart Earth Camelina Oil, gift certificate, clean kit, riding socks and $100 Greenhawk gift card.

Basket 15 Rena Soundy

Happy Gilmore

OSAS golf merchandise, golf balls and ball cap.

Basket 16 Chris Ruhl

Complete Harness

Includes blind bridle, lines, handholds, Buxton, race halter (winner can select colour).

Basket 17 Arabella Kanter

Horse Lovers

$100 gift card to MareFlare equestrian & a variety of horse care products.

Basket 18 Arlene McIntrye

Racing Night

Dinner for two at Mohawk, Mohawk swag & a handmade wooden clock.

Basket 19 Alyson Roberts

Cosmo For Her

A wide variety of women’s cosmetics. Value: $900.

Support OSAS & Christmas Shop

Mon, 09 Dec 2024 19:30:32 GMT

The Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society is pleased to once again host a Christmas Second Chance Raffle named to reflect our mission to give retired Standardbreds a second chance and forever home.

How it works is you view the 19 baskets being offered this year at the Facebook page Santa's Second Chance Raffles. Select the ones you wish to bid on and purchase however many tickets you want for it. Ticket prices are $2 or $5 depending upon the basket. Brief descriptions may be found below, fuller descriptions on the FB page.

Tickets may be purchased up until December 12 at midnight. The winners will be drawn the following evening live on Facebook (time to be determined based on racing schedules).

To pay please send e-transfer to santassecondchanceraffles@gmail.com or give cash to either Joanne Colville or Emma Christoforou at Mohawk or Flamboro. We encourage folks to purchase their tickets early to help our volunteers stay organized.

Any questions please call or text Joanne at 905-339-6748 or email osashorses@gmail.com. Thanks to everyone who supports this fundraiser, contributed to the baskets and helps behind the scenes. Our horses appreciate everyone’s efforts.

2024 Santa’s Second Chance Raffle Baskets

Basket 1

Get Western - $2/ticket

Two $25 Pleasant Ridge Gift Certificates, The Hat Effect, Bushel Barn and $100 Greenhawk gift certificate.

Basket 2

Leaf Tickets - $5/ticket

Two tickets to Toronto Maple Leafs (January 29, 2025). Value approx. $600.

Basket 3

Marlies Night - $2/ticket

Four tickets to Toronto Marlies vs. Bakersfield Condors (December 14, 2024).

Basket 4

Date Night - $2/ticket

Two gift certificates to Jakes Oyster House ($50 each), Yuk Yuks at Grand River, $100 Keg & $50 & $25 multi restaurant cards.

Basket 5

Wildwinds - $2/ticket

4 golf passes to Wildwinds Golf Course, value $320.

Basket 6

Lucky Lotto - $2/ticket

$170 worth of lottery tickets.

Basket 7

Preserves - $2/ticket

Assorted homemade preserves, heated blanket, holiday cutting board, dish towels and three in one wireless charging station.

Basket 8

Granite Ridge - $2/ticket

Four golf passes to Granite Ridge golf club. Approx. value $360.

Basket 9

Chocolate Lovers - $2/ticket

Large assortment of a variety of chocolates.

Basket 10

Equine Oil - $2/ticket

1 18L bucket Smart Earth Camelina Oil

Basket 11

Girls’ Night - $2/ticket

Assortment of wine, coolers, shots.

Basket 12

Chevy - $2/ticket

GMC travel mug, t-shirt & toque.

Basket 13

Self-Care/Beauty Basket - $2/ticket

A myriad of wonderful self-care and beauty products. Value: $1,700.

Basket 14

Horse Care - $2/ticket

Two gallons Smart Earth Camelina Oil, gift certificate, clean kit, riding socks and $100 Greenhawk gift card.

Basket 15

Happy Gilmore - $2/ticket

OSAS golf merchandise, golf balls and ball cap.

Basket 16

Complete Harness - $5/ticket

Includes blind bridle, lines, handholds, Buxton, race halter (winner can select colour).

Basket 17

Horse Lovers - $2/ticket

$100 gift card to MareFlare equestrian & a variety of horse care products.

Basket 18

Racing Night - $2/ticket

Dinner for two at Mohawk, Mohawk swag & a handmade wooden clock.

Basket 19

Cosmo For Her - $2/ticket

A wide variety of women’s cosmetics. Value: $900.

New Way To Donate To OSAS

Tue, 26 Nov 2024 15:22:18 GMT

The Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society is pleased to offer an additional way to donate funds which benefits everyone. By donating stocks, securities or mutual funds in kind it allows the person donating to claim a higher rate on their taxes in addition to supporting OSAS. Essentially a win/win for all.

“We have arranged that OSAS can now accept and issue charitable receipts for stock donations. For stocks with large accrued gains this is a terrific opportunity to support a great cause and get a great tax benefit,” explained long time owner Clay Horner.

OSAS recently found a forever home for A Rockaway Bay, a half-brother to Clay’s talented pacer Doonbeg.

It’s best to make the donation before the end of a calendar year to be able to claim it on the current year’s taxes. To learn more about this opportunity please click here .

OSAS is working with the Royal Bank of Canada on this venture. To access the information to make a donation please click here .

Windsong Grayson Join OSAS

Sat, 28 Sep 2024 15:55:51 GMT

Iron horse Windsong Grayson, a 10 year-old gelding by Santanna Blue Chip, is the latest addition to the OSAS roster.

The tough campaigner faced the gate 222 times in his long career and retired with a summary of 35-21-24 with $174,000 in the bank.

The adaptable pacer was claimed an incredible 19 times over his long career which spanned from age three through 10. He will have time to decompress before he starts training for his next career.

Anyone who has followed raced in the province is familiar with Grayson’s family. His dam, Windsong Grand Ave, was a solid campaigner earning $275,000 while his grandam, Jasper Avenue took in more than a half million dollars in her career.

Windsong Grayson was featured on COSA TV last year and that segment may be watched here.

26th OSAS Tourney In The Books

Mon, 16 Sep 2024 18:24:31 GMT

Sincere thanks to all those who contributed to the success of this year’s Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society’s golf tournament held Wednesday, September 11, at Wildwinds Golf Links.

The tournament, which sold out in less than 24 hours when it was announced, attracted golfers from across the province who were treated to ideal weather conditions and a fun afternoon of food, fellowship and golf.

Traditionally this tournament (which celebrated its 26 ^th year in 2024), is one of OSAS’s most successful fundraisers of the season and this year’s was no exception. We express sincere thanks to all those who contributed by playing, sponsoring holes, volunteering, etc. It’s gratifying to see the great support for our Standardbred horses in their retirement.

OSAS Golf Tournament Wednesday

Tue, 10 Sep 2024 15:41:09 GMT

The Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society reminds all those signed up for this year’s golf tournament taking place this Wednesday (September 11). Hosted by Wildwinds Golf Links (Centre Wellington, Ontario), registration starts at approximately 11:15 a.m.

The shotgun start will get underway at 12:30. One of OSAS’s most popular fundraisers every year, this marks the 26 ^th year of the tournament. Further information may be obtained by contacting Joanne Colville at 905-339-6748 ( osashorses@gmail.com ).

Hemi Happy In Retirement

Wed, 24 Jul 2024 22:05:39 GMT

Hemi Seelster was an iron horse on the racetrack with 175 lifetime starts through nine years from ages two through 10. He compiled an impressive summary of 36-21-15 with $856,218 banked while racing for 11 trainers at 16 different tracks across North America.

One of his most celebrated accomplishments was his victory in the 2015 Goodtimes final at Mohawk Racetrack worth $233,000. With Steve Byron at the controls Hemi scored an upset win with a 1:54 mile. What made the victory so sweet was that Hemi was owned and trained by John Bax who also trained the race’s namesake, Goodtimes, one of the best trotters ever bred in Canada and a member of the country’s Hall of Fame.

Once retired, Hemi joined the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society in 2022. He spent time at Susan and Bert Mollica’s foster farm where he learned his new role as a riding horse.

The now 12 year-old gelding by Holiday Road was adopted by veterinarian Dr. Parul Musaddy late last year. She sent us this lovely photo of she and Hemi advising that they are both enjoying his retirement.

The Reverend Returns

Tue, 25 Jun 2024 18:52:41 GMT

As the Ontario Sires Stakes celebrate their 50 ^th anniversary this year, it is fitting that this year’s Drive With Us performer is a former star in the provincial program, Reverend Hanover.

Now 12, Reverend Hanover was a standout in the OSS during his racing career. As a two-year-old he only made four starts, but he made them all count as two were OSS Gold events and the finale was the OSS Super Final.

During his sophomore year he not only starred once again in the provincial program, including another Super Final victory, but he also took on and held his own against the grand circuit boys in the Simcoe Stakes and Breeders Crown.

The summary of his career shows 10-4-2 in 27 total starts for over $550,000 in earnings. His mark of 1:48.3s makes him the fastest three-year-old sired by Sportswriter.

Since his retirement Reverend has been a wonderful ambassador for the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society, helping demonstrate the versatility of the Standardbred horse in a variety of ways. That includes the Drive With Us program which offers racetrack patrons a unique perspective of Mohawk racetrack from behind a horse.

This past Saturday Reverend not only kicked off this season’s Drive With Us program, but he also did double duty as the Meet And Greet horse, welcoming fans to the Campbellville oval at the front of the grandstand.

Co-sponsored by COSA and WEG, the Drive With Us opportunity is available all summer on Saturday evenings until the end of September.

Welcome Rivercruise

Sat, 22 Jun 2024 18:44:25 GMT

OSAS is pleased to welcome the five-year-old gelding Rivercruise to our program. A son of Betterthancheddar, Rivercruise faced the gate 53 times in his career and earned a life mark of 1:57.1 over Flamboro’s half miler.

A half-brother to Trident Seelster ($177,000), Rivercruise hails from a well known pacing family. His third dam is the talented Enroute, a winner of more than $750,000 close to four decades ago.

Rivercruise is enjoying his retirement at Shelley Higgins’ foster farm for OSAS.

2024 OSAS Golf Tourney Set

Wed, 19 Jun 2024 15:06:03 GMT

The date and details for the 2024 Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society’s annual Golf Tournament were announced today.

The 26th edition of the popular fundraiser will take place at Wildwinds Golf Links (Centre Wellington, Ontario), on Wednesday, September 11.

The tournament will get underway at 12:30 with a shotgun start. The cost is $130 per golfer which includes lunch, golf, dinner, cart and prizes. Registration can be made as a team or individual. Lunch and registration will start at approximately 11:15 a.m.

Non golfers are more than welcome to attend and/or contribute by sponsoring a hole or an item for the prize table. Please contact Joanne Colville 905-339-6748 (osashorses@gmail.com) to register to play, regarding sponsorship or for additional information.

The official adoption agency for Standardbred horses in Ontario for close to three decades, OSAS’s mandate is to promote the versatility of the Standardbred horse. We have found loving, forever homes for well over 1,000 harness horses since our inception.

Canadian Cowgirls’ 2024 Schedule

Thu, 16 May 2024 19:24:10 GMT

The Canadian Cowgirls Precision Drill Team, which includes a retired Standardbred as one of their featured performers, have announced their schedule for the 2024 season. Team members include retired trotter Bugsy and his rider Jamie Drew. Jamie’s family adopted Bugsy, then known as Masseno, from the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society in 2020 and he has quickly adapted from racehorse to a valued member of the drill team.

Now seven, Bugsy is a son of Muscle Mass who had a brief racing career (four starts, two seconds and one third) as a three-year-old before being retired. His full brother, Nzuri, enjoyed success last year as a two-year-old, earning just under $50,000 from seven starts which included two Ontario Sires Stakes victories.

The geldings hail from a celebrated Canadian trotting family. Their dam, Tomorrows Dream (owned by Julie and Paul Walker), is a daughter of O’Brien Award winner Mombasa, and the dam of O’Brien winner Filly At Bigs. The third dam is another O’Brien victor, Mygal Haw Lea, the dam of Bridger, a member of the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame.

To read a full feature story on Jamie and Bugsy distributed by Woodbine Entertainment and written by Chris Loman, please click here. Jamie notes in the story how people are quite surprised to learn that her mount is a harness horse. The pair are a shining example of OSAS’s mandate to promote the incredible versatility of the Standarbred horse.

If you have the opportunity to see the Canadian Cowgirls team in action, we strongly recommend it as they put on a wonderful show. Here are the 2024 dates:

May 25-26 Grey Highlands Ram Rodeo *

June 8-9 Headwaters Ram Rodeo *

June 22-23 Polo For Heart *

July 13-14 Breyerfest (Kentucky)*

July 13-14 Brigden Ram Rodeo

July 20-21 Erin Ram Rodeo *

July 27-28 Rockton Ram Rodeo

August 3-5 Stevensville Ram Rodeo

August 9-11 Comber Fair *

August 10-11 Exeter Rodeo

August 17 Petrolia Parade

August 24-25 Purple Hill Ram Rodeo *

August 31 –

September 1 Tweed Stampede*

September 14-15 Binbrook Ram Rodeo

October 1-5 International Plowing Match (Lindsay)

October 18-20 Ancaster Ram Rodeo Finals *

November Royal Winter Fair *

* Indicates events where Jamie and Bugsy will be performing.

Photos of Jamie and Bugsy are courtesy of Tammy Walker Drew.

Thanks To Amateur Drivers

Wed, 15 May 2024 17:22:08 GMT

OSAS would like to express our appreciation to the amateur drivers who competed at Mohawk on Monday, May 13. As is their tradition, they donated $1,000 to a local charity and we are grateful they selected Ontario’s official Standardbred adoption agency.

OSAS’s Joanne Colville, who also serves as the track’s outrider, was on hand to receive the cheque from the drivers. (New Image Media photo)

Support OSAS & Perhaps Win Leaf Tickets

Wed, 27 Mar 2024 20:55:09 GMT

OSAS has been very generously gifted a pair of Toronto Maple Leaf tickets which you have the chance to win by purchasing a raffle ticket.

Tickets are $10 each and may be purchased in person through Joanne Colville or Emma Christoforou and paid before the draw via e-transfer, cash, or credit card or email, call or text Joanne at osashorses@gmail.com or 905-339-6748.

The game is on Saturday, April 13 at the Scotiabank arena. The Leafs are facing the Detroit Red Wings. The seats are in section 115, row 26, seats 13 & 14 and have a face value of $660.

The draw for the winner of the tickets will take place on Facebook Live on Sunday, April 7. Special thanks to Renata and Dave Lumsden for the generous donation.

Fudge Fundraiser Closes March 15

Thu, 07 Mar 2024 15:05:03 GMT

March 15th is the final day to place your order for our fundraiser featuring the delicious fudges and spice mixes from Phil's Fudge Factory.

The flavours available are as follows:

Chocolate

Chocolate Coconut

Chocolate Pecan

Chocolate Mint Swirl

Cinnamon Bun

Cookie Monster

Lemon Cheesecake

Canadian Maple Pecan

Peanut Butter Explosion

Rolo

Sour Cherry

Tiger Eye

For more information on the fudge, please click here to view their Spring Fudge catalogue.

In addition to fudge, Phil’s is also offering an assortment of Spice Mixes, these include:

Bacon & Chives

Baked Crab

Bake Spinach

Bruschetta

Buffalo Ranch

Cajun Wildfire

Chipotle Bacon

Country Ranch

Creamy Jalapeno

Curried Garlic

Dill Delight

Everything Bagel

Guacamole

Herb & Garlic

Honey Mustard

Horseradish Bacon

Island Jerk

Mexican Fiesta

Roasted Potato

Spicy Veggie

Spinach Supreme

Tiramisu

Tomato Basil

Traditional Onion

Additional information on the spice mixes may be viewed here .

The spice mixtures are $5/per while the blocks of fudge are $13 each. We ask that payment accompany your order. Etransfers may be sent to: osashorses@gmail.com . Orders may also be paid in cash to Emma Christoforou at Flamboro or Mohawk.

Any questions, please call or text Joanne at 905-339-6748.

OSAS Stallion Auction Results

Tue, 13 Feb 2024 19:09:40 GMT

The Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society’s 2024 stallion auction concluded on Saturday, February 10, at noon. We sincerely thank each and every stallion owner and farm who donated a breeding to support the official adoption agency for retired Standardbreds in the province.

We’d also like to thank everyone who took the time to make bids on these 15 popular Ontario stallions.

The results of this year’s auction are as follows:

The annual stallion auction is a fundraising mainstay for OSAS which is approaching our 30 ^th year of spreading the message of the versatility of our breed and finding forever homes for retired Standardbreds.

Photo: King Of The North (Tara Hills Stud)

2024 OSAS Stallion Auction Starts Today

Mon, 05 Feb 2024 18:48:09 GMT

A reminder that the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society’s annual stallion auction starts at noon today (Monday, February 5) and includes breedings to stallions whose books have already closed as well as many other popular Ontario studs.

One of OSAS’s mainstay fundraisers every year, the 2024 edition will close on February 10 at noon. This year’s auction is hosted by Easy Auction. To be eligible to bid, please register through the link here. Please note that if a bid is placed in the last 60 seconds of the auction, that stallion’s availability will be extended another 120 seconds, or until all bidding ceases.

Bids must be made in increments of $100. If you have placed a bid Easy Auction will notify you by email if a higher bid has been placed. The successful bidders will be notified, also by email, when the auction closes. A $100 non-refundable deposit is required from every successful bidder. The winning bid, minus the deposit, is due to OSAS upon the birth of the 2025 foal.

The full listing of sires available is as follows:

Alarm Detector

All Bets Off

Archangel

Betterthancheddar

Betting Line

Big Jim

Cattlewash (book full & closed)

Century Farroh

Control The Moment

King Of The North (book full & closed)

Lookslikeachpndale

McWicked

My MVP

Sportswriter

Sunshine Beach

If you have any questions, please reach out to Joanne Colville at osashorses@gmail.com or call or text 905-339-6748. Our gratitude to all who contribute to the stallion auction’s success year after year.

The official adoption agency for Standardbreds in the province, OSAS is approaching our 30 ^th year of spreading the message of the versatility of our breed and finding pacers and trotters forever loving homes upon their retirement.

Photos – Control The Moment (courtesy Tara Hills Stud), My MVP (courtesy Winbak Farm)

2024 OSAS Stallion Auction Announced

Mon, 22 Jan 2024 19:41:59 GMT

The upcoming Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society’s annual stallion will provide breeders the opportunity to obtain breedings to stallions whose books have already closed for this year as well as many other popular Ontario stallions.

The auction will begin on February 5 at noon and close on February 10 also at noon. This year’s auction is being hosted by Easy Auction. To register and to bid please click here.

The full listing of sires available is as follows:

Alarm Detector

All Bets Off

Archangel

Betterthancheddar

Betting Line

Big Jim

Cattlewash (book full & closed)

Century Farroh

Control The Moment

King Of The North (book full & closed)

Lookslikeachpndale

McWicked

My MVP

Sportswriter

Sunshine Beach

OSAS wishes to thank all of the stallion owners for their generosity again this year and to all of the bidders who make this one of our most productive fundraisers year after year.

Additional stallion breedings will be accepted up until date of auction. To donate or if you have any questions, please reach out to Joanne Colville at osashorses@gmail.com or call or text 905-339-6748.

The official adoption agency for Standardbreds in the province, OSAS is approaching our 30 ^th year of spreading the message of the versatility of our breed and finding retired pacers and trotters forever loving homes upon their retirement.

2024 Stallion Auction Starts February 5

Tue, 09 Jan 2024 15:32:01 GMT

OSAS’s annual stallion auction, an anchor of our fundraising efforts every year, will kick off on February 5 ^th and run through to February 10, 2024.

We are grateful for the breedings already pledged; the full list of names will be announced shortly. Anyone wishing to donate a breeding, or with questions regarding the auction, should reach out to osashorses@gmail.com or call or text 905-339-6748.

We’re pleased to announce that this year’s auction will be hosted by Easy Auction. Terms and conditions remain as in previous years.

Our Christmas Greeter

Mon, 18 Dec 2023 16:15:51 GMT

We are very pleased to use a beautiful photo of Tymal Tempo to spread our Christmas message this season. Now known as Teddy, the five-year-old gelding was recently adopted by Marie-Eve Drouin who graciously allowed OSAS to use her photo for our 2023 holiday image.

Teddy is Marie-Eve’s first Standardbred and she is thrilled with him. “I love him to pieces, he is the sweetest and most gentle horse I know,” praised Marie-Eve who began riding when she was seven and living in France.

Teddy is currently in training. “I ride him Western and English, he is versatile and his strides are beautiful. I wish to show him eventually. He’s amazing in the ‘in the flat’ classes,” she noted.

Bred by Tymal Farms, the son of Kadabra was raced by Julie Walker and earned just over $23,000 in his career which saw him face the gate 18 times. His last start was in April of 2022.

A full brother to Haveoneforme ($361,784) and Tymal Riggs ($191,000), Teddy hails from a family of trotting royalty. His second, third and fourth dams are all O’Brien Award winners in Filly At Bigs (2002 - 2tf), Mombasa (1996 – 3tf) and Mygal Haw Lea (1996 – Broodmare of the year).

This past year has been a busy one for the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society with many horses like Teddy finding their forever homes. We wish all of our supporters a joyous holiday season and extend special thanks to our fantastic foster farms, wonderful volunteers and extremely supportive board.

Peace and Joy to all and sincere wishes for a healthy and happy 2024.

Santa’s Second Chance Raffle Winners

Tue, 12 Dec 2023 14:09:47 GMT

A live draw was held Monday (December 11) evening to announce the winning bidders of the 2023 Santa’s Second Chance Raffle which featured 21 baskets packed with incredible gifts including tickets to the Toronto Maple Leafs and a full harness.

The proceeds of this popular event go to the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society which facilitates the retraining and rehoming of retired Standardbreds. The results are as follows.

Basket Winner

Basket 1 – Makes Scents To Me Adele Rossi

Basket 2 – For Her Judy Graham

Basket 3 – Lucky Lotto Crystal Legace

Basket 4 – Dog Lovers Sue Brooks

Basket 5 – Chocolate Lovers Shayne Simms

Basket 6 – Game Night Robin MacKay

Basket 7 – Show Stopper Jenna McNiven

Basket 8 – Movie Night Don Pearson

Basket 9 – Girls Night Monique MacLean

Basket 10 – Equestrian Lovers Brian Laking

Basket 11 – Self Care Linda Feth

Basket 12 – Preserves Monique MacLean

Basket 13 – Hockey Night Blake MacIntosh

Basket 14 – On The Go Cathy Walsh

Basket 15 – Little Italy Monique MacLean

Basket 16 – Harness Racing Kim Marks

Basket 17 – Date Night Monica Goss

Basket 18 – Spreads, etc. Norah Parks

Basket 19 – Bakers’ Basket Monique MacLean

Basket 20 – Equine Care Kim Marks

Basket 21 – OSAS Swag Fran Brethour

Our sincere appreciation to everyone who took the time to purchase tickets and also to those who donated items to be raffled and congratulations to the successful purchasers. We will be in touch to get your basket items to you.

A huge thank you to Emma Christoforou for organizing this wonderful fundraiser with assistance from Jean Posthuma and Joanne Colville. Emma’s goal for this year’s event was $7,500 which she far surpassed as the raffle raised in excess of $8,300.

Note – full descriptions of all of the items in each basket can be accessed here.

Christmas Shop & Support OSAS

Mon, 04 Dec 2023 15:48:38 GMT

The Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society is pleased to announce the return of the very popular Santa’s Second Chance Raffles, the proceeds of which go to support the retraining and rehoming of retired Standardbreds.

The raffle features a total of 21 gift baskets full of a wide variety of items (including Leaf tickets and a full harness) sure to please even the toughest person to buy for on your list.

The tickets are either $2 or $5 depending on the value. You may buy as many tickets as you like and place them in the basket(s) of your choice. Tickets are available for purchase up until midnight December 10, 2023.

To pay for the tickets, please send an etransfer to: santassecondchanceraffles@gmail.com and include how many tickets you want to buy and which basket(s) you wish to place them towards – each basket is numbered – in the memo.

Please provide your first and last name, as well as your phone number on the ticket if you are not part of the Facebook page which is where all of the available baskets may be viewed. ( Santa’s Second Chance Raffles on Facebook). If you are unable to pick your basket up and would like it shipped, that will be at your expense.

There will be a live stream video via Facebook of the draws on Monday, December 11, 2023, time to be announced, likely early evening.

Thanks to everyone who participates and supports OSAS this holiday season and kudus to everyone who contributed towards this year’s incredible offerings.

Dia Monde Among OSAS Newcomers

Mon, 06 Nov 2023 16:00:34 GMT

OSAS has welcomed nine new Standardbreds over the past few weeks including trotter Dia Monde who earned in excess of $446,000 during his racing life.

Trained by Tom Durand throughout his career, the now 10 year-old gelding competed in several top level stakes events and was very competitive in the Ontario Sires Stakes as well.

Bred by Hanover Shoe Farms, the son of Deweycheatumnhowe was a $70,000 yearling purchase at Harrisburg. He is a half-brother to millionaire Looking Hanover and his second dam is the trotting matriarch B Cor Tamara.

Dia Monde will enter training before being available to adopt.

OSAS Welcomes Bettor Notbitter

Fri, 15 Sep 2023 18:36:32 GMT

Racing fans in many jurisdictions around the world are familiar with pacer Bettor Notbitter A, an iron horse who banked close to $400,000 in lifetime earnings the hard way.

The now 11 year-old son of Bettors Delight began his life and racing career in Australia. He was imported to the US four years ago and raced at several different tracks before coming north. He made his debut at Mohawk on Boxing Day 2021 and was a mainstay on the WEG circuit from that point on.

The tough campaigner was claimed a remarkable 18 times during his career which saw him face the gate on 184 occasions. He retires with a summary of 42-34-28 $391,076. His final start was on September 11 at the Campbellville oval where it was apparent his time on the track was over.

“Several of his previous connections have reached out to me and OSAS is going to take him in,” explained Joanne Colville, OSAS’s administrator. “You couldn’t find a nicer horse and with the help of the expert veterinarian team who have been treating him, we’re confident he will have the retirement he deserves.”

“It’s going to take some time to get him rehabilitated so we are going to take the unusual step of fundraising specifically for him as the time and effort required will be more than with our usual adoptees. We’re very encouraged by the support already shown by people familiar with the horse and hope to see that from others who enjoyed watching him on the racetrack for so many years.”

Anyone wishing to contribute to Bettor Notbittor’s rehab/retirement or interested in becoming a monthly sponsor can send an etransfer to osashorses@gmail.com , donate through Paypal or credit card by clicking here or send a cheque to: OSAS, 96 85 First Line Nassagaweya, Moffat, Ontario LOP IJO. All contributors will receive a tax receipt.

The official adoption agency for Standardbreds in Ontario for close to three decades, OSAS has open and transparent policies and we more than welcome anyone wanting to visit Bettor Notbitter. Please call or text Joanne (905-339-6748) or Emma (289-971-4675) to arrange a visit and note that his favourite treats are carrots and black licorice.

Thanks in advance to all who are able to support his journey. To view his progress please follow the OSAS Facebook page.

Celebrating The Bulldog

Wed, 30 Aug 2023 13:41:33 GMT

The Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society will be hosting a fun fundraiser at Woodbine Mohawk Park this weekend in celebration of the fastest Standardbred of all time, Bulldog Hanover.

Trained and owned by his trainer Jack Darling and Brad Grant, Bulldog Hanover enjoyed a 2022 season that was beyond compare. In addition to becoming the swiftest harness horse ever with his 1:45.4 effort in the William Haughton final at the Meadowlands, he won 14 of 16 races and $1.8 million to give him a total of $2.7 million lifetime.

Now retired and standing stud at Seelster Farms in Lucan, Ontario, Bulldog concluded his illustrious racing career being inducted into the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame and named Horse of the Year on both sides of the border.

This Saturday night, September 2, Mohawk will be celebrating Bulldog’s career and fans (19 and older) will have the opportunity to try the special lager named in his honour, Bulldog Brew. The beer was first introduced by Western Fair Raceway during their signature race night this past May.

One dollar from the sale of each tall boy can of Bulldog Brew on Saturday at Mohawk will go towards the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society, the official adoption agency for harness horses in the province for close to 30 years. Fans have the opportunity to support OSAS, which has found forever loving homes for more than 1,000 pacers and trotters.

OSAS will also have booths inside and outside the grandstand where patrons can purchase merchandise and/or make a donation. Every Saturday through the summer OSAS provides a horse for the very popular Meet & Greet which gives folks attending the races a chance to see a horse up close and have their photo taken with them. This Saturday’s horse is the uniquely coloured trotter The Painted Pony.

In addition to the Bulldog Hanover celebrations, Mohawk’s stakes laden card also includes the Canadian Pacing Derby and Maple Leaf Trot finals as well as Simcoe Stakes divisions and Ontario Sires Stakes Gold events. Post time is 7:10 p.m.

25th Annual OSAS Golf Tourney Set

Wed, 26 Jul 2023 15:45:46 GMT

The Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society is pleased to announce the date for this year’s golf tournament, the 25 ^th annual, is Wednesday, September 13, 2023. This year’s event will take place at Turtle Creek Golf Course in Campbellville with a 1 p.m. shot gun start.

The always popular tournament is one of the top yearly fundraisers for OSAS, the official adoption agency for harness horses in the province. It always fills up quickly so be sure to get your entries in to Joanne Colville ( osashorses@gmail.com or text 905-339-6748).

The fee per golfer is $130 and includes lunch, cart and dinner (a combo of chicken and pig roast). The cost per foursome is $520.

Hole and prize sponsors are available and much appreciated. Please contact Joanne for further information.

Best Friends In Retirement

Tue, 27 Jun 2023 00:15:19 GMT

Easy Lover Hanover and Imacutelilmonkey have a few things in common. They are both retired pacers with superstar Somebeachsomewhere figuring prominently in their bloodlines who have found the same wonderful, forever home through the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society. They weren’t quite on the same page in terms of ability on the racetrack however. Luckily that doesn’t matter to them and the pair are now best friends in retirement having taken very different roads to that destination.

Many Ontario racing fans will remember the story of Easy Lover Hanover both on and off the racetrack. Brad Grant purchased the son of Somebeachsomewhere just two weeks after the devastating barn fire at Classy Lane Training Centre seven years ago.

That tragedy claimed the lives of more than 40 horses including Grant and trainer Ben Wallace’s stable star Apprentice Hanover, another son of Somebeachsomewhere. At the time Apprentice had won just over $1 million in his career.

Grant purchased Easy Lover Hanover at the 2016 Tattersalls Mixed Sale in an attempt to fill one of the empty stalls in Wallace’s barn, but they never expected him to also go on and achieve millionaire status.

Both Grant and Wallace agree that Easy Lover came into their lives at a critical time so they wanted to ensure they retired him at the appropriate time which proved to be in August of 2021. At that point he had a life summary of 51-22-14 from 144 starts for just over $1.1 million banked and a mark of 1:48.1 over Woodbine.

“Easy Lover, he was just special. He filled a big void when we needed something to fill it. And I really think that horse was probably the best thing that could happen for Ben, as far as just a good horse and Ben made him a great horse,” noted Grant at the time.

A gorgeous horse with a striking face with a white star, Easy Lover was placed into the care of OSAS upon his retirement. After assessment and decompression, he was moved to the foster farm of Susan and Bert Mollica who taught him the fundamentals of his new career as a riding horse.

He learned his lessons well, and combined with his good looks and lovely personality, he had a lot of interested adopters including the folks at Northumbria Equine in Port Hope, Ontario. The facility is owned and operated by retired Toronto police sergeants Julie Wilson and her husband Rod MacLean.

Easy Lover, who is now called Philip, was the couple’s third adoptee from OSAS. “In August of 2009 we adopted Warrawee Bellana (Angel) and Au Shade. In September of 2015 Au Shade was laid to rest and Angel is now 26 and retired from riding,” explained Julie.

Warrawee Bellana is an unraced daughter of SJs Photo who hails from a prominent trotting family while Au Shade was a gelding by Shady Character who earned just over $80,000 in his racing career. His is also from a well-known racing family which includes the iconic Silk Stockings.

“I found myself looking for another horse in 2021 and contacted Joanne (Colville, OSAS’s co-ordinator). She connected me with the Mollicas. I met Easy Lover and it was love at first sight. I now ride Easy Lover and he’s doing great under saddle. He really enjoys obstacles and hacking out on the roads.

“Early this year Susan reached out as I had lost my Clydesdale to colic, she told me about Monkey. I met him and figured he would be a perfect fit for all of us,” Julie added.

Although not quite as prolific as Easy Lover on the racetrack, Imacutelilmonkey raced nine times as a three-year-old last year, winning once at his home track of Kawartha Downs. He was owned by trainer/breeder Annemarie Colville and her partner Mike Wade who say it was a miracle he even made it to the racetrack.

“Monkey did not have an easy start to his life. Mike and I decided then, that if we could save him and he never made a racehorse we would find him a loving home. It took almost a month, but Monkey was on the mend with help from our vets from Port Perry Vet Clinic,” explained Annemarie.

“We kept a close eye on him while he grew and low and behold, he grew into a beautiful individual and never looked any different than the other colts we had. When it came time to break him as a yearling, we treated him like any other always keeping in the back of our mind if he ever struggled with anything we would stop. He never did.

“Fast forward to him qualifying twice and then going out and winning his first lifetime start at Kawartha Downs. He wasn’t lightning fast that night, but he didn’t have to be, so we still were not sure how he would be.

“It was when we started to have to ship to Flamboro and Georgian where they went faster, that he struggled. Mike and I knew that he was trying but he just couldn’t go any faster. We knew then that we were going to come through with our promise of finding him a loving home. We wish we could have kept him as he is a sweet soul, but we just can’t keep all of them unfortunately,” she concluded.

So the son of Sunshine Beach entered OSAS earlier this year. Annemarie is quite familiar with the program for a number of reasons. “In earlier years, Spoonman, a retired Standardbred of mine, was an OSAS ambassador. I have always volunteered, helped wherever I could for OSAS, and Mike and I always donate to the program, as we think it is great,” noted Annemarie whose sister is Joanne, OSAS’s administrator.

“It was not a hard decision for us to reach out and ask OSAS if there was room for Monkey. He stayed with us until there was an opening and we dropped him off at the Mollicas where he would learn his new career. It was very hard and still is, but we knew that it was the right decision.”

Monkey, who is now called Griffin, followed the same path as Easy Lover in that he took some time away from the track before going to the Mollicas to learn his new role. He was a quick learner and soon found himself on his way to Port Hope to join the group at Northumbria Equine. Because of his young age they are taking their time with him for now, but Julie credits the Mollicas and Annemarie for giving him such a solid foundation. After his first ride at his new home she noted “he did not put a foot wrong.

“Griffin is doing amazing with his riding. Due to him being four we are taking it real slow. So, he is going to walk 10 minutes every other day. That will slowly increase as his body matures.

“I am not sure what we will do in the future. Perhaps some showing or mountain trail or endurance. It all depends on how they each develop. I am really excited to see what these two boys enjoy. It may just be hacking around here and that is fine too,” said Julie.

“When we found out that Monkey had a home, Julie reached out right away and introduced herself and said that their doors were always open for us to come and visit. Needless to say, she didn’t need to tell me twice. She said that he already had a friend, Easy Lover Hanover! She sent me pictures and I could tell that Monkey was happy and liked his new family, facility and friend ELH (Philip),” said Annemarie.

“We drove out to see Monkey and could not have been happier with his new family and friends. On a side note, it was also great to see how awesome Easy Lover Hanover looked. They are great people, and their facility is gorgeous. We could not picture anything else we would want for Monkey. We stayed quite a while and made plans to go back.

“Although this journey has had a lot of tears, we couldn’t be happier that Monkey (now known to us as MG – Monkey Griffin) will live out his life to the fullest with his new family and friend ‘the million-dollar man’ Philip!” concluded Annemarie.

Although they had vastly different journeys, the two new best friends are thoroughly enjoying their forever home.

(photos supplied by Julie Wilson & Annemarie Colville)

Bulldog Brew & OSAS – A Win/Win

Wed, 24 May 2023 22:46:08 GMT

How often can you enjoy a refreshing adult beverage, in a can adorned with the image of the fastest harness horse of all time, and support a great charity at the same time? Thanks to the folks at The Raceway at Western Fair, Seelster Farms and the team behind the great Bulldog Hanover, that’s exactly what you can do when the London, Ontario, track hosts its signature event, The Camluck Classic, this Friday, May 26.

Western Fair has teamed up with a local brewery, the London Brewing Co., to produce Bulldog Brew, a specialty made summer Lager honouring the great Bulldog Hanover. One of the best Standardbreds to ever step on a racetrack, the now retired Bulldog stands stud at Seelster Farms of Lucan, Ontario. Seelster Farms is the presenting sponsor of the Camluck Classic and stood the race’s namesake, the great pacing sire Camluck, for the duration of his impressive stallion career.

Bulldog Brew will be available on track on Camluck Classic night with $1 from each can sold going to support the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society, the official adoption agency for harness horses in the province for close to three decades. During that time they have facilitated the retraining and rehoming of more than 1,200 pacers and trotters.

Bulldog Hanover’s owners Jack Darling and Brad Grant, Seelster Farms and The Raceway have been staunch supporters of OSAS for many years and the brilliant Bulldog Brew campaign is yet another example of that support.

One of OSAS’s main mandates is to showcase the versatility of the Standardbred horse and that will be on display on Camluck Classic night as The Painted Pony, an unusually coloured retired trotter and one of OSAS’s ambassadors, will serve as the outrider for the special evening with Emma Christoforou at the reins.

OSAS volunteers will be on hand with OSAS swag available and patrons may also support OSAS by purchasing 50/50 tickets that evening which gets underway with a 6:30 p.m. post time.

