With his stable down to a single broodmare, 77-year-old Yves Filion was hardly expecting to be a finalist for an O'Brien Award as Canadian Standardbred Breeder of the Year in 2023.
Just making it onto the final ballot with much-larger Tara Hills Stud Farm is a reward in itself, the Hall of Fame horseman said.
"I don't think I have a chance to win. I'm definitely the underdog. But just seeing Bayama Farms nominated, I'm proud of that. I don't have to be first."
Filion's Bayama Farms had been a leader in the Quebec breeding industry for decades, producing hundreds of foals, but he's scaled back the operation dramatically in recent years.
His only broodmare at the moment is Tymal Sugrbabydoll, the unraced dam of pacer Funtime Bayama, a standout for Filion on the Ontario Sires Stakes circuit in 2023 as a two-year-old. The son of Hes Watching collected $246,720, set a track record at Flamboro Downs (1:52.4) and was not worse than third in seven starts.
Funtime Bayama was the leading money-winner among Bayama-bred horses in 2023, but older campaigners also had productive seasons. Camara Moment ($177,898), Cadillac Bayama ($144,676) and Dewitt For Josie ($124,684) put up good numbers for their current owners.
The 18 Bayama-bred horses active last year accumulated more than $1 million in purses, won 69 races and averaged more than $60,000 per starter.
Filion has trained the likes of Goliath Bayama and Rebeka Bayama, but his only O'Brien Award came with two-year-old pacing filly Topaz Blue Chip in 1992.
He's not one for statistics and admits he doesn't track horses closely once he sells them, so the 2023 numbers caught him by surprise.
"I didn't think it was that much. I thought maybe they were basing it on my 35 years in the business."
Although he's substantially downsized his stable in Lachute, Que., he's not contemplating an exit from the sport anytime soon.
He's currently jogging six horses, including Funtime Bayama, from whom he expects big things at three. He's breaking a Tymal Sugrbabydoll colt by Bettors Delight called Greattime Bayama, with another foal by Cattlewash, Handsome Bayama, in the pipeline.
"He's beautiful...a chestnut. I've never had one of those since I've been breeding."
As long as there's a horse in the barn, Filion will be there in the morning.
"It's just enough to keep me busy," he said. "I've been doing it all my life. It's what I love, what I've always loved."
The 2023 winners will be announced on Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024 at the O’Brien Awards Gala, which will take place at the Delta Hotels by Marriott Prince Edward in Charlottetown, P.E.I. For O’Brien Awards Black Tie Gala inquiries and ticket reservations, please contact Jade Regina at [email protected].
(A Trot Insider Exclusive by Paul Delean; Photos courtesy New Image Media)