[caption id="attachment_7600" align="alignnone" width="780"] Assiniboia Downs jockey colony in 1962 with Eddie Arcaro.[/caption] by Bob Gates Over the years the Downs has played host to all sorts of dignitaries, from professional athletes to royalty, but some of the most popular guests have been heroes from the Sport of Kings. There have been many, but none…
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The Manitoba Derby, The Forgotten Years – 1930 to 1940
[caption id="attachment_7550" align="alignnone" width="780"] The first winner of the Manitoba Stakes-Derby. Jack Whittier. 1930.[/caption] by Bob Gates It's been 57 years since Jack Hardy resurrected our Manitoba Derby in 1960 and this year's Derby is the 69th running of what was once touted as the "Run for the Tartan." I've never been a math genius,…
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Stuart Polet’s Fud was no Dud!
[caption id="attachment_7500" align="alignnone" width="780"] A riderless and proud Federal Ruler "wins" the Golden Sweepstakes Handicap on July 1, 1977.[/caption] by Bob Gates In 2015 the Wheat City Stakes was renamed the Manitoba Mile and Friday, July 28 marks the 40th Anniversary of Stuart Polet's "Fud the Stud's" win in the Wheat City in 1977. What?…
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Racehorses, Forever Homes & the Final Furlong
[caption id="attachment_7429" align="alignnone" width="780"] Monsoon Rain and Larry Carter.[/caption] by Bob Gates I'm back following a week's hiatus due to one of the ugliest bouts of, well, why don't we just call it a bad case of colic and leave it at that. I'm still on the mend and am writing this from what was…
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The Benjamins of Miles City, Montana, A Gem of a family
[caption id="attachment_7315" align="alignright" width="780"] Ruth Johnson and Jim Benjamin circa 1940.[/caption] by Bob Gates Montana's state motto is "Oro y Plata" (Spanish for gold and silver). The mountains of Montana have yielded fortunes in gold and silver since they were first discovered in the mid 1800s, but Big Sky Country's real riches are its people. …
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Milo, Munnie & Minne, the Out-of-Towners
by Bob Gates I've been writing this blog for going on six years and for the most part the stories have concentrated on local horsemen and their thoroughbreds. The Downs wouldn’t have survived all these years, however, if it were not for the "out-of-towners." For years horse people from other parts of Canada and south…
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The Rivalry. Northern Spike and Mr. Macho
[caption id="attachment_7208" align="alignnone" width="780"] Derby Trial stretch drive 1980. Northern Spike inside. Mr. Macho outside.[/caption] by Bob Gates Mr. Macho and Northern Spike's two-year rivalry at Assiniboia Downs was a classic. Why just 1979 and 80? Well, after 1980 "Spike" raced at the Downs until May 1984. "Macho" move to Woodbine and Fort Erie in…
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Harry “The Little Tiger” Jeffrey was the Heart and Soul of Assiniboia Downs
[caption id="attachment_7152" align="alignright" width="780"] Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey present R. J. Speers' trophy to Gary Danelson. Cosmic Tip. Speers Handicap 1966.[/caption] by Bob Gates Winnipeg native, Harry Jeffrey was in a word "Special." He was fair, well-respected, and when called for, a no nonsense kind of guy. Jeffrey was also the first employee…
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Duke Campbell, one of the greatest horsemen to ever walk the prairies
[caption id="attachment_7095" align="alignnone" width="780"] The 37-cent horse, Omar's Gift at Polo Park. "Duke" Campbell on the far left.[/caption] by Bob Gates Donald H. "Duke" Campbell's bio on the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame website says that his chief claim to fame was that he discovered and developed Sandy Hawley into a world class jockey.…
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Rupert “Chicago” Parker liked hats and a good cigar
by Bob Gates Some and perhaps most of you will consider this week's blog story choice a little obscure. Others will look at the title and wonder, Rupert who? Rupert Parker was a jockey who plied his trade at Assiniboia Downs from the mid 1960s to the mid to late 1970s. He wasn't the most…
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