This Maverick Is Not The Top Gun

Mon, 01 May 2023 12:53:27 GMT

Recently adopted pacer Hello Mr P is now known as Maverick at his new home, but unlike his namesake from the famous movie franchise, he’s not the top gun. No, that title belongs to his new best friend, Roxie, who Maverick outweighs by several hundred pounds as Roxie is a miniature horse.

Anna-Mari Muller now owns both horses. The long-time equestrienne adopted Roxie in 2018. “She’s a spoiled pet and companion who loves attention and scratches but due to her rough past we don’t do cart driving,” explained Anna who has been riding most of her life primarily in eventing and jumper. She also competed nationally in pony club PPG and dabbled in barrel racing, western pleasure and trail riding.

Anna recently started fostering horses for the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society which she was familiar with thanks to her friendship with Emma Christoforou whose mother, Joanne Colville, has helmed the agency for more than 15 years. Anna’s first foster horse for OSAS was Solid Queen who found her forever home earlier this month after learning how to ride from Anna.

“Queenie” was still at Anna’s when her next foster horse arrived, Hello Mr P aka Maverick. The five-year-old State Treasurer gelding was just two months away from the racetrack where he faced the gate a total of 55 times, winning just over $55,000. His life mark of 1:54f came at Pompano Park as a three-year-old.

When Maverick first arrived, he was put in the paddock beside the one which housed Roxie and Solid Queen to give him a slow introduction. Anna knew the latter mare was going to be leaving soon so: “I kept Maverick and Roxie within sight of each other while I still had Queenie. When Queenie went to her new home I introduced Roxie and Maverick in the same paddock. Roxie asserted her dominance with a few mini mare squeals and then they immediately hit it off as best friends,” she explained.

“The following day they were grooming each other, napping together, happily sharing hay and playing together. They are pastured together outside 24/7 but if the weather is bad they come inside and have facing stalls to keep each other company.”

Like his namesake, Maverick is very handsome and he attracted a lot of attention when Anna posted photos of him on the OSAS Facebook page especially the picture of him with his unlikely new best friend. In that photo Maverick is laying on the ground and Roxie is standing and they look close to the same height.

It wasn’t long after Maverick arrived at her farm that Anna began teaching him the fundamentals of his second career and she quickly made the decision to adopt him herself for a number of reasons including his instant friendship with Roxie.

“He has a very sweet, docile personality with sharp, handsome looks. He’d only been ridden once before and I have already ridden him on my trails and around my property and he was very well behaved,” said Anna who is aspiring to become a fire fighter. “I am fully trained with all of my qualifications and currently do patient transfer.”

OSAS warmly welcomes Anna and her assorted equines into its foster farm family. Established in 1996, OSAS is the official adoption agency for Standardbred horses in Ontario. One of OSAS’s mandates is to promote the versatility of the breed and their easy going nature which the relationship between Maverick and Roxie certainly exemplifies.

Photos – courtesy of Anna-Mari Muller

Video: The love between Maverick and Roxie is evident in this sweet clip.

OSAS Says Hello To Mr P

Tue, 18 Apr 2023 13:14:38 GMT

Hello Mr P, a handsome pacer, is the latest addition to the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society’s roster. The five-year-old gelding by State Treasurer earned just over $55,000 during his career which saw him face the gate 55 times, winning on 10 of those starts.

His life record of 1:54 flat came as a three-year-old at Pompano Park in 2021 when he was under the care of trainer Dan Gassien. Hello Mr P was bred by David Tierney of PEI, and is the first foal of his Big Jim broodmare Menagerie. His second dam is the $345,000 winner Living With Art while the fourth dam is the incomparable Three Diamonds.

Thanks to Hello Mr P’s foster mom Anna-Mari Muller for sharing these stunning photos of him.

Congratulations Jamie & Bugsy

Mon, 03 Apr 2023 13:08:47 GMT

The members of the 2023 Canadian Cowgirls’ Precision Team were announced recently and once again include OSAS graduate Masseno (now known as Bugsy) and his rider Jamie Drew are part of the celebrated group.

A six-year-old gelding by Muscle Mass, Masseno was adopted by Jamie and her family in late 2020. Fellow riders are very impressed by how quickly Bugsy adapted to his new role and the bond that he has developed with Jamie.

The pair were featured in an article earlier this year which may be read here.

Hemi Adapting Well

Wed, 22 Mar 2023 14:09:50 GMT

Iron tough trotter Hemi Seelster was entrusted to the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society last summer. The now 11 year-old son of Holiday Road was given some time to decompress from his racing career which spanned nine years, 16 racetracks across North America and 11 different trainers.

Hemi entered training for his second career as a riding horse at the foster farm owned by Susan and Bert Mollica at the end of January. Hemi has quickly taken to his new trainer, Bert and despite being a bit apprehensive about having a rider rather than a driver, Hemi is adapting well.

“Bert is really happy with Hemi, he is going slow with him as he’s a bit nervous but Hemi really likes Bert, they spend lots of time bonding and Hemi is getting extra loving from Bert,” reports Susan.

Bred by Seelster Farms, Hemi Seelster was purchased as a yearling by John Bax for $19,000 and Hemi would give the celebrated horseman one of the biggest thrills in his career in June of 2015 when he won the $233,000 Goodtimes final at Mohawk. The race is named in honour of Bax’s iconic horse, Goodtimes, a member of the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame and one of the best trotters ever bred in Canada.

In total Hemi made 175 lifetime starts over a nine year career which started as a two-year-old in 2014 and concluded last year at age 10. He banked just over $850,000 and took his mark of 1:51.4 as a seven-year-old. He will continue his lessons with his new buddy Bert until finding a forever adoptive family.

Stonebridge Scout Joins OSAS

Tue, 21 Feb 2023 18:33:55 GMT

Another iron horse, Stonebridge Scout, has entered the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society’s program. The Western Maverick gelding retired at the mandatory age of 14 late last year. Stonebridge Scout was a fan favourite at his home track of Western Fair Raceway which honoured him with a retirement ceremony in early January.

Bred by Angie Stiller’s Stonebridge Farm of Arva, Ontario, Scout was owned for most of his 15 years by Gladys McCarty of London. He was trained from the start of his career at age three, until his 13 ^th year in 2021 by Andy Hardy. Robert Mawson took over the conditioning responsibilities for Scout’s last year of racing in 2022.

Never a superstar, Stonebridge Scout was a tough grinder who rarely missed a cheque while racing on the Southwestern Ontario circuit. In total he faced the gate a remarkable 342 times for $196,647 in earnings. His life record of 1:55.2 came at the age eight at Hiawatha Horse Park.

A striking horse with a large white blaze, Stonebridge Scout’s dam, the Camluck mare Dress To Thrill, is a full sister to $998,309 winner Make It Brief, In Commando, a winner of more than $718,000 to date and still racing at The Meadows and the dam of $1.4 million winner Dapper Dude.

Scout will be given some time to get used to life away from the racetrack before he starts his training for his second career as a riding horse.

Stallion Auction Results

Thu, 09 Feb 2023 15:09:17 GMT

The 2023 Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society’s annual stallion auction proved to be the most successful ever thanks to the presence of many outstanding sires. The breeding donations from the stallion owners and the enthusiastic bids from the mare owners were responsible for the success and OSAS is very appreciative of the continued support.

The following are the final bids and the successful purchaser. Note that in some cases more than one breeding was available. Successful purchasers are reminded to submit a $100 non-refundable deposit with the remainder due at the time of a live foal.

Founded in 1996, OSAS is the official adoption agency for Standardbred horses in Ontario and has found homes for well over 1,000 trotters and pacers during that time. Promoting the versatility of the breed is a key mandate for OSAS whose graduates perform in a plethora of equine disciplines beyond harness racing.

Last Call For OSAS Stallion Auction

Wed, 08 Feb 2023 14:29:02 GMT

A rare opportunity for a breeding to World Champion Bulldog Hanover, the recent recipient of the coveted Cam Fella award, is currently available in the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society’s annual stallion auction which closes today (Wednesday, February 8) at 4 p.m.

Bulldog, whose 2023 book closed two months ago, is among several other prominent stallions available to purchase as follows:

Alarm Detector

All Bets Off

Archangel

Artspeak

Big Bad John

Big Jim

Bulldog Hanover

Cattlewash

Century Farroh

Control The Moment

Dali

Dancin Lou

Il Sogno Dream

Lookslikeachpndale

Sportswriter

Stormin Normand

Sunshine Beach

We Will See

Wheeling N Dealin

Click here to see what the current high bid is for each stallion. To make a higher bid please email: osasadmin@bellnet.ca or call or text 905-339-6748. The bids are updates regularly. Bidders are encouraged to confirm they have the final bid as the deadline approaches.

The successful bidders will be required to pay a $100 non-refundable deposit at the conclusion of the auction. The remainder is due upon the arrival of a live foal.

OSAS is grateful to the stallion owners, farms and bidders who have made this year’s auction so successful.

The Healing Power of Sophie

Tue, 07 Feb 2023 18:26:02 GMT

Thanks to WEG and writer Chris Loman for another wonderful feature on an OSAS graduate, this one the former top trotter mare Gostreet.

Lynne St. Jacques was looking for a horse. Not just any horse, but one with the ability to change lives.

As an Equine Facilitated Learning Specialist and Executive Director of Heartwood Equine Connections, a registered Canadian charity, St. Jacques has seen, first-hand, the difference a horse can make in the lives of the women who come to the farm in Middlesex, Ontario.

A safe haven for women who have suffered trauma from abuse, Heartwood is a centre for counselling and care, employing the use of horses as therapists in the healing process.

“It was in 2019 and I was doing equine therapeutic work with women who had dealt with various forms of abuse,” recalled St. Jacques. “I was working with other clients, but that was becoming more and more my focus. There are women in the area who really need that help.

“I had two horses at the time but one was suffering from laminitis, and I knew she was in such pain that we were going to have to put her down. That was in the spring, and the workshops started at the end of April, and I needed to get a horse fairly quickly. I had a Standardbred before, and I thought highly of them because of their nature.”

It led St. Jacques to reach out to the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society (OSAS). Founded in 1996, OSAS is the official agency for the adoption and relocation of retired and non-racing Standardbred horses within Ontario.

The farm, home to dozens of Standardbreds, is in Moffat, Ontario, about a 90-minute drive northeast from Heartwood.

One of the residents is Gostreet, a daughter of Angus Hall who enjoyed a banner racing career, winning 25 times, to go along with 55 top-three finishes and over $305,000 in earnings from 95 career starts. She was also an O’Brien Award finalist in the Older Trotting Mares category in 2009.

“I called OSAS and asked if there were any mares available and Joanne (OSAS administrator, Colville) directed me to Gostreet. I went up to look at her and brought a friend along with me. The friend was looking at conformation, and if she was sound. I was looking to see if she would connect with me, which is so important with a horse who is doing that work. She’s tall and I’m short, so that was the first thing I noticed. I lost the concern about her height because she was so approachable. She was really greeting me. There was a connection. It happens with the eyes.”

St. Jacques filled out the adoption papers the moment she got home.

Soon after the papers were submitted, Gostreet arrived at Heartwood, taking to her new surroundings with ease.

Thrilled to have the bay mare in her stable and optimistic that the former pacer would be ideal in her new calling; St. Jacques couldn’t shake the reality of needing Gostreet to be fully prepared for her new role in a month’s time.

“I was worried about getting her trained because I hadn’t had any time to work with her and to get to know her. I train with the Parelli method (a basic training for humans and horses, which is based on mutual communication, on respect and trust between the two, which considers the varying needs of different horse personalities). If the horse knows Parelli, then the activities I have the women do with the horses, it just blends.”

Gostreet quickly allayed any fears St. Jacques had about the horse being ready.

“She was a natural from the beginning.”

One month after she arrived, Gostreet, now known as Sophie, was ready to meet the first group of women to arrive at Heartwood.

“I don’t quite remember what it was, but I had a fancy name for her that started with the letter K. There is another animal communicator at the stable, and she told me that she spoke to her and Gostreet said she wanted to be known as Sophie. It’s Greek for wisdom.”

A wise choice, St. Jacques said with a laugh. “It’s very appropriate. It’s perfect.”

Sophie has embraced her role working with the women who come to Heartwood.

“I am trained to be able to communicate with her,” offered St. Jacques. “The clients I have, 90 percent of them have never been near a horse. So, they’re a little afraid. The first thing they do is go into the stall with her and I have them start to groom with their hand. As they are doing that, Sophie actually gives me information.

“She will show me if the person is sad, holding on to anger… she’s able to do that with her movement. Right away, I can say to that person, ‘What is your sadness about?’ And that starts it all. But that first connection is meant to help them get over any fear they might have about horses. They run their hand over her and she’s very quiet. She doesn’t move around. It’s her instinct, she knows that she needs to stand still.”

It’s quite the opposite, however, whenever St. Jacques pulls into the driveway. A familiar face is always waiting to greet her.

“She recognizes my car when I come to the stable. She comes to the gate. It’s a great feeling. Of course, she knows she’s going to get treats, but she really enjoys people. When she sees someone, she wants them to come and meet her. If people come into the stable, she tries to get their attention. She pokes her head out and looks them straight in the eye. She’s always happy to see me. She likes to cuddle with her head. She’ll put her head down by my neck and loves when we are close like that.”

Now 19, Sophie is anything but a one-trick pony. Beyond her therapeutic work, she is also excelling as a riding horse.

“I’m not young, so I needed a horse that was going to be very steady. And she is. We’ve just gone through hunting season in this area, and you’ll hear a gunshot go off. She’ll stop, but she never jumps. She’ll stop when she’s scared, I’ll calm her, and then we’ll be able to go on from there. Something could fly up, but she never gets flustered. She is, for me, the perfect horse. She is safe and kind. I’m taking lessons and trail riding, and she is the ideal companion.”

One who appreciates a song, especially a particular tune from just over 70 years ago made famous by Doris Day.

St. Jacques will often sing while riding and often sings “My Buddy,” which includes the verse, ‘Nights are long since you went away. I think about you all through the day. My buddy, my buddy. Nobody quite so true.’

“I hope she likes my singing. I think she likes it. There is very much a connection between us, almost spiritual.”

She’s hopeful those who depend on Heartwood can, on some level, forge a similar bond with Sophie. “These women have been through unimaginable, life-altering experiences. When they come here, we want them to feel safe and know we are here for them, to help them in any way we can. Seeing the interactions these women have with Sophie… it is truly wonderful.”

OSAS Stallion Auction Underway

Sun, 05 Feb 2023 16:22:37 GMT

The Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society’s annual stallion auction is now underway and will run until 4 p.m. on Wednesday, February 8.

Anyone interested in placing a bid on any of these outstanding sires should email: osasadmin@bellnet.ca or call or text 905-339-6748. The ongoing bids will be listed on the OSAS website (osas.ca) and updated regularly. Bidders are encouraged to confirm they have the final successful bid as the deadline approaches.

The following are the stallions available for the 2023 auction:

Alarm Detector

All Bets Off

Archangel

Artspeak

Big Bad John

Big Jim

Bulldog Hanover

Cattlewash

Century Farroh

Control The Moment

Dali

Dancin Lou

Il Sogno Dream

Lookslikeachpndale

Sportswriter

Stormin Normand

Sunshine Beach

We Will See

Wheeling N Dealin

OSAS is very grateful to all of the stallion owners, breeding farms and bidders for your continued support of our stallion auction which is consistently one of most successful fundraisers.

The successful bidders will be required to pay a $100 non-refundable deposit at the conclusion of the auction. The remainder is due upon the arrival of a live foal.

OSAS Stallion Auction Set

Thu, 26 Jan 2023 13:19:21 GMT

The Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society is pleased to announce the star studded stallions available for their 2023 stallion auction which will get underway on Sunday, February 5 ^th at noon and run until 4 p.m. Wednesday, February 8 ^th .

To date this year’s line up, which includes the fastest harness horse of all time, Bulldog Hanover, is as follows:

Alarm Detector

All Bets Off

Archangel

Artspeak

Big Bad John

Big Jim

Bulldog Hanover

Cattlewash

Century Farroh

Control The Moment

Dali

Dancin Lou

Il Sogno Dream

Lookslikeachpndale

Sportswriter

Stormin Normand

Sunshine Beach

We Will See

Wheeling N Dealin

OSAS thanks all of the breeding farms and stallion owners for their continued support of this annual fundraiser and are still accepting breedings. Once the auction is underway bids may be submitted to osasadmin@bellnet.ca or call 905-339-6748. The up to date bids will be listed on the OSAS website (osas.ca).

The photo here is of Bulldog Hanover and Mary Ann Miller who adopted TJ Silverado from OSAS last June.

OSAS Graduate Featured

Tue, 24 Jan 2023 15:52:51 GMT

Every one of the horses that graduate from OSAS are special, but Masseno, adopted two years ago, has gone above and beyond what anyone has expected. He is now known as Bugsy and performs with rider Jamie Drew as part of the Canadian Cowgirls Precision Team.

Fellow competitors have been so impressed with Bugsy in their shows and are shocked to find out he's only six and he's a Standardbred. They are truly following OSAS's mandate to showcase the versatility of the Standardbred horse. WEG's media department featured the pair and the story is as follows:

The Cowgirl & Bugsy

It is, among many things, a look of mutual reassurance whenever the young rider and the imposing former racehorse lock eyes in the crowded arena.

Festooned in eye-catching red and white, holding a Canadian flag aloft, 15 year-old Jamie Drew will take a deep breath before the music starts and the pageantry begins.

Sitting astride Bugsy, a powerfully built trotter who had a brief four race career on the racetrack, the teenager from Tilbury, Ontario, looks for a confidence boost ahead of the big moment.

She never has to look far.

“He’s a pleaser, and he wants to do anything for you,” shared Drew. “He has some anxiety, and it takes a blend of me encouraging him and having him trust me, for him to know that I am here for him.”

Drew, who has been part of the Canadian Cowgirls Precision Team since 2018, was joined by Bugsy starting 18 months ago. Performing in front of audiences across North America with their precision riding, sparkling costumes, and breathtaking maneuvers, the Canadian Cowgirls, hailing from the municipality of Chatham-Kent, Ontario, currently features 14 women and their horses, a mix of different equine breeds including Quarter Horse, Appaloosa, Arabian and Paint.

Over the years, the group has earned numerous accolades, including “Best Horse Entry” and “Best Formal Coloured Guard Entry” at the Calgary Stampede Parade, and “Best Equestrian Entry” at the Indy 500 Parade in Indianapolis.

Known as Masseno during his racing days, Bugsy has become somewhat of a rockstar on the circuit. Not only for his size, but also for his back story.

“There were a lot of people interested in him because of how big he is and his conformation. He’s a humungous horse. He’s the youngest on the team, but he’s also the tallest. I’ve had people ask me if he’s a mustang.

"When they find out he’s a Standardbred, they ask all kinds of questions. Once people hear he’s only six, they are so impressed at how well he’s done for such a young horse.”

The trotter, who posted a pair of seconds and a third from his four starts, was adopted from the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society by Jamie and her family in early 2021.

Established in 1996 to assist in the adoption and relocation of retired and non-racing Standardbred horses within Ontario, OSAS is operated by a Board of Directors and is funded through fundraising, contributions from racetracks, horse industry organizations and private donations. Its program, which follows-up on each horse after an adoption, helps educate and assist in the retraining and management of the horses.

“We have a good friend, Larry Gibbons, who used to race Standardbreds, and I was looking for a project-type horse for the summertime,” recalled Drew. “It was love at first sight. He was at a foster home for a month, and I would get photos and updates of him from Bert and Sue Mollica. They thought it would be a good match, Bugsy and me, for what I was looking for. I liked him as soon as I saw him.”

The pair have been inseparable since Bugsy, a son of Muscle Mass formerly trained by Julie Walker who bred the horse with her father Paul, came to the Drews in December 2020.

Jamie recently welcomed a second project horse into the mix.

Her work with Bugsy will act as the basis for the development of his new stablemate.

“He’s put a lot of confidence into me, making me realize what I am capable of. I’m very grateful for what OSAS does. I like how they help find the horses the right home and the right person. That’s what they did for me and Bugsy.

"He has helped me learn a lot, which is a big help in what I can teach the new horse. He’s taught me patience and given me the interest in wanting to train horses now.”

That newfound confidence was on display this July in Kentucky at an event the Canadian Cowgirls Precision Team participated in.

Drew was, admittedly, battling nerves in the days and weeks leading up to the trip to the Bluegrass State.

In the moments prior to entering the arena, those feelings of trepidation heightened.

After a quick glance down, the apprehension and anxiety seemed to melt away.

“It was his first time and my first time going to the States together. It was huge. He did really, really well. It’s a big confidence thing for him to have all the other horses around him. It was also nerve-wracking for me because it was such a big venue and a place I had never been to before.

"But we were there for one another and that made everything calm. It was overwhelming at first, in knowing how much I had put in and all the work he had put in, but we did it.”

For Mark Drew, seeing his daughter and her equine teammate perform at high-profile events is an unabashed source of pride.

He often marvels at how far the two have come in such a short period of time.

“There are many venues, big or small, where they participate. They come out as a huge team of riders and horses into a crowded indoor or outdoor arena. The crowd goes completely bonkers. To see the team in unison, it really is quite amazing. It really is electrifying.

"When you are there in person and the music starts playing… it’s a sight to see. The part that sticks out for Jamie and Bugsy, is that they’ve worked so hard in eight months to perform at an elite level. He trusts her to guide him, and she trusts him. It’s great to see the confidence he has in her, and vice-versa.”

A bond that continues to grow with each passing day.

“I feel so lucky to have Bugsy in my life,” said Jamie. “I know we’ll always be there for each other.”

(Chris Loman)

Santa’s Second Chance Raffle Winners

Mon, 12 Dec 2022 14:00:50 GMT

Congratulations to the following winners of this year's Santa's Second Chance Basket Raffle. Huge kudos to the sponsors of this year's raffle (names listed below) as well as organizer Emma Christoforou with help from Jean Posthuma and Joanne Colville .

Thanks to everyone who purchased tickets - your generosity raised $5,454 for OSAS. Well done!

1. Lucky Lottery Basket – Connie Chisholm

2. Wrap It Up Basket – Tessa Passero

3. Air Fryer Basket - Susan Brooks

4. Girls Night Out Basket – Chrislin Norther

5. DYI Bar Basket – Emma Longstreet

6. For Her Basket – Nat Steacy

7. Date Night Basket – Cheryl Malone

8. On The Go Basket – Jamie Hart

9. Happy Tails Basket – C. C. Pecora

10. Equine Care Basket – Tessa Passero

11. Spread Basket – Michelle Windsor

12. Chocolate Lovers Basket – Nikki Bourgeois

13. Bakers Basket – Norah Parks

14. Equine Glam Basket – Jack Moiseyev

15. Preserves Basket – Chrislin Nother

16. Spice It Up Basket – Kim Laird

17. MK Embroidery and Design Basket – Shayna Belanger

18. Quick Eats Basket – Karen Fleming

19. Hickory Basket – Cindy Graham

Sponsors:

Divine Equine

Stacey Currie Stable

Aberfoyle Mill Restaurant

Bonne Lashes N Laser

Mk Embroidery & Design

The Stable.ca

High Stakes Stable

Jack Moiseyev Stable

Twinbrook Farms

Rojman Veterinary Services

Ashleigh & Ed Hensley Stable

Josh McKibbin Stable

Michelle Olson Stable

Kimberley Armes

Shannon & Trevor Henry Racing

Tyler Borth Racing

Dale Devine Stable & Horse Transport

Phil Hudon & Jen Lucier Racing

Annie Cox Stable

Nikki & Paul Davies Racing

Carmen Auciello Stable

Tyler Moore Racing

Clayton Graham Stable

Bernadette Rogers

Gerry De Bresser-Colville

Stephensons Training Centre

Greg McNair Stable

Dave & Ashley Morgan

Andree Anne Fontaine & Gramma Corner

Ferrero Rocher

Lynne Gibbings-Davies

Jodie Cullen Stable

Advanced Appetite

Omega Alpha & Patti Hanco

Off Our Rocker Stable

Roman Knows Passes

Fri, 18 Nov 2022 14:41:28 GMT

After 22 wonderful years at his forever home near Oshawa, Ontario, 32 year-old trotter Roman Knows has passed away at the farm of Gillian and Ron Gilmore who adopted him from OSAS as a 10 year-old.

“Roman brought us all a huge amount of pleasure, from us seniors to the granddaughters, he was a great guy to have around. He has left a huge hole in our lives,” said Gillian who added that Roman’s buddy, Coach (a 22 year-old Standardbred) is a little lost now without his long time companion.

“We are so lucky to have had him in our lives,” she added. “The Standardbred Adoption is doing a good service for these horses, who have worked hard in their early years.”

A son of Meadow Road, Roman Knows won more than $157,000 during his racing career under the care of trainers Jack Darling, and then Ron Waples, Jr. who claimed him at Mohawk in September of 1995.

The photos with this story were provided to OSAS on the occasion of Roman’s 30 ^th birthday two years ago. He was in remarkable condition for his age and the photos also show how he acquired his name.

Photos courtesy Gillian Gilmore

Another Brilliant Bulldog Performance

Mon, 31 Oct 2022 12:41:21 GMT

Bulldog Hanover, the horse who “put the sport on his shoulders this year” with an absolutely incredible 2022 campaign, concluded his Canadian career with a resounding victory in the last of eight Breeders Crown finals at Woodbine Mohawk Park on Saturday, October 29. His time of 1:46.4 represented a Breeders Crown record and tied the track and Canadian record.

In addition to becoming the most talked about harness horse of the season thanks to his on track exploits, Bulldog Hanover spent the first few months of 2022 doing double duty as a stallion standing at Seelster Farms. The Ontario-sired son of Shadow Play, driven by Dexter Dunn, was notching his 13 ^th win in 15 starts this year for $1.6 million in earnings.

Bred by Hanover Shoe Farms, Bulldog became the fastest harness horse of all time with a 1:45.4 mile at the Meadowlands in the Haughton Final. That came in the middle of an 11 race winning streak.

Jack Darling trains and co-owns the very popular pacer with Brad Grant. Elected to the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame this year, Darling has trained and owned many top horses over the years but this was his first Breeders Crown champion.

Jack and Brad have both been long time supporters of OSAS. Last year Brad entrusted a very special horse to OSAS’s care, millionaire Easy Lover Hanover. The son of Somebeachsomewhere didn’t last long at OSAS as he was quickly adopted by Northumbria Equine near Port Hope where he is now known as Philip.

"You know he's retiring in great shape, he looks as good as he did when I bought him. Good, sound horse and thanks to Joanne Colville and the group at OSAS they have a couple of people lined up and he'll be in the right spot being the classy old horse that he is. It's an end of a good story,” Brad said at the time.

In 2007 Darling organized the largest fundraiser for OSAS in the organization’s history. The roast featured many of the industry’s heavyweights and a very successful silent auction. Hosted by Western Fair District, the event raised well in excess of $100,000 largely thanks to Jack’s efforts.

Everyone associated with OSAS congratulates Brad, John and Bulldog for their incredible success to date and wish them the best of luck in the horse’s final two starts at Rosecroft Raceway and The Meadowlands next month.

Charity Challenge Participants Announced

Wed, 14 Sep 2022 17:16:31 GMT

The Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society was very fortunate to win the inaugural Breeders Crown Charity Challenge in 2019. The Breeders Crown returns to Mohawk this year along with the Challenge. The participants for this year’s event, sponsored by the Libfeld-Katz Breeding Partnership, were announced today.

In just three years the BCCC has raised more than $800,000 for local charities of each year’s Breeders Crown host track. In 2021, the challenge set a new event record, raising over $400,000 for charities in The Meadowlands area.

This year’s event is also shaping up to be something special. The format showcases four teams, with each entry comprised of a prominent owner, their charity of choice, and a leading driver at Mohawk, competing to net the largest donation amount from a minimum pool of $200,000.

Here are the four teams:

Team Brad Grant/Doug McNair - Charity: Milton District Hospital Foundation

Team Determination/Bob McClure – Charity: Kids Help Phone Line

Team Steve Heimbecker/James MacDonald – Charity: Pine River Institute

Team Libfeld-Katz/Louis-Philippe Roy – Charity: Toronto General Hospital Heart Research Centre - SickKids Hospital Toronto

Each team has pledged $25,000, which guarantees their charity of choice a minimum donation in that amount. An additional $100,000 has been raised through donations made by industry participants.

With a minimum $25,000 guaranteed to be directed to each charity, the additional monies will be decided through a Driver Challenge and Social Media Challenge.

“This is a great addition to an already exciting event,” said Bob McClure. “It’s one more thing that adds to the excitement of the Breeders Crown. I’m really happy to be part of it.”

A sentiment echoed by Doug McNair. “I’m looking forward to teaming up with my fellow drivers to help raise money for some very worthwhile charities.”

Fifty thousand dollars will be distributed to the charities based on each driver’s performance in the Ontario Sires Stakes Lampman Cup standings. The team with the driver earning the most points in the OSS season will be awarded $20,000. The remaining $30,000 will be distributed as $15,000, $10,000, and $5,000, respectively, based on each driver’s ranking in the standings.

Fifty thousand dollars will be directed to the charities based on each team’s social media engagement. The team creating the most engagement by using their team hashtag will earn $20,000. The remaining $30,000 will be distributed as $15,000, $10,000 and $5,000, respectively, based on each team’s engagement numbers.

The team hashtags are listed below. Supporters are asked to go on Twitter and use the hashtag of their favourite team and also include #CrownCharity22.

Team Brad Grant/Doug McNair - #GrantUsVictory

Team Determination/Bob McClure - #DeterminedToWin

Team Steve Heimbecker/James MacDonald - #BeckerThanTheRest

Team Libfeld-Katz/Louis-Philippe Roy - #MeetTheFieldofKatz

The 2022 Breeders Crown presented by Libfeld-Katz Breeding Partnership will take place on Friday, October 28 and Saturday, October 29 at Woodbine Mohawk Park.

“We are looking forward to putting on a first-class event and making this year’s Breeders Crown one of the most memorable editions in its storied history,” said Jim Lawson, Woodbine’s CEO. “From a world class night of racing, to raising money and awareness for deserving charities, to the support of so many passionate and caring horse people, this year’s Breeders Crown is something we can all truly be proud.”

The Breeders Crown Charity Challenge would not be possible without the generous support of the following individuals and groups:

Marvin Katz

Al Libfeld

Determination

Brad Grant

Steve Heimbecker

Bob McClure

Doug McNair

James MacDonald

Louis-Philippe Roy

Diamond Pledges:

Alagna Racing

Bettors Delight Syndicate – Blue Chip Farms

Hanover Shoe Farms

Hunterton Farm

Southwind Farms

Lindy Farms

Brittany Farms

Muscle Mass – Bob Brady

Seelster Farms

Tara Hills Stud

Winbak Farm

Additional Pledges:

Carmen Auciello

John Bax

Cameo Hills Farm

Richard Moreau

(WEG)

Racing Buddies Together Again In Retirement

Thu, 08 Sep 2022 16:50:42 GMT

Pacers Weatherly and Frightful Watch had vastly different racing careers while they were stablemates in Julie Walker’s barn as one was an iron horse and the other barely started. One fact they do have in common is that they both were retired in 2021 and entrusted to the care of the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society.

In a unique co-incidence, the buddies were reunited in retirement as Brooke Luke of Lynden, Ontario, adopted Frightful Watch (now known as Kevin) in early 2021 and a few months later adopted Weatherly (now called Wes). She had no idea at the time they were former stablemates.

“My friend told me (they had both been in Julie’s barn) shortly after we got Wes,” Brooke explained. “She saw Julie at the races and they were chatting, I guess the boys were turnout buddies and it was clear they remembered each other. Their introduction at my place was very uneventful and they almost immediately started grooming each other.”

“Weatherly and Frightful Watch had the same owner, they came to me together and they were buddies while in training,” Julie explained. “Both were totally different horses in sense of their career. Weatherly was a true war horse, tough as nails and the owners were ready to retire him. Frightful Watch just never had the ability on the racetrack.”

Their talents on the track may have been vastly different, but their personalities are similar as both have gentle, kind demeanours, especially when they are with Brooke’s young children, five-year-old son Brayden and two-year-old daughter Makenna.

“They’ve truly surpassed any expectations I had when adopting them,” said Brooke. “They just seem to know that Brayden and Makenna are ‘their kids’ and act so quietly around them.”

Earlier this year Brooke posted photos of her children aboard one of the geldings with the note: “Kevin (Frightful Watch) demonstrating what a true saint he is. There aren’t many five-year-old horses who are level headed enough to be pulled from the paddock after four weeks and tolerate 40 minutes of pony rides. Best horse ever.”

“I am not surprised by how good they are with kids because they were very kind horses,” said Julie who was surprised and delighted when she found out the geldings were both adopted by the Luke family.

Julie was the third and final trainer for Weatherly, an 11 year-old gelding by Dali who made a total of 144 starts, amassing $212,064 during his career. He started his career under the guidance of noted trainer Murray Brethour and remained in that Sunderland, Ontario, based barn from his two-year-old season in 2013 through his seven-year-old season in 2018.

He moved to Chad Milner’s stable for a year and Julie was his trainer of note for his last two seasons on the track. His final start was in September of last year. During his time in Julie’s barn, in addition to being a consistent racehorse, Weatherly also served as a teacher for both humans and fellow equines.

“He taught so many young grooms that came into my barn how to train and jog. We always said he taught the young horses how to behave at the track. Weatherly lost his eye when he was three or four and adapted to everything he was asked to do,” Julie added.

Frightful Watch’s tenure at the track wasn’t nearly as long but the son of Hes Watching had another connection to OSAS long before he was entered into the program. His dam, the Artsplace daughter Dianes Place, started her career in the stable of Hall of Famer Bill O’Donnell, who sits on the OSAS board of directors.

Unlike his dam who enjoyed a long career (165 starts), Frightful Watch made a total of two official trips behind the starting gate before his shoes were pulled, but the five-year-old son is proving to be talented in other disciplines.

“They are super talented boys,” compliments Brooke. “I ride primarily dressage but have started jumping Kevin also.” She showed Kevin for the first time at the Standardbred Showcase on July 31 and he did exceptionally well.

“I am so proud of Kevin,” she noted afterwards. “He had his first show today at the Standardbred Showcase and he could not have been better. We had a very fun and successful day. Some of the highlights we achieved: high point English, high point overall and completing our first over fence class as a last minute add on.”

Weatherly has also been impressing his new owner. In early September she reported: “I haven’t had time to ride him regularly but am looking forward to changing that for the fall. Despite the long stretches between rides, this guy tries so hard.

“Today when we rode he willingly stretched out and lowered his head both ways. This is a huge accomplishment especially going to the left, as he is missing his right eye so he prefers to hold his head up and looking around. When he relaxes and rounds up, it’s a great feeling knowing he has trust in me as his rider.”

The OSAS graduates aren’t Brooke’s first exposure to Standardbreds. “My best friend, Natalie Graham, has been heavily involved in the racing industry her entire life, her dad raced, and they set me up with my first Standardbred about 10 years ago,” she remembered.

“I had always owned, ridden and shown other breeds and foolishly I fell into the category of having a bias against Standardbreds as riding horses thanks to some coaching influence. My first Standardbred changed all of that, I did everything with him and was never disappointed.

“When we started our family I had to take a break from horses and riding but knew when it was time again my next horse would be a Standardbred. I submitted an application to OSAS in early 2021 and by July it was my turn on the waitlist.”

Brooke had fallen in love with Frightful Watch’s photo and went to meet him at Mac Stables, one of OSAS’s foster farms owned by Susan and Bert Mollica. After adopting Frightful Watch she asked the Mollicas to keep an eye out for another horse who would also be quiet for the kids to work around “and Wes came along a few months later,” she concluded.

One of OSAS’s mandates is to highlight the versatility and kindness of the Standardbred breed. It would be accurate to report that Frightful Watch and Weatherly are certainly doing their part.

Meet The Painted Pony

Fri, 02 Sep 2022 22:19:52 GMT

The Painted Pony, one of OSAS’s ambassadors, will be on hand at Leamington Raceway as part of their popular Kids’ Day this Sunday (September 4). Post time is 1 p.m.

Fans of all ages will have a chance to meet and take a picture with the uniquely coloured The Painted Pony in addition to many other fun activities including face painting, behind the scenes tours and prizes.

On hand with The Painted Pony will be OSAS’s administrator Joanne Colville and her daughter Emma Christoforou. It will be a busy day for Emma, who earned her training license two years ago, as she has three horses racing at Leamington on Sunday afternoon, Inked In Pink in race one and Classylaneprecious and Millennium Seelster in race eight.

Emma and The Painted Pony have been a long and successful partnership as they have competed successfully in numerous horse shows as well as served as outriders at several Ontario racetracks.

A 17 year-old trotter, The Painted Pony has been retired from racing for 12 years, but he’s kept busy in his role as ambassador demonstrating the versatility of the Standardbred horse.

One Shot Shootout At OSAS Tourney

Wed, 31 Aug 2022 11:53:53 GMT

OSAS is pleased to announce that One Shot Shootout will be at our upcoming golf tournament on Wednesday, September 28 at Wildwinds Golf Course.

One Shot provides golfers an opportunity to win some prizes through Hole In One, Target Golf, Closest to the Green and more contests.

OSAS Welcomes Hemi Seelster

Fri, 26 Aug 2022 14:47:40 GMT

The Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society is happy to announce the addition of Hemi Seelster to their roster.

Now 10, the gelding by Holiday Road enjoyed a long career at the racetrack with 175 lifetime starts for $856,000 in earnings. He was purchased by trainer John Bax from the Seelster Farm consignment at the 2013 Forest City Sale.

