Hollywood Ham Needs A New Role
August 19, 2020
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.”
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
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.
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/
