From The Jug To The Saddle With Ease
June 4, 2020
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.
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 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.
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/ 
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
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.
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.
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/
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/
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.
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