Hemi provided Bax with one of the highlights of his long and successful career in June of 2015 when he won the Goodtimes Final at Mohawk (paying more than $155 for the winning ticket). The race is named in honour of John’s most distinguished trotter of all time and a member of the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame. Since the race was renamed in Goodtimes’ honour, John has been on hand for every final to make the trophy presentation to the winning owners. Thanks to Hemi, he both gave and received the Goodtimes trophy that evening.

The horse was sold at the conclusion of his sophomore season and over the next few years he spent time in several stables both in Ontario and stateside. In total he started at 13 racetracks throughout his long racing stint. His career summary stands at 36-21-15.

Hemi’s dam, the Angus Hall daughter Hollywood Beauty, is still producing for Seelster Farms. Her 2022 yearling, Heist Seelster (by Resolve), sells as hip number 38 at the upcoming London Select Yearling Sale. Hemi’s half-sister Hershey Seelster, a three-year-old this year, won earlier this month at Georgian.

Hemi’s seven-year-old full brother, Henderson Seelster, is showing the same veteran vibes as his older brother as he currently sits with 135 lifetime starts for over $350,000 in earnings. However, it is their nine-year-old brother Heineken Seelster who can claim the iron horse title.

That nine-year-old gelding by Federal Flex surpassed Hemi’s record of 175 lifetime starts last week when he raced at Georgian. It was his 176 ^th lifetime start and he’s scheduled for another trip around the track on Saturday (August 27).

“We’re very pleased that Hemi’s connections have entrusted him to OSAS,” noted Joanne Colville, OSAS’s co-ordinator. “He’s the definition of a true iron horse and one of those tough campaigners the fans enjoyed watching week after week.

“He’ll have some down time before he begins his retraining. He’s earned some time to just be a horse,” she added.

OSAS Golf Tourney Set

Wed, 27 Jul 2022 14:18:07 GMT

OSAS’s annual golf tournament is scheduled for Wednesday, September 28, 2022. Thanks to everyone for their incredible support, the tournament is sold out.

Sponsorship opportunities remain, for further information, please contact Joanne Colville at 905-339-6748 ( osasadmin@bellnet.ca ).

Easy Lover Loving Retirement

Fri, 22 Jul 2022 13:18:25 GMT

The Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society was honoured to find a home for popular pacer Easy Lover Hanover last year.

A winner of $1.2 million over a career which saw him face the gate 144 times (winning 51), Easy Lover Hanover was retired by owner Brad Grant and trainer Ben Wallace following his final start in August of 2021.

He didn’t last long at OSAS. The now nine-year-old gelding by Somebeachsomewhere is known for his wonderful demeanour and he soon found himself in a new home at Northumbria Equine in Port Hope, Ontario. He’s now called Philip and is thoroughly enjoyed and ridden regularly by his new owners who recently shared these incredible photos of the handsome lad.

Photo credit: Aurélie

Bugsy & Jamie At Breyerfest

Tue, 19 Jul 2022 13:09:42 GMT

This past weekend saw the Canadian Cowgirls Precision Team perform at the well known Breyerfest at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington. Among the competitors was the Standardbred horse Masseno and his rider Jamie Drew.

Masseno, who is now known as Bugsy, was adopted from OSAS by Jamie and her family in early 2021. Lightly raced, with four lifetime starts, Masseno was trained by Julie Walker who bred the gelding by Muscle Mass with her dad Paul.

Masseno is the second foal from Tomorrows Dream whose dam is O’Brien Award winner Mombasa who Paul trained to earnings over $400,000 for Eileen and Bill Stuart. Mombasa’s last foal was Tomorrows Dream, while her first was another O’Brien winner Filly At Bigs.

Thanks to Kristen Banfield for sharing the following videos of the Cowgirls’ performances as well as the photos of Jamie and Bugsy.

Video Part One: https://www.facebook.com/728480267/posts/10166935979110268/?

Part Two: https://www.facebook.com/728480267/videos/343408228008561/

Finale: https://www.facebook.com/728480267/videos/593709102109033/

Another Iron Horse Enters OSAS

Fri, 15 Jul 2022 14:00:27 GMT

OSAS recently welcomed the 13 year-old gelding Holy Chip into their program. A son of Arts Chip, the tough pacer had a 12 year career which spanned from 2011 through 2022. He started out racing in the US where he competed at 14 different tracks before shifting north of the border.

He moved to Ontario in 2020 and raced at seven different tracks in that province before calling it a career. His summary at retirement read 39-42-42 after 330 total starts. He banked just under $300,000.

Breeders Crown Charity Challenge Returns

Mon, 11 Jul 2022 19:14:30 GMT

The Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society was honoured to be the winner of the inaugural Breeders Crown Charity Challenge in 2019 thanks to so much engagement from our supporters.

Since that time the event has raised over $800,000 for charities close to the Breeders Crown host track that given year. Today Woodbine Entertainment, the Hambletonian Society and the Breeders Crown presenting sponsor the Libfeld-Katz Breeding Partnership announced details of the 2022 challenge when the Breeders Crown returns to Mohawk.

The 2022 version will see four teams made up of a prominent owner, their charity of choice and a top WEG driver vying to secure the highest donation amount possible from a minimum pool of $200,000.

This year’s teams are as follows:

Owner/Driver Charity

Brad Grant/Doug McNair Milton District Hospital Foundation

Determination Stable/Bob McClure Kids Help Phone Line

Steve Heimbecker/James MacDonald Pine River Institute

Libfeld/Katz/Louis-Philippe Roy Toronto General Hospital Health Research Centre

Each team has pledged $25,000 which guarantees their charity a minimum donation of that amount. An addition $100,000 has been raised through gracious donations by industry participants. With a minimum $25,000 guaranteed to each charity, the addition funds will be up for grabs through a Driver and Social Media Challenges.

The Driver Challenge will distribute $50,000 to the charities based on each driver’s performance in the Ontario Sires Stakes Lampman Cup (top driver) standings. The team with the driver earning the most points in the OSS season will be awarded $20,000. The remaining $30,000 will be distributed $15,000, $10,000 and $5,000 based on the remaining drivers’ rankings.

The social media challenge starts September 1 and will distribute $50,000 to the charities based on each team’s social media engagement. The team creating the most engagement by using #Crown22 and a team hashtag will earn $20,000. The remaining $30,000 will be distributed as in the drivers’ challenge.

In addition, the Lexington Select Yearling Sale will feature the popular Cocktails For A Cause which will also raise funds for charity.

The 2022 Breeders Crown, presented by the Libfeld-Katz Breeding Partnership, will take place on Friday, October 28 and Saturday, October 29 at Mohawk.

The 2022 Charity Challenge would not be possible without the generous support of the following:

Al Libfeld

Marvin Katz

Determination Stable

Brad Grant

Steve Heimbecker

Bob McClure

Doug McNair

James MacDonald

Louis-Philippe Roy

Alagna Racing

Bettors Delight Syndicate (Blue Chip Farms)

Hanover Shoe Farms

Hunterton/Southwind Farms

Muscle Mass – Bob Brady

Seelster Farms

Tara Hills Stud

Winbak Farm

Carmen Auciello

John Bax

Cameo Hills Farm

Richard Moreau

The Painted Pony Parades

Mon, 20 Jun 2022 19:13:36 GMT

OSAS ambassador The Painted Pony acted as parade pony on the stakes laden card at Mohawk this past Saturday. He was ridden by Emma Christoforou who joined the track's regular outrider and her mother, OSAS's Joanne Colville.

One of the OSAS ambassadors' main jobs is to demonstrate the versatility and loving nature of the Standardbred horse. The beautiful photo of a fan petting Pony shows he's doing his job well. That photo was captured by Clive Cohen, the other shot is courtesy of Dale Leiska.

New Home For Luke And Duke

Fri, 17 Jun 2022 16:53:56 GMT

Luke And Duke will enjoy a well earned retirement after making close to 200 lifetime starts in his long career. The 10 year-old gelding by Mach Three joined OSAS earlier this year and has found a home as a companion.

Anyone who follows harness racing in Ontario has likely seen Luke And Duke race as he spent his entire career in this province starting at eight different racetracks. In total he lined up behind the starting gate 184 times and earned in excess of $215,000.

He concluded his career on a winning note at Mohawk, winning in 1:54.3 in late November, it was his second consecutive victory and third in four starts.

Luke And Duke is the only foal of the Camluck mare Lynne Mary, a full or half-sister to Trevor Jay B ($435,361), Fish My Paul ($399,897) and Macktwowilldew ($219,000).

Emma & The Pony In London

Mon, 30 May 2022 13:26:28 GMT

OSAS’s long time ambassador, The Painted Pony and the multi-talented Emma Christoforou, who works tirelessly as a volunteer on OSAS's behalf, proudly acted as outriders on Friday night (May 27) on The Raceway at Western Fair’s signature race card.

Emma is following in the footsteps of her proud mother, Joanne Colville, who guides OSAS daily in addition to serving as the outrider at Mohawk.

The Friday race card was the most prestigious of the year at Western Fair as they welcomed back the Camluck Classic (after a two year Covid hiatus), Ontario Sires Stakes races, the City of London finals and much more.

The Painted Pony is a 17 year-old trotter who always attracts attention for his unique colouring for a Standardbred. He was one of four OSAS ambassadors featured in the note cards produced by OSAS to commemorate our 25 ^th anniversary in 2021. They were painted by noted equine artist Michelle Hogan.

Emma and Pony have captured many ribbons over the years and their unique partnership was appreciated by the patrons and horse people at the races in London.

New Additions To OSAS

Wed, 20 Apr 2022 20:47:59 GMT

Spring has brought lots of activity to the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society with a trio of new horses added. Two pacers, Southwind Razor and Fast As Phelps, and one trotter, Rose Run Unclebuck, are the latest additions to the program.

Of the three, Southwind Razor was the most successful at the racetrack earning just over $70,000 during a career that spanned eight years and 124 lifetime starts. A 12 year-old gelding by Art Major, Razor’s second dam is the top race mare Roses For Emma who was driven a few times in her long career (155 starts, $418,000) by OSAS director Bill O’Donnell.

The other pacer joining OSAS is the Mach Three son Fast As Phelps who took in just over $27,000 on the racetrack. Bred by Hall of Famer Bob McIntosh, Fast As Phelps’s second dam is a Camluck full sister to Go West Lucky Cam ($445,310) and $266,000 winner Wit And Wisdom.

Rose Run Unclebuck is the new trotter to OSAS. A winner of $51,000 after 33 career starts, the six-year-old gelding is by Uncle Peter. His dam, Tameka Seelster, earned over $181,000 and is a half-sister to $730,000 winner Traverse Seelster.

Ellis Park Joins The Team

Sat, 02 Apr 2022 21:42:11 GMT

OSAS is pleased to announce the addition of iron horse Ellis Park. Now 13, the son of Rocknroll Hanover faced the gate 160 times in his long career which spanned nine years, from age three through nine.

Ellis Park was bred and owned by Dr. David Goodrow and trained by Brad Maxwell and Tony O’Sullivan. Tony credits Dave for Ellis Park’s long tenure on the racetrack.

“Dave is the reason he (Ellis Park) has lasted so long. The horse was allowed to race when he was good and turned out when it was deemed best. There has never been an ounce of pressure from Dave to push on. There are very few owners like that,” he praised shortly before the horse’s retirement which they had planned for earlier but put off because of how well he was racing.

Dr. Goodrow is a fan of international rugby and named Ellis Park after a stadium in South Africa which hosts rugby.

In total Ellis Park took in over $850,000 during his racing days. He has a full brother, Fat Mans Alley, with over $770,000 in his bankroll.

Second Career For So Much Bettor

Mon, 21 Mar 2022 14:34:56 GMT

So Much Bettor, a seven-year-old gelding by Bettors Delight, is the most recent addition to OSAS. A winner of close to $80,0000 during his racing career, So Much Bettor hails from pacing royalty.

His second dam is Town Pro, a member of the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame and a multiple O’Brien Award winner including Horse of the Year in 1990. She was campaigned by the late Stew Firlotte and driven by Doug Brown.

Unlike a lot of talented distaffers, Town Pro became a very successful broodmare once her racing days were over. Her most successful offspring is the $3 million winner Darlins Delight who in turn produced the $1.1 million winner Darlinonthebeach.

So Much Bettor, has just started his under saddle training under the watchful eye of the horse whisperer, Bert Mollica who operates one of OSAS’s foster farms along with his wife Susan.

Woodmere Tesla Latest OSAS Addition

Fri, 11 Mar 2022 16:27:05 GMT

The four-year-old gelding Woodmere Tesla is the latest addition to the roster at the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society. Bred by Woodmere Farms of PEI, the son of the late Steelhead Hanover comes from a long line of iron tough distaffers.

His dam, Wild Ride Hanover, made more than 120 starts in her career which spanned over six years and saw her compete at 16 different racetracks across Ontario and the US. The daughter of Western Ideal has passed on that toughness to her offspring as two of her daughters, Delightfully Wild and Woodmere Wyldstyle, have a combined 313 career starts and are both still racing in 2022. The latter mare drawn into start on Saturday at Flamboro Downs for trainer Jason Woodward.

Tesla’s career wasn’t quite as long as his sisters’ with just 16 trips behind the starting gate in total. He last raced in January at Mohawk. He’s just entered foster care and will have some time to decompress before his training begins.

Pure Ridge Salt Company Supporting OSAS

Mon, 07 Mar 2022 18:09:24 GMT

The Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society welcomes the support of Pure Ridge Sale Company this year. They have chosen OSAS as a sponsor for 2022 and will be donating lar ge horse salt licks for presentation to OSAS supporters and competitors.

Pure Ridge is a distributor and importer of Himalayan Pink Salt Products in Canada for both wholesale and retail. One of their recent satisfied customers was Nurthumbria Equine who recently adopted millionaire pacer Easy Lover Hanover from OSAS.

They can be reached through their Facebook page.

Westie & Sarah Featured

Fri, 25 Feb 2022 22:19:40 GMT

OSAS graduate West Grey Bay and his adopter, noted equestrian Sarah Cuthbertson, are profiled in Woodbine Entertainment’s most recent feature story by Chris Loman.

Sarah hadn’t planned to adopt a Standardbred but Westie, as she calls him, changed her mind. To read the full story:

https://newsroom.woodbine.com/from-trotter-to-trailblazer-the-life-of-westie

Photo credit to Sarah Cuthbertson Facebook

2022 OSAS Stallion Auction Results

Tue, 15 Feb 2022 14:03:35 GMT

The Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society’s 2022 stallion auction closed Sunday (February 13). OSAS expresses sincere gratitude to the stallion owners and farms who donated breedings, as well as all those who took the time to bid.

This annual fundraiser is a highlight every year for OSAS and we extend best wishes to all of the successful bidders for a healthy foal next year. The complete list of successful purchasers is as follows:

The Painted Pony Steps Up

Thu, 27 Jan 2022 14:28:09 GMT

OSAS ambassador The Painted Pony filled in as Mohawk’s outrider's horse on Saturday (January 22). Joanne Colville’s usual mount, Jay, is recovering from a foot abscess a nd his regular replacement, Sniper, requested the evening off.

The Painted Pony, an usually coloured son of Lindy Lane, is one of three OSAS ambassadors showcased at various events to demonstrate the versatility of the Standardbred horse.

Pony was featured, along with the other ambassadors – Hiltons Hot Stuff, Reverend Hanover and the now adopted Ruff Me Up in a series of note cards created last year by noted equine artist Michelle Hogan. In cooperation with Ontario Racing, the note cards were part of OSAS’s 25th anniversary celebrations in 2021.

They are still available to purchase (eight cards, two of each horse, for $12). To order email: osasadmin@bellnet.ca .

A Trio Of Fortunate Retirees

Sat, 01 Jan 2022 20:13:40 GMT

January first of every year marks the retirement of those horses fortunate enough to race through to age 14. Tonight at Western Fair Raceway in London three of those per formers will be featured in their annual Auld Lang Syne event. What’s remarkable about this trio is that they have all raced for the same connections throughout their entire careers which is a rarity.

The three pacers set for retirement are Ciona Bromach, Lawmen Reign and Leafs And Wings. The three veterans have more than 1,000 lifetime starts combined: 329, 332 and 415 respectively and every one of those starts have been with the same trainer.

Ciona Bromach, a son of Peruvian Hanover, is owned by his breeder and trainer Debi Obrien-Moran, who is one of the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society’s most dedicated volunteers and an integral part of the popular Drive With Us program. Ciona will depart from the rail tonight.

Lawmen Reign has been conditioned throughout his career by co-owner Ross Battin who shares ownership with his wife Margaret Battin. One of Ontario’s most consistent drivers for many years and a multiple Lampman Cup winner, Ross will be back in the bike for the final time behind Lawmen who will leave from post two.

Leafs And Wings, the richest of the three with over $566,000 in the bank, is owned by his breeder Greg Rogers and is trained by his son Michael Rogers. A son of Rambaran, Leafs And Wings has post three in the $10,000 feature.

The Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society congratulates every 14 year-old Standardbred and their connections and send best wishes for a wonderful retirement.

A happy, healthy and safe New Year to all and a special note of thanks to everyone who supported OSAS’s 25 ^th anniversary celebrations over the past year.

The Painted Pony Parades

Mon, 13 Dec 2021 18:17:08 GMT

The Painted Pony, one of the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society’s equine ambassadors, was on full display in holiday gear to post parade on Sunday (December 12) at We stern Fair Raceway.

Emma Christoforou rode the uniquely coloured Standardbred in the post parades for the special card which featured the second annual drivers’ challenge in support of Toys For Tots. Competing drivers included eventual winner James MacDonald as well as Tyler Borth, Colin Kelly, Anthony MacDonald, Scott Wray, Austin Sorrie, Scott Young and Natasha Day.

Emma and The Painted Pony were dressed for the season and Emma was beyond proud of her steed. “Pony took post parading in stride as if he’d done it his entire life! Representing the versatility of our breed from racing to doing everything I ask of him. He certainly knows how to impress everyone, tinsel bells, bows and even lights,” she noted.

The Painted Pony is a 16 year-old gelding by Lindy Lane who has very capably represented Standardbreds in countless shows across the province for many years.

Big Night For Emma

Sat, 04 Dec 2021 22:08:52 GMT

OSAS’s Emma Christoforou enjoyed a fruitful Friday night on December 3 with victories at two different venues.

She and other OSAS volunteers took part in the Ancaster Solstice Series with OSAS ambassador The Painted Pony and came home with several victories including in the costume class.

Meanwhile at Mohawk, Emma’s student JCs Royal Tease won the seventh race, a $17,000 trot. Trevor Henry was up behind the four-year-old Royalty For Life gelding Emma shares ownership with the Mo N Jo Stable and breeder Patricia Metivier.

It was the first win at Mohawk as a trainer for Emma who started training late last year.

Easy Lover Hanover & OSAS Featured

Wed, 03 Nov 2021 15:53:36 GMT

The horse that stepped off the trailer at the foster farm was very much the same one Joanne Colville had seen, up close, over a distinguished 144 race career.

It took le ss time than a Standardbred opening quarter mile for Colville, who has served as Administrator for OSAS for more than 15 years, to realize that Easy Lover Hanover hadn’t changed a bit from his racing days.

“He is an absolute sweetheart,” said Colville, of the handsome eight-year-old son of Somebeachsomewhere, who was retired from racing in August. “He’s an in-your-pocket kind of guy, very willing to please. You saw that right away. He has an amazing personality and demeanor, the kind of horse that is very special.”

The longtime horsewoman would certainly know.

Colville has been an outrider at Woodbine Entertainment racetracks for years, affording her a front-row seat to watch hundreds of horses compete over the course of each racing season.

She quicky recalled Easy Lover Hanover, the pacer who originally sold as a yearling for $100,000 at Harrisburg, before coming to owner Brad Grant and Hall of Fame trainer Ben Wallace two years later.

“Brad had bought him originally as a nice overnight horse and he far exceeded any of their expectations,” said Colville. “He was always quiet and mannerly any time I did see him. And he still is to this day. He likes his work, he likes to go about his work, and he’s a true gentleman.”

Founded in 1996 to assist in the adoption and relocation of retired and non-racing Standardbred horses within Ontario, OSAS is funded through fundraising, contributions from racetracks, horse industry organizations and private donations.

Easy Lover Hanover is one of hundreds of horses the initiative has helped.

“He found a home with a lady who is a previous OSAS adopter, Northumbria Equine,” said Colville, of the farm in Port Hope, Ontario.

“He’s pampered, he’s loving life and that’s what he deserves. Everything fell into place for him. Ben and Brad are very happy. The lady that looked after him is very happy to get all of the updates on how he’s doing.”

Bred by Hanover Shoe Farms, Easy Lover Hanover, originally trained by Tony Alagna, came to Wallace and Grant through the 2016 Tattersalls January Mixed Sale. The sale was held not long after the barn fire that saw 43 horses perish at Classy Lane Training Centre.

Among the horses lost was Wallace’s stable star at the time and the Grant-owned Apprentice Hanover, another son of Somebeachsomewhere, who had accumulated over $1 million in earnings.

Grant, hopeful that an unproven Easy Lover Hanover could provide both he and Wallace with a hard-knocking horse to work with, paid $70,000 for the bay.

If he was looking to make a good first impression on his new connections, Easy Lover Hanover most certainly did.

He delivered Grant and Wallace with a six race win streak in 2016. Later that year, he made five straight trips to the winner’s circle, which landed him in the Hap Hansen Progress Pace at Dover Downs. After finishing second in his elimination, he took all the spoils in the $314,600 final, in what would be his highest-profile stakes triumph.

In all, Easy Lover Hanover would win 51 races, along with 87 top-three finishes, from 144 starts. His bankroll stands at $1,162, 473.

Colville, whose High Stakes Farm breeds, sells and races trotters and pacers, as well as boarding horses for numerous clients, is grateful that OSAS played an integral role in Easy Lover Hanover’s post-racing life.

“It’s a feather in your cap when people like Brad and Ben support the program. They’ve both been longtime supporters of OSAS. This time, we were able to help them out, by giving a home to a horse that’s very dear to both of them.”

She’s also appreciative of the widespread efforts of the horse racing community throughout the past 18 months.

Despite the worldwide pandemic wreaking havoc on the Ontario horse racing industry, the importance of recognizing the efforts of OSAS never waned.

“I was worried heading into COVID,” offered Colville, who served as Chair of Standardbred Canada for several years and is also on the board of the Central Ontario Standardbred Association (COSA).

“No racing means no funding or very little funding. But the industry has rallied around us, and they have been absolutely wonderful, very generous. Our golf tournament was sold out, probably 10 days after we posted that we were holding it. It was heartwarming to see.

“The industry, as a whole, has been phenomenal. We have a board that is second to none. They are versed in all aspects of the industry. Jim Evans, our President, has been involved in racing for years, and is very passionate about what we do. We have two Hall of Famers (Bill O’Donnell and Ian Fleming), Heather MacKay does a great job with our news releases and in organizing our recent 25th anniversary events, and Kelly Spencer brings great marketing expertise. Everyone at OSAS works hard and cares deeply about the horses.”

It’s something Colville was reminded of when she finally had the chance to meet the horse that she had marveled at on the racetrack for so many years.

After the first pat, she knew Easy Lover Hanover was destined for the good life.

“He puts a big smile on your face the moment you meet him. He’s a horse that gave so much when he raced and he’s still very much that giving horse. It’s a feel good story and hopefully we’ve got some more.”

(WEG)

Newest Additions To OSAS

Tue, 02 Nov 2021 19:36:16 GMT

OSAS is pleased to welcome two geldings to our program, one pacer and one trotter, Cams Lucky Sam and Boogie Woogie respectively.

Iron horse Cams Lucky Sam spent the last few years of his career racing at Rideau and Three Rivers. In total the son of Camluck faced the gate 177 times for $154,000 in earnings.

The eight-year-old comes from a long line of tough competitors. His brother, Betting Exchange, is still competing and winning as a nine-year-old and has more than $830,000 earned to date. His full brother is the $720,000 winner Wellthereyougo.

Boogie Woogie, a son of Ken Warkentin, last raced in 2014. The winner of $235,000 in his career was owned, trained and driven for most of his career by Keith Oliver. A multiple Ontario Sires Stakes winner, Boogie Woogie comes into the program with some riding experience.

Both horses will be assessed before heading to foster.

OSAS At The Races Complete

Tue, 02 Nov 2021 19:31:16 GMT

Every Standardbred racetrack in Ontario hosted a race to celebrate the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society’s 25 ^th anniversary in 2021.

From August 1 to the end of O ctober, tracks across the province honoured the official adoption organization for harness horses and its significant milestone.

The winners of every OSAS race received a beautiful cooler with OSAS and COSA logos sponsored by the Central Ontario Standardbred Association. They also received two boxes of the unique note cards featuring portraits of OSAS’s ambassador horses created by Michelle Hogan and sponsored by Ontario Racing, as well as two t-shirts and hats with the commemorative anniversary logo.

OSAS is very grateful to all of the racetracks and their management for their support. We also thank our wonderful volunteers who represented OSAS wonderfully at every event. The list of the winners of every OSAS race follows.

Six Straight For Ynothos In OSAS Feature At Rideau

Fri, 29 Oct 2021 20:16:12 GMT

A new barn did not deter Ynothos from extending her winning streak to six in today’s fourth race at Rideau Carleton which honoured the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society’s 25 ^th anniversary. Contested on a beautiful fall afternoon in the nation’s capital the $6,900 race, for distaffers, was reduced to six with the scratch of Village Jamie

Claimed by Limco Inc. of Quebec in her last start at Rideau, Ynothos is now trained by Vic Puddy but maintained her regular pilot of Guy Gagnon. Leaving from post seven, Ynothos swept down to grab the lead well before the opening panel in :27.4.

She tripped the half in a leisurely :57.4 and stepped it up to 1:26.3 for the three-quarters. Down the stretch her competitors started to close in but it was too late as she hit the wire first in 1:55.4. Clodam Bayama took second while Howmacfiesty was third.

A six-year-old daughter of Camystic, the winner now has 13 wins in 21 starts this year for over $38,000 in earnings. Lifetime her earnings are just shy of $140,000. She is the first foal from a full sister to former Western Canadian champion Red Star Hottie ($667,000).

Every Standardbred racetrack in Ontario hosted a race in honour of OSAS’s significant anniversary in 2021. Today’s contest was the 12 ^th and final one and OSAS extends sincere thanks to every track and their staff for the great hospitality and to all of the wonderful OSAS volunteers. They all ensured each event was special and a celebration of the great work OSAS has done over the past 25 years.

OSAS Anniversary Tour Concludes In Ottawa

Wed, 27 Oct 2021 17:52:00 GMT

On Thursday Rideau Carleton Raceway will host the 12 ^th and final Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society’s 25 ^th anniversary race this year. Headlining the field in the OSAS event, race four, is veteran pacing mare Village Jamie.

The seven-year-old daughter of Mach Three is red hot of late with three wins and two second place finishes in her last five starts, all at the Ottawa oval. Owned by Limco Inc. of Quebec, Village Jamie is trained by Vic Puddy and will be driven by regular recent pilot Pascal Berube.

Thursday’s race will be number 149 in Village Jamie’s career. Her lifetime summary is 22-16-22 for $217,000 in earnings. She hails from a family of iron tough performers. Her 11 year-old full brother, Dull Roar, has eight wins so far this year for earnings over $64,000 with $532,000 lifetime.

A full sister, Village Jessica, earned in excess of $300,000 from 148 career outings and a half-sister, Village Janus, earned over $370,000 during her time on the track. Jamie’s third dam is Village Jig, a top filly for Hall of Famer William Wellwood who would produce another of his standouts, $1.5 million winner Village Jiffy, from her first foal.

Rideau’s post time on Thursday is 4 p.m. with the OSAS race scheduled to go postward at approximately 5.

Photo attached: Village Jamie winning at Mohawk last year. (New Image Media).

Mayhem Hanover wins OSAS 25th Anniversary Pace

Mon, 25 Oct 2021 18:44:37 GMT

MILTON, October 23, 2021 – It was a feel-good night all around for Mayhem Hanover, who captured the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society's 25th Anniversary Pace at Wood bine Mohawk Park on Saturday.

Owned by long-time OSAS supporters Clay and Scott Horner, the four-year-old son of Sportswriter, stepped to an early lead, posting a sensible 27.4 opening quarter before relinquishing control to Wheels On Fire and Doug McNair as they neared the half way mark. Then, utilizing the pocket trip through a middle-half tempo of 55.4 and 1:24.1, pilot Sylvain Filion waited patiently for the pylon lane to open up late before skimming through to capture the $30,000 race.

Finishing second was Wheels On Fire, while Sweet Diesel (Chris Christoforou) were third.

It was Mayhem Hanover’s 11 ^th career victory, paying $8.20 to win.

On hand to present the winning connections with a commemorative blanket was OSAS administrator Joanne Colville and wonderful OSAS volunteers Emma Christoforou, Jean and Tom Posthuma, Mary Christopher, Lindsay Jones, Dave Edwards, Deb O'Brien Moran, and proud adopters of retired standardbreds Kwik Mac and Howdy Partner Beth Mackin and Ian Crewe.

Every Standardbred track in Ontario has celebrated OSAS's 25th anniversary with a special race with the final event scheduled at Rideau Carleton on October 28.

OSAS Moves To Mohawk

Sat, 23 Oct 2021 22:00:39 GMT

Woodbine Mohawk Park will host their race in honour of the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society’s 25 ^th anniversary on Saturday night and one of the starters in the race is closely related to a horse who found a loving home through OSAS earlier this year.

Mohawk’s OSAS race is number six on the card, a $30,000 pace with six talented starters. So Much More, one of two females in the contest, is the richest of the half dozen with more than $750,000 earned to date. She is owned by trainer Don Beatson as well as Ken Beatson and Cole England and will be driven by James MacDonald.

The five-year-old daughter of Big Jim is from the Real Artist mare Ladysai whose dam is Start Dialing, the third dam of Kwik Mac, a nine-year-old gelding who went through the OSAS program a few months ago and is now living his best life with his adopter Beth Mackin. Not only did Beth adopt Kwik Mac, she also gave his pasture buddy Howdy Partner a new home.

Every track in Ontario will host a race in honour of OSAS’s anniversary this year. Mohawk’s event is the 11 ^th with the final one slated for Rideau Carleton on October 28. Tomorrow night’s program is available through the link below.

https://woodbine.com/wp-content/uploads/pdfs/free_programs/Free_Program_WOH_2021-10-23.pdf

OSAS Preferred To Lefkada

Fri, 15 Oct 2021 15:34:11 GMT

“Lefkada wants a blanket,” exclaimed The Raceway’s announcer Sugar Doyle as tonight’s $10,000 Preferred Trot celebrating the 25th Anniversary of the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society was in the final seconds. And the only mare in the field was successful as she took down favourites Sicario and Willyorwonthe in the final steps to win in 1:57.2 on the first Friday of the track’s fall meet.

Willyorwonthe set the tempo through fractions of :28.1 and :58.2 and at the 1:27.3 third panel he had company in Sicario who managed to take over as they headed out of the last turn but on the outside with tons of trot was Lefkada who grabbed the win for driver Scott Wray. Sicario and Willyorwonthe weren’t far behind.

It was the second win in 13 tries this year for the five-year-old daughter of E L Titan owned by trainer Jack Wray along with Thomas Way and Peter Charlton. Tonight’s effort puts her over $160,000 in lifetime earnings. Lefkada is a half-sister to $1.4 million winner Intimidate.

Giving Lefkada that blanket, along with other gifts on behalf of OSAS was Joice Schofield, a long time volunteer for OSAS and her daughter Kristine Robertson. The Raceway is the 10th Ontario racetrack to celebrate OSAS’s 25th anniversary this year. Next up will be Mohawk on October 23 and the final race will be at Rideau Carleton on October 28.

OSAS Moves To London

Thu, 07 Oct 2021 18:28:18 GMT

Opening week at Western Fair Raceway will include the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society’s 25 ^th Anniversary trot on Friday night in the seventh race, a preferred $10,000 contest.

The richest performer in the race with over $400,000 banked to date in his career is the eight-year-old gelding Willyorwonthe. He will leave from post four with regular pilot Colin Kelly in the bike. Kyle Bossence trains the son of Angus Hall for owner Phil Maguire of Arthur, Ontario.

Willyorwonthe was bred by veteran horseman Bill Megens who was in the headlines last month for becoming the oldest driver in the history of Flamboro Downs to win a race. At age 87, Megens drove Opas Faith to victory. It was his first win since driving Willyorwonthe to a win two years prior at Georgian Downs.

Willyorwonthe is the final foal from Megens’ good trotter Mikestory who won close to a quarter million in her career. She is the grand dam of Opas Faith.

Post time at Western Fair is 4:50 with the OSAS race scheduled to go to post at approximately 7:08. The program link is available through this link: https://www.westernfairdistrict.com/sites/default/files/racing/programs/westernfair1008-v2.pdf

Photos – Willyorwonthe winning at Grand River Raceway on August 2 and winner’s circle shot. (Photos by Tiffany Chantel)

Keepitinperspctive Romps In OSAS

Sat, 02 Oct 2021 22:15:57 GMT

It was Flamboro Downs’ turn to host a race in honour of the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society’s 25 ^th anniversary tonight and the $6,000 contest was easily captured b y Keepitinperspctive.

The pretty grey filly Patina Seelster was the early pacesetter for Paul MacKenzie but they were covered up by Keepitinperspctive at the :28.2 opener and they never looked back and hit the wire in 1:57. Lili GL was second followed by Larjon Lena. Robert Shepherd piloted the winner.

It was the third victory of the year for the four-year-old Bettors Delight daughter owned by Stacey Newman and the JJJ Stables. Paul Megens trains.

Every racetrack in Ontario is celebrating OSAS’s anniversary with a special race this year. Tonight was the ninth with Western Fair (October 8), Mohawk (October 23) and Rideau Carleton (October 28) still to come.

Photo: Keepitinperspctive with her OSAS cooler after her victory tonight. (Photo by racehorsephoto.com)

OSAS Golf Tourney Postponed

Wed, 22 Sep 2021 00:20:56 GMT

Attention all those scheduled to participate in OSAS’s annual golf tournament scheduled for Wednesday, September 22, the event has been postponed a week due to the weather forecast. If you are unable to golf on September 29 please advise Joanne Colville (905) 339-6748 as we have folks on the waiting list.

Sorry for any inconvenience, but Mother Nature has spoken. The tournament will take place at Wildwinds Golf Links (8136 Wellington Rd. 22, Centre Wellington).

Tell Us More Impressive In OSAS Pace

Mon, 20 Sep 2021 20:14:56 GMT

Tell Us More was not to be denied on Saturday (September 18) at Hanover Raceway in the feature celebrating the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society’s 25th anniversary. Leaving from post two, Austin Sorrie had the veteran on top early and they paced by the opening quarters in :28.2 and :58.4.

As they approached the three-quarters Eataams Sportsbaby came calling and the two were neck and neck at the 1:27.1 third panel. The challenger tucked in behind the leader through the final turn but came right back out down the stretch but Tell Us More had a little more left and held him off to win in 1:58.1. The beautiful grey Westridge Warrior came on to be third.

It was the fifth win in 15 outings this year for the 11 year-old gelding owned and trained by Jim Wilson. Bred by Karin Olsson Burgess and her father-in-law, the late Bob Burgess (who also raced his sire Tell All), Tell Us More has 177 lifetime starts for $374,000 in earnings.

Today’s race card over the half-mile oval on a beautiful afternoon wrapped up Hanover’s 2021 meet in fine fashion.

Every racetrack in Ontario is celebrating OSAS’s 25th anniversary with a special race during the 2021 season. Today’s event was the eighth so far, upcoming are Flamboro (September 30) followed in October by Western Fair Raceway, Woodbine Mohawk Park and concluding in the nation’s capital at Rideau Carleton.

Not Quite The NA Cup

Fri, 17 Sep 2021 19:59:15 GMT

Last Saturday Nicole and Paul Davies watched their three-year-old pacing colt Desperate Man win the $1 million North America Cup. This Saturday they’ll race in another special event, the OSAS 25 ^th Anniversary race at Hanover Raceway with their pacer Westridge Warrior.

Nicole owns the 11 year-old Blissfull Hall gelding who raced for most of his career in Western Canada. Paul spent time on that circuit and claimed Westridge Warrior in March of 2019. They continued to race in Alberta until June of last year when the veteran made his Ontario debut at Hanover.

Since that time he’s raced at most of Ontario’s B tracks and rarely misses a cheque. Paul sometimes is in the sulky for his races but on Saturday afternoon it will be Bruce Richardson at the controls in the sixth race, the OSAS feature. It will be Westridge Warrior’s 220 ^th lifetime start.

Westridge Warrior has yet to win this year but if he is successful in the OSAS event Nicole and Paul will receive a cooler with the OSAS special anniversary logo as well as the logo of the Central Ontario Standardbred Association as well as t-shirts and hats.

In addition, they will receive boxes of special anniversary note cards sponsored by Ontario Racing and created by noted equine artist Michelle Hogan who works often with Hanover Raceway. Michelle drew portraits of OSAS’s most notable ambassador horses: Reverend Hanover, The Painted Pony, Hiltons Hot Stuff and Ruff Me Up and boxes of the cards are being sold as part of the 25 ^th anniversary celebrations.

Hanover’s Saturday program, which is the final race card of the 2021 season, gets underway at 1:30 p.m. and has many other features on the card along with the OSAS race. To view the full program, please click below.

https://hanoverraceway.com/free-program

Kids Supporting OSAS

Thu, 09 Sep 2021 17:05:51 GMT

Horse lover Bella Stockwell has learned the gift of generosity at the tender age of five. This past weekend in Milton she and her friend Logan, along with Logan’s brother Hudson, hosted a lemonade stand, the proceeds of which went to the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society.

