BC Racebook Newsletter - July 26, 2022

WELCOME TO BC CUP DAY!

2 P.M. AUGUST 1 AT HASTINGS RACECOURSE (PNE GATE 6)

FREE ADMISSION!!

-Six Stake Races
-Best of BC Bred Horses
-$300,000 Purse Payout

“Sizzle” - Adapting to new ponying career

BAILEY ON THE BACKSTRETCH

By Bailey Williams

There was an avalanche of cheers and excitement erupting from Hastings Racecourse throughout the afternoon this past Saturday with the 11th running of The Cup. The overall mutuel handle on the day was more than $900,000 and the roar from the huge crowd as each race passed the wire was something we haven’t experienced in many years.

But it makes you wonder when the roar and cheering ends for a horse as its career winds down, what’s happens next? For many thoroughbreds, second careers are where they can excel to even higher standards of performances. Some continue to be racetrack ponies, outriding horses, chuck wagon leads and wonderful trail companions.

Thanks to organizations such as New Stride Thoroughbred Adoption Society, many owners and trainers are able to keep a relationship with their retired horses in new show jumping competitions. Over this past weekend riders were able to showcase their OTTBs (off track thoroughbreds) in a $1500 New Stride Jumper Challenge at Milner Downs Equestrian Centre in Langley.

As we watched horses being saddled to make their racing debut at Hastings, one proud owner – Stuart Carmichael – was showing photos of the Milner event to myself and others. A horse he owned in partnership with David and Sylvea Gregory had just won the championship event. Smashing Dame, winless in five starts in her racing career, found her place since Carmichael’s daughter and a fellow rider have taken over retraining.

It was obvious that Stuart was just as proud of Smashing Dame’s off-track success as the potential he saw in his runner previously. Grooms, exercise riders and trainers spend six days a week with each horse in their care, following the journey the horses take after the roar of the crowd stops during their racing careers.

It is safe to say the accomplishments in their years after racing is just as important to each and every one of them.

HOW TO BECOME A HORSE OWNER FOR $300/YEAR

TRADITIONAL BC CUP RETURNS TO HASTINGS
WITH AFTERNOON HOLIDAY CARD MONDAY AUG. 1

By Greg Douglas – Dr. Sport

With the recent surge of spectator enthusiasm and energy evident at Hastings Racecourse, the timing is ideal for next Monday’s BC Cup, a traditional thoroughbred racing highlight.

After a delay of two years due to Covid-19, six $50,000 Stakes races on the August 1st holiday card mark the return of the BC Cup that goes back 27 years in Vancouver.

It was in 1995 when then director Bobby Jawl of the Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society (BC Division) took a leading role in introducing the concept of putting together races featuring BC-breds only. Today the CTHS-BC mandate also includes BC-owned horses as part of the program.

Monday’s Stakes schedule includes the BC Nursery for 2-year-olds, BC Debutante for 2-year-old fillies; Hong Kong Jockey Club for 3-year-old fillies; Sir Winston Churchill for 3-year-olds; BC Cup Distaff for 3-year-olds and up, fillies & mares and the BC Cup Classic for 3-year-olds & up.

“Over the years some of the greatest horses in the history of thoroughbred racing in our province have been part of BC Cup,” says B-J Davidson, Regional General Manager of CTHS-BC. “It continues to bring recognition and value to the owners and breeders throughout British Columbia.”

At a glance just some of the BC Cup champions Davidson would have been referring to include Calgary Caper, Crazy Prophet, Here’s Hannah, Notis the Jewell, Sunburst, Daz Lin Dawn, Infinite Patience, Dancin Shoes, Square Dancer, At Attention … the list of familiar names is endless.

JOHN KORSRUD & HIS FAMOUS TRUMPET
MAKING A RETURN GUEST APPEARANCE TO HASTINGS

By Greg Douglas – Dr. Sport

For the first time in many years Hastings Racecourse will feature the familiar sound of the “Call to the Post” live and in person throughout Monday’s BC Cup race card.

John Korsrud is an internationally acclaimed composer, musician and trumpet player who grew up in East Vancouver. He is the leader and principal composer of the 18-piece Hard Rubber Orchestra he formed in 1990. John has performed at New York’s Carnegie Hall, and been commissioned by The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra and the CBC Radio Orchestra. He produced The World’s First New Music Ice Show for the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics. And now he is returning to Hastings Racecourse.

Through it all, Korsrud has lived in the Commercial Drive neighbourhood for the past 15 years. One of his favourite pastimes is strolling ‘The Drive’ for early morning coffee and finding an available park bench to enjoy the sights, scenery and people.

“I played the trumpet for the horse races at Hastings a long, long time ago,” he says. “It’s great to be invited back and I can’t express how much I’m looking forward to it.”

Local racing fans will be equally excited about his return guest appearance on BC Cup Day. You know we’re talking a quality person when he puts retired Vancouver Canucks captain Stan Smyl at the top of his list of all-time favourite Vancouver athletes. “The Steamer gave it everything he had, night after night,” Korsrud says. “I have used his work habits in coaching some of my musicians. I tell them to dig in and give it their all … just like Stan Smyl did throughout his playing days.”

First post time Monday is 2 p.m. Admission is free with families of all ages welcome to share in the excitement.