[caption id="attachment_16872" align="alignright" width="1000"] Ron Turcotte wins the 1970 Manitoba Centennial Derby aboard Fanfreluche.[/caption] by Bob Gates Ron Turcotte was 14 when he left school to work as a lumberjack with his father. He saw his career go from cutting lumber in the bush to construction work and eventually he found his way to E.…
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About: TheBigHorse
Recent Posts by TheBigHorse
Balooga Bull: Simply the Best
[caption id="attachment_16726" align="alignright" width="800"] Jockey Paul Nolan and Balooga Bull after winning the 2014 Gold Cup.[/caption] by Bob Gates There's a common thread that links books written to honour champions of the past and our humble blog stories. Both remember special equines from the early days of the Winnipeg racing scene who have long since…
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Anatomy of a Track Record
[caption id="attachment_16689" align="alignright" width="1000"] Rangatira sets new six-furlong track record at ASD. May 20, 1973.[/caption] by Bob Gates Does the title of our blog story this week have a familiar ring to it? Hope so. Most of you are probably too young to remember the 1959 American courtroom drama and crime film "Anatomy of a…
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Secret Weapons and Other 50-year-old Memories of Nice Dancer
[caption id="attachment_16604" align="alignright" width="1000"] 1972 Manitoba Derby winner Nice Dancer and jockey Bobby Stewart.[/caption] by Bob Gates Well another Manitoba Derby is on the books and congratulations go out to the winner Red Knobs and his connections, owner Rob Nokes, trainer Robertino Diodoro and jockey Jorge Carreno. It's fun to look back at the list…
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The History of the Manitoba Derby in Photos
[caption id="attachment_16501" align="alignright" width="1735"] Royal Frolic with Larry Bird up after winning the 45th running of the Manitoba Derby. August 2, 1993.[/caption] by Bob Gates A few weeks ago we tried something different. The traditional blog story was replaced by an array of photos complete with captions and it turns out, you liked it! With…
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Beginnings, Endings and Thank You
[caption id="attachment_16378" align="alignright" width="1000"] Bobby Stewart Tribute Gallery.[/caption] by Bob Gates Who's kidding who, you're being short-changed this time around. Our weekly history blog isn't about a historical horse racing figure or event. That's right, no person, horse or anything else was researched for today's tale. However, in an effort to pacify my editor I've…
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Light Dust: Champion of the Prairie Racing Circuit and Proudly a Manitoba-Bred
[caption id="attachment_16234" align="alignright" width="1000"] Light Dust becomes the only horse to win the Western Canada Handicap three times. Edmonton Journal. June 24, 1957.[/caption] by Bob Gates Last winter, during a covid-induced research binge, the name Light Dust jumped off the pages of the defunct Winnipeg Tribune. The headline read, "That's all for Light Dust." This…
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The Kid from Bellavista Crescent who Dared to Dream
[caption id="attachment_16078" align="alignright" width="1000"] May 28, 2010. Darren Dunn calls race #15,000 from the Winner's Circle.[/caption] by Bob Gates In a 1989 interview Darren Dunn told Paul Turney of the Daily Racing Form (DRF) that he was 11 years old when he heard his first race. "It was an exciting confrontation between Northern Diamond and…
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Miko Siah Seeks to be Remembered
[caption id="attachment_15957" align="alignright" width="1000"] Miko Siah winning in Edmonton. July 22, 1950[/caption] by Bob Gates Who was Miko Siah? Equibase stats have the multiple stakes-placed stallion with $10,892 in career earnings from 74 starts. He compiled a record of 8 wins, 10 seconds and 13 thirds from 1948 to 1956. Respectable considering his level of…
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Remembering Dick Armstrong and His Family’s Home Away From Home
[caption id="attachment_15853" align="alignright" width="1000"] Fire N Desire wins 1969 Manitoba Derby. Dick Armstrong up.[/caption] by Bob Gates Let's celebrate a Diamond Jubilee, shall we? This year marks the 60th anniversary of jockey George Richard "Dickie" Armstrong's first leading-rider title (1962) at Assiniboia Downs. The Maple Creek, Saskatchewan native would go on to top the Downs…
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