Category Archives: ASD History

Balooga Bull & Ardell Sayler – Two giants in ASD history!

  [caption id="attachment_2193" align="alignright" width="270" caption="Balooga Bull won the 2011 Winnipeg Futurity in a sizzling 1:10 3/5. As a 2-year-old!"][/caption] A $2,000 bargain yearling, the "Bull" was fast from the start by Bob The 37th running of the $30,000 Golden Boy Stakes, which showcases the finest 3-year-olds at the Downs going six furlongs, ran Wednesday…
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Wendell Holmes Mustard, a kind (horse) man who loved life

  [caption id="attachment_2151" align="alignright" width="270" caption="Wendell Holmes Mustard circa 1918"][/caption] War veteran always had a special place in his heart for horses by Bob Wendell Holmes Mustard was born near Gladstone, Manitoba on January 23, 1896 to Hugh and Catherine Mustard. He was destined to take over the family farm, but WWI would come first.…
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Wake Island, Rosemary’s Baby, together again

  [caption id="attachment_1996" align="alignright" width="270" caption="Wake Island, First win at ASD, July 1, 1967"][/caption] Special horse made headlines during summer of '67 at ASD while Winnipeg hosted Pan-Am Games by Bob It was Canada’s Centennial and Winnipeg was playing host to the Pan American Games, yet a young racehorse, Wake Island, found a way to…
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Dynamic duo dominated rider standings at Downs for 10 years

  [caption id="attachment_1946" align="alignright" width="270" caption="Bobby Stewart aboard Ocean Roar in the 1969 Kentucky Derby."][/caption] Bobby Stewart and Dick Armstrong had different styles, but got similar results. They won. by Bob From 1962 to 1972, two jockeys dominated the leading rider standings at Assiniboia Downs. In that 11-year period George Richard “Dickie” Armstrong and Robert…
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Dawn breaks on season #56 at Assiniboia Downs

  [caption id="attachment_1852" align="alignright" width="270" caption="Saugeen Linda from David Swail's barn. Won a race Opening Day at Assiniboia Downs on June 14, 1963. 50 years ago!"][/caption] Fond memories of opening day at the Downs by Bob It’s hard to believe that seven months have passed since we put a wrap on the 2012 live racing…
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Rob’s Wrap – ASD 2012 Live Racing Season

[caption id="attachment_1680" align="alignright" width="270" caption="2012 ASD Champions! Leading Rider Paul Nolan and Leading Trainer Shelley Brown (right) with ASD VP of Finance and Gaming Sharon Gulyas."][/caption] by Rob The 2012 racing season drew to a close, leaving memories and moments that were incredibly exciting. Balooga Bull dominated over all comers, Portales nailed Tigger Town at…
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The Buffalo Stakes celebrates 50 years!

[caption id="attachment_1649" align="alignright" width="270" caption="2011 Buffalo Stakes winner Jon's Golden Run with trainer Emile Corbel, Rohan Singh up"][/caption] by Bob “The Buffalo” -- What a great name for a stakes race dedicated to Manitoba-breds! Is there a name that better represents our Province? This Sunday marks the 50th running of this prestigious race for the…
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Remembering John W. Sifton, Master of Stoneacres Farm

[caption id="attachment_1609" align="alignright" width="270" caption="John and June Sifton with L'Inconnue at ASD, June, 28, 1967. Chas Billingsley up."][/caption] by Bob The 43rd running of the $50,000 J. W. Sifton Memorial for Manitoba-bred 3-year-old colts and geldings takes place this Friday at Assiniboia Downs. The race is named in honour of a very special "Manitoba" horseman…
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The Gray Boys dominated the ASD trainer standings from 1970-80

[caption id="attachment_1562" align="alignright" width="270" caption="Don and Clayton Gray with Attractive Miss. Bobby Stewart up. July 24, 1962."][/caption] by Bob What more can be said about two men – brothers who dominated the leading trainer standings at Assiniboia Downs from 1970 to 1980? Clayton Gray won seven training titles (1970, 72, 73, 74, 76, 79, 80)…
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