“We chose OSAS because Bella is a huge horse lover, like me. She wanted to help horses find homes when they finish racing so they can live a happy, relaxing life,” explained Bella’s mom Caren who spent close to two decades working at Standardbred Canada.

“They made a little over $220 from donations and everyone who stopped liked the organization they selected,” added Caren who also noted how expensive it is to keep horses and how every contribution helps.

Everyone involved with OSAS are very touched by the children’s selflessness and their love for horses and will be presenting them with some OSAS swag and a visit to some retired Standardbreds in the future.

Bella and Logan at their successful Lemonade stand last weekend. (Photos supplied)

Take Control Joins OSAS

Sun, 29 Aug 2021 14:01:00 GMT

Take Control, a multiple Ontario Sires Stakes winner last year at two, is OSAS’s newest member.

A son of Control The Moment, Take Control had a summary of 3-1-1 in nine starts last year for almost $50,000 in earnings. All of his wins came in OSS Grassroots events including at Mohawk where he earned his life mark of 1:51.4. He was trained and co-owned by Dan LaGace.

Bred by Dr. David Goodrow, Control The Moment’s dam, First Lady, is a full sister to $564,000 winner Animated Art, the dam of Exhilarated ($632,880).

An injury has ended his racing career but shouldn’t prevent him from becoming a useful riding horse.

Easy Lover Hanover Joins OSAS

Sun, 15 Aug 2021 14:57:19 GMT

One of the most talented pacers on the WEG circuit in recent years, Easy Lover Hanover, has been retired from racing and has recently joined the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society.

To read his heartwarming story, please click https://standardbredcanada.ca/news/8-11-21/easy-lover-hanover-retired.html

OSAS At Kawartha Saturday

Fri, 13 Aug 2021 17:49:21 GMT

The horse people and patrons of Kawartha Downs have long been supporters of the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society and this Saturday the Fraserville oval will host their Day at the Races in celebration of OSAS’s 25 ^th anniversary.

Making the presentation to the winning connections on Saturday following the ninth race will be long time OSAS volunteer Sheila Jopling along with Lindsay Bax and Jason Woodward.

Three years ago, when the backstretch kitchen at the track was closed, Sheila worked closely with the marketing department to provide food for the horse people, the proceeds of which went to OSAS as well as other charities.

“It was an initiative that benefitted everyone. The horse people received a variety of fresh, homemade food each week at a reasonable price while also supporting worthwhile causes,” explained Sheila, who worked on the initiative alongside Lindsay Bax, a member of the track’s marketing department at that time.

Joining Lindsay and Sheila to make the presentation will be Jason Woodward, a trainer/driver at KD for many years who also serves as the back up starter. Jason was an integral part of one of OSAS’s most heartwarming stories recently.

A few weeks before Christmas last year, Julie Morrison Kangas reached out to OSAS looking for a horse for her neighbour Glenn Cameron whose wife, Tara, was battling cancer. Tara had ridden in her youth and Glenn wanted her to have a horse in her life again.

Jason helped with the special Christmas gift by driving to Mohawk to pick up the horse, a mare named Foamy. “Even though he had been racing for two days down Mohawk way, he made yet another trip to pick Foamy up,” noted Julie at the time. Sadly Tara passed in May, but the last months of her life were enriched thanks to Foamy who has remained with her family.

Thanks to Sheila, Lindsay and Jason for making the presentation on OSAS’s behalf and best of luck to the participants in the race.

Photo: Sheila Jopling at Kawartha with OSAS’s most uniquely coloured ambassador, Hiltons Hot Stuff.

2021 OSAS Golf Tournament Announced

Wed, 11 Aug 2021 18:33:14 GMT

After a forced hiatus, one of the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society’s most popular fundraisers will return this September. The 23 ^rd annual OSAS Golf Tournament will be held on Wednesday, September 22 at Wildwinds Golf Links (8136 Wellington Rd. 22, Centre Wellington).

The event will get underway at 11:40 a.m. with assigned tee times. The cost is $125 per golfer which includes lunch, golf, dinner, cart and prizes. You may register as a team or an individual golfer.

Those not interested in golfing are more than welcome to contribute by sponsoring a hole or an item for the prize table. To register to play, or for sponsorship or additional information, please contact Joanne Colville 905-339-6748 or email: osasadmin@bellnet.ca.

Celebrating our 25 ^th anniversary in 2021, OSAS is the official adoption agency in Ontario and are proud to have found forever homes for many wonderful horses during that time.

Photos by Gerry De Bresser Colville

Newest Additions To OSAS

Fri, 06 Aug 2021 17:03:43 GMT

OSAS recently welcomed two new Standardbreds to the program including one who was an absolute iron horse on Ontario’s B circuit.

Stoney Durkin raced from ages two through 12 at tracks across the province and earned over $260,000 in the process. He had a total of 330 lifetime starts. The gelding has just stepped away from life at the track and will be given some time to decompress.

Jazzie Crombie has also recently been added. The daughter of Lost Privilege faced the gate 133 times in her career. Her maternal family includes some royalty as her third dam is a sister to the great Armbro Feather, a winner of more than $1.4 million during her impressive racing career.

Both Stoney Durkin and Jazzie Crombie are 12 year-olds and in fact were born just four days apart in May of 2009.

OSAS Races Underway

Mon, 02 Aug 2021 15:26:53 GMT

As part of the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society’s 25th anniversary celebrations this year, tracks across Ontario are hosting a special day to honour the milestone. That kicked off this afternoon at both Clinton and Dresden Raceways.

It was the three-year-old filly Better Watch It who was victorious in Dresden’s OSAS race, the first on the matinee card. The Hes Watching lass pulled trainer Greg Drew to a 2:00.2 two length score. It was the first lifetime win and third career start for the filly is owned by breeder Drew.

In Clinton’s feature race this afternoon, OSAS’s Anniversary trot in the ninth race, The Reins Of Titan grabbed the lead early and withstood a final rush from Secretly Flashy to win in 2:02.3. Tyler Moore was at the lines behind the four-year-old gelding by EL Titan for owner Ezra Miller.

The next track to host an OSAS race will be Grand River Raceway on Wednesday, August 18th.

OSAS At The Races Starts This Weekend

Thu, 29 Jul 2021 20:19:22 GMT

This weekend kicks off the celebration of the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society’s 25 ^th anniversary at Ontario Standardbred racetracks.

On Sunday, August 1, Dresden and Clinton Raceways will start the ball rolling with the first OSAS Days at the Races on their matinee cards which get underway at 1 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. respectively.

Each card will feature a race called the OSAS 25 ^th Anniversary Race the winners of which will receive a cooler with the special OSAS anniversary logo sponsored by the Central Ontario Standardbred Association. The winners will also receive OSAS swag including boxes of ambassador cards created especially for the occasion by noted equine artist Michelle Hogan and sponsored by Ontario Racing. The cards feature beautiful portraits of OSAS’s most famous ambassadors, Reverend Hanover, Ruff Me Up, Hiltons Hot Stuff and The Painted Pony.

Established in 1996, OSAS is the official adoption agency for harness horses in Ontario and has found forever homes for more than 1,000 horses since its inception. The dates for the Ontario tracks hosting an OSAS day/night are as follows:

OSAS 25 ^th Anniversary At The Races

Clinton Raceway Sunday, August 1

Dresden Raceway Sunday, August 1

Grand River Raceway Wednesday, August 18

Leamington Raceway Sunday, August 22

Georgian Downs Tuesday, August 31

Hiawatha Horse Park Saturday, September 4

Hanover Raceway Saturday, September 18

Flamboro Downs Thursday, September 30

Western Fair Friday, October 8

Woodbine Mohawk Park Saturday, October 23

Rideau Carleton Racetrack Thursday, October 28

OSAS – Celebrating 25 Years

Tue, 06 Jul 2021 17:07:48 GMT

Founded in 1996, the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society is celebrating its 25 ^th anniversary in 2021. The official adoption agency in the province for Standardbreds, OSAS has found forever homes for more than 1,000 horses.

Anita TenBruggencate is responsible for creating OSAS along with former Ontario Harness Horse Association General Manager Reed Lawson. Anita, an Early Childhood Educator who also worked as a harness racing caretaker, approached OHHA in the mid 1990s with the idea of establishing an organization to find horses a permanent, loving home once their racing careers were over.

Reed gathered several people within the industry to work with Anita and determine the viability of such a venture. It took some time to establish the association, obtain charitable status and appoint a board of directors who would craft the initial adoption placement agreements, guardian and foster farm responsibilities, etc. Over the years those have been changed and updated to reflect the current state of the industry.

Anita served as OSAS’s first administrator until she elected to stay home with her daughters but she continued to assist OSAS part time for a few years. For the past several years the administrative job has been capably managed by Joanne Colville who is uniquely suited to the all encompassing role.

As a Standardbred breeder for many years and past chair of Standardbred Canada, Joanne has a farm near Moffat, where most of the OSAS horses arrive before transferring to a foster facility. In addition, Joanne serves as the outrider at Mohawk where she interacts with horse people across the province on a nightly basis and she is also a board member of the Central Ontario Standardbred Association.

Every horse that comes into OSAS is given a thorough assessment prior to going to a foster home. Currently OSAS has several foster farms as well as two training facilities operated by Shelley Higgins and Susan and Bert Mollica. A horse’s secondary career (trail riding, competitions, companions, etc.) is based largely on their soundness and temperament. Once it is determined that the horse has completed its training and is ready for a new home, Joanne makes arrangements for potential adopters to visit and ascertain if they would be a good fit.

People wanting to adopt an OSAS horse are required to fill out an application on the OSAS website and a site inspection of their facility is done to ensure its suitability. After a horse is successfully adopted, guardians will continue to follow up with inspections and submit their reports to OSAS.

OSAS is guided by Joanne and a board of dedicated directors with a myriad of skills in the business - Jim Evans, Bill O’Donnell, Heather MacKay, Ian Fleming and Kelly Spencer.

25 ^th Anniversary Projects

Ambassador Cards

To celebrate their 25 ^th anniversary, OSAS commissioned noted equine artist Michelle Hogan to draw portraits of the four OSAS ambassadors: Hiltons Hot Stuff, Ruff Me Up, Reverend Hanover and The Painted Pony. Between them those four distinctive horses have introduced countless race fans to the beauty and versatility of Standardbreds through their appearances at Ontario tracks, participation in Meet and Greets with fans and the Drive With Us program.

Michelle’s portraits are stunningly accurate depictions of the four unique horses and she added another brilliant touch. “I deliberately incorporated a theme of versatility. One is in harness, one under saddle, one in hand and one at liberty,” she explained.

These portraits have been incorporated into note cards which were printed at First Line Printing and the entire project was sponsored by Ontario Racing. The boxes of note cards are now available for sale. Each box contains eight note cards (two of each horse) and envelopes. Please see OSAS’s website for details on how to order.

2021 Commemorative Logo

Kathryn Patchett, the talented graphic designer who created OSAS’s new logo and updated website recently, has tweaked the logo to reflect the 25 ^th anniversary. That logo will be used on all of OSAS’s social media for the remainder of the year. Kathryn was also responsible for the design of the ambassador cards and the creation of ads for the OSAS Night at the Races.

OSAS at the Races

OSAS has reached out to every Ontario racetrack to request they host an OSAS night (or day) at the races to celebrate the 25 ^th anniversary. It would be anchored by a race called the OSAS 25 ^th anniversary race. With COVID protocols in place the celebrations will be restricted but still able to commemorate the significant milestone.

OSAS, with the assistance of the Central Ontario Standardbred Association, will be presenting the winning owner, trainer and groom of the OSAS Anniversary race with a cooler, ambassador cards and anniversary gear.

Celebrating Our Own

OSAS would not have survived through 25 years without many dedicated volunteers who assist in a wide variety of ways. Throughout the remainder of our 25 ^th season, we will be releasing feature stories about these wonderful folks.

OSAS would like to thank everyone who has contributed to the first 25 years. One of the reasons OSAS has thrived is due to the tremendous support of the Standardbred industry and horse people in Ontario who recognize the importance of finding forever loving homes for our wonderful horses.

We All Need A Little Hope

Mon, 21 Jun 2021 16:19:24 GMT

The Ontario harness racing industry has been decimated over recent months with three separate shutdowns due to the global pandemic. With racing now back on track, our horse people finally have a little hope. That’s exactly what the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society received last year. A small weanling filly with the apt name of Hope.

This was historic as OSAS had never accepted a weanling before, but the circumstances were unique. Hope was born at Seelster Farms in the spring of 2020. Her dam is boarded at the Lucan, Ontario, breeding farm on a year-round basis.

“Like every breeder we had high hopes of a perfect cross and a perfect foal,” explained Ann Straatman, the Reproduction Manager at Seelster.

“We knew right away on the day of her birth she had wry nose. It’s a genetic complication or defect where the nose is crooked which impacts their airway. The wry nose is very rare, I’ve only seen it twice before. Because it’s a midline defect, it sometimes comes with heart defect. I had seen that once and the foal died suddenly of a heart attack.

“The second one was a defect that proved incompatible with life, the foal couldn’t nurse or eat,” explained Ann whose father, the late Chris Van Bussel, started Seelster Farms with his family more than 60 years ago.

“Fortunately, her nose was not severe enough to prevent her from nursing or eating. The owners were good enough to make a commitment to the foal and they wanted to continue that commitment even though she would never be a racehorse. The goal from the start to find her another purpose in life, to find her a home where she can make a contribution. She’s a beautiful filly, she’s absolutely perfect other than that wry nose.”

Hope’s owners began exploring options for the filly. They reached out to a few sources but weren’t successful finding something that fit.

“I had suggested to her before filly was weaned ‘why don’t we talk to OSAS and repurpose her as a pleasure horse?’ There is no reason why someone can’t ride her. She could be a trail horse or even a companion horse. I truly think she can be a riding horse, just not in competition,” notes Ann.

“She’s so sweet and friendly. After she was weaned from her mom, she was able to continue eating hay and pellets and never lost weight which is always good sign. We got her halter broke and taught her to lead, pick up her feet and stand in the cross ties, all the things necessary for a respectful horse.”

Ann, the most recent past Chair of Standardbred Canada, reached out to another former chair of that national body, Joanne Colville, who runs OSAS, and they discussed the possibility of Hope coming to OSAS.

“This was an unusual situation,” said Joanne. “OSAS is not normally positioned to accept a weanling, but we made an exception in this case. Seelster Farms have been one of our most generous supporters for many years. Every year they step up in a huge way for our annual stallion auction which historically is one of the best fundraisers for OSAS each year. They have always gone above and beyond to support our organization so our board agreed to welcome Hope into the program and we were happy to do so.

“Seelster Farms does a great job raising horses and Hope is no exception, she’s a true pleasure to be around. They taught her well,” Joanne added.

Also helping the young filly as she started with OSAS was having Purina supply a special formula of feed made specially for weanlings called Juvenile. Purina has long been a major supporter of OSAS and this was yet another way they have contributed to their horses.

When Hope first came to OSAS she lived at Joanne’s farm for a few weeks for an initial assessment. She was then moved to the foster farm owned by Mary Christopher in Acton. She shares her pasture time with another yearling lass, Manerva.

“The goal now is to rehome her through OSAS. Now that she’s a yearling she can begin her lessons hopefully in the fall. It all seems to make sense. We know for sure she has a purpose. Hope was such a sweetheart right from the start. I have to give a lot of credit to her owners for continuing that commitment to her. All of us at Seelster believe that if you make a commitment to the horse, you follow that through,” Ann summarized.

It was her owners who christened the filly with her name. They knew that while she may not be a racing hopeful that doesn’t mean she can’t enjoy a full life.

Hope has been scarce in the Ontario harness racing community throughout the COVID-19 crisis, something Ann herself is far too familiar with having contracted the virus and being very ill for several weeks which included a hospital stay. “It’s just this week I’m feeling back to normal. It’s very real.”

Despite the pandemic and numerous lockdowns, OSAS has been busier than ever which is remarkable given the challenges presented in inspecting horses and potential forever homes, staffing and shipping horses. Many applications are currently on file for people wanting to adopt a horse. One of those could find themselves with a sweetheart named Hope.

OSAS Welcomes Hysteria & Britches Say What

Wed, 16 Jun 2021 18:07:56 GMT

Two new horses were recently welcomed into the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society. Britches Say What, a seven-year-old daughter of Mister Big, spent most of her racing career at her home track of Kawartha Downs. She earned just over $20,000 before retirement.

She hails from a prominent pacing family featuring millionaires Remember When, Leah Almahurst, Mr Feelgood and Western Ideal. Britches Say What is now at the foster farm of Susan and Bert Mollica where she started her under saddle training this past weekend.

Another newcomer to OSAS is the Shadow Play gelding Hysteria who earned just under $50,000 during his racing career. His second dam is the $376,000 winning Artsplace mare Decor, the dam of $860,000 winner Northern Sky.

Hysteria came into the program in unusual fashion and will spend some time receiving R&R before starting training under saddle.

Two New OSAS Horses

Wed, 02 Jun 2021 18:19:41 GMT

Frightful Watch and Ansel Seelster, a pair of four-year-old geldings just six days apart, are the newest additions to the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society.

Frightful Watch, the older by six days, is a son of Hes Watching. He hails from the immediate family of $930,000 winner Easter Sun Hanna.

Ansel Seelster is a son of Thinking Out Loud and a half-brother to $241,000 winner Azure Seelster. His dam is a half-sister to $2.2 million winner Lady Shadow.

Tim The Man Joins OSAS

Wed, 19 May 2021 18:17:51 GMT

The Rustler Hanover gelding Tim The Man is the latest to enter OSAS. The son of Rustler Hanover had his first ride at his foster farm of Susan and Bert Mollica earlier this week.

During his racing career he made a total of 52 starts and earned just over $40,000. His dam is the $380,000 winner Eftimia making him a half-brother to The Phenom ($284,000); etc.

Outrun My Gun To Foster

Sat, 15 May 2021 15:27:25 GMT

OSAS’s newest member, Outrun My Gun (aka Coby), has headed to Susan and Bert Mollica’s farm for training under saddle.

He is a 10 year-old gelding by Million Dollar Cam who earned just under $20,000 as a racehorse. He is a full brother to Mr Saratoga who won more than $700,000 in his career.

From Heartwarming To Heartbreaking

Wed, 05 May 2021 13:17:20 GMT

There haven’t been a lot of uplifting stories in the Ontario Standardbred world throughout the pandemic. But one that touched many was that of Taralee Waite, a young mother suffering with cancer whose husband, Glenn Cameron, surprised her with a horse as a Christmas gift.

The exchange was facilitated by Tara’s good friend Julie Morrison Kangas, best known in harness racing circles as the caretaker of Hall of Fame trotter Goodtimes. Glenn had asked Julie if she knew how to find a horse for Tara who had ridden a lot in her youth but hadn’t spent much time with them in recent years due to other commitments including raising two children, Kennedy and Harley.

Julie reached out to Joanne Colville at the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society who had the perfect horse to suit Tara, a 16-year-old trotting mare with a kind and gentle disposition named Foamy. With the help of local horseman Jason Woodward, who shipped Foamy to her new home in Cavan, the mare was presented to Tara on Christmas Eve. Tara was absolutely shocked and delighted with the unexpected gift and the video showing her reaction was shared throughout social media at the time. Few could watch the video in its entirely with dry eyes.

“I can’t thank you enough for this, I am still in shock. I am floating on air knowing I have Foamy. I adore her. Thank you to everyone who pulled this off. This is the best ending to a very awful year. I love you,” wrote Tara to Julie after the emotional unveiling.

Indeed, the addition of Foamy to the family’s lives was enriching for the past few months and served as a welcome distraction from Tara’s illness which had been diagnosed in February of 2020. Unfortunately, despite a valiant fight, Tara’s cancer progressed and sadly she passed away this past Saturday. It was her wish to keep Foamy in the family so Julie has agreed to keep her for Glenn and the children.

“Tara was thinking about Foamy right until the end, she was very stoic and someone to greatly admire. This just isn’t how it was supposed to go and it’s all so sad,” said Julie who shared that Foamy knew when Tara drove in the driveway to see her.

We extend our most heartfelt condolences to Tara’s family and friends.

Majestic Grace Arrives

Fri, 30 Apr 2021 17:40:58 GMT

OSAS’s newest member is the three-year-old daughter of Shadow Play, Majestic Grace. Bred by Twinbrook Farm, the filly has a lovely kind disposition and is now adapting to life at the foster farm of Susan and Bert Mollica before starting training under saddle.

Grace’s dam, Smart Card, is a half-sister to the $1.8 million winner Dial Or Nodial. She also hails from the immediate family of last year’s O’Brien Award winner So Much More.

Bulldog Tenacity Training Well

Mon, 26 Apr 2021 18:28:06 GMT

One of OSAS’s newest members, Bulldog Tenacity, is adjusting well to his new career as a riding horse. Under the watchful eye of Bert Mollica, the 15-year-old has adapted well to being ridden rather than driven.

An iron horse on the racetrack for his owner/trainer/breeder Bill Kirkpatrick, Bulldog Tenacity made close to 300 lifetime starts ending with a summary of 40-45-34 for $251,000 in earnings.

Thanks to Susan Mollica for sharing these recent photos of Bulldog with Bert aboard.

Gratitude To Ahern & Burgess Families

Tue, 06 Apr 2021 14:26:23 GMT

The Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society would like to extend our sincere sympathy to the families of David Ahern and Robert (Bob) Burgess who both passed away recently.

David and Bob were both long time participants in harness racing who both hailed from the Peterborough region. The former started with Quarter Horses and then progressed into Standardbreds with some of his notables being Armbro Trusting and $120,000 winner DG Set For Life, the dam of D G Nickabocker who he raced at his home track of Kawartha Downs in recent years.

Just this month David was racing another of his homebreds, Mister DG, at Flamboro Downs. In addition to breeding, owning and training, David also drove in many races, up until last year.

Bob Burgess was also involved in many aspects of racing over the years. He operated Cantario Farms for many years (best known as the farm which stood Balanced Image among many more prominent Ontario stallions). He and his son Blair campaigned an array of top race horses including Real Desire, Amigo Hall, Amity Chef, Frugal Gourmet and Tell All to name just a few.

Both Bob and Blair are members of the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame. Bob, a lawyer by trade, also served on numerous industry boards over the years and represented many horse people.

We are honoured and moved that OSAS is the charity that both the Ahern and Burgess families selected for donations in their loved one’s memory.

Warrawee Wazzup Enters OSAS

Wed, 31 Mar 2021 17:05:40 GMT

Warrawee Wazzup is the newest member of the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society. The three-year-old gelding is a son of Warrawee Needy from the dam Momoney Bluechip.

Warrawee Farms of Rockwood, Ontario, bred both Wazzup and his sire. His second dam is Mattaroni, who won more than $770,000 during her racing career, most as a rookie, for trainer Bob McIntosh and was the Dan Patch and Nova award winner. She is grandam of $1.7 million winner Fear The Dragon among others.

Warrawee Wazzup was part of The Stable and had an abbreviated racing career with just a pair of starts as a two-year-old in Ontario Sires Stakes Grassroots events. He has just entered OSAS and will be sent to a foster farm shortly.

Ramblingamblinman Settles Well In New Home

Mon, 29 Mar 2021 16:54:57 GMT

The heartwarming story of the 10 year-old pacer Ramblingamblinman finding his forever home with long time horse owner Don Washburn accurately illustrates why the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society works tirelessly to find retired harness horses new homes.

Don reached out to OSAS to adopt a horse and asked that his age, a young 73, not be judged against him. And, of course, it wasn’t. He was matched with Ramblingamblinman (who he now calls Beau) a few weeks ago and the pair have bonded quickly.

“Ramblingamblinman has now been here for 10 days, and he made himself at home right away,” he advises.

“Yesterday I tacked him up and rode an introduction ride with me; he accepted me, never missed a beat. He’s an honest horse, one who wants to be a companion and a riding partner. I have owned over 80 horses over the last 53 years in my trail riding school and my private horses. Ten of them have been Standardbreds and none have disappointed me.

“Beau was a pleasant surprise above the rest. He not only impresses me as a horse but has been a great cure for my grief of losing my Quarter Horse, Ben, to a stroke after having him for 22 years. He has already filled that gap in my life. The picture taken was yesterday after a ride with obstacle courses.”

This is a fresh start for Beau, a son of Lis Mara who enjoyed a successful racing career, with 119 lifetime starts and a summary of 20-20-17 for $234,606 in earnings. His life mark of 1:50.4s came during his seven-year-old season at Hoosier Park. He began his career in 2014 at Pompano Park and ended it in early 2020 at Woodbine under the care of trainer Shayne Barrington.

Bred by Perretti Farms Ramblingamblinman (also a Bob Dylan song title), is from the Artsplace mare Armrbo Althea. His sister, McGibson is the dam of $1.4 million winner Boston Red Rocks, a Breeders Crown and Governors Cup winner as a two-year-old. His second dam is the Dexter Nukes daughter Althea Seelster who was an outstanding two-year-old two decades ago, winning more than $200,000 in her debut campaign.

Ramblingamblinman’s new owner is very appreciative to have had the opportunity to adopt a horse of his calibre, commenting: “There are many retired Standardbreds that are broke and trained to ride, looking to start a new career and find a deserved loving forever home. These horses have paid their dues, now it's time for us to give back.

“Thank you for finding me my new best friend and companion.”

Horatio Joins OSAS

Fri, 26 Mar 2021 18:47:23 GMT

Horatio, one of those very fortunate horses to have spent his entire racing career with the same trainer and owners, is the newest member of OSAS.

A 14 year-old gelding by Village Barrister, Horatio was bred by Larry Walker and long time partner Wayne Murakami. Walker’s daughter Megan was also part of the horse’s ownership during his racing career.

Horatio raced from age two through nine making a total of 211 starts and earned $132,000. He also competed in a pair of Racing Under Saddle events.

The Walker family go way back with Horatio’s family. His dam, Whos On First, is a half-sister to $474,000 winner Lois And Clark who was raced by Larry for several years. The second dam, Armbro Lois, was also raced by Larry in the mid 1990s before being retired to the broodmare ranks.

OSAS Horses On The Move

Mon, 22 Mar 2021 13:57:29 GMT

Most Wanted Lindy, the model of an iron horse, is the newest member of the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society.

A 14 year-old son of Cantab Hall, Most Wanted Lindy made well over 300 starts during his long racing career which began as a two-year-old in 2009 and continued every year since. Over those years he raced at 13 different racetracks in the US and seven in Canada.

From the immediate family of $600,000+ winner Dream Vacation and $1.6 million winner Wild Honey, Most Wanted Lindy was owned and trained by Scott West of Rockwood, Ontario, for the past nine years. He has now starting his riding career at the foster farm of Susan and Bert Mollica.

That farm recently said good bye to Explosive Space (aka Princess) who has moved to her forever home after a few weeks at Mac Stables.

More Under Saddle

Thu, 04 Mar 2021 18:12:02 GMT

Flying Solo and Hill Of A Colt, two of OSAS’s most recent additions, have been given their first riding lessons at the foster farm of Susan and Bert Mollica.

They shared photos of the pair under saddle on OSAS’s Facebook page. An eight-year-old gelding by Muscle Hill, Hill Of A Colt earned in excess of $140,000 during his racing career.

Flying Solo, also an eight-year-old gelding, was a fixture at many Ontario B tracks before his retirement two years ago.

Long Time OSAS Favourite Adopted

Tue, 23 Feb 2021 16:19:30 GMT

Long time fan favourite Ruff Me Up is one of several horses recently adopted through the OSAS program. Very easy to identify due to his distinctive grey colour, ‘Ruffy’ served as an OSAS ambassador for several years.

The now 17 year-old gelding was a Meet & Greet horse at Mohawk on many occasions and fans loved having their photo taken with him. He was also part of OSAS’s very popular Drive With Us program and provided WEG President Jessica Buckley a ride in a Santa Claus parade in Campbellville in 2018 and 2019.

Ruff Me Up is a son of Real Artist from the Laag mare April Ruffles. He joined OSAS in May of 2017 and just a few weeks later he was featured on The Morning Show on Global TV as part of a feature done by host Liem Vu who rode with driver Jody Jamieson around Mohawk with Ruff Me Up providing the horse power.

Sold for $61,000 as a yearling, Ruff Me Up made 116 career starts as a racehorse, earning a quarter of a million in purses while competing at racetracks across North America. He began his career in the Steve Elliott barn and competed in many top stakes events as a youngster, including the 2007 Little Brown Jug where he finished eighth in his elimination behind eventual winner Tell All.

In addition to Ruff Me Up, who was adopted by Bev Rice of Barrie, Ontario, OSAS has also recently found forever homes for Chelemark Brennan, Sleek Hunter and Distintiv Dreamer.

Bulldog Tenacity & Hill Of A Colt Join OSAS

Wed, 17 Feb 2021 16:08:30 GMT

Two geldings, Bulldog Tenacity and Hill Of A Colt, are the newest arrivals at the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society.

Bulldog Tenacity was certainly aptly named as he made just under 300 starts in his long and successful racing career which concluded last year at the mandatory retirement age of 14.

A son of Rambaran, the gelding is one of the few, fortunate horses to be owned and trained by the same person throughout his career. Bill Kirkpatrick bred Bulldog Tenacity and trained and owned him for the duration his racing life which spanned from age three through 14. In total Bulldog made 291 starts with a summary of 40-45-34 for $251,967 in earnings.

The now 15 year-old gelding started his career at the now defunct Windsor Raceway and raced at 11 different tracks over the years with his home oval being London’s Western Fair. Kirkpatrick also raced his dam, the On The Road daughter Vartanian who earned $44,000 in her career. She had four foals in her broodmare career with Bulldog being her final one.

Hill Of A Colt is an eight-year-old son of the great Muscle Hill. A beautiful, tall trotter, the gelding had 12 lifetime wins in 34 trips behind the gate for $141,000 in earnings. Gregg McNair trained the half-brother to $1.5 million winner JL Cruze throughout his career.

Bulldog Tenacity and Hill Of A Colt just joined the OSAS program and will settle in before starting training for their new careers.

OSAS Stallion Auction Concluded

Fri, 12 Feb 2021 12:50:07 GMT

The Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society’s 2021 Stallion Auction wrapped up at 3 p.m. today and was another excellent fundraiser for the organization which finds forever homes for retired harness horses in the province.

OSAS is extremely grateful to all of the bidders and the very generous stallion owners and farms who were responsible for the auction’s success. It is especially gratifying during these challenging times.

A total of 18 breedings to Ontario-based stallions were available and bidding was heavy, especially on the final day. The following are the stallions, the final bids and the successful purchasers.

Marc Et Master Thriving

Tue, 12 Jan 2021 22:13:06 GMT

It hasn’t taken long for former racehorse and OSAS graduate Marc Et Master to adjust to his new role as a riding horse at Nancy and Dave Perkins’ Wyndym Farm at Mulgrave.

Only two months ago Marc Et Master, now known as Marcus, was racing in South Western Ontario. The now six-year-old gelding by Marced Card was adopted just over a month ago and has adjusted very well according to the Perkins who operate their equestrian facility in Ridgeway, Ontario.

In a testimonial for the OSAS website, the couple wrote:

"We are so happy with our recent OSAS adoptee Marc Et Master. He is fitting in well with the Standardbred herd at our facility because OSAS listened to our needs, recommended a horse with the right temperament and potential, even ensured that he came to us up to date on vaccinations, farrier trims and deworming plus started under saddle with a solid 30 days of despooking and retraining. Everyone in the adoption process was helpful and focused on him thriving in his new life."

The Best Christmas Gift

Tue, 29 Dec 2020 16:37:37 GMT

This holiday season was made extra special for an Eastern Ontario family thanks to the Standardbred mare Foamy who was delivered as a present to a very surprised and deserving Taralee Waite on Christmas Eve.

While 2020 has been challenging for everyone, it has been especially tough for Tara who was diagnosed with breast cancer in February. She was booked for surgery in March but when the pandemic hit that was pushed back until late May. She was then given the devastating news she also had ovarian cancer. Since then she’s gone through seven rounds of chemo as well as radiation treatment.

“Throughout it all Tara has remained hugely positive and optimistic with a touch of realism,” said Tara’s friend and neighbour, Julie Morrison Kangas, who is best known in the Standardbred world as the caretaker of the great trotter Goodtimes, a member of Canada’s Horse Racing Hall of Fame.

Tara’s husband, Glenn Cameron, wanted to surprise his wife with a horse for Christmas and reached out to Julie asking for assistance. “Tara was an avid rider until her 20s and her husband approached me to help find her a horse,” explained Julie. “The horse would be for trail riding, playing around, emotional support and overall therapist and what better breed for all of that than a Standardbred?”

Julie turned to Joanne Colville and asked if the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society had any horses that would be suitable. Her timing couldn’t have been better as the Striking Sahbra daughter Foamy had just become available. “Foamy had just been returned to OSAS through unfortunate circumstances. She’s a lovely mare with the sweetest personality and really cute,” described Joanne.

The plan was hatched and local horseman Jason Woodward drove Foamy to her new home and Glenn managed to pull off his equine Christmas gift for his wife. The following is part of what Julie wrote regarding the surprise on her Facebook page:

“Well, we pulled it off. Weeks of secrecy and behind the scenes texting. It has taken a village to pull this off.

“Welcome to the Cameron family Foamy. Tara was speechless and had absolutely no idea. This horse will be exactly what Tara needs, she deserves this perfect Christmas present.

“Knowing the perfect breed, I turned to Joanne and the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society for help. She knew exactly the perfect horse for this very special situation. Within a week we had everything ironed out. Enter Jason (Woodward) who, even though had been racing for two days down Mohawk way, he made yet another trip to pick Foamy up. Thank you, thank you, thank you, to you both. It means so much.

“Foamy must know the role she is to play since she has settled in like a dream.This is the boost my good friend Tara needs and deserves. Special thank you to Jackie Wimbush for documenting Foamy's journey so far. It is so very much appreciated. It is the start of a great friendship for these two. Tara, you deserve this very special gift.”

Tara, who has two children, daughter Kennedy, 11, and son Harley, 7, received another special gift just after Foamy’s arrival in the form of a dream featuring her father who died close to five years ago. “I have Irish roots, deep, green roots. In the dream we were sitting in a pub talking. The bartender handed him a beer and my Dad said ‘Ahh, would ya look at the cúr (pronounced cure) on that pint!’ I said ‘Dad, cúr means foam/foamy in Irish doesn’t it?’ He smiled at me and I woke up,” recalled Tara.

Understandably Foamy’s new nickname is Cure which is very fitting on so many levels.

Photos credit to Jackie Wimbush

Tara’s husband Glenn shot this video of her reaction when she first met Foamy

https://www.facebook.com/glenn.cameron.503/videos/10159053472317938

Explosive Space Joins OSAS

Mon, 21 Dec 2020 17:57:52 GMT

Explosive Space is the newest member of the OSAS family. The nine-year-old daughter of Royal Mattjesty was delivered to the foster farm of Bert and Susan Mollica (profiled last week https://www.osas.ca/the-horse-whisperer ) late last week.

Bert already has the mare under saddle as photos they shared indicate.

The Stable raises $3K for OSAS at Virtual Open House

Sun, 20 Dec 2020 16:05:27 GMT

Thanks to Kelly Spencer & The Stable & everyone who participated in the fundraising component of the virtual open house today. OSAS is very fortunate to have such great support and our horses (and everyone responsible for caring for them) are very grateful.

Here is the official news release from The Stable today:

Many generous viewers of The Stable's Virtual Winter Open House today raised $3,000 for the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society. Donations were collected from several of the 500 people who provided an RSVP for the livestream event which featured 45 of the operation's yearlings training in eight sets.

Each winter and spring, The Stable hosts an in-person Open House at its homebase, Tomiko Training Centre, in Puslinch, Ontario. The event is always streamed online. Removing the in-person element because of the pandemic, the broadcast was enhanced to include hosts Mark McKelvie, Fred MacDonald, and Bill O’Donnell reporting from their respective studios in Guelph, Charlottetown (PEI) and Milton. Anthony MacDonald co-hosted from track level.

NHL alumni (and clients of TheStable.ca ) Rick Vaive and Shayne Corson also joined the broadcast. Host Jaimi MacDonald conducted remote interviews with the duo from their homes.

Vaive and Corson, along with Doug Gilmour, own shares of the yearling colt U Gotta Be Leaf. A one percent stake in the trotter (and free expenses for one year) was the grand prize of the event and was awarded to Thomas Welsh of Clifford, Ontario.

The other prize winners were:

· $100 HPI Gift Card (sponsored by Central Ontario Standardbred Association): Russell Collis of Wasaga Beach, Ontario

· $100 Amazon Gift Card (sponsored by Clinton Raceway): Kathryn Reid of Mississauga, Ontario

· Breeders Crown Swag Pack (sponsored by the Hambletonian Society): Marcia Harmelink of Perry, KS

· $100 Amazon Gift Card (sponsored by Ontario Racing): Karen Dallimore of Orton, Ontario

· I Love Canadian Harness Racing swag (sponsored by Standardbred Canada): Larry Clarkin of Whitby, Ontario

· $100 Amazon Gift Card (sponsored by True Nature Communications Inc.): Sarah Toll Toronto, Ontario

· Hambletonian Swag Pack (sponsored by the Hambletonian Society): Kevin Schmiedebusch of Lima, OH

An archive of the four-hour livestream event is available: YouTube channel .

The Stable extends its thanks to everyone who contributed to the Virtual Open House, donated to the fundraiser for OSAS, and tuned into the broadcast.

For more information on The Stable, please visit their website: TheStable.ca

The Horse Whisperer

Wed, 16 Dec 2020 16:24:01 GMT

Horses have played an integral and therapeutic role for every member of the Mollica family and now patriarch Bert is sharing his talents with OSAS horses with great success.

