BC Racebook Newsletter - July 12, 2023
BC Racebook Vlog - Bailey on the Backstretch
Western Canadian Triple Crown 2023
NEW THOROUGHBED RACING BC COMMITTEE
“AN ENCOURAGING STEP FORWARD”
By Greg Douglas – Dr. Sport
Quietly but forcefully, a new leadership group from within the thoroughbred industry has emerged as one voice in the ongoing mission to ensure the future of horse racing in British Columbia.
It has been named the Thoroughbred Racing BC Committee (TRBC) under the direction of chair Gary Johnson, long-time owner and vice president of The Horsemen’s Benevolent & Protective Association of BC.
Johnson’s committee members include HBPABC president David Milburn, CTHS-BC president Dairen Edwards and director Jamie Demetrick as well as BCTOBA president Ole Neilsen and director Larry Potozny.
There was no hiding the high level of enthusiasm with the immediate comments from the three participating parties. “This will help us regain the future we’ve all been hoping for with all three organizations working together and having a say in major decisions,” Milburn said.
Edwards pointed out the formation of the new TRBC committee marks the first time major decisions in the areas of breeding and horse population incentives will be addressed in unison. “When there are decisions to be made that affect us all,” he said, “we can now speak with a single voice.”
Neilsen added: “BC breeding is critical to having a robust horse population. Breeding takes time and commitment. It’s imperative that we get away from five-horse fields and work towards having a seven or eight-horse field average.”
Johnson said two sub-committees have been formed to launch the development of breeding in BC and the horse population issue.
Matthew Ruhlman, BC Racebook chief operating officer, pointed out that the two highest wagering handles after 20 days of racing at Hastings Racecourse this season were a result of seven and eight-horse fields during the latter stages of cards on May 22 ($624,768) and more recently July 9 ($652,687).
“It’s a work in progress,” Ruhlman said, also acknowledging the new Guaranteed $20,000 Pick 4 Pool that now applies to every race date through the balance of the schedule. “Having all three racing organizations working together as the Thoroughbred Racing BC Committee is an encouraging step forward.”
2023 Canada Day Best Dressed Contest Winner
The winner of the Best Dressed Contest on Canada day 2023🇨🇦 - Lucy, Mike and Estrella. Their outfits presented Canada Day perfectly!! This beautiful family won a Canada Day gift basket, VIP Box seat and a $100 racing voucher. Congratulations!
Bailey on the Backstretch
by Bailey Williams
Talk about a ‘feel good’ story. Imagine obtaining your first groom’s license at just 10 years of age and one day being upgraded to owners’ status.
Paddocking your first horse at age 11 is an accomplishment to true horsemanship but add to the fact just two short years later you would be asked to work and handle all the sale yearlings for the annual CTHS-BC Yearling & Mixed Sale.
Now, fast forward to this past Saturday when the name Terrell Redekop surfaced on the owner line above Queens Over Jack’s in the Hastings Racecourse program as a part owner.
Queens Over Jack’s was a first-time starter and a runner-up finish under jockey Brian Boodramsingh in her maiden voyage felt like a victory to the whole team involved, namely fellow owner and trainer Rob VanOverschot with Terrell’s mom, Lyssa MacPherson, in the role of assistant trainer.
A lot of extra work went into getting this big, strong and opinionated filly to the races. Queens Over Jack’s carries with her plenty of behavioral issues and a reputation that wasn’t for the faint of heart. Terrell took it upon himself to help form the most trusting bond and the reward of not necessarily winning but progressing to the starting gate was a thrill in itself. Keep an eye on freshman owner Terrell Redekop, no relation by the way to esteemed horse owners Mr. Peter Redkop or Mr. James Redekop.
Jockey Brian Boodramsingh. PHOTO BY MICHAEL BYE.
Randy Goulding: Caribbean jockeys fitting right in at Hastings Racecourse
Owner/trainer Dave Milburn is having a hard time in his quest to find palm trees that he wants to put next to his barn at Hastings Racecourse. “I am trying to make the ‘Islanders’ feel like they are at home,” said Milburn.
The veteran conditioner was referring to the group of jockeys riding at Hastings that came from the Caribbean country of Trinidad and Tobago. The riders are Learie Seecharan, Kimal Santo, Kerron Khelawan, Ridge Balgobin and Brian Boodramsingh.
Milburn’s mother is Trinidadian. “My Uncle Joe raced horses there and I spent some time there as a child,” said Milburn, who only uses jockeys from Trinidad and Tobago, most notably Seecharan.
It’s a solid group of riders and on June 25 the Trinidadian’s won five of the seven races at Hastings with Seecharan winning twice for Milburn.
Trainer Mel Snow likes what he sees. “It’s great to have them here,” he said. “I think this is the best overall crop of riders we’ve had for awhile.” The most accomplished is Boodramsingh, who was the Champion Jockey in his native country eight times. Boodramsingh is currently sitting fourth in the standings at Hastings, and he feels with more experience he will get better at working his way around the just-over-five-furlongs’ oval.
“It is different riding on the smaller track, but I am getting used to it,” he said. “I am still learning and last weekend I won two races on Saturday and one on Sunday, so it is going well.”
With racing on the decline in Trinidad and Tobago, Boodramsingh was looking to ride elsewhere. He was aware of Hastings from reading about Learie and Lenny Seecharan in the Trinidad and Tobago Guardian newspaper. Lenny is currently riding at Woodbine in Ontario.
“The Guardian keeps track of all the riders from our country and after looking around, I thought Hastings would be a good place for me to go,” he said. “The people have been very friendly and have made me feel welcome. They make me feel like I am at home.”
The Province, Jul 06, 2023
