Welcome to autumn! It’s that time again... the SC management team is currently gearing up for the upcoming Board of Directors meeting, alongside various committee meetings being held mid-November. We also just hosted our annual Canadian Yearling Sale at our sales pavilion at Flamboro Downs, where 302 horses sold for an average of $14,621 — slightly lower than the 2010 average of $16,160.

The Standardbred Breeders of Ontario Association has again this year put together another Mentoring Program with the entry of nine new participants into harness racing. This will be the sixth year in a row that the program has run, and the group has already bought their yearling! Their choice was Hip # 56 from the Canadian Yearling Sale, Big Bad Matt — a Badlands Hanover from the mare Mattercycle. Tony O’Sullivan & Brian Webster helped pick the youngster out of the catalog for the new group. We wish all the best to the new owners with their first horse purchase. The most successful horse to date from the program is Grin For Money, who as earned over $300,000 for his first time partners! (Note: I would love to hear from any other jurisdictions that have tried similar programs about their experiences!)

October is without doubt a busy month for standardbred racing. Finals for sire stakes programs are being contested, next year’s champions are being bought and sold at various sales, and we have that annual opportunity to enjoy the timeless tradition of Grand Circuit racing in Lexington, Kentucky. It’s an exciting time for our community! Here’s to fast horses, future champions, and hot apple cider. Until next month!

Tammy McNiven
SC Chair/President