“He has two loves in his life, his family and his horses.” That’s how Susan Mollica describes her husband Bert. “You know how a good mechanic can listen to a car and know what’s wrong with the engine? Bert’s the same way with horses.”

Bert’s affinity for horses has been quite evident since he and Susan decided to foster horses for the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society earlier this year. In just a few months they’ve hosted several newly retired Standardbreds: Hollywood Ham, Steam Machine, Lisvinne, Kwik Mac, Marc Et Master, Howdy Partner and Masseno (Bugsy) and within just a few weeks Bert’s had them all turned into riding horses and ready for new forever homes leading to Bert’s nickname, the horse whisperer.

A life long horseman, Bert is quick to point out that his success with the horses is thanks in large part to their previous care givers. “I don’t call what I’m doing with the horses training them, I say I’m tuning them up, they’ve already been trained. The horses we’ve had, I have to give credit to their trainers, owners and grooms, anyone who had been looking after them, they put in the hard work,” he said humbly.

“These horses are smart, they have the manners and they want to learn. I’ve worked with other breeds, some Thoroughbreds for example, that were very hyper and weren’t trained properly, you can tell the difference between the horses. If you get one that was treated terribly you can’t do anything with them. In my experience Standardbreds just want loving and the Standardbred horse people really love their animals, it’s not just a business for them. For the most part the horses are not being treated like machines and the people genuinely like working with the horses. When I go to the track it’s obvious everyone loves their horses. So when I get a horse from an environment like that, the work is mostly done. The horses are very happy to learn and work.”

While Bert downplays his success with the retirees, the time he commits to each one is an integral part of his formula. “I do spend a lot of time with them, they all become my babies. For me it’s not a business, I enjoy it, I’ll spend hours standing in the field just talking to them. I don’t have a bridle or a saddle, I just spend as much time as I can and the horses seem to like it. I don’t push them, they’ve been pushed all their lives. One of the biggest things I have to teach them is they don’t have to race anymore. They don’t have to go fast. We become buddies, I don’t have a whip, I don’t use a whip. If any horse I’m riding is afraid of something, I get off the horse, we walk up to it and I take the time to let them understand whatever it is.”

“I’m forever calling him in for lunch or dinner, he’s always out there with his horses,” laughed Susan. “We met when I was 16 and he was 18 and he loved the horses as much then as he does now.”

The couple met while Bert was working for the Thoroughbred operation Gardiner Farms. “I started in the broodmare barn and then moved to the racing barn,” Bert remembered. They’ve been together for more than three decades and during that time have faced a great deal of adversity but despite that they remain optimistic and positive with an unwavering love for their sons and horses.

Their son Christopher was born 31 years ago and was deprived of oxygen during birth which left him severely handicapped. He cannot speak but can nod his head to communicate and currently gets around in a wheelchair.

“He has well exceeded multiple life expectancies we’ve been given,” explained Susan. “He’s very intelligent, he could read a race program from the time he was two. My father, Earl Henry, had race horses. He worked at Woodbine and Georgian Downs and he and Christopher would bet with pennies.

“Our other son, Adam, is a high school teacher in Barrie. He’s good with the horses, he can harness and tack a horse. He went through to be an industrial designer, and then went back to York to get a degree in education. By the time he was 22 he had two bachelor degrees. He’s our right hand man and helps with anything we need as he’s only a half hour away. He’s at the farm all the time giving us a hand.”

Both sons share their parents’ love for horses. When Christopher was young Bert built him a special saddle with a backrest so he could ride. After several surgeries that wasn’t possible, so Bert created a cart which accommodates the wheelchair to allow Christopher to drive his horse, the Standardbred mare Eight Of Hearts, a 17 year-old daughter of Cams Card Shark.

“She absolutely loves Christopher,” Bert said. “She never gallops, but when she sees Christopher come out of the house, she gallops to him, it’s heartwarming to see. We’ve had her since 2008. We went to a Standardbred auction, the Flamboro mixed sale, of all the horses in the sale Christopher picked Eight Of Hearts, there was nothing I could do to talk him out of it. There were horses that would have worked better, but he wanted her and we bought her; she was in foal. When we put the cart on her she knows it’s business, it’s a 300 pound wheelchair and she pays attention. She’s not the world’s greatest show horse, but she knows she’s pulling Christopher and she knows she has to behave. That’s why I love these horses.”

It was through Christopher and his horse that the Mollica family got to know Joanne Colville, OSAS’s manager. “I called Joanne to see if she would allow Christopher to compete in one of the Standardbred horse shows,” explained Susan. “She said ‘of course, why not?’ And I told her a lot of people had said no and we were very grateful that they allowed him to compete. Everyone welcomed us with open arms. I am really hoping that once the shows come back that the people who have adopted horses that have been at our place will come and show them. My dream is that they’ll all come out.”

“It was at the horse shows that we first met Joanne and we hit it off,” recalled Bert. “She wanted to buy my quarter horse, Koda, to use when she outrides at Mohawk. When I wouldn’t sell him she asked if I would tune up her horse, Jay, which I did. He’s a pretty good horse, he just needed some fine tuning so I worked with him for a bit. I had done some Xtreme Cowboy and made a course here at the farm with a bridge, teeter totter, some sticks to walk over and flags. I tried to get him to ride with a flag flapping and really just tried to get him used to anything I could think of that might spook a horse. I put Jay through that and he turned out to be really smart. Joanne then asked if I would be interested in working with other horses and I said we’d give it a try.”

“I was really impressed with the way he worked with Jay,” said Joanne. “Bert is a true horseman, he simply has the knack to communicate with them that few people are blessed with. I saw it first with Jay and now subsequently with the OSAS horses he has worked with; he does an incredible job with them. I always stress that there is no rush with these horses, several of which are straight from the track, but Bert is usually riding them within a few days with no problem at all.”

This past summer marks the first time Bert’s ridden a horse in three years. “He almost lost his life three years ago. At five in the morning he was driving to work, he did concrete forms on construction sites, and was involved in a head on collision and was severely injured. We’re very fortunate he’s here,” noted Susan.

The Mollicas have a small hobby farm 30 minutes south of Barrie. In addition to Bert’s riding horse, Christopher’s Eight Of Hearts, they also have four miniature horses. When they take in a new OSAS horse they’ll put one of the minis in with them to keep them company. One of the first horses they fostered was one familiar to many Ontario racetrack goers, Hollywood Ham, who was one of the stars of the Hands On Horses program which allowed track patrons the opportunity to ride behind a Standardbred (along with a qualified driver) for one trip around the racetrack.

“Hollywood Ham was an absolute dreamboat. About two weeks after he’d been here he could do anything I asked him. He really learned quickly and was such a good mannered horse to work around. He loved the attention, he was used to it, and that’s what made him so easy to put a saddle on, he wanted to please me,” explained Bert. “The woman who adopted him absolutely loves him and now her husband is riding him as well. We love to hear about how the horses are doing after they leave us, because that’s the hardest part of it, having to say goodbye to them.

“The horse we delivered recently, Marc (Marc Et Master), he put his head right into my chest when I was saying goodbye. His new home is beautiful, and I know he’s going to be well looked after, but that’s the toughest part with these OSAS horses, letting them go. We really get attached to them in a short period of time. I’ve had them a month on average and it kills me to see them go, I’m a big softie. They all become my buddies, they all become part of me.

“I can calm a horse down and relax them, I now have a new life and can enjoy myself,” Bert explained. He has no rules when it comes to working with the OSAS horses, the schedule depends entirely on the horse.

“I’ll spend a week on the ground, letting them get used to me, maybe the next week we’ll try a bridle and saddle and usually a couple of days after that I’m on them, it all depends on how they react. Normally once I know they’re good with a saddle and are comfortable, then we start riding. At first most of them want to run, it’s my job to calm them down and teach them to go slow. With some horses the adopters have a specific goal for them and Joanne will let me know. The last horse we had, Bugsy, Joanne said they were interested in doing some Canadian Cowgirl so that’s what I worked on with him.

“I like what I do and I’m in no hurry. If it takes me all day to get them to do something, I don’t care. I don’t work. Sometimes it’s a half an hour. If a horse gets frustrated we’ll take a break and do something fun in the field. We’ll go and play. The horse needs to want to do it, they will never be pushed by me. Every horse is different, you can train a horse sometimes in a week, next one can take two months, it depends on the horse’s background. If he’s been racing all his life it might take longer. It’s fun, every horse has their own personality. With Marc he raced on a Monday night we got him on Wednesday morning and by Thursday or Friday I had a saddle on him. He was that good. Howdy was the same. Sometimes the hard part is slowing them down.

“No one has really given me a hard time or tried to throw me off, they’ve all been well mannered. I’ve said to Joanne: ‘thanks for giving me all the good horses’ and she says: ‘you’re getting the ones that come.’”

The Mollicas first experience with Standardbreds was in 2007 when they purchased a yearling named Dreamfair Star, a daughter of Dreamfair Vogel.

“I broke and trained her and was pleased with her but unfortunately our circumstances changed a few years later and we had to sell her,” said Bert.

“We went to the sale to get a male trotter and came home with a filly pacer, she was the first racehorse we had. We were sad to sell her and recently I’ve been trying to find her to buy her back but without much success. If anyone out there knows what happened to her I’d like to find out,” said Susan.

“I’m a quarter horse guy but I do love Standardbreds. When I was 19 a friend of mine had a Standardbred and I trained him to do barrels. I went to the horse shows and he was cleaning up, no one could believe it was a Standardbred, but I find the breed is willing to learn new things,” praised Bert.

Another trait Bert admires in harness horses is their gentleness and innate kindness. “I’ve had a horse in the cross ties and Christopher will drive right up to them. He can’t judge the distance very well, and they’ve all been so good to him, they’re so smart. He’ll drive right up, get really close, they sniff his ears, pull off his knapsack, it’s like they sense they need to be gentle. The horses come right up to the back of the house if we leave the gate open, if I left the door open Howdy would have come right in,” laughed Bert.

While the Mollicas have been working with the Standardbreds throughout this current pandemic, it did cause the cancellation of Christopher’s beloved horse shows.

“He really missed the horse shows this year, they’ve become a whole family event,” explained Susan. “There have been a multitude of people in our lives in the Standardbred world who have been kind to us but I can’t explain how great (trainer/driver) Graham Kirby has been to us. He saved Christopher’s horse’s life. His wife, Lia Jackson, is our veterinarian. Graham has always treated Christopher like a superstar.

“Another fantastic horse person we’ve met is Mike Wade, he and Christopher are best buddies. When I talk about him being severely handicapped, Graham and Mike treat him as an individual, Trevor Henry is the same as well, he always makes a point to come and talk to Christopher. We met Mike through Joanne (whose sister Annmarie is Mike’s partner). I take Christopher to Georgian every race night which is where we met Annmarie who was racing a horse. They all treat my son like there’s nothing wrong with him and are great to support us. I called Mike one night when Christopher’s horse was choking and Mike and Annmarie told me what to do.”

It’s quite obvious that the Standardbred horses and people have made a significant difference in the lives of the Mollica family.

“We’ve made new friends with all the people who have taken these horses. Susan talks to them on the computer and if any of them are having issues with the horse I’m more than happy to come out and ride them to see what the problem is if necessary. Every person I’ve met in the Standardbred world would help me. I remember when I was training my first horse, I had the knee boots on the wrong leg and the guy beside me looked at me and said ‘you’re a new guy aren’t you?’ I had the boots on upside down on the wrong side and he was quick to help me.

“I call it a family - the Standardbred family.” And it’s one the Mollicas have embraced, and been welcomed into, with open arms.

Final Answer - OSAS retraining update

Mon, 14 Dec 2020 14:27:55 GMT

Date Change For TheStable.ca Virtual Open House

Fri, 11 Dec 2020 23:21:02 GMT

The date of TheStable.ca Virtual Winter Open House has been changed to Friday, December 18. The decision to change the date of the event was prompted by concerns about track conditions caused by a mix of extremely mild weather and heavy rains forecast for this weekend.

TheStable.ca ’s annual Winter Open House will be an entirely virtual experience this year, delivered via livestream from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. EST.

The Open House will showcase many of the engaging features of the award-winning fractional horse racing ownership operation, including its bi-weekly live streaming video broadcasts of the horses in training.

Fifty yearlings will be shown jogging in 8 sets throughout the event, captured by drone camera and presented with graphics and commentary.

The event is free but an RSVP is requested . Those who RSVP will be eligible to win one of nine prizes awarded between sets.

The RSVP form includes an option to provide a donation (of any amount) for the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society. The donation unlocks eligibility to win a 10 ^th prize — a one percent share of U Gotta Be Leaf and free monthly fees for one year. Among the yearling colt’s current owners in TheStable.ca are NHL and Toronto Maple leaf alumni Doug Gilmour, Rick Vaive and Shayne Corson.

The trio will be featured on the Open House broadcast and will announce the name of the prize winner.

A program will be available on The Stable.ca website on December 15, detailing all yearlings featured on the broadcast, and pricing for horses with shares still available for purchase. The program will include a schedule of when each horse will be showcased on the broadcast during the Open House.

Online purchasing is available for shares in horses, gift certificates and merchandise.

The Stable Open House Sunday

Thu, 10 Dec 2020 21:25:29 GMT

The Open House will showcase many features of the fractional horse racing ownership operation, including its bi-weekly live streaming video broadcasts of the horses in training. Fifty yearlings will be shown jogging in 10 sets throughout the event, captured by drone camera and presented with graphics and commentary.

The event is free but an RSVP is requested. Those who RSVP will be eligible to win one of nine prizes awarded between sets. The RSVP form includes an option to provide a donation (of any amount) for the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society. The donation unlocks eligibility to win a 10th prize — a one per cent share of U Gotta Be Leaf and free monthly fees for one year. Among the yearling colt’s current owners in TheStable.ca are NHL and Toronto Maple leaf alumni Doug Gilmour, Rick Vaive and Shayne Corson.

The trio will be featured on the Open House broadcast and will announce the name of the prize winner. A program will be available on The Stable.ca website on December 11, detailing all yearlings featured on the broadcast, and pricing for horses with shares still available for purchase. The program will include a schedule of when each horse will be showcased on the broadcast during the Open House. Online purchasing is available for shares in horses, gift certificates and merchandise.

Marc Et Master Adopted

Tue, 08 Dec 2020 16:11:28 GMT

Marc Et Master’s stay with OSAS was short lived. After last racing in early November, the five-year-old gelding was placed with OSAS foster family Susan and Bert Mollica who had him under saddle in no time.

The son of Marced Card (Cams Card Shark) was a quick learner and ready to go to his forever home this past weekend. His new family are Nancy and Dave Perkins who have a beautiful facility where Marc will continue to thrive in his new vocation.

Marc Et Master earned $57,000 during his time racing which was conducted in South Western Ontario over the 2020 campaign. We wish him all the best in his new career.

Dashing Through The Deals Winners

Tue, 01 Dec 2020 14:39:38 GMT

Last night the names were drawn for the winners of the 2020 Dashing Through The Deals contest which benefitted OSAS as well the Upper Credit Humane Society.

Conceived and hosted by Travis Forbes, the virtual raffle featured 30 incredible prizes, the winners of which were announced live last night through Facebook.

OSAS is extremely grateful for everyone who made this event possible especially Travis and Emma Christoforou, who did so much work behind the scenes, and all of the incredible sponsors.

TheStable.ca Supporting OSAS

Mon, 23 Nov 2020 20:48:11 GMT

TheStable.ca ’s annual Winter Open House will be an entirely virtual experience this year, delivered via livestream from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. EST on Sunday, December 13. OSAS is proud to be a small part of this annual event.

Fifty yearlings will be shown jogging in 10 sets throughout the event, captured by drone camera and presented with graphics and commentary.

The event is free but an RSVP is requested - click here: https://www.eventbrite.ca/.../thestableca-2020-virtual...

Those who RSVP will be eligible to win one of nine prizes awarded between sets.

The RSVP form includes an option to provide a donation (of any amount) for the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society. The donation unlocks eligibility to win a 10th prize — a one per cent share of U Gotta Be Leaf and free monthly fees for one year. Among the yearling colt’s current owners in TheStable.ca are NHL and Toronto Maple leaf alumni Doug Gilmour, Rick Vaive and Shayne Corson.

The trio will be featured on the Open House broadcast and will announce the name of the prize winner.

A program will be available on The Stable.ca website on December 11, detailing all yearlings featured on the broadcast, and pricing for horses with shares still available for purchase. The program will include a schedule of when each horse will be showcased on the broadcast during the Open House.

Online purchasing is available for shares in horses, gift certificates and merchandise. OSAS is very grateful to Amy and Anthony MacDonald, Kelly Spencer and the entire TheStable team for including us in this event.

Marc Et Master Learning Quickly

Mon, 23 Nov 2020 15:27:49 GMT

Marc Et Master (Marc) last raced less than three weeks ago and entered our program at OSAS just a few days after that, but the five-year-old gelding is certainly adapting quickly to his new role as a riding horse.

Marc is being fostered by Susan and Bert Mollica who shared photos of the horse going through his lessons today. The photos show that Bert’s a great teacher and Marc’s an excellent student. Marc won’t be with OSAS much longer as he has an adoption pending.

Dashing Through The Deals To Support OSAS

Sat, 14 Nov 2020 16:31:24 GMT

OSAS is proud to be part of a fundraising initiative launching this Sunday, November 15, Dashing Through The Deals, is a virtual online raffle spin to win event. A number of items are available to purchase tickets for, including but not limited to a dinner for four at Mohawk Harvest Kitchen donated by WEG, a 55 inch television courtesy of Adriano Sorello & Jimmy Frieght, 500 in HPI dollars sponsored by COSA and so much more! Travis Forbes, a WEG employee who is finishing his last year at George Brown studying Special Event Management, is the founder of DTTD and is organizing the fundraiser for 2020, in hopes to pass the torch for others organizations. This year 100 per cent of the proceeds are going to charity, 50 per cent to the Upper Credit Humane Society and the remaining 50 per cent to OSAS.

Be sure to like Dashing Through The Deals’ Facebook page ( Log into Facebook | Facebook ) to see what prizes are available. Potential purchasers buy raffle tickets which they place on the items they wish to buy. On November 29th they will be conducting a Facebook Live and doing a virtual spin to announce the winners with recognizable host Monique Vag. It’s a great opportunity to potentially do some Christmas shopping safely and support OSAS and the Humane Society. The presenting business of the event is Farm To Paw Boutique And Market with locations both in Halton and Wellington.

The Dashing Through The Deals looks forward to the Community support via the Facebook platform. If you have any questions, please reach out to Travis Forbes, Event Director DTTD dashingthroughthedeal@gmail.com ! DTTD sends a huge shout out to the Standardbred industry for their on going support - owners, trainers and industry partners, this event would not be possible with all of you.

Welcome To OSAS Marc & Bugsy

Thu, 05 Nov 2020 21:32:02 GMT

OSAS is pleased to welcome Marc Et Master and Masseno (aka Bugsy) to our program. The two geldings, aged five and three respectively, are now in foster care at the farm of Susan and Bert Mollica who do tremendous work in training and preparing OSAS horses for their permanent homes.

Marc Et Master is freshly off the track having last competed on Monday night at Western Fair. He finishes his career with just over $57,000 in earnings from 92 lifetime trips behind the gate. He is a son of Marced Card, a winner of more than $400,000, while his dam, Lifes Image, earned over $115,000 in her career. That daughter of Life Sign only made 10 starts in her career, but she had one big victory during her three-year-old season when she nosed out the great Glowing Report to win the $200,000 Miss New Jersey at the Meadowlands.

Also in Marc’s immediate family is the top race mare Sweet Reflection who earned over a million dollars in her career more than three decades ago. She has an interesting connection to OSAS as her driver was none other than Hall of Famer and OSAS director Bill O’Donnell.

Marc’s stablemate at the Mollica farm is Masseno, a three-year-old Muscle Mass gelding who was trained and co-owned by Julie Walker. He made a total of four starts before retirement, the last being at Mohawk last month. Julie and her dad Paul bred Masseno who is the second foal from the Credit Winner mare Tomorrows Dream. The second dam in this family is O’Brien Award winner Mombasa who Paul trained to earnings over $400,000 for Eileen and Bill Stuart. Mombasa’s last foal was Tomorrows Dream, while her first was another O’Brien winner Filly At Bigs ($800,000+).

32 Years Young

Tue, 27 Oct 2020 23:05:53 GMT

Dannys Girl was adopted from OSAS close to 20 years ago and is still going strong at 32. Thanks to Lori and Danielle Franklin for sharing this lovely photo of the mare taken October 26.

Known affectionately as ‘Mellow’ the chestnut mare is a daughter of the sire Silk Spats. While he wasn’t a star on the racetrack he was considered royally bred back in his day as his sire was the incomparable Bret Hanover and his dam, Silk Stockings, was one of the greatest race mares of all time.

After a race career that saw her face the gate more than 60 times, Dannys Girl had five foals before being officially retired. We’re thrilled she’s had such a wonderful home for all these years.

Goose Looks Great

Fri, 16 Oct 2020 16:13:25 GMT

Thanks to Becca Barrington for sharing these photos of ‘Goose’ who she adopted earlier this year from OSAS

“I love him so much,” says Becca of the now 13 year-old gelding who is pictured with Becca and her son Case.

Foamy Adopted

Sun, 11 Oct 2020 18:05:31 GMT

We barely had time to list Foamy as available on the OSAS website before we had to change her status to adopted.

The Striking Sahbra mare has been adopted by Gloria Lewis. This will be the third career for the pretty 15 year-old mare. She earned just over $20,000 during her racing career, primarily under the tutelage of John Brooks.

Upon retirement she became a broodmare and had six foals. Her most recent offspring, a two-year-old filly named Hall Of Foam, made her first lifetime start at Flamboro yesterday.

We wish Gloria and Foamy a wonderful future together.

OSAS Horses On The Move

Mon, 05 Oct 2020 16:39:44 GMT

Well known Ontario pacer Hollywood Ham has begun his third career, this one as a riding horse, after being recently adopted from the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society. He is one of five retired Standardbreds to have recently been placed in forever homes by OSAS.

A 12 year-old son of Mach Three known affectionately as Woody, Hollywood Ham was trained and owned by Stacey Reinsma from a yearling until earlier this year. As his racing career, which spanned from 2010 to 2015, was winding down he began a new vocation as part of the Hands On Horses program. That popular attraction travelled to most Ontario tracks where they gave patrons the opportunity to ride behind a Standardbred alongside a qualified driver.

Woody was a fan favourite as he would stand patiently while he was being petted and photographed by many folks who were enjoying their first ever experience with a horse. He gave thousands of race patrons across the province their first exposure to the wonderful nature of the Standardbred horse. Unfortunately due to this year’s pandemic and the operation of racetracks without fans, Woody, like many, was unemployed and Stacey made the difficult decision to place him with OSAS.

“He has had his career as a racehorse, his second career promoting the sport and now due to COVID he is ready for his third career as a companion and riding horse. I unfortunately am at a place in my life where I can't offer him the time and interaction he deserves,” she noted at the time.

Hollywood Ham was fostered by Susan and Bert Mollica, who taught him the riding basics. He has been adopted by Janet O’Brien who shared photos of him in his new home on OSAS’s Facebook page yesterday along with this note: “We’re thrilled to welcome a much deserving Hollywood Ham aka Woody to his new home! He’s settled in just fine with our herd, a couple little mare squeals and that’s about it! Woody seems like an absolute gentleman so far.”

Howdy Partner and Kwik Mac, who were both stablemates of Woody’s at the Mollicas, have been adopted together by Beth Mackin. Also finding forever homes and departing from their OSAS foster homes recently were Excel PV (Kari Loscher) and Holy Checkmate (Catherine-Amelie Renaud).

Despite the unpredictability of this year, OSAS has been very busy. In addition to these five recent adoptions, we have recently added a pair of mares to our program. To see all of the horses available for adoption, please click here .

Pair Of Iron Horses Join OSAS

Fri, 11 Sep 2020 14:59:09 GMT

The Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society is pleased to welcome a pair of iron horses into their program, Strike A Light and Lisvinnie. Both horses raced from age two through 10 and they each faced the gate more than 200 times in their long careers.

Strike A Light, a trotter, was certainly well travelled in his career. He started at 11 Ontario racetracks, in addition to three tracks in Quebec and two in PEI. In total he made 205 lifetime appearances with a summary of 27-23-24, $115,000. He was claimed 11 times over the course of his career.

Lisvinnie also saw his fair share of Canada during his racing life. He started out in Ontario with Jack Darling before heading to Western Canada where he raced for the Hennessy stable in Alberta and BC. He spent the latter part of his career competing primarily on the WEG circuit. Through 257 career starts he was claimed 15 times, had 50 lifetime wins and earned just shy of $400,000.

Both horses have just been welcomed in the OSAS program and will have some down time before they start training. All of the horses currently available through OSAS may be viewed here .

Holy Checkmate Joins OSAS

Wed, 02 Sep 2020 13:21:23 GMT

Enjoy these beautiful photos of one of OSAS’s newest members Holy Checkmate. A three-year-old son of EL Titan, the gelding likely won’t last long in our program as there is already interest in him.

Holy Checkmate did not race but he has some successful racehorses as siblings including Prayer I Am ($799,000) and the double gaited Im A Gift who earned almost $200,000 on the pace. His dam is a half-sister to former WEG performer Charming Promise, a winner of more than half a million during her long career.

To view all of the horses currently available for adoption from OSAS, please click here .

Online Auction Now Closed

Sun, 30 Aug 2020 17:07:15 GMT

Thank You to everyone who bid on items in Hanover Raceway's online auction in support of the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society. The auction closed tonight at 6 p.m. We, and our horses, are very grateful.

Special thanks to the team at Hanover for supporting the work OSAS does. Despite the challenges of 2020, we have been very busy and fundraisers such as these are very much appreciated during these unusual times.

Please note successful purchasers will be contacted on Monday.

OSAS Fundraiser Now Underway

Wed, 26 Aug 2020 13:35:10 GMT

Hanover Raceway is running an online fundraising campaign for the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society starting today (August 25th) and closing on Saturday, August 29 at 6 p.m.

The items available to bid on include a gift package from Hanover Raceway, a golf outing, horse related artwork, a signed Drew Doughty photo, Doug McNair and Trevor Henry signed hats and more.

Please note that the auction is being managed manually. Once you submit your bid Hanover will update the current bid value for that item. If someone else has bid a higher amount they will send you an email to let you know the latest status.

To view the items available and to submit your bid, please visit https://hanoverraceway.com/osas-fundraiser

OSAS is very appreciative of the incredible support from Hanover and encourages everyone to view, and perhaps bid on, the items available.

Hollywood Ham Needs A New Role

Wed, 19 Aug 2020 16:05:02 GMT

The Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society’s newest member has likely had more drivers and trips around a racetrack than just about any other harness horse. Hollywood Ham faced the gate 135 times during his racing career but made hundreds more trips around all sized tracks as one of the equine stars of the popular Hands On Horses team.

That program visited many of Ontario’s racetracks where patrons were invited to enter to win the chance to sit behind one of the Standardbred racehorses for a trip around the track between races. As every track operator can attest, this was a very popular attraction, engaging fans, young and not so young, who lined up for the unique experience.

Hollywood Ham, known affectionately as ‘Woody’, and his partners in Hands On Horses converted many casual racetrack goers to devoted fans after their trip around the oval. The horses wouldn’t just give them a ride, they would allow their passengers the chance to have a photo taken with them and they stood for hours as they were given treats and pets by the delighted fans.

Stacey Reinsman, Woody’s owner and trainer, was usually the driver behind her beloved pacer as she gave rides to hundreds of folks behind him in the two seated sulky.

“He actually started giving rides with Hands on Horses while he was still racing and he quickly adapted to giving rides and I think preferred it to racing. I can clearly remember one night when I was warming him up to race and he saw a kid standing near the winner's circle (where we would always pick kids up to give them a ride) and he tried to stop the warm up because he wanted to pick the kid up to give him a ride. I think it was shortly after this that I knew he was ready to stop racing and focus on promoting the sport by giving rides and we never looked back until COVID that is,” said Stacey recently.

Bred by Chris Christoforou and Bobbi Morley, the now 12 year-old son of Mach Three is the second foal from Access Hollywood who took her life mark of 1:52.4 at Woodbine in her three-year-old season. She earned $145,000 during her career. Her son wasn’t quite as successful but he did take in over $55,000 during his racing career.

Stacey’s history with the horse goes back several years. “I met Woody when he wasn't even a full year old on a farm and shortly after made arrangements to purchase him as a yearling. He was a little bit afraid as a baby, very timid, but he trusted me and we bonded instantly. He has become much more laid back over the years and really loves kids.”

Hollywood Ham’s last career start was in October of 2015. “I stopped racing him for a variety of reasons,” explained Stacey. “He wasn't able to perform to the level of his competitors and I didn't want to put him in lower claiming races.”

From that time until a few months ago he and Stacey were still quite active with the Hands On Horses program and the horse absolutely excelled in his second career.

“Woody was so good at interacting with the public, especially kids. He would just stand there for kids to pet him in the paddock or walking along the fence beside the track and not many horses will do that while on a racetrack. Woody loves kids, his whole demeanour changes when a child is petting his face, he relaxes right into the touch of their hand. He also quickly adapted to standing and waiting on the track for the cart to be loaded, which a lot of horses struggle to feel comfortable with,” noted Stacey.

Allowing patrons the chance to ride behind our magnificent Standardbreds is easily one of the most popular fan interaction ever introduced. However, in this era of COVID with no patrons or on track promotions, Woody found himself out of a job and Stacey was faced with the difficult decision regarding his future.

“With the end of the program Woody is in need of a new career and purpose as I am no longer able to offer him the time and love he needs and deserves. He has had his career as a racehorse, his second career promoting the sport and now due to COVID he is ready for his third career as a companion and riding horse. I unfortunately am at a place in my life where I can't offer him the time and interaction he deserves.

“I actually always dreamed of living in the country and giving him a forever home, however, life didn't work out that way and I'm hoping to find someone else who can offer him a loving forever home. I also chose OSAS because of their outstanding reputation for placing horses in adoptive homes, I trust their ability to find him a home that will be the right fit for him.”

Once Woody has settled in at an OSAS foster farm, he’ll be trained to ride. He does have some experience as Stacey started sitting on his back when he was three and riding when he was four.

“He never even hesitated in the saddle, he is happy to walk along through the trails and nothing really bothers him while riding. He is a very adaptable horse and is willing to take on new experiences and learned quickly how to take me on long trail rides.

“I am hoping for him to be placed in a home where he can have a connection and bond with someone special. I am hoping he will have a pasture with another horse because he loves to make friends. And potentially hoping someone will want to drive or ride him to give him continued purpose at this stage in his life. I ultimately want him to be loved and happy for the rest of his life. He has given so much to the sport of harness racing and I want to see him lovingly rewarded for that.”

Many Thanks To Hanover Raceway

Sun, 16 Aug 2020 21:05:01 GMT

All of us at OSAS are so appreciative for any and all contributions towards our efforts to rehome retired Standardbreds. Hanover Raceway is the latest to step up, despite all of the obstacles currently facing Ontario’s racetracks.

At their matinee card yesterday they sold Ontario Racing caps with all of the proceeds going towards OSAS. The promotion will continue next Saturday, a card which features the Balanced Image Final.

In addition, Hanover is hosting an on-line auction on their website from Monday, August 24th until Friday, August 28th. They report they’ve already received a number of donations including items from Trevor Henry, Bob McClure and Doug McNair. We will post the link once the auction is live.

We are very grateful for the support of Hanover Raceway, their staff and horse people.

West Gray Bay Adds To His Resume

Sat, 15 Aug 2020 01:12:46 GMT

If he continues on the trajectory he’s on, West Grey Bay will soon become one of OSAS’s most accomplished graduates.

During his time in foster Westie was trained by talented equestrienne Sarah Cuthbertson. The 12 year-old gelding quickly became comfortable under saddle which led Sarah to enter him in an endurance contest, sponsored by OCTRA (Ontario Competitive Trail Riding Association). He handled the 15 mile competition with ease and Sarah was so impressed with his calm demenour and willingness to work she quickly made the decision to adopt him herself.

Since that time the pair have competed in several other endurance contests, showing other competitors that Standardbreds can more than hold their own in these events.

Last weekend Westie was again introduced to something new and once again he crushed it. He and Sarah were entered in the Open Entry category in the Wits End Evening Kindergarten. According to their website: “The Eventing Kindergarten Series is intended as an introduction to the sport of eventing, an opportunity for competitors to introduce their green horses to showing, and an opportunity to upgrade from one level to the next in a low stress, reduced cost, high fun environment.”

Sarah explained: “He had to do a dressage test, a stadium jumping round and a cross country course (jumps in both were up to 2'9" and the dressage test required a canter). He ended up placing third of six entries and I am so proud! Especially because we haven't done much dressage recently particularly the canter and he managed to get a nice clean transition in his test (which was a first ever for us!). He absolutely knocked the jumping out of the park and is so keen to jump.”

During his racing career West Grey Bay, a trotter, made 114 lifetime starts and earned just over $85,000. He made many fans during that career and is also being noticed in his second career.

“When I was walking the course, I had a few people come up to me and recognised me as the one riding the Standardbred and they all said how wonderful he was and that they would be cheering us on. One of them had a Standardbred too and it definitely inspired her to try it on hers,” noted Sarah who was wearing a Go Pro during the event videos from which she posted on her Facebook page.

To read our feature story on this talented pair, please click: An Enduring Ride For West Grey Bay

Woody & Mac Settling In Nicely

Thu, 13 Aug 2020 14:40:11 GMT

Thanks to the Mollica family who are fostering a few of OSAS’s horses and putting them through some riding lessons before they are placed in their permanent homes. The Mollicas are great to share photos of their charges learning their lessons on our Facebook page.

For those who missed them, here are a few pictures they shared of OSAS newcomers Kwik Mac (Mac) and Hollywood Ham (Woody).

Lis Deo Adopted

Thu, 13 Aug 2020 14:39:39 GMT

We’re happy to announce the recent adoption of Lis Deo by Abby Martin and family who report he’s settling quite nicely into their herd.

The now 12 year-old son of The Panderosa enjoyed a profitable racing career with over 300 lifetime starts, 40 wins and more than $435,000 in earnings. He hails from a long line of top pacers with his dam being the half million dollar winner Lisheen whose progeny have won more than $4.5 million.

Thanks to Abby for sharing this great photo of Lis Deo under saddle.

Betchadan Adopted

Mon, 13 Jul 2020 17:09:38 GMT

We’re happy to report that Betchadan has been adopted from the OSAS program. The 10 year-old gelding, who had fostered with Sheila Jopling, has been adopted by Kim Clayton and her family.

Also known as Harley, the horse will be returning to familiar faces as Kim and her family had previously owned him but were forced to give him up a few years ago due to circumstances beyond their control. They are thrilled now to have him back.

Howdy Partner Learning Quickly

Wed, 08 Jul 2020 17:32:09 GMT

Howdy Partner is adapting extremely well to his new training regime. The 15 year-old was recently moved to commence training and he has taken to it very well.

The Mollica family are giving him lessons and yesterday posted on Facebook: “Howdy Partner is the sweetest boy. He just loves being with people and having fun. Tonight he was a superstar. First time under saddle and he was a dream . . . he is truly a gentle giant.”

Howdy Partner earned over $142,000 during his racing career which ended last year at the mandatory age of 14. The iron horse made 310 lifetime starts during his racing days.

An Equine Love Story

Tue, 23 Jun 2020 15:00:16 GMT

Talented equine artist Michelle Hogan first met iron tough pacer Conrad Seelster when she was in her early 20s and he was a grizzled racetrack veteran with eight years of racing under his harness. Eighteen years later they are still together and Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society graduate Conrad is a beloved member of Michelle’s family.

“He moved in with us when we bought our first home, he was there on our wedding day and now he’s here while my twins grow up. My daughter, Autumn, in particular, loves him dearly,” said Michelle.

Michelle, whose twins Owen and Autumn will be four this August, stays connected to horse racing now through her art. She is a juried member of the American Academy of Equine Art (AAEA) and her first award from AAEA was for “Shady Daisy Shadow Roll”.

“It is most unusual to see Standardbred art hanging in an AAEA show, so to see my racing art not only be accepted, but awarded, is something I am thrilled with. I have worked so hard to get here,” she said at the time.

More recently, Michelle’s beautiful ink drawing of the great trotter San Pail was selected by Owen Sound’s juried art show to be on a banner that is hung on the town’s harbour for a year.

Like San Pail, Conrad Seelster is enjoying retirement surrounded by people who love him. And for both, it is a well-earned retirement. Conrad Seelster may not have been horse of the year in Canada twice, but he was an absolute iron horse throughout his 12 year racing career which saw him face the gate an incredible 445 times. His lifetime summary was 54 wins, 62 seconds and 61 thirds for $310,285 in earnings.

The son of Threefold bred by Seelster Farms never left Ontario during his racing days and he competed at 16 different racetracks in the province including several which are no longer operating (Sudbury, Elmira, Belleville, Barrie and Windsor). He was ultra consistent, averaging 37 starts per year from age three through 14.

Conrad was trained at the start of his career by John Yake of Woodstock, Ontario, who campaigned him until the end of his three-year-old season. Fred Maguire would take over the training responsibilities for a handful of starts. In May of Conrad’s four-year-old season Jeff Houghton claimed him from a race at Elmira for $3,500. It was the only time in his long career that he was claimed and from the age of four until 14 he was owned by trainer Jeff and his wife, Catherine, and it was in the Houghton barn that Michelle first met Conrad.

She grew up close to Flamboro Downs and her love for horses led her to become a caretaker. She worked in the Houghton stable looking after Conrad Seelster from 2002 until 2004.

