The journey to the racetrack begins at the breeding farm and for Standardbred owner/breeder Tom Rankin, the entire breeding process fuels his passion for harness racing.

Rankin will share his love of the horses on Saturday, May 31 as he and his staff host an annual Open House event at his St. Catharines, Ont. based breeding farm, in cooperation with the Bill Galvin Racing Alliance (BGRA). Guests can stop by between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. and meet the mares and foals and talk to Rankin about any of his horses. For any students attending, the horses may provide inspiration to enter one of two contests that the BGRA is organizing thanks to Rankin's generous sponsorship of the prize money.

Students in Grades 3-8 can write a poem or story about anything Standardbred related for the Youth Literary Derby, and students in Grades 3-12 can draw or sketch a picture of anything Standardbred related for the Youth Art Derby. More information on the contests is available at bgracingalliance.ca and will also be available at the Open House.

“Behind every champion trotter and pacer is the careful planning, dedication and expertise of a Standardbred breeding farm,” explained Rankin. “I’m fortunate enough to have a first-class team that have become experts at foaling and weaning.”

From conception to birth takes roughly 11 months for most horses. Breeding season is from mid-February to early July. Foals are weaned sometime between four and six months. They start their training lessons as yearlings in the fall just before they turn two years old. There are several public horse sales in Ontario for yearlings. Racehorses share a universal birthday of Jan. 1, despite what
month they are born in, and can race in their two-year-old season.

At the Rankin farm, there are seven broodmares with foals at their sides, including Keep The Spirit, the dam of Run Director, who won an O’Brien Award (national harness racing award) at age of three, had lifetime earnings of nearly $680,000 and now stands stud. The other mares with foals include Saundra, Miss Adam T, Absolut Seelster, Miss Expo, Miss Congeniality, World Class Izzy and the infamous Royal Witch is due any day!

Adding to the fun, the Rankins will also be holding a "Name the Foal" contest. Anyone who suggests a name that the Rankins choose for one of their foals will receive a $100 cash prize.

Often operating quietly behind the scenes, breeding farms form the backbone of Canada’s harness racing industry — producing the next generation of elite athletes that fuel sales rings, racetracks and dreams.

“Breeding decisions made today shape the future of the sport,” continued Rankin. “It takes knowledge, patience and passion to raise a foal into a racehorse, and that all starts here on the farm.”

Families and horse lovers are invited to visit the farm, located at 1490 St. Paul St. West in St. Catharines, Ont., on Saturday, May 31 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Those planning to attend are asked to register by May 28 by calling Rankin Construction at 905-684-1111 during business hours (Monday to Friday). 

(Bill Galvin Racing Alliance)