Monthly Archives: June 2018

Jim Coleman left a “Hoofprint on our Heart”

by Bob Gates This week's blog story is a departure from our usual tale of yesteryear.  In the early 1970s Toronto sports columnist, Jim Coleman took on a task that few would dare try. In 1971 Coleman together with Canadian Publishers, McClelland and Stewart Limited unleashed a classic piece of writing called "A Hoofprint On…
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G. Sydney Halter. CFL Czar and Lord High Commissioner of Manitoba Horse Racing  

[caption id="attachment_8730" align="alignright" width="171"] G. Sydney Halter[/caption] by Bob Gates G. Sydney Halter was the fledgling Canadian Football League's (CFL) top boss from 1958 to 1966. As he was winding down his career in the world of Canadian football an opportunity arose for Halter to immerse himself in another sport he held near and dear…
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Captain Stanley Harrison – Pioneer of Racing in Winnipeg

[caption id="attachment_8671" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Captain Stanley Harrison winning with Miko Siah.[/caption] by Bob Gates Imagine yourself exploring central Africa much like Henry Morton Stanley in search of missionary and explorer David Livingston and stepping into a clearing from the jungle stands your quarry. Only in this case the phrased uttered is Captain Harrison, I presume?…
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Nathan “Nick” Block — Owner, Trainer, Philanthropist

[caption id="attachment_8622" align="alignright" width="1024"] Nick Block's Scarlet Rich wins the River Park Handicap at ASD in 1979.[/caption] by Bob Gates Owner, trainer, philanthropist. Now there are three words you don't usually see together, at least not in the world of horseracing in this part of the country. Owner, trainer – sure. But philanthropist? And then…
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