[caption id="attachment_17390" align="alignright" width="1000"] The "Old Man" says goodbye to season #65 at ASD. And remembers 1962.[/caption] by Bob Gates With only three days of "Live" left in 2022 Season, the 65th at ASD, we caught up with the portly old man who can usually be seen sitting on one of the benches closest to…
Read more
“Doc” Elder reflects on the Captain, the Colonel, a Close Encounter and more…
[caption id="attachment_17317" align="alignright" width="2560"] Dr. Norm Elder (right) and Edward Plunket "E.P." Taylor. 1977 Manitoba Derby.[/caption] by Bob Gates Most of us know Dr. Norm Elder as the one-time owner of Elder's Equine Clinic, or for that matter some might think he still owns the clinic. In addition, he's recognized as a member of the…
Read more
Bob Crockett, Owner, Breeder of Thoroughbreds. A 50-Year Adventure.
[caption id="attachment_17090" align="alignright" width="1000"] Dawn Marches On wins the 1982 Debutante Stakes for Hazelridge Holdings and Bob Crockett, second from left of horse.[/caption] by Bob Gates Quiet and unassuming, that's Robert "call-me-Bob" Crockett. And this friends, makes his story challenging to tell. For the purposes of this history blog that means there's less information…
Read more
Eddie Werre Jr. Journeyman Jock From Ashley, North Dakota
[caption id="attachment_16972" align="alignright" width="1000"] Call My Number wins at ASD on July 13, 1977. Ed Werre up for trainer Tom Dodds.[/caption] by Bob Gates Werre? There has to be some of you wondering who Ed Werre is and what's so special about him? This is another one of those blogs where our person of interest…
Read more
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…
Read more
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…
Read more
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…
Read more
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…
Read more
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…
Read more
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…
Read more