BC Racebook Newsletter - June 7, 2023
Gallop Rider Kim Kozak (centre) joins Nicole Rycroft & fiance` Giovanni celebrating Big Union’s George Royal Victory (Photo by Cathy Rycroft)
ROOKIE TRAINER NICOLE RYCROFT ‘STILL IN SHOCK’
By Greg Douglas – Dr. Sport
Racing fans young and old are not alone when it comes to the unbridled rush of emotion when their chosen horse comes thundering down the homestretch at Hastings Racecourse.
Owners and trainers share that same gripping moment of potential victory.
A classic example unfolded for the Rycroft family Saturday, June 3, with the launch of the 2023 Stakes schedule featuring the $50,000 George Royal followed by the $50,000 Emerald Downs.
When 5-year-old gelding Big Union under jockey Ridge Balgobin took control entering the final turn of his 6 ½ furlong journey to draw clear with a three-length victory in the George Royal, there was a family celebration that rocked the entire grounds.
“I am still in shock,” first-year trainer Nicole Rycroft said Monday. “I was watching from the tarmac along with my mom Cathy, my brother Cody, his wife Jessica and their baby boy Rylan. We were standing among the spectators by the finish line. Cody had arrived earlier in the day from Salmon Arm.”
Nicole’s father Kelly was watching on his iPhone in Grande Prairie, AB, where he was working as a heavy equipment operator for Sundown Oilfield.
Cathy and Kelly are co-owners of Big Union along with Albertans Sherlye Benson, Dennis Dale and Tabitha Perry.
While the Rycroft clan was whooping it up, veteran Hastings’ owner/trainer Craig MacPherson was sprinting from his reserved grandstand seat making a beeline for the winner’s circle to be at Nicole’s side.
“I worked with Craig for 12 years as a groom and eventually his assistant,” Nicole said. “My dad trained horses and was a farrier at Hastings for 26 years. I worked for him, too.”
Nicole said she slept-in Monday until 7 a.m., her first day off since January.
No sooner had the buzz subsided surrounding Big Union’s win in the George Royal Saturday, then the $50,000 Emerald Downs Stakes for fillies and mares kept the momentum at full throttle. With leading jockey Amadeo Perez in control, We B Three rallied at the final turn for a two-length victory for trainer Steve Henson and his assistant, son Robbie.
The man leaping from his grandstand seat this time and sprinting to the winner’s circle was owner Dairen Edwards from Willow Creek Farms.
Horse racing is a rare professional sports entity where owners and trainers traditionally mingle with fans during live-time competition. It’s all part of the charm of Hastings Racecourse, known in the trade as one of the most scenic settings in North America.
WESTERN CANADIAN TRIPLE CROWN
$125,000 Manitoba Derby
Assiniboia Downs
Monday, August 7, 2023
-
$200,000 Canadian Derby (G3)
Century Mile
Saturday, August 26, 2023
-
$125,000 BC Derby (G3)
Hastings Racecourse
Saturday, September 16, 2023
Plus, $100,000 bonus to the owner who wins all three of the 2023 Derby events.
Aly Burkett in her “Happy Place”
BAILEY ON THE BACKSTRETCH
by Bailey Williams
Just like a thoroughbred’s pedigree is to race, horse racing itself has been known to be “in the blood” for humans, too.
Aly Burkett, granddaughter of Canada’s first female jockey Mary Cowan, is certainly no exception.
Aly spent many years working for and eventually alongside as an assistant trainer for her aunt, Charlene Miller. Together, it has been a family team that has celebrated great racing moments.
Aly manages her own house-cleaning business now and credits her work ethic in handling the long days and the detailed task orientation of her job to the years she spent caring for – and listening to – her beloved horses seven days a week.
Today, every weekend on what would be her days off, you can still find Aly hustling and bustling in the Miller barn with a smile on her face contributing anywhere she is needed to get Charlene’s horses prepared for morning training or afternoon racing.
The late Mary Cowan, by the way, had been a show jumper in England during her teenage years and her love of riding led to being the first female jockey in Canada, a career that began at Hastings back when it was known as Exhibition Park. The year was 1969 and she was one of three women riders in all of North America.
Bailey Williams riding Spud.
Randy Goulding: Hastings Racecourse has experienced analyst in Bailey Williams
It’s great to see more and more women moving into roles traditionally dominated by men, including in horse racing. At just about every racetrack in North America now, at least one person on the broadcasting team analyzing races is a woman.
Hastings Racecourse is no exception, with Bailey Williams aboard as the paddock analyst. With her extensive experience in racing, she knows what she’s talking about.
Williams grew up around horses in Alberta, where her father, Rod Heggie, is a trainer and her mom, Pam, a small breeder. Her parents wanted her to pursue a career outside of horse racing, but Williams had other plans. “They really wanted me to go to college,” said Williams. “I wanted a career in racing, so I went to Florida, where I galloped horses for trainer Niall Brennan.”
Brennan, a former jockey in Ireland, runs the Niall Brennan Stables, which has established itself as one of the top thoroughbred training facilities in the U.S.
Williams made her way to Vancouver to gallop horses for the late Glen Todd. It was Todd who recommended her for the paddock analyst position in 2021. He had seen her on CTV when on horseback she interviewed the winning jockeys in the 2014 and ’15 Canadian Derby. Williams had no formal training for the position, however she has spent hours studying others in the same role, especially women.
“My favourites are Britney Eurton and Andi Biancone,” said Williams.
Eurton is based in Southern California and Biancone in Florida. Both of their parents are prominent trainers.
Williams has a style similar to Maggie Wolfendale, the paddock analyst for the New York Racing Association. It’s not surprising considering that both work as exercise riders in the mornings.
“I think getting on horses in the mornings helps me with my paddock job,” said Williams, who primarily gallops for Rob VanOverschot, Frank Barroby and Tara Neigel. “Many times I have been on the horse I am speaking about in the paddock.” She is married to jockey Scott Williams who is honing in on 500 wins. “When I am looking at his riding I try to be more of a wife than an analyst. “said Williams. Seems like a smart way to keep peace in the family.
It’ll be interesting to see what Williams has to say about Y Vee R who has an excellent chance of winning the last race on Saturday. The five-year-old B.C.-bred got hooked-and-cooked in a speed duel in his first start of the year.
Trained by Rob Gilker, Y Vee R could be the lone speed this time, and he figures to move forward with a race under his belt. Catch him if you can.
Blinkers off a speed horse is one of my favourite plays and that is what you get with Star Finality in the sixth race on Sunday. The Patty Leaney-trainee lost as the favourite in her first start at Hastings, but she had a big excuse as she got off to a terrible start.
With a better beginning, she could take them a long way at what should be a decent price.
THE PROVINCE, May 25, 2023.