[caption id="attachment_10525" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] The Queen's Cup.[/caption] by Bob Gates On Monday, August 5, 2019, the Queen's Cup trophy will make her way to the Assiniboia Downs winner's circle to be presented to the Derby champion. Don’t worry she knows the way, it's a trip she's made many times, but this one's special. This is…
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About: TheBigHorse
Recent Posts by TheBigHorse
Fire N Desire’s 1969 Derby “Orbit” Turns 50!
[caption id="attachment_10473" align="alignright" width="1000"] Fire N Desire. 1969 Manitoba Derby.[/caption] by Bob Gates It's been 50 years since Fire N Desire won the 21st running of the Manitoba Derby. The recent media flood of documentaries reminds us of another event that shares this anniversary. Fire N Desire's July 19, 1969 Derby romp took place on…
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Stars of the Western Canada Handicap
[caption id="attachment_10418" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Possibly the best of the best, Light Dust won the Western Canada Handicap in 1954 and 1956. Shown here setting a new track record on February 5, 1957 at Sunshine Park.[/caption] by Bob Gates Polo Park racetrack played host to some of the most historic races in Western Canada including the…
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Larry’s the name, hunting, fishing and riding are my games
[caption id="attachment_10367" align="alignright" width="1000"] June 28, 1992. Darrell Stephansson presents Larry Bird with plaque for his 1,000th winner at Assiniboia Downs.[/caption] by Bob Gates What's the wackiest injury that resulted in a jockey cancelling his mounts for the day? There aren't any records on the subject, but I think I've got a good one. On…
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The Speers. A Modern Day History. Assiniboia Downs Resurrects RJ’s Race.
[caption id="attachment_10332" align="aligncenter" width="2948"] Cosmic Tip. Speers Handicap 1966. Harry Jeffrey presenting to trainer Gary Danelson. Gary's father holding the horse. Roger Jensen in he saddle.[/caption] by Bob Gates When we left off last week's blog story, horse racing's future in Winnipeg looked bleak. R. J. Speers had known for some time that the Polo…
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The Early History of the R. J. Speers Stakes. 1926-1956
[caption id="attachment_10277" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Fort Garry wins the 1948 R. J. Speers at Polo Park.[/caption] by Bob Gates On Saturday, June 29 "The Speers" celebrates its 60th running, but what most don’t realize is that there is more than 90 years of history behind the race that honours Robert James Speers, the "Father of Thoroughbred…
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Yorkshire Lad CCR. $20 Wager Led to a Life-Long Career in Horse Racing.
[caption id="attachment_10218" align="aligncenter" width="1000"] L to R, Lou Davies, Jim Speers and Dr. Norm Anderson at 1st Horsemen's Ball, circa 1951.[/caption] by Bob Gates Following the death of one of the most popular and respected men in the history of thoroughbred racing in Western Canada in July 1977, Winnipeg Free Press sports editor Maurice Smith…
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A Man and his Horse: The Tale of “Slim” Keith & Contributor
[caption id="attachment_10163" align="alignright" width="1000"] 1941 Western Canada Handicap. Contributor (#3) finishes second on the rail.[/caption] by Bob Gates "Someday, in the future, when a historian begins to record the story of western racing there will be a chapter for gallant little Joey - the Duchess of York - for Help Yourself and Yorkie Prince -…
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The Big Man from South Dakota is Gone
[caption id="attachment_10101" align="aligncenter" width="1000"] Trainer Ardell Sayler with his Champion Balooga Bull.[/caption] by Bob Gates Sunday, May 26 was a typical afternoon on the backside at Assiniboia Downs, after all, horses don’t do weekends. But this Sunday, Death came calling, and when he left the Sayler family was stricken with grief. Ardell Sayler had been…
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From cheap punch line to the pride of Canada
[caption id="attachment_10053" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Former racehorse Traffic Sub as Branch County with Michel Vaillancourt aboard winning a Silver Medal at the 1976 Olympics.[/caption] by Bob Gates "A fiery horse with the speed of light, a cloud of dust…" A catchy start for telling the tale of a thoroughbred, but not so much if it's the…
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