[caption id="attachment_9277" align="alignright" width="1024"] Ray Stewart, family and friends in the winner's circle at the Downs. September 6, 2015.[/caption] by Bob Gates The end is near! Okay, perhaps that's a little too melodramatic, but this is my final blog story as the season draws to a close on Sunday, September 9. Wow, it seems like…
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They knew how to win
[caption id="attachment_9223" align="alignright" width="1024"] Navy Days and Major Action hold the record for most wins in a live Assiniboia Downs racing season with 11, but Navy Days accomplished the feat at a shorter meet.[/caption] by Bob Gates Horses that know how to win are the most revered in the sport of horse racing. Every owner,…
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Mays Relic: Classy chestnut. Forever savoured.
by Bob Gates Mays Relic came to Jack and Yvette Hardy's J. Y. Stable as a 5-year-old gelding by Bandit out of Georgia May, by War Relic. By the way, War Relic just happened to be the son of Man O' War. Their trainer, George Howell claimed the chestnut in January 1966 at Florida Downs…
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Windsor Moon: Teachers’ Pet and 1971 Gold Cup Winner
by Bob Gates What do you get when you combine seven St. Boniface school teachers, $1,500 and a desire for fun and adventure? Back in May 1970 you'd get Hoarse Stable and a four-year-old thoroughbred called Windsor Moon. Who remembers him? This dark bay gelding was the shiny apple these teachers always wanted. Not sitting…
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The Day Two Ladies Reigned Supreme at ASD. July 15, 1970 .
[caption id="attachment_9019" align="aligncenter" width="1000"] Royals arrive at Assiniboia Downs for the Manitoba Derby. July 15, 1970.[/caption] by Bob Gates Manitoba was celebrating its centenary in 1970 and the owner of Assiniboia Downs, Jack Hardy, wasn't about to let the occasion pass without taking full advantage. The 22nd running of the Manitoba Derby was the marquee…
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Manitoba Derby: Runs to Remember
[caption id="attachment_8859" align="alignright" width="1024"] Rough Catch wins 1989 Manitoba Derby! A winner's circle to remember for sure![/caption] by Bob Gates Welcome to the second in our five-part series devoted to the 70th Running of the Manitoba Derby. Today we look at more than 40 years of Derby memories, starting with the most recent and…
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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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15 Minutes with Clayton Gray, The Man from Dominion City
[caption id="attachment_6951" align="alignnone" width="780"] Clayton Gray's first win as trainer. Tedders. July 25, 1964.[/caption] by Bob Gates What can I say? Those of you who know Clayton Gray will see the humour in the title of this week's blog story. Let's face it; you are more likely to see pigs fly than have a 15…
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