“Conrad was always a gentleman. He was the barn favourite, of course. Jeff’s boys grew up with him. He could be strong on the track to jog and warm up, he liked to do things his way,” Michelle remembers.

Jeff’s son, Eddie, was two when the horse first came into the stable. “For my brother (Will) and I it was our routine for many years, each week watching Conrad race somewhere. He was such a special horse, he knew how to take care of himself and that’s why I think he raced as long as he did,” Eddie recalled recently.

Conrad’s most successful season was at age eight when he banked just over $70,000 from 44 starts. Jeff Houghton wasn’t afraid to race the consistent pacer throughout the province and Conrad spent quite a bit of time that season in Northern Ontario competing at Sudbury Downs. In late 2000 he had a four race win streak at Sudbury, including two in the $20,000 preferred.

“Dad would race him where he thought he could be the most successful and never touched WEG tracks. He excelled on a half-mile track. I remember racing at Sudbury and we’d eat at a restaurant that would give kids stuffed animals with their breakfast. I choose a horse and named him Conrad and took him everywhere with me for a long time,” said Eddie with a laugh.

The horse would earn his life record of 1:56.3 as a 10 year-old and Eddie remembers the amusing story behind that race at Clinton on July 14, 2002. Trevor Henry was up behind Conrad with the plan to leave with him. Just before the race was about to start the horse beside Conrad fell to the track (he was fine, but taken off the track and scratched).

“Conrad just took off, he ended up winning by five lengths. My dad always said he just wanted to get off the track as fast as he could after he saw that horse fall,” Eddie recalled.

Conrad made headlines at the end of his racing career. On New Year’s Eve, 2006 Rideau Carleton Raceway hosted a ‘Clash of the Iron Horses’ race that pitted Conrad against Kendal Python who was two years younger at 12. At the time Conrad had more lifetime starts than any horse in North America while Kendal Python had the second most. Python would surpass him in that category though, as he retired with 494 lifetime trips behind the gate two years later.

In that Rideau match-up Conrad set the pace, and down the lane his rival swept up the inside and the pair battled down the stretch with Conrad prevailing by a slight margin. It was Conrad’s last racetrack appearance and fittingly Houghton drove him for the first and final time. Many of the extended Houghton family were on hand for his final performance. That race may be watched through this link.

At the end of the race, following the winner’s circle presentation, one of the commentators noted that a horse of his calibre deserved a decent retirement home and Michelle has certainly provided that for him.

After his racing career concluded at the mandatory age of 14, Conrad was part of the OHHA Youth Camps which saw children spending the week learning the basics of harness racing, and working with four retired Standardbred horses. At the end of the week they put their skills to the ultimate test, competing in two four-horse exhibition races while accompanied by professional drivers.

“Conrad hadn’t been off the track for too long and I think they found he was too competitive for those races, he still wanted to compete,” said Eddie.

“I believe he was with the camp for two years before being given to OSAS. I was working as a vet assistant at the time and came across an advertisement in Horse Trader magazine for him. I immediately sent an email saying I would bring him home. He has been with me now since July of 2010,” noted Michelle.

Conrad was part of Michelle’s wedding to her husband Tim Casson and her photographer on that special day, Carrie Clarke Scott, was thrilled to see Conrad. “Carrie was his caretaker while he was with OSAS and she was my wedding photographer and was so happy to see him again.”

He also has other regular visitors. “Jeff and his family come up and stay every so often to have a good visit with him,” explained Michelle.

“I remember the last time I went to visit him with Dad,” said Eddie. “We walked up to the paddock and couldn’t see the horses. Dad called out ‘hey Conrad’ and we hear this nickering and then see the horse come running. I’m sure he remembered Dad’s voice. My dad often says what a relief it is that he’s found a home with Michelle, she is awesome.”

Conrad spends most of his days hanging out with Michelle’s other horse, a paint. He’s been lightly ridden and she’s hoping to let Autumn sit on him this summer.

“He really is a special horse. He has been so lucky to have so many good people in his life,” said Michelle. Judging by the beautiful photo Michelle recently posted of now 28 year-old Conrad Seelster looking fantastic, the feeling is mutual.

Happy 30th Roman Knows

Thu, 18 Jun 2020 15:06:29 GMT

OSAS graduate Roman Knows celebrated his 30thbirthday this past March. His adopters, Gillian and Ron Gilmore, recently shared photos of the Meadow Road gelding which show him in fantastic condition (and living up to his name).

“The vet and blacksmith both say how good he looks. He doesn't look his age. We are glad we adopted him. He's been great to ride and have around,” wrote Gillian who asked that we let Roman Knows’ former owner, Ron Waples Jr. how well his former charge was doing.

The Gilmores have a small acreage just north of Oshawa, Ontario. They adopted Roman Knows when he was 10, so have given him a loving home for more than 20 years. Gillian reports that they don’t ride him anymore due to his age and a few ailments.

“He lives the life of Riley with his buddy, Coach, another Standardbred,” added Gillian.

In total Roman Knows made 62 starts and retired with a summary of 18-13-4 for $157,905 earned.

Great Start To Racing Night Live

Fri, 12 Jun 2020 13:43:41 GMT

OSAS was honoured to be a small part of the excellent debut program of Racing Night Live tonight on TSN. It was the kick off of a weekly program that will be shown every Thursday night at 6 p.m. on the sports channel featuring three Thoroughbred races from Woodbine and three Standardbred races from Mohawk.

Horse racing becomes the first major sport to return from the COVID-19 crisis and WEG’s CEO explained to Brian Williams how that was possible.

“We’re unique in that experience, we don’t rely on selling seats. Basically our income comes from online so we can make if viable. The safety has been first and foremost. We will continue to stress and follow the health guidelines and listen to the health authorities and we can continue on on this basis we’re fortunate in that regard.”

Williams congratulated Lawson on having both the Thoroughbreds and Standardbreds showcased on the same program which has never happened before.

“We’re excited and we thank TSN for being such great partners. They’ve given us the opportunity to showcase Standardbreds and Thoroughbreds across the country all summer long; it’s wonderful for the sport and all the people involved.”

Part of the program included describing some of the differences between the two styles of racing including jockeys’ silks and drivers’ colours and the starting car versus the starting gate as well as the differences in the tracks the different horses race on.

Also showcased on the program was the acoustic version of the song Where I’m From by the Canadian country music duo The Reklaws. The video was filmed at Woodbine as well as a nearby horse farm. Including in the feature a request for support for the after care programs for Standardbreds and Thoroughbreds including OSAS. Lawson kicked off the campaign with a generous donation of $2,500 to OSAS as well as LongRun, their provincial counterpart on the Thoroughbred side.

To donate to OSAS, please click here .

The three races shown tonight on the harness side were won by Oh K Man, Hockey Hanover and Rhythm In Motion. During an interview with leading driver Doug McNair who guided Hockey Hanover, he commented: “Hopefully (the Covid-19 shut down) was a once in a lifetime thing that we never have to experience again.”

If tonight’s debut show was any indication, we’re in for a great summer of racing action thanks to TSN.

Y Chance It Living The Life

Mon, 08 Jun 2020 16:54:24 GMT

OSAS’s director Kelly Spencer visited with our companion horses at the farm of the late Dr. Ted Clarke including millionaire trotter Y Chance It.

Ted’s daughter Carrie took this lovely picture of the now 21 year-old who was trained by Ron O’Neill throughout his long and successful career. Y Chance It and his long time buddy Railroad Ron were taken in by OSAS late last year. That story may be read:

Classy Trotters Join OSAS

From The Jug To The Saddle With Ease

Thu, 04 Jun 2020 19:36:00 GMT

It isn’t something you see very often: a Little Brown Jug and O’Brien Award winner wearing a saddle rolling around the ground at a major Standardbred Horse Show but that’s exactly what Michaels Power was doing a few months ago and his rider, Kailey Williams, could not have been more delighted.

“I had only been riding him for four months when we entered that show (The National Standardbred Show at the Horse Park in New Jersey). I didn’t realize what a big deal it was,” explained Kailey, a 20 year-old Stockton University student. “He was a little scared, there were a lot of announcements and noise, I think he thought he was back at the track.

“We got a fifth and I couldn’t have been happier and I think he was too. He laid down and rolled, with the saddle on; he was sweaty and thought it was okay to do it right there in the ring. His name had been announced and as we were leaving the ring a lady came up to me and said ‘Michaels Power? As in Little Brown Jug Michaels Power?’ That’s a reaction I get a lot.”

That’s understandable given the success Michaels Power had on the racetrack. Not only did he win the 2012 Jug in a world record for a gelding and becoming only the second Ontario-sired pacer to win the coveted leg of pacing’s triple crown, he also added many other trophies during his sophomore season. He swept the Upper Canada elimination and $600,000 final at Georgian Downs, captured a Somebeachsomewhere division, won several Ontario Sires Stakes Gold events, the Confederation Cup final at Flamboro Downs and the OSS Super Final at Mohawk.

At the conclusion of his three-year-old season he was crowned Canada’s top performer in his division and took home the O’Brien Award for his owner/breeder Jeffrey Snyder and his son Michael who continue to own him to this day. That would prove his most prolific season at the track but he also enjoyed a productive six-year-old season, earning over $200,000. He officially retired the following year.

Most horses with his talent and pedigree would have been retired earlier but there wasn’t a lucrative stallion career in his future as he is a gelding. Michaels Power is sired by one of Canada’s most prolific stallions of all time and a member of the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame, Camluck.

His maternal side isn’t too shabby either. His dam, Michelles Jackpot, a half-sister to Cams Card Shark ($2.4 million), earned $695,000 during her racing career. The daughter of Artsplace was the two-year-old pacing filly of the year in the US in 1996 and as talented as she was on the racetrack, she was even more impressive as a broodmare. To date she’s delivered 18 foals who have earned well over $5.9 million.

Michaels Power is her richest performer followed by his older full sister Michelles Power who won $1.3 million during her career. Another of their siblings is the gelding Alexas Jackpot who earned in excess of half a million primarily on the WEG circuit.

Shortly after Kailey posted about riding Michaels Power on Facebook, Ontario trainer Amanda Fine responded that she had his half-brother, Alexas Jackpot, and that they look similar. Another poster reached out to say they took care of his full brother Mikes Powerhouse last summer.

“I started riding him in April of 2019 and he has become the best all around horse there is, we’ve done western pleasure, gymkhana, trail riding, showmanship and this year we started English,” was what Kailey had written on Facebook.

Kailey’s cousin, Tom Spain, lives and works at Blairwood Farms where Michaels Power is enjoying retirement. Kailey, who lives close by, would often help Tom out at the farm and a few times she brought Michaels Power into the barn.

“I grew up riding horses, I was on them since I was about two or three. I stopped riding when I was around 10 or 11 as I was playing soccer and lost the feeling for it for a while. Michaels Power is the first horse I had ridden in 10 years,” explained Kailey who is a health science major, leaning towards a career in the medical field, perhaps dentistry.

“Last year I was thinking that maybe I’d get back into riding. I really like Standardbreds, although I hadn’t had much experience with them. Apparently Mike Snyder had told the farm owner, Leslie McClaren, that if there was anyone wanting to ride Michaels Power they would like that. It was a way to give him some more attention.

“Michaels Power was such a sweetheart I thought maybe I’d throw a saddle on him. Tom got on him first, bare back, and the next day we put a saddle on him and I rode him. He was so good; he acted like he’d been doing it his whole life. He has a great personality, I love giving him treats which I have the hidden in tack room and he knows as soon as I get them,” added Kailey.

The ardent animal lover is very grateful to be able to ride and take care of such a talented horse. She keeps the Snyders updated on his progress and often sends photos. “I am very happy to be riding again and I can’t thank them enough for allowing me to ride such an incredible horse.”

During the past few months in quarantine, Kailey has been working at the farm quite a bit and therefore spending more time than usual with Michaels Power, riding him almost daily, which is one of the positives for her to come out of these uncertain times.

When racing was shut down, the farm was quite busy housing numerous racehorses in the area. One of those included 2018 Jugette winner Alexas Power, Michaels Power’s niece. The now five-year-old daughter of Somebeachsomewhere is the fourth foal from Michaels’ full sister Michelles Power.

Michaels Power’s swiftness on the racetrack has not transitioned into his riding career though. “When you’re riding him you’d never know he’d been a racehorse, he doesn’t want to go fast. The first year I never took him faster than trot, this year I took him out in the front field and got him to canter and then he started to pace, he could go fast if he wanted to, he just usually doesn’t want to.

“I can’t praise him enough. He’s never done anything stupid or tried to buck, he’s very smart. I fell off him once and he just stood there and looked at me like: ‘are you all right?’ He’s such a good horse,” praised Kailey.

Michaels Power is yet another Standardbred who has transitioned into a second career almost seamlessly. And he also proves that regardless of success on the racetrack - the upper echelon as he was, or unraced as many are - they can still enjoy long and productive careers in another discipline.

Photo Credits: Jug photo (Conrad photo) Remaining supplied by Kailey Williams.

Mohawk Protocols For Racing

Tue, 26 May 2020 18:07:21 GMT

Woodbine Entertainment today released its Phase One protocols applicable for all racing operations at Woodbine Mohawk Park, including race nights, qualifiers and training.

All racing participants and staff are required to familiarize with and practice the protocols.

Mohawk opens for training tomorrow, Wednesday, May 27. The first qualifying day is Thursday, May 28. Live racing resumes on Friday, June 5. All live racing, qualifiers and training will be held without spectators.

Woodbine Mohawk Park – Protocols

Applicable to all operations including Race Nights, Qualifiers and Training Mornings - Phase 1

Effective May 27, 2020

We are working hard to keep our racing participants safe and healthy. Please help us all keep racing operations going safely by following the protocols set out in this document. Every essential staff person and racing participant must follow the safest practices on-site and off-site: please try to limit exposure outside of the racetrack, stay 6 feet/2m away from others, recommended to wear a mask outside the home if possible, do not touch your face, and wash hands/sanitize frequently.

The health of our horse people is of paramount importance, but the group that post the greatest risk to continue racing, are the drivers and the Start Car driver and Starter. Please handle these groups with great care and respect and encourage others to do so too. Always wear your mask, keep your hands sanitized, and wear gloves when coming into contact with frequently touched areas such as water taps, crossties and stall door latches.

As per Government guidelines the Woodbine Mohawk Park site will be closed to all spectators. Owners and Media are not permitted at this time. Only essential personnel will be granted access.

General Rules of Paddock Operation

The Paddock shall be disinfected after each racing, qualifying and training day. Sanitizing stations will be placed throughout the paddock. Entry into the paddock shall be limited to essential personnel only. Non-essential personnel will not be granted access to the site.

Every person entering the paddock shall undergo screening and temperature checks at the Security Check Point. This will be the ONLY point of entry for all Woodbine staff, regulatory officials and racing participants.

All communications should be carried out electronically where possible to limit in person contact.

There shall be no loitering in or around the entrance to the paddock, as all COVID-19 protocols on physical distancing shall be adhered to.

The paddock kitchen shall remain closed. All essential personnel must bring their own food and non-alcoholic beverages until further notice. There will be no microwave in the paddock. Racing participants are encouraged to bring their own supply of drinking water during the extreme warm temperatures.

Masks (or face covering nose and mouth) are mandatory at all times for racing participants. It is strongly recommended racing participants also wear gloves when coming into contact with frequently touched areas such as water taps, cross ties and door latches.

Essential Paddock Personnel Includes:

Paddock Judge, Horse Identifier, Saddle Pad Attendant, Parking Lot Attendant, Outrider, two Starting Car Persons, Security, Blacksmith, Veterinarians, TC02 Tech, Test barn Techs, Property Services Labourer, Trainers, Grooms, Drivers, Judges, Official Racetrack Photographer.
Owners are not permitted at this time as per Provincial guidelines for sports without spectators.
Only trainers with an entry will be permitted, unless entering a claim that night.
No one under the age of 16 shall be permitted onsite until further notice.
Only the Paddock Judge & Equipment Inspector will have access to the Paddock Office.
The grandstand will remain closed, other than the Race Office and Bookkeeper.
There are NO food or beverage operations in the Grandstand until further notice.
Grandstand washrooms are closed. Paddock facilities will be cleaned as per protocols.

Hand cleaning and sanitization stations have been added to all key areas.

Race Night Operations:

Post times to be communicated from Race Office. Races will be spaced at 25 minute intervals. All horses must report to the Paddock as per their one hour retention time.

Physical Distancing:

Racing participants are instructed to get in and get out quickly and efficiently.

Horses in the old portion of the paddock shall be placed in every other stall to ensure physical distancing is being practiced. Horses racing out of the new paddock expansion shall be placed in stalls side by side, as these stalls are much wider, and the wall between stalls raises over 8ft high. Handlers of all horses must ensure they are keeping the appropriate distance from the handler of the horse beside them and wear a face mask and gloves at all times.

Horses shall only be allowed to go one warm up trip. Trainers wishing to go two warm trips must go first warm-up at home/training center. There shall be no extra warm up people in the paddock. Trainers must warm up their own horses. Each horse racing shall have a maximum of one handler. Trainers racing multiple horses must have grooms taking care of multiple horses. All horses and their handlers must leave the paddock half an hour following their race, unless the handler is tending to horses in a later race. Horses who have been post race tested may leave the paddock 45 minutes following their race.

The drivers' locker room, lounge and showers shall remain closed at this time.

Drivers are to wear face masks and gloves at all times, except when driving during the race. While waiting between races, drivers should maintain physical distancing protocols. Upon the driver’s last race of the day, he/she should leave the paddock immediately after notifying the Paddock Judge.

Lasix and CPMA Test Barn Procedures:

Lasix shall be administered in the two stalls at the southwest corner of the old paddock. These stalls will be fenced off, so that non-lasix horses do not have access to these stalls. Trainers shall unload their horses at the southwest door, and their horse will be administered its Lasix. Once it receives its Lasix the horse shall be taken back to Barn eight. There shall be no loitering in or at the entrance of Barn eight. All Handlers must either be outside in an open area practicing physical distancing or waiting in their vehicle until it is time for their horse to report to the Paddock.

Post Race testing: Following each race, two horses shall be tested. Blood shall be drawn on all test horses after 30 minutes if the horse is unable to provide a urine sample. A Woodbine security guard shall be stationed outside of the test area to ensure all horses and their handlers are entering and exiting the test area in an appropriate fashion. The security guard will also supply anyone entering the test barn a new mask and gloves.

Physical distancing to be practiced at all times. when entering the test barn with a horse. Attend the opposite side of the horse, from the technician.
Remain vigilant and respectful of the Racing Forensic Technicians at all times.
Hands sanitized on the way in and way out.
Masks and gloves mandatory

Start Car:

Start Car Driver, and Starter will wear medical masks at all times.

The start car shall be sanitized and cleaned daily.

Racing Offices and Bookkeeper Racing Finance:

Race Office staff must ensure physical distancing is practiced. An extreme push shall be made to have trainers make their entries online. No more than one person shall be at the counter at one time. All others must wait outside of office doors with appropriate distance between each person. There shall be Plexi glass or plastic sheet between employees and horse people at counter.

Bookkeeper's Office shall only have one person in addition to the Bookkeeper at any time. All Others must wait outside office doors with appropriate distance between each person. There shall be a Plexi-glass window around desk.

Bookkeeper will only be open for business during LIVE racing hours only.

The protocols above apply to all Qualifying Races.

Training Mornings – Wed. & Sat. 7:00 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Training slots will be limited to 50 horses per two hour block.
Trainers must sign-up in advance online using the online sign-up tool on a first come first serve basis. Contact Dylan Allain, Assistant Race Secretary with any questions dallain@woodbine.com .
All protocols listed in the document are in effect for morning training hours.

(WEG)

OSAS Welcomes Final Answer

Tue, 28 Apr 2020 20:12:18 GMT

OSAS is happy to announce the addition of the handsome trotter Final Answer, also known as Finn, to our program. The now four-year-old son of Yankee Glide earned a total of $16,000 during an abbreviated career with only eight lifetime starts.

Final Answer is the final foal from the SJs Photo daughter Armbro Talk, whose first foal was $440,000 winner Ifhallscouldtalk. His half-sister Letsjusttalkaboutme is the dam of $373,000 winner Haughty and $240,000 winner Aldebaran Eagle.

Final Answer’s second dam is Armbro Hilary. Her first foal was Armbro Marshall who took in just shy of a million dollars for the late great William Wellwood. His third dam is the talented trotter Delmegan, a foundation mare for Armstrong Brothers for many years.

A big, handsome boy, Final Answer will be getting some R&R before starting his new career as a riding horse. OSAS’s foster farms are closed during this shut down, but our horses are still being cared for and trained and look forward to finding forever homes in due course.

OSAS Update

Thu, 16 Apr 2020 14:59:43 GMT

While many work places and business are shut down during this crisis, including horse racing, the care and training of OSAS horses in their foster homes continues. No adoptions will be taking place during the shut down as the farms are all closed to outside visitors until it’s safe to resume.

Any event OSAS was scheduled to participate in during these weeks have been either rescheduled or cancelled.

We hope everyone is staying home and safe during these unusual times. For any of you with an OSAS horse waiting for adoption or a successful graduate, please share photos on our Facebook page as we’re all watching social media more intently these days. Stay safe everyone.

RIP Matti Time

Thu, 16 Apr 2020 14:57:25 GMT

Matti Time, one of the first horses adopted by the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society, recently passed away. He was 33.

The Willow Wiper gelding earned over $72,000 during his racing career which included 222 lifetime starts. A regular at the now defunct Elmira Raceway, Matti Time was trained primarily by two trainers during his long career, Murray Newman and John Newell.

Bred by Dee Ferraro Ltd., of Guelph, Matti Time was taken into OSAS’s care the year it was formed in 1996. He hailed from the immediate family of the great Lime Time.

Laura Barker served as his guardian before he was adopted by Kate Carberry.

Stay Safe Everyone

Tue, 24 Mar 2020 20:33:19 GMT

As everyone strives to adapt to the current situation world wide, we encourage all to do what you can to keep yourself and your loved ones as safe as possible.

OSAS has stopped all inspections, visits and adoptions for the immediate future in keeping with Health Canada’s guidelines and protocols. We are still open and available through social media, email and phone.

Joanne Colville Part Of IWD Celebration

Thu, 05 Mar 2020 23:11:19 GMT

Woodbine Entertainment announced today a special evening to celebrate International Women's Day at Mohawk on Saturday evening. Included among the women being honoured is OSAS's own Joanne Colville.

In addition to working as OSAS's Administrator and Events Co-ordinator, Joanne is also the outrider at Mohawk as well as at other Ontario tracks for special events and operates her own breeding farm.

Joanne will be interviewed prior to the start of the races along with WEG's Jessica Buckley, Natasha Day and Nancy Takter.

The full WEG release regarding the event follows:

Woodbine Entertainment is proud to celebrate International Women’s Day during this Saturday’s card of live racing at Woodbine Mohawk Park.

The Woodbine Racing Live simulcast show will be entirely dedicated to women in harness racing, featuring interviews and selections from prominent females in the sport.

Jessica Buckley, Vice-President of Standardbred and Thoroughbred racing, will welcome viewers when the show goes live at 6:30 p.m.

Host Monique Vág will then be joined by Joanne Colville (Woodbine outrider, Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society), Nancy Takter (Grand Circuit trainer) and Natasha Day (driver).

The show will also include selections from female handicappers and a video tribute to women in harness racing prior to the evening’s first-race. Once the races begin, Chad Rozema will be catching up with female participants for interviews between races.

The evening’s third-race is the $32,000 Mares Preferred Pace and will be the International Women’s Day Race. All female racing participants are invited to the winner’s circle for the post-race presentation.

Woodbine Cares will also be making a presentation to the Halton Women’s Place following the third-race. The presentation will feature a cheque and food donation following a month of fundraising, which was led by Woodbine Mohawk Park’s Lynn Koprowski and Robin MacKay.

Fans can catch the live stream of Woodbine Racing Live by visiting www.WoodbineMohawkPark.com and clicking “Watch Races” in the top-right corner.

Woodbine Racing Live begins at 6:30 p.m. and leads into the evening’s card beginning at 7:10 p.m.

OSAS Horses On The Move

Tue, 03 Mar 2020 17:32:03 GMT

The winter months are traditionally slower for the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society, but not this year it seems. In the last few weeks OSAS has seen three horses being adopted from the program and a pair enter into it.

Recently Adopted

Magic Steel - The grey gelding Magic Steel (aka Milo) had a short stay with OSAS before finding a new home. The son of Cams Magic Trick was recently adopted by Dawn Harper and he’ll join HP Black Shadow who was also recently adopted by the Harper family from OSAS.

Although not destined to be a racehorse, with only four lifetime starts, Magic Steel does hail from top pacing bloodlines. His immediate family includes the great Fan Hanover, the first filly to ever capture the Little Brown Jug and North American Horse of the Year in 1981. Magic Steel’s third dam, Norah Dancer, is a full sister to Fan Hanover.

Elusive Hour – Also known as Bob, Elusive Hour recently left OSAS as he was adopted by Amber Hill and family. A nine-year-old gelding by Royal Mattjesty, Bob earned just over $50,000 during his racing career.

From the Run The Table stakes winner Imoutahere, Bob’s half-sister is the Betterthancheddar four-year-old Better Single who is currently racing at Mohawk and closing in on $300,000 in life earnings.

Flying Solo - The third OSAS graduate this month is Flying Solo. Hannah Thomas has adopted this seven-year-old gelding by Joey Anderson who made 92 starts during his racing career. His dam, the Precious Bunny mare Bete Feroce, died at birth which led to his name.

New To OSAS

Howdy Partner - A 15 year-old son of Hawaiian Cowboy, Howdy Partner is what one would call an iron horse having made an incredible 310 lifetime starts. He retired with a summary of 40-51-43 for $142,000 in earnings.Fittingly he won his very last lifetime start, on the final day he could race, December 31 of 2019, at Western Fair Raceway.

“When I bought him I was just hoping to break even,” his former owner Craig Malott said in a story regarding his career on SC. “He paid his bills every week, every month and he had a home. In my mind he’s done more than that. He’s provided me with a lot of thrills and a lot of great memories. Stuff that I can’t get back.”

Highlandmagictrick – This young daughter of Kadabra is another newcomer to the OSAS ranks. The four-year-old is a half-sister to $183,000 winner Highland Top Hill. She will start her training under saddle shortly and updates will be provided on the OSAS website here .

OSAS would like to thank everyone who contributed to our successful adoptions, the foster families, those who put in the time training our retired Standardbreds and wish those who have welcomed OSAS horses into your care all the best.

OSAS Welcomes Omega Alpha

Mon, 24 Feb 2020 18:34:14 GMT

Omega Alpha® Pharmaceuticals is pleased to be partnering with the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society (OSAS) to provide products for health and rehabilitation to the horses coming into the rehoming program.

“With our long-standing relationship with the Standardbred community this is the perfect opportunity to provide great health products while supporting a wonderful organization that retrains retired Standardbreds into new careers,” noted Patti Hanco, Director of Business Development at Omega Alpha.

“We have been long time supporters of other retirement foundations like Old Friends in Kentucky and LongRun here in Ontario so when I was approached about the partnership it was an easy choice.”

“We are thrilled to have Omega Alpha come on board as sponsors for OSAS,” said Joanne Colville OSAS’s Administrator and Events Coordinator. “This close partnership will assist in providing the best possible care to horses entering our program.”

Omega Alpha Pharmaceuticals was founded in 1992 by Dr. Gordon Chang, Ph.D. and is committed to providing horse owners with all-natural and efficacious products to help maintain health and are known for exceptional science-based natural

health choices including over forty targeted formulas that improve equine health and performance.

Omega Alpha not only helps equestrian athletes be as healthy as possible, they also offer an extensive line of all-natural products for humans and pets. Some of the benefits of Omega Alpha products include improved respiration, digestion, joint health, hormonal balance, immune health, detoxification, muscle rehabilitation, endurance, and performance. To learn more about the company, visit www.OmegaAlpha.com or call 1-800-651-3172.

Hard To Keep A Determined Rider Down

Fri, 21 Feb 2020 15:28:22 GMT

Sarah Cuthbertson adopted the trotter West Grey Bay from the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society several months ago and her progress with him was documented recently in one of OSAS’s success stories featured on our website ( osas.ca ).

An accomplished equestrian who enjoys competing in endurance events, Sarah started out training ‘Westie’ while he was in foster for OSAS and fell in love with him and adopted him herself.

A 12 year-old trotter, who earned $85,000 during his racing career for breeder/trainer Keith Hastie, West Grey Bay is a son of Fiesty G G. He last raced in late 2017 and since has become a much loved riding horse for Sarah.

A few weeks ago Sarah underwent ankle surgery, but she hasn’t let that keep her off her Standie. She’s kept her Facebook viewers abreast of her rehabilitation following surgery which has included grooming her horses and getting up on Westie a couple of days ago using a truck bed to help the mounting process.

Sarah plans to enter West Grey Bay in a pair of 100 mile competitions this season. “It’s pretty optimistic as he has never done a 100 but we can at least train and try,” she explained. “The big goal will be Calaboogie 100 mile ride in September, and if we think he’s ready in time he will also attempt the 100 at Coates Creek in late June.”

If West Grey Bay is as determined as his rider, the distance shouldn’t prove a problem.

Embracing The Winter

Thu, 20 Feb 2020 21:51:48 GMT

This is the time of year many people are complaining about the snow and the cold. Not Fran Brethour and her trotter Reven Up who is one of three horses Fran has adopted from the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society over the years. While she primarily rides these retired harness horses, she also enjoys driving them.

Earlier this week she posted a photo on Facebook of her view from a ‘Reven Up’ driven sleigh. She titled the photo ‘Dashing through the snow in a one horse open sleigh.’

A 13 year-old gelding by Revenue S, Reven Up earned $79,000 during his racing life and seems to be thoroughly enjoying his second career. His stablemate, Nutzz N Boltzz, is another OSAS graduate. Fran adopted the geldings after her first adoptee, April Odds, had to be put down last year at 22.

“She was a super horse,” Fran noted a few months ago. “I’m so elated because these geldings are on their way to being as good as she was.”

OSAS Stallion Auction Concluded

Sat, 15 Feb 2020 22:57:56 GMT

The 2020 Ontario Standardbred Stallion Auction has now concluded. Our heartfelt thanks to everyone who bid on our stallions available and to everyone who donated a breeding.

The winning bidders are as follows:

All Bets Off – Mauricia Miller

Betterthancheddar – Jamie Smith

Big Jim – Stephane Beaudoin

Dali – Jackie Heffernan, Braiden Reibeling, Ada & Ross Hitchins, Kathy Bauman

Il Songo Dream – Michelle Olson, Garret Rooney, Brad Wilson

Jimmy Freight – Kerry Lowes, Brenda Lane, Andrew Bustard

McWicked – Tymal Farms, Mark Nelson, Jean Caddey

Panther Hanover – Kathy Bauman

Royal Mattjesty – Kathy McBride, Kevin Bailey

Sportswriter – Dave Keyes

State Treasurer – David Bain, Tony Zuethoff

Sunshine Beach – Jean Caddey, Garrett Rooney, Tymal Farms

Thinking Out Loud – Mike Boutilier

2020 OSAS Stallion Auction Starts Today

Mon, 10 Feb 2020 13:18:27 GMT

The annual Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society’s Stallion Auction starts today, February 10, at 10 a.m. and will close on Friday, February 14 at 3 p.m.

The confirmed line up of stallions to date (in alpha order) are:

All Bets Off

Betterthancheddar

Big Jim

Dali

Holiday Road

Il Sogno Dream

Jimmy Freight

McWicked

Panther Hanover

Royal Mattjesty

Sportswriter

State Treasurer

Sunshine Beach

Thinking Out Loud

OSAS thanks all of the stallion owners who have generously donated breedings to this annual fundraiser.

To place a bid in the stallion auction, simply email your bid to osasadmin@bellnet.ca . You will receive an email back indicating that you are the current high bidder. Each time a new bid is received you will be notified. The highest bids will be updated on our website at the end of each day. All successful bidders are required to pay a $100 non refundable deposit fee. For any inquiries, please call 905-339-6748.

Click here for daily updates.

New Home For Elena

Tue, 04 Feb 2020 18:40:27 GMT

Four years ago the Standardbred world was captivated by the story of Junior (Fleetwood) and Elena (Peristera) who were joined in infancy when Junior’s dam died after giving birth and he was adopted by Elena’s mother. The pair were both born at OSAS administrator Joanne Colville’s High Stakes farm.

The story continued recently when the now four-year-old trotters started competing against each other on a regular basis at Mohawk Park. Sadly that has come to an end as Peristera has been sold by her former trainer Jared Bothwell to the Hold The Line Stable and Up Anchor Stable of Pennsylvania.

The daughter of E L Titan – Emprize Hanover is now being trained by former Ontario regular Tim Twaddle and is scheduled to race tomorrow afternoon at The Meadows. She has drawn the rail in race 11 with top driver Dave Palone scheduled to steer. It will mark her 21st lifetime start and first outside of Ontario.

Best wishes to Elena and her new connections.

A Marked Player Adopted

Wed, 22 Jan 2020 19:12:04 GMT

A Marked Player’s time with the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society was short but successful as she has found her forever home after just a few months in the program. “Marlie” as she’s known, has been adopted by Monica Koehler and her family.

A four-year-old daughter of Shadow Play, A Marked Player had 11 lifetime starts as a racehorse with her final start in early October at Flamboro. A Marked Player is a half-sister to On The Minute Mark who races at Woodbine on Friday night.

Everyone at OSAS wishes Marlie much happiness in her new home. All horses available through OSAS may be viewed on our OSAS Horses page.

Coomber Is Top Cowboy

Tue, 21 Jan 2020 23:44:06 GMT

The Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society today presented Tracy Coomber with the award for top point earner with a Standardbred Horse in the Extreme Cowboy events for 2019. Held at a number of locations across the province last year, the series challenges both horse and rider to maneuver through a number of trail and farm based obstacles while demonstrating both horsemanship and speed.

Tracy and her talented horse Hugo were the 2019 OXC High Point Standardbred team. OSAS sponsors the prize, a lovely belt buckle as well as a jacket, for this category. Tracy and the 18 year-old gelding also took part in several of OSAS’s trail rides last year which exposed retired Standardbreds under saddle to many avid riders.

OSAS encourages owners of Standardbreds to join us on events throughout the year to showcase the versatility of the breed. Upcoming events can be found on our website and Facebook page.

2020 OSAS Stallion Auction

Mon, 13 Jan 2020 16:10:15 GMT

The annual Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society’s Stallion Auction will get underway on Monday, February 10 at 10 a.m. and close on Friday, February 14 at 3 p.m.

The confirmed line up of stallions to date (in alpha order) are:

All Bets Off
Betterthancheddar
Big Jim
Dali
Holiday Road
Il Sogno Dream
Jimmy Freight
Lookslikeachpndale
McWicked
Panther Hanover
Prestidigitator
Royal Mattjesty
Sportswriter
State Treasurer
Sunshine Beach
Thinking Out Loud
Wheeling N Dealin

OSAS is so appreciative of all of the stallion owners who have generously donated stallion services to this annual fundraiser. Anyone interested in donating a breeding please email Joanne Colville at osasadmin@bellnet.ca or call 905-339-6748.

To place a bid in the stallion auction, simply email your bid to osasadmin@bellnet.ca . You will receive an email back indicating that you are the current high bidder. Each time a new bid is received you will be notified. The highest bids will be updated on our website regularly.All successful bidders are required to pay a $100 non refundable deposit fee.

Resend If Necessary

Sat, 11 Jan 2020 19:05:41 GMT

As most of you are aware we have completely transformed and updated our website, forms, social media platforms and logo over the past several months.

As with anything new, we’ve encountered a couple of glitches along the way. If you have completed and submitted a form to OSAS and not received a prompt response, we encourage you to either resubmit (now that the forms have been updated) and or reach out to osasadmin@bellnet.ca . We apologize for any inconvenience.

Another Way To Support OSAS

Fri, 10 Jan 2020 20:29:20 GMT

Danielle St Louis recently approached OSAS inquiring how her stable could support OSAS’s initiatives. It was decided that St Louis Stables could be an official sponsor of one of our companion horses, Romanceinthecards.

This daughter of Cams Card Shark’s days as a performance horse are past given her age (18) and she would simply be suitable as a companion horse which she currently is now at OSAS. The St. Louis stable’s generous sponsorship will pay for her upkeep for the foreseeable future.

Sponsoring an OSAS horse is yet another way the organization and its equine inhabitants may be supported and we acknowledge and appreciate the St Louis generous and innovative sponsorship.

Peristera & Fleetwood Face Off Once More

Fri, 03 Jan 2020 18:52:25 GMT

More than three and a half years ago the heart warming story of the Standardbred broodmare Emprize Hanover adopting an orphan colt despite having a newborn filly at her side was embraced across the globe.

It happened at Joanne Colville’s High Stakes Farm in March of 2016. Emprize had foaled a filly, nicknamed Elena, on March 4. Eleven days later her pasture buddy Noble Flirt delivered a colt. Unfortunately the young mare died during delivery leaving the youngster on his own.

“As soon as it happened we were able to get milk from Emprize for him as she was the only mare at that time with a foal. We got a couple of bottles into him and I’m thinking ‘what are we going to do? This is a nightmare,’” recalled Joanne who also serves as administrator and events co-ordinator for OSAS.

“Then the foal started to call and Emprize Hanover called back to him. So my ingenious daughter (Emma Christoforou) comes up with the idea of putting him in with Emprize and her foal.The mare sniffed him and licked him so they gently lowered him on the cooler into the straw.”

And so a new family was created. Emprize lovingly welcomed her new ‘son’ and the unusual family soon became social media famous with their story shared and posted thousands of times across the world. Eventually author Victoria Howard wrote a book about Junior and Elena.

