The Fraser Downs Horse Racing Club has unveiled the first trainer to be a part of its fractional ownership endeavour.

According to an article by the Cloverdale Reporter, Rick White, a well-respected local conditioner, will be the horseman that will oversee the day-to-day advancement of the group’s Standardbred.

“I see the racing club as having great potential to get more people involved in the industry, and increase ownership in the future,” White was quoted as saying. “I’m happy that we can foster the social aspect of being involved with horses in the Cloverdale community.”

“He’s such a good horseman, respected by his peers, humble and a class act. We’re proud to have him represent the race club,” Harness Racing B.C. Executive Director Carla Robin was quoted as saying.

News of the Fraser Downs Horse Race Club was first made public earlier this spring. Club members first have to qualify for a Gaming Policy Enforcement Branch Racing Card, which then puts prospective club members in position to obtain an ‘owner’ card. The owner card then allows the cardholder to be able to join the club. Members are allowed to access to the backstretch and be able to participate in multiple aspects of horse ownership. Robin noted earlier this year that she had hoped that the club would have two racehorses by this August, which is just in time for qualifying races that are scheduled to take place that month.

As the Cloverdale Reporter piece explains, White earned driver of the year honours in B.C. 2006 and 2011, and has twice been named HRBC’s horseperson of the year. Notables in White’s operation include Hy Lucky Guy, Mooster Ed, Samantha Square, Gotta Have Nukes, T Squared and Charabby. White’s stable has found much success over the course of his career, as it has sent out more than 1,000 winners and sports a very respectable career training average.

Also, White is no stranger to veterans of the southern Ontario harness racing industry, as he was named driver of the year at Elmira Raceway on two occasions in the 1970s.

(With files from the Cloverdale Reporter)