What a way for all the partners of Shadow Play to start the new year with the announcement that Shadow is heading back to Canada to stand in Ontario. We (Ron+Gail MacLellan, Serge Savard, Blue Chip Farms and myself) are very pleased and excited to be partnered with Joe Thomson, Larry Drysdale and Winbak Farm in Ontario. Having raced in many jurisdictions in recent years, Ontario without question has the very best stake program of them all and of course, the most money to race for.

We hope that mare owners and breeders in the province will view this to be a positive development and look forward to their support. Since semen transport can be used now, this should open up many opportunities for many people, for example in the Maritimes, where previously it may have been problematic. We believe that the stallion fee is very reasonable and also we have a good syndication deal available as well.

Shadow's foot problem is pretty well grown down now and he is going to have a couple of semen evaluations next week, and then shipped up to Ontario soon after to his new home. Another positive spin for me of course, is that I will be able to visit him more often now, since I hope to base our racing operation out of Ontario again next Spring. Can't wait till the first babies arrive. He was a very special horse and should make an equally special stallion.

Happy New Year to all.