The hype surrounding the pair subsided after they were weaned and they began their training in hopes of becoming racehorses under the watchful eye of their breeder Charalambos Christoforou (Emma’s grandfather) who still owns and trains Junior, now known as Fleetwood.

In the middle of last year Christoforou sold Elena, christened Peristera, to trainer Jared Bothwell and his partner Stephen Durand. She has more experience thus far with 17 lifetime starters under her harness (including her first lifetime win on December 19 at Mohawk). Fleetwood’s career is just nicely started with six official starts to date. His debut win came on December 12, also at Mohawk.

What has thrust the pair into the spotlight once more is the fact that they’ve been racing against each other over the past few weeks and that trend will continue this Monday evening at the Campbellville racetrack as both have drawn into the third race, an $18,000 conditioned trot.

Fleetwood has drawn post one with Christoforou’s son Chris at the lines while Peristera will depart from post nine with regular pilot Jody Jamieson scheduled to steer. Scheduled post tine is 7:50 p.m.

OSAS In Santa Claus Parade

Sun, 15 Dec 2019 14:59:16 GMT

WEG President Jessica Buckley will be riding OSAS ambassador Ruff Me Up in this Sunday’s Santa Claus parade in Campbellville for the second straight year.

Former top pacer Reverend Hanover, who joined OSAS earlier this year and has proven to be a very quick learner, will be driven in the parade. In his few months with OSAS, the seven-year-old gelding has performed a myriad of duties including outriding on Breeders Crown night at Mohawk in October.

Ruff Me Up, a striking grey gelding, and the Reverend, who earned in excess of $550,000 in his career, were Meet And Greet horses at Mohawk many times over the past few months.

The parade gets underway at 1:30 p.m. and starts at Reid Sideroad an Crawford Crescent and ends at the Campbellville Lions Hall.

Share The Story This Holiday Season

Wed, 04 Dec 2019 16:47:32 GMT

The heart warming story of the broodmare Emprize Hanover, who adopted an orphan colt and raised it along with her own filly in the spring of 2016, was one of the most read and watched ever in harness racing history.

Now, more than three years later, the story continues. Not only are the pair racing at the same track on the same night, they’re in the same race for the second week in a row.

Fleetwood, the colt (now gelding) whose mother, Noble Flirt, passed away immediately after his birth, has post seven in the first race on the card. Chris Christoforou Sr., who bred both trotters, still owns Fleetwood and also trains. His son, Chris, will handle the driving duties as usual.

Peristera, Emprize Hanover’s filly by E L Titan, will leave from post nine with Jody Jamieson at the controls for trainer Jared Bothwell who co-owns with Stephen Durand. Last week the pair finished close together in fourth (Fleetwood) and fifth.

Joanne Colville, the administrator and events co-ordinator at the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society and WEG’s outrider, has a special bond with the pair as they were foaled at her High Stakes Farm. It was Joanne’s daughter Emma who had the idea of putting the orphan in the stall with Emprize and her foal.

It was Emprize Hanover’s acceptance of the colt as her own, and raising and nursing him along with her filly, that led to such an outpouring of compassion. The trio were featured in a video which ran on TSN during the 2016 North America Cup and may be viewed through this link: FEATURE | Emprize Hanover

Victoria Howard, a noted author, was one of many in the industry captivated by the story, which led to her writing a story entitled Junior and Elena, A (Horse) Love Story. Junior and Elena were the stable names given to the pair shortly after birth.

Volunteers from OSAS will be at Mohawk on Thursday evening selling copies of the book which would make a wonderful stocking stuffer this Christmas. Anyone wishing to purchase a copy but can’t make it to the track, simply email Joanne at osasadmin@bellnet.ca .

Classy Trotters Join OSAS

Thu, 28 Nov 2019 23:58:17 GMT

Millionaire trotter Y Chance It and his long time paddock buddy Railroad Ron have joined the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society family.

Now 20, Y Chance It raced from ages two through nine banking $1,081364 in total. The talented trotter was trained throughout his career by Ron O’Neill who shared ownership of the gelded son of Yentls Image with Paul Larrabee and Lynda Franklin. Randy Fritz and Paul MacDonell were his two main drivers.

"He was just kind of a natural right from the word go," said O’Neill when announcing Y Chance It’s retirement. "He did better than what we ever dreamed of. He was only a $5,000 purchase. He turned into quite a nice horse."

O’Neill has worked alongside the Wellwood family for many years starting with patriarch, the late Hall of Famer William Wellwood and subsequently his daughter Paula Wellwood who was racing Railroad Ron during the same time period as Y Chance It.

Now 17, Railroad Ron earned in excess of a quarter of a million dollars in purses during his on track career. The son of Donerail last raced in July of 2008 while Y Chance It made his final career start the month before. The pair were retired together and had spent more than a decade enjoying their life of leisure.

Earlier this year the owners of the farm where the trotters were living became unable to keep them and there was a concern that they might be separated.

“We were asked if there was a possibility we could take them so they could stay together. They are great friends, they’ve been together for years,” explained OSAS’s Joanne Colville.

“The late Dr. Ted Clarke was a wonderful supporter of OSAS and fostered many of our older, companion-only horses. We are so fortunate that his family has continued to care for those horses and now Y Chance It and Railroad Ron have joined that group.”

Progress Final Next For Captain Crunch

Tue, 26 Nov 2019 21:28:38 GMT

Tomorrow evening finds OSAS’s partner Captain Crunch taking on seven other rivals in the $335,000 Hap Hansen Progress Pace final at Dover Downs. The three-year-old son of Captaintreacherous has drawn post eight with Yannick Gingras scheduled to steer.

Trained by Nancy Takter, Captain Crunch will be making his 16thstart of the 2019 season. To date his summary reads 6-2-3 for just over a million dollars in purses won. He’s at $1.6 million (Canadian) in his career. The talented colt is owned by 3 Brothers Stable, Christina Takter, Rojan Stables and Caviart Farms.

In last week’s elimination Captain Crunch paced the fastest mile in Dover Downs’ history of 1:47.3. The field for the final will go to post as follows from the rail out: Semi Tough, Pyro, De Los Cielos Deo, U S Captain, Shake That House, Dancin Lou, American Mercury and Captain Crunch.

Captain Crunch was paired with OSAS for the 2019 Breeders Crown Charity Challenge which concluded last month. His outstanding efforts on the racetrack contributed to a sizeable donation when OSAS was awarded the first place prize.

(Fotowon photo)

Let’s Support Braiden Riebeling

website@sitemodify.com (Website Editor) — Sun, 24 Nov 2019 20:03:59 GMT

OSAS would like to join the industry participants in supporting young horseman Braiden Riebeling who suffered terrible injuries in a car accident this weekend.

A Go Fund me page has been created to help Braiden described in the post as: “a hard working, respectful, kind young man and a true horsemen in every sense of the word. He spends his days at the barn working along side his father Kyle and nights at the various race tracks racing for his family and warming up for many trainers as well.”

Braiden has certainly helped OSAS in the past as well as several of our volunteers. According to reports both of his legs and an arm were broken in the accident so it will be awhile before he can return to work. Whatever folks can do to help him during this time would be greatly appreciated. The Go Fund me link is here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/eb5mgj?utm_source=customer&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_campaign=m_pd+share-sheet&fbclid=IwAR0724-8ql3ro2dkLFeXGvu6ckUoy8LpoHrOIRcPl83WnC1cxqAoCqp4ov8

HP Black Shadow Adopted

website@sitemodify.com (Website Editor) — Tue, 19 Nov 2019 14:52:42 GMT

November 19, 2019 - The Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society would like to congratulate the Harper family who have recently adopted HP Black Shadow.

The seven-year-old gelding by Shadow Play earned $88,000 during his racing career and earned a life mark of 153.3 at Kawartha Downs as a five-year-old. A half-brother to $408,000 winner HP Sissy, HP Black Shadow has been retired for close to two years.

$282,996 Raised In BC Charity Challenge

website@sitemodify.com (Website Editor) — Thu, 31 Oct 2019 14:54:31 GMT

The inaugural Breeders Crown Charity Challenge came to a close this past Friday with the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society taking home $109,484 as part of a Woodbine Cares record one-time donation of $282,996 in donations to five local charities.

“We are so humbled by the contributions and donations made by so many people throughout the Standardbred racing community in the US and Canada,” said Jessica Buckley, President, Woodbine Mohawk Park. “This all started as a great idea by Marvin Katz and it far surpassed all of our expectations. It truly is a reflection of the great people in our industry and the power of working together. These donations will positively impact many lives.”

The Breeders Crown Charity Challenge launched in June and featured four teams consisting of a celebrity, a charity of their choosing, and an award-winning three-year-old Standardbred. Each charity is received one per cent of their horse’s earnings from June 1 through October 26.

Along with the horses' earnings, a breeding auction was held in Lexington, Kentucky in early-October to raise funds for the challenge. Exceeding expectations, more than $200,000 in funds was raised through the auction, allowing Woodbine Cares to make larger donations to each charity.

Each team competed to garner the most votes in a Facebook poll, which closed on October 24, with the winning team receiving the largest portion of the funds raised for their charity.

A special presentation was held during Friday’s Breeders Crown card to recognize the charities and unveil their donation amounts. Marvin Katz, a presenting sponsor for the Breeders Crown, came up with the idea for the Charity Challenge and joined in presenting cheques to each charity.

In recognition of Katz, Woodbine Cares Foundation donated $50,000 to the Peter Munk Cardiac Centre in the presenting sponsor's name.

The Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society, celebrity Dan Plesac (former MLB pitcher) and their horse Captain Crunch received the most votes to win the Charity Challenge and earn $109,484 ($100,000 + earnings).

Kim MacDonald (Weather Network personality) and her horse Woodside Charm finished second in the voting to earn $80,000 for the Breast Cancer Society of Canada.

The other two charities in the challenge received a last-minute boost to their earnings courtesy of Breeders Crown victories by their horses.

Michael ‘Pinball’ Clemons (Toronto Argonauts General Manager and former CFL player) teamed up with Warrawee Ubeaut to earn $33,831 ($25,000 + earnings) for the Pinball Clemons Foundation, while Eddie Olczyk (former NHL player) and Gimpanzee collected $9,681 (earnings) for the Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation.

A total of $282,996 was donated to five local charities through the Breeders Crown Charity Challenge and this could not have been accomplished without the support and generosity of the following individuals and groups.

Captaintreacherous

The Captaintreacherous Syndicate, Dr. Bridgette Jablonsky, Hanover Shoe Farms

Always B Miki, Father Patrick and Sweet Lou

Adam Bowden, Diamond Creek Farms

Muscle Hill

Michael Klau, Southwind Farms

Chapter Seven

Tom Grossman, Blue Chip Farms

Tactical Landing

Kevin Greenfield, Southwind Farms

Gimpanzee

Courant Inc, SRF Stable, Marcus Melander

Warrawee Ubeaut

Burke Racing Stable, Phillip Collura, J & T Silva-Purnel & Libby, Weaver Bruscemi

Captain Crunch

3 Brothers Stables, Christina Takter, Rojan Stables, Caviart Farms, Nancy Johansson

Woodside Charm

Verlin Yoder

PHOTO: Marvin & Lynn Katz present a cheque to OSAS's Joanne Colville during a special ceremony on Friday evening at Woodbine Mohawk Park. (New Image Media)

(Source: WEG)

An OSAS/Plesac/Captain Crunch Victory

website@sitemodify.com (Website Editor) — Sat, 26 Oct 2019 11:20:00 GMT

Thanks to the unbelievable support for OSAS and Team Dan Plesac and Captain Crunch, the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society tonight was named the winner of the 2019 Breeders Crown Charity Challenge.

The announcement was made in the winner’s circle at Mohawk Racetrack. Accepting the honour, and the cheque for $108,000 on OSAS’s behalf, was the organization’s administrator and events co-ordinator Joanne Colville.

“We can’t thank Dan Plesac enough for selecting OSAS as his charity in this challenge. We are honoured and humbled to be the only equine charity involved and these funds will go a long way to helping and homing many Standardbreds.

“I also want to acknowledge all of the people who voted for OSAS regularly. From the moment the contest was announced back in June our supporters were voting on a daily basis. I also want to sincerely thank my mother (Gerry De Bresser-Colville) who has encouraged voters every single day for the past four months. Her daily reminders made a huge difference.”

OSAS is very thankful to Al Libfeld and Marvin Katz who facilitated this initiative and to everyone at WEG who worked so hard to ensure it was contested professionally. We also would like to thank our equine partner Captain Crunch, his trainer Nancy Johansson and his owners for their constant support throughout this process.

The other charities, their celebrity and horse partner, in order of finish were:

Kim MacDonald – Woodside Charm – Breast Cancer Society of Canada

Michael ‘Pinball’ Clemons – Warrawee Ubeaut – Pinball Clemons Foundation

Eddie Olczyk – Gimpanzee – Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation

The Captain In The Crown Saturday

website@sitemodify.com (Website Editor) — Fri, 25 Oct 2019 17:31:55 GMT

Tomorrow night at Mohawk Racetrack, OSAS’s partner Captain Crunch will take on nine formidable foes in the $786,000 Breeders Crown final for three-year-old pacing colts.

The draw gods looked kindly on the Captain and bestowed him post two in the event which will go postward as race eight on the star packed card. Yannick Gingras will be in the driver’s seat behind the son of Captaintreacherous for the first time in a race.

Trained by Nancy Johansson for owners 3 Brothers Stables, Christina Takter, Rojan Stables and Caviart Farms, Captain Crunch is looking for his sixth win of his sophomore season. To date this year his summary is 5-2-2 in 12 starts for $911,447.

Captain Crunch was paired with OSAS and former major league pitcher Dan Plesac in the Breeders Crown Charity Challenge which saw four celebrities teamed with a racehorse and a charity. OSAS was very fortunate to have been selected by Dan as the charity of his choice. Voting, which began in June, ended last night and the winner of the contest will be announced after the fifth race this evening at Mohawk.

Tonight’s card features the Breeders Crown finals for two-year-olds while Saturday’s program has the three-year-olds and open finals in the spotlight. Post time both nights is 7 p.m.

One Last Day To Vote For OSAS

website@sitemodify.com (Website Editor) — Thu, 24 Oct 2019 16:08:42 GMT

Voting closes at midnight today for the Breeders Crown Charity Challenge so please support OSAS one last time and vote for Team Plesac/Captain Crunch/OSAS through this link: https://poll.app.do/bccharitychallenge/lawU_2sH

Thanks to the overwhelming generosity of donors who raised significantly more money than anticipated through the recent breedings sales at the Fasig-Tipton Sales, Woodbine Entertainment and its donors are proud to deliver larger donation amounts to the Breeders Crown Charity Challenge participants and their charities.

Presented by Woodbine Entertainment and Libfeld-Katz Breeding Partnership, the Breeders Crown Charity Challenge donation total now stands at more than $200,000, making it the largest single amount donated by Woodbine Cares.

The funds raised will be distributed as follows:

First Place Team – 1% of their earnings + $100,000

Second Place Team – 1% of their earnings + $75,000

Third Place Team – 1% of their earnings + $25,000

Fourth Place Team – 1% of their earnings (minimum of $5,000)

The Breeders Crown Charity Challenge features four teams consisting of a celebrity, a charity of their choosing, and an award-winning three-year-old Standardbred. Each charity is receiving one per cent of their horse’s earnings from June 1 through Oct. 26.

The challenge portion of the initiative features the teams competing to garner the most votes in a Facebook poll. The poll will close at 11:59 p.m. on Oct. 24, and the team with the most votes will receive the largest portion of the funds raised in Wednesday’s breeding auction. Votes can be submitted by visiting www.BCCharityChallenge.com.

The four teams for the Charity Challenge are listed below:

Michael ‘Pinball’ Clemons – Warrawee Ubeaut – Pinball Clemons Foundation

Kim MacDonald – Woodside Charm – Breast Cancer Society of Canada

Eddie Olczyk – Gimpanzee – Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation

Dan Pleasac – Captain Crunch – Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society

The Breeders Crown Charity Challenge would not be possible without the support and generosity of the following individuals and groups:

Captaintreacherous

The Captaintreacherous Syndicate, Dr. Bridgette Jablonsky, Hanover Shoe Farms

Always B Miki, Father Patrick and Sweet Lou

Adam Bowden, Diamond Creek Farms

Muscle Hill

Michael Klau, Southwind Farms

Chapter Seven

Tom Grossman, Blue Chip Farms

Tactical Landing

Kevin Greenfield, Southwind Farms

Gimpanzee

Courant Inc, SRF Stable, Marcus Melander

Warrawee Ubeaut

Burke Racing Stable, Phillip Collura, J & T Silva-Purnel & Libby, Weaver Bruscemi

Captain Crunch

3 Brothers Stables, Christina Takter, Rojan Stables, Caviart Farms, Nancy Johansson

Woodside Charm

Verlin Yoder

Charity Challenge In Homestretch

website@sitemodify.com (Website Editor) — Tue, 22 Oct 2019 16:00:14 GMT

The Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society would like to sincerely thank everyone who has supported them throughout the Breeders Crown Charity Challenge which began in June and will conclude in a few days to coincide with the Breeders Crown finals at Mohawk this weekend.

There are four charities vying for the top prize. Each has been teamed with a celebrity along with a racehorse. OSAS, the only equine charity in the mix, is honoured to have been chosen by former major league pitcher Dan Plesac and teamed with the very talented three-year-old pacing colt Captain Crunch.

“(OSAS) was an easy choice for me,” Plesac said recently. “Having owned many hoses that have raced on the Ontario circuit, these beautiful animals give it their all and they deserve a good home when their racing and training days are over.”

Winning this challenge would be a huge accomplishment for OSAS and assist greatly in the care and placement of our horses. OSAS supporters have been voting on a regular basis and we appreciate any and all votes. We’re in the homestretch and can see the finish line in this challenge and encourage everyone to vote through this link:

https://poll.app.do/bccharitychallenge/WmltYn7W

Post Two For The Captain In Crown Elim

website@sitemodify.com (Website Editor) — Wed, 16 Oct 2019 15:28:27 GMT

October 16, 2019 - Captain Crunch, OSAS’s partner in the Breeders Crown Charity Challenge, has drawn post two in the first of two Breeders Crown eliminations for three-year-old pacing colts on Saturday night at Mohawk.

Slated as the 10thrace, Captain Crunch will face off against (in post position order): Century Farroh, Dancin Lou, Air Force Hanover, Fixed Idea, Semi Tough, Stag Party and Best In Show. The other elimination for the glamour boys goes in the very next race and features: Bettors Wish, De Los Cielos Deo, Southwind Ozzi, Bronx Seelster, Covered Bridge, Blood Money and Cant Beach That.

The top five finishers from the eliminations will return for the rich final the following weekend. This is the third trip to Ontario this year for Captain Crunch. In June he won the $1 million North America Cup after finishing fifth in the elimination. In late August he returned for the Simcoe where he was a close third.

Trained by Nancy Johansson and driven by Scott Zeron, the son of Captaintreacherous has earned $907,547 (Cdn) to date this year from 11 starts. He is teamed with OSAS and former major league pitcher Dan Plesac in the Breeders Crown Charity Challenge which concludes on the final Breeders Crown night on October 26.

Folks can support OSAS by voting daily through the link below.

https://poll.app.do/bccharitychallenge/lfAZmCD4

Close Second For Captain Crunch

website@sitemodify.com (Website Editor) — Mon, 07 Oct 2019 14:30:32 GMT

Captain Crunch, OSAS’s partner in the Breeders Crown Charity Challenge, turned in another stellar performance yesterday in the $270,000 Tattersalls Pace at The Red Mile.

With Scott Zeron at the controls as usual the Captain carved out early fractions of :26.3 and :55 before being covered by Bettors Wish who hit the third panel in 1:21.3. Captain Crunch, shuffled back to fourth momentarily, came on strong in the stretch and just missed catching Bettors Wish at the wire reached in 1:48.4. He was officially second by a neck.

Trained by Nancy Johansson for owners 3 Brothers Stables, Christina Takter and Rojan Stables, the three-year-old son of Captaintrecherous is 5-2-1 in 11 starts this year for $907,547 in earnings. He is teamed with former major league pitcher Dan Plesac and OSAS in the charity challenge which concludes at the end of the month during Breeders Crown weekend at Mohawk.

OSAS is honoured to be the only equine charity represented. Votes may be cast daily by clicking this link: https://poll.app.do/bccharitychallenge/fnkZEhX2

Praise For The Reverend

website@sitemodify.com (Website Editor) — Sun, 06 Oct 2019 18:33:33 GMT

Reverend Hanover, who earned more than half a million dollars during his impressive racing career, is going from strength to strength since joining the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society less than a month ago.

The now seven-year-old gelding by Sportswriter, who last raced in 2017, has taken on a variety of roles recently and has quickly become one of OSAS’s most popular ambassadors.

Last night at Mohawk featured the annual Ontario Sires Stakes Grassroots finals and it seemed appropriate that Reverend Hanover, one of the OSS’s top performers (winning over $400,000 in the provincial program alone) was featured as part of the OSAS regular Meet & Greet program and Drive With Us.

The Reverend was on hand at the OSAS booth to welcome fans to the track and have his photo taken with the happy race goers and then he was harnessed and put on the track as part of the popular Drive With Us program which gives lucky patrons the opportunity to ride behind a Standardbred. It was his Drive With Us debut.

“I’ve been jogging him to get him ready for this but I was still a bit apprehensive given it would be his first time at the track, under the lights, hooked up but not racing,” noted OSAS’s Joanne Colville. “He was a gentleman through and through. He certainly remembered and was fresh but mannerly and all class.”

Last weekend Reverend Hanover participated in his first trail ride as Joanne rode him in theHoof Beat Challenge at the Sunrise Therapeutic Riding Centre in Puslinch, Ontario. He was also extremely well behaved for this first time under saddle surrounded by a large group of riders.

OSAS’s message for many years to encourage people to adopt a Standardbred is the breed’s incredible versatility. Given what he’s learned and adapted to in just a few weeks, Reverend Hanover is a perfect example of that versatility.

Photo 1: Reverend Hanover and Joanne Colville on last week’s trail ride.

Photo 2: Reverend Hanover gets ready for his Drive With Us debut in Mohawk paddock.

The Rev Adjusting To New Role

website@sitemodify.com (Website Editor) — Mon, 30 Sep 2019 17:40:06 GMT

Most Reverends are busiest on the weekends and that has certainly applied to Reverend Hanover since he joined the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society recently.

This past Saturday morning he participated in his first trail ride, the Hoof Beat Challenge at the Sunrise Therapeutic Riding Centre in Puslinch, Ontario. With OSAS’s Joanne Colville in the saddle, he adapted to the new mode of travelling very well. He, along with Calamar (Debi O’Brien-Moran) and Hiltons Hot Stuff (Emma Christoforou) were the Standardbred representatives at the popular event.

Later that evening he was OSAS’s meet and greet horse at Mohawk where he delighted patrons entering the racetrack to watch the Ontario Sires Stakes Grassroots Semi Finals.

Sunday found the $551,000 winner hooked up to a sulky for the first time in a almost two years as he was jogged to prepare for next weekend’s OSS Finals where he’ll be giving OSS contest finalists a ride around the Campbellville oval.

“He’s been an absolute delight since he came to OSAS,” noted Joanne. “He was always a professional on the track and he behaves that way off the track as well.”

OSAS At Hoof Beat Challenge

website@sitemodify.com (Website Editor) — Thu, 26 Sep 2019 16:30:06 GMT

September 26, 2019 - This Saturday the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society will be participating in the annual Hoof Beat Challenge at Sunrise Therapeutic Riding Centre in Puslinch, Ontario.

All funds raised will benefit Sunrise, a nationally accredited therapeutic riding centre in operation for more than 30 years. They provide recreation and therapy programs for people of all ages with special needs.

Reverend Hanover, the former top pacer who joined OSAS last week, will make his trail debut on Saturday. He’ll be guided by the capable Joanne Colville, OSAS’s administrator and events co-ordinator. Also riding for OSAS will be Debi O’Brien-Moran aboard Calamar and Emma Christoforou on Hiltons Hot Stuff.

In addition to the horses, people walking their dogs or just wishing to hike are encouraged to take part. Registration starts at 9 a.m. For more information, or to donate, please visit http://sunrise-therapeutic.ca/hoofbeat/ .

Wine Ride Overflowing With Standardbreds

website@sitemodify.com (Website Editor) — Mon, 23 Sep 2019 16:39:53 GMT

September 23, 2019 - The versatility of the Standardbred horse, including several in the midst of their racing careers, was well on display at yesterday’s Wine Ride at Burning Kiln Winery hosted by NECTRA (the Norfolk Equestrian Competitive Trail Riding Association).

The Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society had a total of 11 riders an horses participating including the following horses still racing: Lets Leavem and Sarah Town, Fitzgibbons and Evelyn Harms; Azucar with Marielle Marre-Enberg aboard, Nifty Trick and Britt Kennedy and Sizzlen Hot Herbie with trainer Natasha Day at the lines. The latter horse has enjoyed a busy summer with victories in both the Walker and Hayter Memorials at Hanover and Clinton Raceways respectively.

The other Standardbreds on the ride were Calamar and Debi O’Brien-Moran, The Painted Pony and Emma Christoforou, Hiltons Hot Stuff with Elizabeth Morand riding, Leonardo Da Lindyand Marie Brooking, Hugo with Tracy Coomber and Grin And Boo It with Mary Mark.

The ride was one of many OSAS has participated in this year in an attempt to expose other riders to the versatility and adaptability of the Standardbred horse.

Ontario-Sired Performers On Fire

Fri, 20 Sep 2019 20:11:05 GMT

September 20, 2019 - One of the more under reported stories this racing season is the incredible success of colts and fillies by Ontario sires.

Forbidden Trade, a son of Ontario stalwart and perennial leading sire Kadabra, captured the most prestigious trotting race on the calendar, the Hambletonian, last month.

The highest earning horse to date this year in North America (according to USTA stats) is Bettors Wish with $1.1 million banked to date. His sire, Bettors Delight, stands at the Ontario branch of Winbak Farms. Bettors Wish was a close second in Canada’s richest harness racing, the North America Cup and is yet to finish worse than second this year with nine wins and four seconds in 13 attempts.

One of the most anticipated weeks of racing is Jug week culminating with the Little Brown Jug which was contested yesterday. The Bettors Delight son Fast N Furious won a division of the first heat and finished a strong second in the final. Another Bettors Delight offspring, Ideation Hanover, was second in the Jug distaff companion event, the Jugette.

The richest performer to date in the OSS this year is the three-year-old pacing colt Century Farroh who has tucked more than $369,000 in OSS loot under his harness this year for trainer Dr. Ian Moore and owners Ratchford Stables of Nova Scotia.

The talented colt has over $600,000 banked this year thanks to wins against open competition in the Simcoe Stakes, Somebeachsomwhere and North America Cup consolation. Farroh is sired by the late, great Mach Three who stood alongside Kadabra at Tara Hills Stud in Port Perry.

Tomorrow night at Mohawk finds a stakes laden card anchored by the richest race for rookie pacing colts in Canada, the $750,000 Metro. Four of the 10 starters are Ontario-sired (see below). Among them is the Bettors Delight colt Tall Dark Stranger who is the only Metro finalist with an unbeaten record coming into the contest.

Owned by Ontario’s Marvin Katz along with partners Crawford Farms Racing, Caviart Farms and Howard Taylor, Tall Dark Stranger has won all five races he’s competed in including two Ontario Sires Stakes Gold events. Bred by James Avritt of Kentucky, the handsome colt sold as a yearling for $350,000 last year. Ontario race fans will recognize his dam, the top mare Precocious Beauty, who was campaigned by Gregg McNair.

Also on tap tomorrow night is the $540,000 Shes A Great Lady finale for rookie pacing fillies with five of the finalists sired by Ontario stallions. What’s also interesting to note is that of the non Ontario-sired starters in the Shes A Great Lady (named in honour of one of the top performers in the OSS more than two decades ago) final, two are by Somebeachsomewhere and two are by his son Captaintreacherous. Somebeach, a son of Mach Three, is of course one of the most talented graduates ever of the OSS program.

On the Metro Side threre are three sons of the Beach and two by Captaintreacherous. The Ontario-sired performers in each final are as follows:

$540,000 Shes A Great Lady Final

Off The Press (Sportswriter)

Saulsbrook Raven (Big Jim)

Alicorn (Bettors Delight)

Peaky Sneaky (Bettors Delight)

Betalady (Bettors Delight)

$750,000 Metro Final

Ys Mathis (Sportswriter)

Tall Dark Stranger (Bettors Delight)

One For Julius (Hes Watching)

Beach Blanket Book (Sportswriter)

OSAS Welcomes Reverend Hanover

Fri, 20 Sep 2019 13:38:08 GMT

September 20, 2019 - The Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society is pleased to welcome Reverend Hanover into our program. One of the most talented Ontario-sired performers in the past few seasons, the son of Sportswriter retired two years ago with more than $550,000 banked.

As a two-year-old, under trainer Casie Coleman’s watch, the Reverend was undefeated in four starts which included two Ontario Sires Stakes Gold events and the OSS Super Final. He was a double Super Final champion having also won the year end contest as a sophomore.

Owned throughout his career by Coleman’s West Win Stable, Steve Calhoun and Anthony Beaton, Reverend Hanover ended his career with a summary of 10-4-2 in 27 trips behind the gate. His life record of 1:48.3s was taken as a three-year-old at Mohawk.

OSAS’s Joanne Colville picked up Reverend Hanover yesterday. “I’m told he’s a nice, quiet horse. We’ll do an assessment and determine how to go forward with him. Given his outstanding career, he would be a great Meet & Greet horse or used for our Drive With Us program. We’re very pleased to welcome him.”

Calling all OSAS Adopters

Thu, 12 Sep 2019 19:17:09 GMT

September 12, 2019 - It is that time of year again - updates, guardian visits, current photos and updated vaccinations. Photos should be clear enough to see and we prefer no blankets and no tack and preferably taken after mid September. Our guardians are making appointments now to see the kids before it gets too cold. Should you have any questions please feel free to contact us. Many thanks and looking forward to the photos and updates.

Pease email your updated photos to osasadmin@bellnet.ca .

Escape The Wind At Mohawk Saturday

Thu, 12 Sep 2019 19:13:51 GMT

September 12, 2019 - Fans flocking to Mohawk on Saturday evening for the stakes laden card will find a familiar face in the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society’s Meet & Greet area.

Superstar pacer Escape The Wind will be on hand to meet the patrons and have his photo taken. Campaigned brilliantly during his racing career by Roger Mayotte, Escape The Wind won $2.1 million during his career which spanned nine years. In total he started 224 times with 62 lifetime victories. The now 19 year-old gelding currently spends his well deserved days of leisure with Bonnie Holland.

Saturday’s star studded card is anchored by the Canadian Trotting Classic, featuring Hambletonian winner and Ontario-sired Forbidden Trade, the Peaceful Way, Elegantimage and William Wellwood Memorial Finals in addition to eliminations for the Metro Pace and the Shes A Great Lady.

Escape The Wind will be located by the main entrance by the OSAS merchandise table. Racing gets underway at 7:30 p.m.

Standardbreds On The Trail

Mon, 09 Sep 2019 18:22:55 GMT

September 9, 2019 - The versatility of harness horses was once again on display this past weekend as several horses and riders took part in a pair of trail rides on Sunday.

Representing the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society at the Wellington-Waterloo Hunter Pace were Marie Brooking aboard Leonardo Da Lindy, Debi O’Brien-Moran on Calamar, Emma Christoforou with The Painted Pony and Sarah Cuthbertson with her OSAS adoptee West Grey Bay.

“There were 135 horses and riders who took part,” noted OSAS’s Joanne Colville. “It was another excellent opportunity for us to showcase how adaptable our Standardbreds truly are.”

Also on Sunday was a trail ride hosted by the Rockwood Trail Riders. Representing Standardbreds at that event were Tracy Coomber and Hugo and Mary Mark with Grin And Boo It.

In addition, Joanne and Emma provided outriding for the harness racing card at Saturday’s Ohsweken Fair which saw a great turnout.

OSAS At Ohsweken & Hunter Pace

Thu, 05 Sep 2019 16:46:58 GMT

September 5, 2019 - OSAS is pleased to be providing the post parade riders and horses for this Saturday’s Ohsweken Fair. This is the third year OSAS will be participating in the popular fair. Leading the post parades will be OSAS’s Joanne Colville and her daughter Emma Christoforou and they’ll be riding OSAS ambassadors Hiltons Hot Stuff and The Painted Pony respectively.

The fair takes place at the Six Nations Fairgrounds, 1738 Fourth Line Road, Ohsweken. For a full list of events at the fair, visit their website here .

There are four races carded for the afternoon program which gets underway at 1 p.m. Race fans will also be able to see one of Canada’s top drivers in action as Jody Jamieson is slated to appear in three of the four races.

The next day a group of riders aboard Standardbreds will take part in the Wellington-Waterloo Hunter Pace for the second time this year.

This is in addition to providing Drive With Us at Grand River Raceway on Friday night and at Mohawk on Saturday evening as well as providing an OSAS ambassador as a Meet and Greet horse at the Campbellville oval.

Cheer On The Captain

Tue, 27 Aug 2019 22:21:45 GMT

August 27, 2019 - Captain Crunch, OSAS’s partner in the Breeders Crown Charity Challenge along with former major leaguer Dan Plesac, will make his next start on Saturday night at Mohawk.

The three-year-old son of Captaintreacherous has drawn post two in the $171,503 Simcoe Stakes carded as race nine on the stakes laden program which also includes the Maple Leaf Trot and Canadian Pacing Derby finals as well as OSS events for rookie pacing colts. CC will face off against, from the rail: Best In Show, Century Farroh, Better Up, Stag Party, Tyga Hanover and Bronx Seelster.

This will be Captain Crunch’s first Canadian appearance since winning the $1 million North America Cup in June. Owned by 3 Brothers Stables, Christina Takter, Rojan Stables and Caviart Farms, Captain Crunch has made seven starts to date this season with five wins under his harness for $777,027 earned in 2019.

His regular pilot, Scott Zeron, will be at the controls for trainer Nancy Johansson. Saturday’s outing will be Captain Crunch’s first start since winning the Cane Pace on Hambo Day, August 3, at the Meadowlands.

OSAS, Plesac and Captain Crunch are paired together in the charity challenge that runs until Breeders Crown weekend in late October. OSAS in the only equine charity of the four in the contest. We are encouraging people to vote daily through the link below.

https://poll.app.do/bccharitychallenge/QDaCTTao

An Enduring Ride For West Grey Bay

Mon, 26 Aug 2019 20:55:30 GMT

August 26, 2019 - Sarah Cuthbertson, a noted equestrian with a decade of endurance riding and training to her credit, had no plans to adopt a Standardbred horse. A charismatic and talented trotter, West Grey Bay, quickly changed her mind.

Sarah has schooled many horses and students including training Standardbreds to compete in the Racing Under Saddle program. Julie Walker, a trainer largely responsible for getting the RUS program established in Ontario, had heard that West Grey Bay – a potential RUS horse – could be finding his way to the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society.

“Julie had always thought he would make a great RUS horse. We put the bug in Joanne's (OSAS’s Joanne Colville) ear that we would like to foster him for me to practice RUS on and train him for a second career,” explains Sarah whose day job is Contracts Administrator with an Executive Aviation Management Company.

In June of last year, not long after West Grey Bay was sent to Karen Briggs to foster and Sarah to train, they took him for rides in the Dufferin Forest. At this point he’d only been under saddle for three weeks and the group encountered a few obstacles and interruptions but he handled them like a pro. A very impressed Sarah wrote the following on Facebook following those rides:

“I’m absolutely stunned how wonderful he is to work with. With less than 10 rides under his belt he’s already riding better than a lot of seasoned endurance horses I know (and his fitness improves every day thanks to his great baseline from racing). His work ethic and brains are a real winning combination. I need to figure out a way I can adopt him for myself instead of sending him on.”

And that’s exactly what she did. While a second career racing under saddle didn’t turn out for West Grey Bay, affectionately known as Westie, he did find a permanent home thanks to his RUS training with Sarah.

“Only a few weeks after breaking Westie, he was so cool on trail we decided to enter him in his first OCTRA (Ontario Competitive Trail Riding Association) event which was 15 miles long,” remembers Sarah.

“Within the first mile we heard screaming from the tree line and three horses came galloping out at us. Despite him being incredibly green, I was able to wrangle the loose horses on him without any issue. I was so impressed with his calm demeanour and his willingness to work. My other horse (TrakehnerxArab) is such a drama queen!

“I was so impressed with Westie I told him right then and there he was staying with me!”

Since then West Grey Bay has competed in several endurance races under Sarah’s expert guidance. In just his second sanctioned event, a total of 40 kilometres, he finished second. Earlier this summer he competed in his first 80 kilometre event and was seventh out of 19 starters.

“Westie has now completed an additional two x 25 mile limited distance rides, coming in a very close second place on his first 25 mile attempt. He has also completed two x 50 mile endurance races, placing sixth and seventh once with me piloting him and once with my friend Ashley aboard. I have several endurance students who just love him as well,” praises Sarah who lives in Schomberg, Ontario. Her horses are stabled nearby in Everett.

Part of what has made the transition to endurance horse so smooth for Westie is his versatility, intelligence and work ethic, but a large part is the training he’s receiving from Sarah who has won many OCTRA competitions and has competed in some of the world's longest and most difficult horse races including the Mongol Derby and Race the Wild Coast.

The Mongol Derby is commonly referred to as the world’s longest and most challenging horse race and is on the bucket list of many endurance riders. Part of Sarah’s equine instruction is training students for such events. This year’s race just ended and one of her students participated and finished a very respectable 12th.

