Tag Archives: A.E. “Bert” Blake

I Dreamed of a Racetrack Heaven

[caption id="attachment_12182" align="aligncenter" width="1080"] Don't Cry for the Horses[/caption] by Bob Gates In the early 1950s Eddie Dean wrote a song that he said was inspired by a dream. Dean recorded "Hillbilly Heaven" in 1954 but it never really caught on. In 1961 Tex Ritter, father of the late TV actor John Ritter, released his…
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Remembering Pagan Star. All-Time Western Canadian Money Winner (circa 1951)

[caption id="attachment_12041" align="aligncenter" width="1080"] Pagan Star "Turf King of the Prairies"[/caption] by Bob Gates Horses come and horses go, but have you ever noticed that the ones we think of most fondly are almost always from another era. Pagan Star is one such horse.  So, who was Pagan Star and why are we talking about…
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Nifty Dominated the Wheat City Stakes at ASD

[caption id="attachment_929" align="alignright" width="252" caption="Nifty wins 1986 Wheat City Handicap"][/caption] by Bob Who knew? The Downs has honoured the City of Brandon with a race carrying the name “Wheat City” since it first opened in 1958. According to old media guides and newspaper accounts this year’s Wheat City Stakes should be the 42nd running, but…
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Memories of A. E. “Bert” Blake in this week’s Insider Newsletter

[caption id="attachment_787" align="alignright" width="270" caption="A. E. "Bert" Blake (to the left) and his favourite horse Clique, July 20, 1968."][/caption] by George First, my sincere condolences to the family and friends of the late A. E. “Bert” Blake – a friend, a true gentleman and a tremendous horseman who unselfishly taught so many people so much.…
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