It has been announced that trainer Doug McIntosh, developer of Hambletonian winner Yankee Paco and countless other stakes stars, is retiring from training.

McIntosh is retiring to concentrate his time on his McIntosh Pro Line, his business which markets all-natural products for horses, pets, and people.

“We started this business in the mid-1990s and it’s been rewarding,” said McIntosh. “My father was always involved in producing horse supplements dating back to the 1950s, so it was natural for me to pursue this interest. I enjoy working with clients who have all breeds of horses. ”

The highly-respected trainer never hesitates to credit his father, Jack, for schooling him and his brother, Bob, in the fundamentals of horsemanship. The horses Doug currently has in training will be turned over to his brother, Bob, to train. He thanked his longtime patron and partner, Dr. Tom Ivey, for his steadfast support over many years.

McIntosh was one of the first horsemen to recognize the importance of communication with owners and the media. He started a Doug McIntosh Stables newsletter decades ago that reached more than 400 readers. In the late 1980s, he worked with Jim Gillies to create a website for his stable.

“We had a domain name for the Doug McIntosh Stables three years before Standardbred Canada had a domain name,” notes McIntosh.

In addition to Yankee Paco, McIntosh trained such Grand Circuit stakes winners as Image Ofa Clear Day (Breeders Crown winner), Molly Can Doit, Jodys Cam, Sand Chaser, Desert Ivey, and Strong Tea. Earlier in his career, he had the standout pacer Stapleton Place, a winner of $328,544 in the 1970s, in partnership with his childhood friend Fred Drouillard.

McIntosh also trained Honest Chance, one of the pioneer sub-1:55 pacers when he took his 1:54.1 mark in 1976.

It is, of course, Yankee Paco that gave McIntosh his greatest thrill when he overcame a parked out trip to win the 2000 Hambletonian for owner Dr. Tom Ivey and Harry Ivey. The son of Balanced Image earned $1,361,421 that season while earning honours as the champion three-year-old trotter.

Younger brother Bob McIntosh worked for Doug when beginning his career and Doug says, “I’m very proud of all the success that my brother has achieved.”

McIntosh has also been active in many industry groups, including serving as a director of Standardbred Canada and a vice president of the Ontario Harness Horsemen’s Association. He also served on the board of directors at Windsor Raceway under owner Tom Joy.

McIntosh says he is saddened by the Ontario Liberal government’s decision to end the slots at tracks program. He pointed out that horse racing in Ontario fed many families and provided thousands of jobs.

“I’m proud of where I came from, and proud of what I have accomplished,” says McIntosh. “I still follow the big races on TV. I won’t miss a single stakes race. But I also have a son who is in high school and I’ve supported his interests in hockey, soccer, and baseball.”

McIntosh says, “I want to thank all my connections over the years. It is one large fraternity of the greatest people in the world.”

(Dean Hoffman)