While a race like that may not be in his future, West Grey Bay has quickly developed into a talented endurance competitor, his second successful career after eight years as a solid B Track trotter for trainer/breeder Keith Hastie. The now 11 year old trotter raced a total of 114 times with 15 lifetime victories, eight seconds and 20 thirds for $85,615 banked.

A son of Fiesty GG, West Grey Bay’s dam is the Royal Strength daughter Parkside Princess who won $62,693 during her career which included a couple of Ontario Sires Stakes wins. She was also trained and owned by Hastie.

West Grey Bay’s story is another successful transition for a harness horse into a second career and in this case guided by an owner and trainer whose love and admiration for him is heart warming.

Another Successful OSAS Tourney

Fri, 23 Aug 2019 16:26:02 GMT

August 23, 2019 - The Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society hosted its annual Golf Tournament earlier this week at Wildwinds Golf Links.

We were fortunate with excellent weather and enthusiastic participants and want to sincerely thank everyone who played, sponsored, volunteered and/or donated to the prize table. Our horses appreciate your support.

To see photos from the event, courtesy of Clive Cohen of New Image Media, please click the link below.

WEG Photos - newimagemedia@rogers.com

Breeding Auction Announced

Fri, 23 Aug 2019 16:24:37 GMT

August 23, 2019 - Woodbine Entertainment and Libfeld-Katz Breeding Partnership are pleased to announce a breeding auction for Wednesday, October 4 in Lexington, Kentucky to raise funds for the Breeders Crown Charity Challenge.

The auction will take place prior to the second session of the 2019 Lexington Selected Yearling Sale at the Fasig-Tipton Sales Pavilion and features the opportunity to acquire a 2020 breeding to one of harness racing’s most notable stallions.

A group of prominent owners and breeders have graciously donated the breedings to raise funds for the Breeders Crown Charity Challenge. A single 2020 breeding to the following stallions will be available:

Always B Miki
Captaintreacherous
Chapter Seven
Father Patrick
Muscle Hill
Sweet Lou
Tactical Landing

The Breeders Crown Charity Challenge features four teams consisting of a celebrity, a charity of their choosing and an award winning three-year-old Standardbred. Each charity is receiving one per cent of their horse’s earnings from June 1, 2019 through October 26, 2019.

The challenge portion of this initiative features the teams competing to garner the most votes in a Facebook poll. The poll closes on October 26, 2019 and the team with the most votes will receive a significant donation from the funds raised by the breeding auction.

The funds raised for the Breeders Crown Charity Challenge are expected to exceed $100,000, which will mark the single largest donation by Woodbine Cares .

The four-teams for the Charity Challenge are listed below:

Michael ‘Pinball’ Clemons – Warrawee Ubeaut – Pinball Clemons Foundation
Kim MacDonald – Woodside Charm – Breast Cancer Society of Canada
Eddie Olczyk – Gimpanzee – Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation
Dan Pleasac – Captain Crunch – Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society

Each charity is guaranteed to receive a minimum of $5,000.

Fans can submit one vote per day for the Breeders Crown Charity Challenge by visiting www.BCCharityChallenge.com .

The Breeders Crown Charity Challenge would not be possible without the support and generosity of the following individuals and groups:

Marvin Katz, Libfeld/Katz Breeding Partnership

Blue Chip Farm, Tom Grossman: Chapter Seven

Burke Racing Stable LLC: Warrawee Ubeaut

Hanover Shoe Farm, Dr. Bridgette Jablonsky: Captaintreacherous & The Captaintreacherous Syndicate

Diamond Creek Farm, Adam Bowden: Father Patrick, Always B Miki & Sweet Lou

Southwind Farm, Kevin Greenfield: Tactical Landing

Southwind Farm, Michael Klau: Muscle Hill

Trainer, Verlin Yoder: Woodside Charm

Trainer, Nancy Johansson: Captain Crunch

Trainer, Marcus Melander: Gimpanzee

The 2019 Breeders Crown, presented by Libfeld-Katz Breeding Partnership, will take place Friday, October 25 and Saturday, October 26 at Woodbine Mohawk Park. For more information, visit www.WoodbineMohawkPark.com .

Calamar On The Go

Mon, 19 Aug 2019 20:38:14 GMT

August 19, 2019 - It’s a pretty good bet that 20 year-old Calamar has had more people drive him than just about any Standardbred in this province. Owned by one of OSAS’s most dedicated volunteers, Debi O’Brien Moran, Calamar spends his weekends as the star of OSAS’s Drive With Us program.

On Friday nights throughout the summer he and Deb are at Grand River Raceway where fortunate fans are given the opportunity to enjoy a trip around the racetrack on a two seated cart behind a Standardbred. They provide the same thrills for fans at Mohawk on Saturday evenings.

The past two Sundays Calamar has been in action at The Stable’s Summer School courses at Tomiko Training Centre. Through these courses the popular multiple ownership group offers their students a chance to learn more about harness horses through hands on instruction. Calamar gave them the opportunity to experience first hand what it’s like to drive a racehorse.

Deb also trained Calamar during his racing career where he earned over $34,000. A son of Malabar Man, Calamar hails from one of the foundation Stoner Creek Stud families. Almost two decades ago he sold as a yearling for $60,000 and he’s still as striking today.

OSAS is very thankful for our wonderful volunteers, both equine and human, like Calamar and Deb, who help spread the word about our great Standardbreds.

Still Time To Sign Up For OSAS Tourney

Wed, 14 Aug 2019 14:02:25 GMT

A reminder that the annual Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society’s golf tournament will take place on Wednesday, Auguust 21 at the Wildwinds Golf Links, 8136 Wellington Road 22, Centre Wellington.

To enter a team to compete or to offer sponsorship, please contact Joanne Colville at 905-339-6748 or 905-854-6099 or email osasadmin@bellnet.ca . Folks who aren’t golfers but would like to come for dinner, sponsor a hole or contribute to the prize table should also reach out to Joanne.

Nutzz N Boltzz Represents Standardbreds Well

Sun, 11 Aug 2019 21:50:06 GMT

August 11, 2019 - “The ride had over a hundred horses and riders from all over Ontario to support Breast Cancer. I’m pretty sure I was the only person riding a Standardbred that I could see,” noted Fran Brethour who rode Nutzz N Boltzz in yesterday’s event in the Dufferin Forest near Mansfield.

“It’s their 10thanniversary. I believe they usually raise around $20,000 in donations each year. Even though Nutzz N Boltzz is only four, and only had a couple of rides on him before I got him a few short months ago from OSAS, he acts more like an eight-year-old seasoned horse,” praised Fran who is a strong advocate of Standardbreds as riding horses.

“I’ve put about 50 to 60 rides on him so far. My job has been easy training him to be a saddle horse because of all the hard working trainers and grooms who break, handle and rub on these horses every day. I need to teach them to be soft, supple, bend and be responsive to my seat and legs, that’s about it, all the foundation and hard work is already done.

“It’s partly because this breed’s nature is to be willing, kind, bold and smart but the people spending the six and seven days a week caring, feeding, jogging and training them at an early age is a big part of it. It’s hard to find really well broke, saddle horses nowadays because most people work outside the home and there’s not a lot of extra time for the consistency that young horses need,” reasoned Fran whose husband Fred is a judge with the AGCO following a career as a trainer/driver.

Nutzz N Boltzz is the third horse Fran has adopted from OSAS the first being the Odds Against mare April Odds who she sadly had to put down this past winter at 22.

“She was a super horse. I never would have gotten another horse if she didn’t age; she was special. She earned a lot of respect from naysayers over the years on the trail but she always proved everybody wrong! She would go places most horses wouldn’t go, she was unreal and looked after me while doing it.

“When I went to look at horses again I wasn’t super excited to be honest. I think that’s why I’m so elated because these geldings are on their way to being as good as she was,” explained Fran who in addition to providing Nutzz N Boltzz a great new home, also adopted Reven Up from OSAS recently.

A 12 year-old gelding, Reven Up is a son of Revenue S who Fran reports went for a ride away from home, the Ganaraska Forest, for the third time today and handled it like a champion. “This horse is pure gold,” she said.

OSAS has been making a concerted effort this year to expose the versatility and talents of Standardbreds to riding, competing and show people who haven’t been exposed to them before. An experienced horse woman such as Fran, aboard these graduates, is the best advertising for our horses.

“I’ve been riding horses for 27 years now – everything from hunter jumpers and barrel racers and lots of Standardbreds. Two things I know about these guys is that over the years they have become more refined, beautiful and athletic and when you put their bridles on, it’s business, they don’t look for excuses to get out of work, they show up every time. If trouble happens they seem to look to you for help, they don’t selfishly cash out.

“I ride alone a lot, over thousands of miles the past 13 years on roads, in forests, over ranches and at speed and I don’t think I could fill a hand of fingers of how many times I’ve been really scared or not wanting to ride my horse again. They’re smart, kind, tough, willing and safe – what else can I ask for?”

A quick learner, with yesterday’s ride being the first real ride away from home, Nutzz N Boltzz is a four-year-old gelding by Art Major who last raced late in 2018 from the Walter Whelan stable; he’d previously been raced by Bob Young. He earned a total of $16,137 before being placed with OSAS.

He’s a very well bred horse as his dam is Town Pro Miss a daughter of the great Town Pro. That mare was a standout three decades ago for trainer Stew Firlotte and breeder/owners and business partners Brian Webster and Ray Bednarz. The Big Towner daughter would earn $1.2 million during her illustrious career.

She was named two-year-old pacing filly of the year at the inaugural O’Brien Awards in 1989 and Horse of the Year the following season. She would go on to become a successful broodmare for White Birch Farm with her most successful performer being the $3 million winner Darlins Delight who has since produced $1.1 million winner Darlinonthebeach.

Well bred, well mannered and now very much well loved; Nutzz N Boltzz has certainly found his forever home.

Incredible Industry Day

Fri, 09 Aug 2019 21:16:35 GMT

August 9, 2019 - OSAS was very pleased to be a part of Grand River Raceway’s record setting Industry Day this past Monday. The day saw great action on the racetrack but what is even more impressive, is the handle of $488,696 was an all time Industry Day record, bettering the previous record of $481,239 set three years ago.

It was the 29th edition of the very popular race day anchored by the track’s signature races, the Battle of Waterloo for rookie pacing colts and the Battle of the Belles for their female counterparts.

The former event was captured by Sports Obsession for co-owner Carl Jamieson whose son Jody was at the controls. It was the fifth Battle victory for Carl and fourth for Jody.

The Belles event went to Karma Seelster for the father and son duo of Doug (driver) and Gregg (trainer) McNair. The talented filly is owned by the legendary hall of fame driver Keith Waples, his wife Eileen and daughter Karen Hauver.

OSAS, which provided Drive With Us experiences for the patrons throughout the day, extends congratulations to Grand River GM Jamie Martin and his entire team on such an impressive handle and overall race day experience.

Photo caption: Excited fans wait for a chance to sit behind a racehorse with OSAS's Drive With Us program at Grand River on Industry Day. (Photo Debi O'Brien-Moran)

Congratulations Ian Fleming

Thu, 08 Aug 2019 19:26:29 GMT

August 8, 2019 - OSAS extends warm congratulations to our director Ian Fleming on his induction into the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame last night. Ian joins fellow OSAS director Bill O’Donnell in the hallowed Hall.

Ian has worked tirelessly for the harness racing sport in Ontario and beyond for many decades. He is a racetrack executive, race secretary for many of the province’s racetracks and serves on many committees and boards in racing. He’s been a mentor to countless people in the sport and his opinions are cultivated and respected.

For many years Ian has worked alongside two of OSAS’s other directors, Kelly Spencer and Heather MacKay, who consider themselves fortunate to gain from his insight and knowledge and to be able to call him a valued friend.

There are countless ideas and initiatives that Ian has spearheaded in the sport, but the one that has gained him the most notice is the incredible Industry Day at his home track of Clinton Raceway which brings together the titans of the sport and had raised a great deal of money for worthwhile causes since its inception almost two decades ago. Ian has been an integral cog in many industry fundraisers over the years, generously donating his time and effort for those in the sport requiring assistance.

Ian has never been one to seek recognition, he has always worked hard behind the scenes, however his accomplishments earned him this honour, which he graciously accepted with a heartfelt speech at the induction ceremony. All of us at OSAS are thrilled to see his incredible achievements acknowledged and celebrated.

Hiltons Hot Stuff Impresses At Grand River

Tue, 06 Aug 2019 18:06:03 GMT

August 6, 2019 - Despite the fact that she’d only been ridden three times before, and the last time was more than a year ago, OSAS ambassador Hiltons Hot Stuff (aka Paris) was impressive under saddle at yesterday’s Industry Day at Grand River Raceway.

“She was an absolute professional, just a beautiful mare,” said OSAS’s Joanne Colville who rode Paris and acted as outrider for the special race card alongside her daughter Emma Christoforou who was aboard Sniper.

Paris always draws attention because of her beautiful markings which are very unusual in Standardbreds. One of her admirers yesterday was George Harrison from Wales who co-owns the winner of the signature race of the day, the $239,000 Battle of Waterloo, Sports Obsession along with the colt’s trainer Carl Jamieson.

“He recalled Paris racing in England and knew of her family,” noted Joanne. Paris, now 10, raced in England before being exported to Canada in 2014. An attempt was made to race her and when that proved unsuccessful she became one of three OSAS ambassadors. She’s kept busy promoting the versatility of the Standardbred horse with OSAS’s Meet & Greet program, the Drive With Us and at various shows and racetracks. In fact it was a busy weekend for her as she was also the Meet & Greet horse at Mohawk on Saturday night.

Sports Obsession has another link to the UK other than his owner. The same year that Paris left England, his second dam, the Matts Scooter daughter Musical Tone, was exported to that country by Camden Stud. At the time she was a 100 per cent producer from nine foals with her richest being Big Als Delight ($389,000).

Red & White Flies High On Hambo Day

Sun, 04 Aug 2019 01:57:30 GMT

Although Captain Crunch is owned by the US, he sure has a lot of Canadians cheering him on every time he races. That’s because he’s paired with the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society, along with former major league pitcher Dan Plesac, in the ongoing Breeders Crown Charity Challenge.

OSAS supporters are encouraged to vote every day for Team Plesac and Captain Crunch and the winner will be announced at the end of October when the Breeders Crown races are featured at Mohawk.

Today, in the $285,362 Cane Pace on the undercard of the Hambletonian at the Meadowlands, Captain Crunch received a beautiful two hole trip behind Bettors Wish. With Scott Zeron steering as usual, Captain Crunch watched his arch rival click off splits of :26.2, :54.4 and 1:22. Zeron pulled on the right line as they rolled out of the final turn and Captain Crunch overtook the pacesetter in deep stretch to win in 1:48 flat. Bettors Wish was a tough neck back in second with Semi Tough third.

It was the fifth win in seven starts this year for the three-year-old son of Captaintreacherous owned by the Three Brothers Stables, Christina Takter, Rojan Stables and Caviart Farms. He is trained by Takter’s daughter Nancy Johansson.

In the main event of the day there was more cheering north of the border as top Canadian driver Bob McClure won his first Hambo with a heads up steer behind Forbidden Trade winning over stablemates and favoured Greenshoe and Gimpanzee. Luc Blais trains for Serge Godin’s Determination Stable of Montreal, Quebec.

It was the first Hambo win for Forbidden Trade’s sire, Kadabra, the leading trotting sire in Canada for many years who stands at Tara Hills Stud in Port Perry.

The winner of the O’Brien Award as Canada’s top rookie trotting colt last year, Forbidden Trade is the son of a two time O’Brien Award winner Pure Ivory, a winner of $1.4 million during her stellar career.

OSAS At Saddles & Spirits Gourmet Ride

Tue, 30 Jul 2019 16:47:01 GMT

The Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society was well represented at last Sunday’s Saddles & Spirits Gourmet Ride. A total of eight Standardbreds participated in the event hosted by the Hamilton Hunt Club. The harness horses and their riders who participated included Lets Leavem who is racing at Grand River Raceway tomorrow evening. He was ridden by his owner and RUS rider Sarah Town.

Also participating was Emma Christoforou aboard OSAS ambassador The Painted Pony. Debi O’Brien-Moran rode Calamar who many fans know from OSAS’s Drive With Us program at Grand River and Mohawk Raceways. Tracey Coomber rode Hugo, Mary Mark guided Grin And Boo It, Crystal Vanroekel was on Lone Elm Ernest, Jessica Street rode Cameo Morley and Marina Allan had Clear Xample on the course.

Everyone was very impressed with the event which saw pit stops along the route to sample different ciders and beers and was followed by a lovely gourmet lunch paired with three different wines.

The ride was another opportunity for OSAS to showcase the versatility of Standardbreds to a wide variety of riders unfamiliar with the breed.

Heart Warming Adoption

Fri, 26 Jul 2019 19:51:13 GMT

OSAS is happy to report the recent adoption of Santo Domingo who it seems came into new owner Dyxie Opsitnik’s life at the exact right time.

A 12 year-old gelding by Amigo Hall, Santo Domingo earned just under $300,000 during his racing career which spanned seven years and ended in 2016.

Dyxie wrote on Facebook this week: "I want to thank Marni Reimers and Joanne Colville for helping me find my dream horse. He is everything I’ve ever wanted and needed in a horse.

“I brought this big guy home last Monday and that Thursday I got a very life changing phone call and had to rush to the hospital where I had to make the most difficult decision I have and will ever to make and that was to take my mom off of life support. This horse has been my rock this past week he just stands there while I talk to him and cry.

“We went for a ride yesterday where I again just cried and talked while walking around. This fantastic guy’s name is Santo Domingo and I would not ever change the fact that he came into my life at the time where I needed him the most and he is worth his weight in gold.”

We extend our heartfelt sympathy to Dyxie and are warmed by the comfort and solace her new horse is providing.

Very Successful Hayter Memorial

Mon, 22 Jul 2019 23:29:38 GMT

July 22, 2019 - “The Vic Hayter Memorial is the perfect way to honour our father. Combining his two passions, horses and dogs, and make a day out with family is the perfect way to keep his memory alive. Everyone works so hard to make this day a reality.

“We are grateful to have the opportunity to share this memorial day with the harness racing community and fans. My mother, brothers and I miss him immensely but on that day I feel he’s right there with us and that puts a smile on my face.” So noted Stephanie Hayter-Gaspari following yesterday’s fourth annual Hayter memorial honouring her late father, Vic Hayter, a long time horse owner and strong supporter of animal advocacy.

The warm afternoon at Clinton Raceway saw great deal of action on the track and off. Profits from the day’s auctions, 50/50 draw and raffle went in support of the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society and the Stratford-Perth Humane Society.

The Hayter family very generously gave funds to increase the purses on the race card, including the $15,000 Memorial race, by approximately 10 per cent, and gave all of the day’s caretakers a free lunch.

On track the featured race went to Sizzlen Hot Herbie with trainer Natasha Day at the lines. They wore down pacesetter Sicario and Alfie Carroll to take the top spot in 1:58.2. Sicario held on for second while All Out Henry held for third for Doug Brown. Day leases the five-year-old gelding by Here Comes Herbie who was notching his second win in nine tries this year.

Vic Hayter was a strong supporter of OSAS and we are very grateful to his family for continuing that support.

Honoring Vic Hayter

Fri, 19 Jul 2019 14:45:47 GMT

July 19, 2019 - This Sunday the fourth annual Vic Hayter Memorial will be contested at Clinton Raceway and the entire day will honour the late horse owner and animal advocate who was a staunch supporter of the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society.

Hayter’s family has stepped to the plate to increase the purse of the race to $15,000. The Hayter Memorial is scheduled to go as race 10 on the matinee card with a post time of approximately 4:12 p.m. The field, from the rail out, is: Ionia, All Out Henry, Sizzlen Hot Herbie, Dominum Deo, Lets Leavem, Sicario, AJ Cash and Power And Grace.

Mr. Hayter, who passed away at 77 in early 2016, was a well known hotel operator in the region and horse owner for close to four decades. He and his wife were fixtures at Clinton Raceway for many years.

In addition to raising the purse of the race honouring their patriarch, the Hayter family has also increased the purses of the other races on the card by 10 per cent and are also buying lunch for all of the caretakers at Clinton on Sunday.

There are a number of fundraisers planned for Sunday afternoon including a 50/50 draw, raffle and silent auction. Funds raise go towards OSAS and the Stratford-Perth Humane Society.

Post time at Clinton, as usual, is 1:30 p.m.

OSAS On The Road This Weekend

Mon, 15 Jul 2019 21:08:58 GMT

July 15, 2019 - Representatives from the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society were busy this past weekend at shows and racetracks.

Debi O’Brien-Moran capably oversees our Drive With Us program which was at Grand River Raceway on Friday evening and at Mohawk the following night giving fans the chance to sit behind one of our great harness horses for a trip around the racetrack. In addition, OSAS ambassador, Ruff Me Up, greeted fans at the front door at the Campbellville track.

Also on Saturday night, at the Meadowlands, OSAS’s partner in the Breeders Crown Charity Challenge, Captain Crunch, raced a huge mile in the Meadowlands Pace final and was just caught at the wire after setting the pace. He was fourth, less than a half length from the winner. Please remember to vote daily for Team Plesac, Captain Crunch and OSAS through this link .

Yesterday OSAS’s Sheila Jopling and her horse Mojo competed at the Kubota Trilogy Combined Test Show at Small Victory Farm. As the only Standardbred in the show, he represented our breed well with two seconds and a fifth. In addition, Emma Christoforou showed OSAS ambassador The Painted Pony at the Standardbred Showcase Summer Classic show and had 12 wins, two seconds and a third.

Thanks to Jean Posthuma for all she does for OSAS and the photo of ‘Ruffy’ at Mohawk, and to Debi for the photos from the Drive With Us and Sheila for the Mojo photo. For more Drive With Us photos, please see the Drive With Us Facebook page .

Captain Crunch In Pace Final Saturday

Fri, 12 Jul 2019 21:35:59 GMT

July 12, 2019 - Tomorrow night OSAS’s partner in the Breeders Crown Charity Challenge, Captain Crunch, will compete in the rich Meadowlands Pace final at the Meadowlands Racetrack in New Jersey.

With Scott Zeron in the bike as usual, Captain Crunch will depart from post position one, the same spot he had in last month’s $1 million North America Cup final at Mohawk which he won with authority.

The Breeders Crown Charity Challenge runs until Breeders Crown weekend at Mohawk in late October. Four teams are in contention. Former Major League pitcher Dan Plesac selected OSAS as his charity of choice and we have been partnered with the great Captain Crunch. We are encouraging folks to vote daily in the contest through this link .

Owned by the Three Brothers Stables, Christina Takter, Rojan Stables and Caviart Farms, and trained by Nancy Johansson, the three-year-old is four for five so far this season for $585,000 in earnings.

Captain Crunch’s family has a history in the Meadowlands Pace. His sire, Captaintreacherous, won the 2013 edition convincingly, by more than three lengths. His grandsire, the late, great, Somebeachsomewhere, had an almost flawless season as a sophomore. He won 20 of 21 races. The only race he didn’t win was the Meadowlands Pace in which he finished second by a neck to arch rival Art Official in one of racing’s epic battles.

This year’s Meadowlands Pace is slated as race eight on the Meadowlands’ stakes laden card and should go postward at approximately 9:35.

Flying Solo Added To OSAS

Thu, 11 Jul 2019 14:02:43 GMT

July 11, 2019 - The most recent Standardbred taken in by the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society is the six-year-old gelding Flying Solo. A son of Joey Anderson from the Precious Bunny mare Bete Feroce, Flying Solo made his final lifetime start last weekend at Clinton Raceway.

The six-year-old will be allowed time to adjust to a non racing lifestyle before his training will begin. We will provide regular updates on his page on our website.

New Toll Free Number For Reporting Animal Abuse

Mon, 08 Jul 2019 18:39:01 GMT

July 8, 2019 - The Ontario government has announced new policies to deal with animal protection including a toll free phone number to report abuse. That number is 1-833-926-4625 (1-833-9ANIMAL).

Ontario Provincial Police Inspector Paula Milne has been appointed as the interim chief inspector and has the authority to appoint temporary animal welfare inspectors who have expertise in agriculture, horses, etc.

(Source: Ontario Farmer)

Cheer On The Captain

Fri, 05 Jul 2019 16:27:03 GMT

July 5, 2019 - Captain Crunch, the horse OSAS is paired with in the Breeders Crown Charity Challenge, returns to the racetrack tomorrow night at the Meadowlands in the first of two Meadowlands Pace eliminations. It will mark his first start since winning the $1 million North America Cup last month at Mohawk.

The Captain has drawn the rail in his $50,000 split to determine the starters for the rich final on July 13. Owned by the 3 Brothers Stables, Christina Takter, Rojan Stables and Caviart Farms, Captain Crunch has three wins in four attempts this year for $560,318 in earnings. Last year at two he went 6-1-1 in 10 trips behind the gate for $628,000 banked.

A son of Captiantreacherous, who won the 2013 Meadowlands Pace final, Captain Crunch has been paired with former Major League player Dan Plesac in the Charity Challenge which runs until the end of October. Fans are encouraged to vote every day on WEG’s Facebook page with this link.

OSAS Unveils New Website & Logo

Wed, 26 Jun 2019 19:35:36 GMT

June 26, 2019 - The Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society is pleased to unveil its newly designed and updated website and logo. Working closely with designer Kathryn Patchett of Patchwork Design, the OSAS team has developed a website that is more informative, pleasing to view and much easier to navigate.

The forms to complete to adopt, foster or place a horse with OSAS are now fillable online or easy to download and print. We’ve added additional components to the website such as Frequently Asked Questions, a listing of events OSAS is either hosting or participating in this year, more news stories as well as photos.

OSAS has always had an active presence on Facebook, but have now also added Instagram and Twitter to their social media repertoire. OSAS would like to thank everyone who is voting for Team Plesac and OSAS in the Breeders Crown Charity Challenge which runs until the end of October. You may vote daily using this link .

OSAS Golf Tourney Set For August 21

Mon, 24 Jun 2019 16:03:03 GMT

June 24, 2019 - The Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society’s 22nd annual Golf Tournament will take place on Wednesday, August 21 at Wildwinds Golf Links (8136 Wellington Rd. 22, Centre Wellington, Ont.).

The tourney, which is one of OSAS’s main fundraisers each year, will get underway at 1 p.m. with a shotgun start. The cost is $125 per golfer which includes lunch, golf, dinner and prizes. There are still remaining spots for single golfers or teams.

Those not interested in golfing but who would like to participate by joining us for dinner, sponsoring a hole or contributing to the prize table, should contact Joanne Colville 905-339-6748 or email: osasadmin@bellnet.ca .

OSAS At Father's Day Trail Ride

Mon, 17 Jun 2019 00:00:00 GMT

June 17, 2019 - Several Standardbreds and OSAS representatives were on hand at yesterday's Trail Ride at Snapping Turtle Stable near Cambridge, Ontario. Tracy Coomber was aboard Hugo, Debi O'Brien-Moran rode Calamar, Emma Christoforou was teamed with OSAS ambassador The Painted Pony, Marie Brooking and Leonardo Da Lindy participated along with Mary Mark and Grin And Boo It. OSAS's Joanne Colville also took part in the event.

Many of the participants at the trail ride were having their first exposure to Standardbreds as a riding horse and were very impressed by the OSAS group. This event, hosted by the Wellington-Waterloo Hunt Club, is one of several OSAS is attending this year in an effort to more widely expose the versatility of the breed to those unfamiliar with our wonderful horses.

Standardbreds Impress

Tue, 11 Jun 2019 17:21:34 GMT

June 11, 2019 - Retired Standardbred horses impressed riders from many other disciplines yesterday at the Spring Hunter Pace hosted by the Wellington-Waterloo Hunt Club.

More than 110 riders, aboard a wide variety of breeds of horses, competed in the event which saw two Standardbred competitors finish first and second. Aniela Breen won the event with Pursuit Of Peace (a daughter of Modern Art) while Emma Christoforou, who was riding Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society's ambassador The Painted Pony (a son of Lindy Lane), finished second.

This event is the first of several OSAS is participating in this year in an attempt to introduce the versatility of the Standardbred horse to as many people as possible. The next one is on June 16, a Trail Ride at Snapping Turtle Stable in Cambridge, also hosted by the Wellington-Waterloo Hunt Club.

OSAS On The Go This Summer

Tue, 11 Jun 2019 17:16:54 GMT

June 11, 2019 - The next few months will be busy for the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society as their very popular Drive With Us program will be operating weekly at two Ontario racetracks in addition to a myriad of other activities across the province.

Every Friday night race fans at Grand River Raceway will have the chance to drive one of OSAS's wonderful ambassadors around the racetrack to experience what it's like to ride behind a magnificent harness horse. Every Saturday evening throughout the summer the Drive With Us team will be at Mohawk to give their patrons the same exhilarating experience.

In addition OSAS will also have a meet and greet horse at Mohawk Park every Saturday evening during their summer meet to give fans the chance to see a Standardbred up close, share a few carrots and pets and take a photo.

OSAS will be in London this weekend as part of The Raceway at Western Fair's signature race night, the Camluck Classic on Friday night. Be sure to stop by and check out the merchandise for sale and support the cause, and possibly yourself by purchasing a 50/50 ticket.

In addition June also finds OSAS demonstrating the versatility of Standardbreds at the Hunter Pace on June 2, a Trail Ride at Snapping Turtle Stable on June 16 and a Poker Run in Ayton on June 23.

Busy Weekend For OSAS

Wed, 29 May 2019 16:20:08 GMT

May 29, 2019 - The Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society was active this past weekend as they kicked off the first night of Meet And Greets and Drive With Us at Mohawk Racetrack on Saturday. The following evening OSAS was also well represented at Flamboro Downs for their signature race night, the Confederation Cup.

The OSAS ambassadors at Mohawk on Saturday were Maddies Bunny, a retired broodmare, and Indy, a filly born earlier this year whose dam tragically died after the delivery. The pair were warmly received by the many fans who flocked to meet them and have their photos taken with the pair.

OSAS will be at Mohawk every Saturday evening from now until October

Dr. Ted Clarke Passes

Wed, 29 May 2019 16:15:50 GMT

May 29, 2019 - The Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society joins the entire harness racing industry in mourning the passing of Dr. Ted Clarke. A member of the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame and a very respected administrator in the sport, Dr. Clarke was a great supporter of OSAS since its inception and served as a foster farm for the organization for many years.

A veterinarian, Ted expected to specialize in swine when he graduated, but his focus soon turned to horses. "I evolved into horses, then racetrack affiliations over the course of time and I have to say it's been a remarkable ride. I've enjoyed all the facets of my career," he noted in a wide ranging interview in The Harness Edge at the time of the completion of Grand River Raceway. Dr. Clarke retired from active veterinary practice in 2002 but continued to enjoy being around all animals for the rest of his life.

Ted served as the General Manager at Elmira Raceway, helped establish a successful teletheatre network and was the leader behind the construction of Grand River Raceway. He was inducted into the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame as a builder, due largely to the incredible success of that racetrack. The notably modest Clarke noted at the time: "It is a significant honour and I'm still having trouble deciding whether or not I might be worthy of it." His peers knew he was more than worthy.

His philosophy was summed up as follows in the same interview: "I don't spend a lot of time worrying about things I have no control over. If one selects reasonable people to do reasonable things in a reasonable manner you would expect anything would be thought out pretty thoroughly," he explained. "Almost every bit of controversy or difficulty that you encounter is an opportunity to do something different."

Dr. Clarke served on numerous boards over the years and was a founding director of Ontario Racing, the organization now responsible for horse racing in this province. Ted retired from his role at Grand River in September of 2017.

Ted is survived by his wife Valorie; sister Christine and brother David; daughters Carrie and Amy; and granddaughters Morgan and Riley.

At Ted's request, cremation has taken place and there will be no funeral home visitation or service.

A celebration of life will be held on Wednesday, May 15 from 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm in the Lighthouse Restaurant at Grand River Raceway: 7445 Wellington County Rd. 21, Elora.

Two Hall Of Famers On OSAS Board

Wed, 29 May 2019 16:14:40 GMT

May 29, 2019 - The Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society extends warm congratulations to board member Ian Fleming on his recent induction into the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame. It is a honour well deserved for the race secretary/administrator/marketer who several years ago introduced one of the most popular signature days at any North American racetrack, Clinton Raceway's Legends Day.

Ian joins fellow OSAS director Bill O'Donnell in the Canadian Hall. Known as the Magic Man during his superstar driving career, Bill is also a member of the US Hall of Fame and Canada and Nova Scotia's Sports Halls of Fame. Given that there are just five members on OSAS's board of directors (along with Kelly Spencer, Heather MacKay and Jim Evans), we are honoured to have two members of the Hall of Fame at the table. Bill and Ian are also board members of Standardbred Canada.

OSAS is an approved charitable organization founded in 1996 to assist in the adoption and relocation of retired and non racing harness horses within the province.

Go Street Is Adopted

Wed, 29 May 2019 16:13:07 GMT

May 29, 2019 - OSAS is pleased to report that Go Street has been adopted. Congratulations to her new family and those that were instrumental in getting this adoption done.

Known as Gogo, this lovely mare was an outstanding trotter on the racetrack, earning a mark of 1:55.1f during her career and over $300,000 in earnings.

50/50 Winner From London Banquet

Sun, 31 Mar 2019 20:00:16 GMT

March 31, 2019 - OSAS congratulates Kelley McNiveny the winner of the 50/50 draw at the Western Fair awards banquet last weekend. Thanks to everyone who purchased a ticket in support of OSAS.

OSAS Auction Results

Sun, 31 Mar 2019 19:57:57 GMT

The Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society's annual stallion auction has concluded for 2019. The successful bidders and the final bids are listed below.

When the deadline was reached there was a tie in the bidding for both State Treasurer and Dali. OSAS sincerely thanks Seelster Farms who graciously donated a second State Treasurer breeding and Colin (Ace) Densley-Burrows (aka the sexy horse owner), the owner of Dali, who also stepped up with an additional breeding. Your generosity and commitment to OSAS is much appreciated. We sincerely thank everyone who contributed to the success of this year's auction.

Dali ~ Kyle Reibeling & George Jarrell ($1,900)
State Treasurer ~ Shaun Baines & Mauricia & Ezra Miller ($3,600)
Big Jim ~ Shaun Baines ($3,200)
Sunshine Beach ~ Lynn Magee ($3,800)
Thinking Out Loud ~ Riley Racing ($2,900)
Royal Mattjesty ~ Trevor Williams ($1,600)
Prestidigitator ~ Dave Williamson ($1,000)
All Bets Off ~ Kim Mark ($4,700)
Angus Hall ~ Adrianne Alexander ($1,200)
Wheelin N Dealin ~ Joanne Sloan ($1,500)
Lookslikeachpndale ~ Joanne Sloan ($3,300)
Sportswriter ~ Jeff Moore ($5,300)
Betterthancheddar ~ Kevin Bodz ($3,300)

OSAS Stallion Auction Underway

Tue, 26 Feb 2019 00:00:00 GMT

The Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society's annual online stallion auction began at noon Monday, February 18. It will close at 3 p.m. on February 22.

To place a bid in the stallion auction, simply email your bid to osasadmin@bellnet.ca. You will receive an email back indicating that you are the current high bidder. Each time a new bid is received you will be notified. The highest bids will be updated on our website regularly.

All successful bidders are required to pay a $100 non refundable deposit fee. The stallions available this year are as follows:

All Bets Off
Angus Hall
Betterthancheddar
Big Jim
Dali
Holiday Road
Il Sogno Dream
Lookslikeachpndale
Prestidigitator
Royal Mattjesty
Sportswriter
State Treasurer
Sunshine Beach
Thinking Out Loud
Wheeling N Dealin

Kelly Spencer Joins OSAS Board

Mon, 25 Feb 2019 00:00:00 GMT

Kelly Spencer, long admired as one of the most innovative promoters of harness racing in this country, is the newest member of the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society's Board of Directors.

For 22 years Kelly led the marketing team at Elmira and Grand River Raceways and last year she created her own communications agency, True Nature Communications, with TheStable.ca and Grand River being two of her premier clients.

A recipient of the Lloyd Chisholm and the Golden Pen awards, Kelly has served on numerous industry boards and committees over the years. She joins Jim Evans, Bill O'Donnell, Ian Fleming and Heather MacKay on the OSAS board.

"We're thrilled that Kelly has agreed to join our team," noted OSAS's administrator Joanne Colville. "She's great to work with and we look forward to her input on our initiatives going forward."

Established in 1996, OSAS is the industry recognized Standardbred adoption agency in Ontario and has found forever homes for hundreds of trotters and pacers for more than two decades.

OSAS Stallion Auction Starts February 18

Fri, 15 Feb 2019 00:00:00 GMT

The Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society will host their 2019 online stallion auction starting at noon on February 18. Bidding will close at 3 p.m. on February 22.

The annual event is one of OSAS's most successful fundraisers every year and we sincerely thank the generous stallion owners for donating a service and everyone who participates by bidding. Anyone interested in donating a breeding can still do so by contacting OSAS (905-854-6099 or email: osasadmin@bellnet.ca).

To place a bid in the stallion auction, simply email your bid to osasadmin@bellnet.ca. You will receive an email back indicating that you are the current high bidder. Each time a new bid is received you will be notified. The highest bids will be updated on our website regularly.

All successful bidders are required to pay a $100 non refundable deposit fee. The stallions available this year are as follows:

All Bets Off
Angus Hall
Betterthancheddar
Big Jim
Dali
Holiday Road
Il Sogno Dream
Lookslikeachpndale
Prestidigitator
Royal Mattjesty
Sportswriter
State Treasurer
Sunshine Beach
Thinking Out Loud
Wheeling N Dealin