SC Rewind: Happy Birthday Jack Kopas

In this week's Rewind Robert Smith reviews the stellar career of Hall of Fame horseman Jack Kopas who celebrates his 88th birthday today (October 16).

Jack Kopas and the great Super Wave share a moment together.Originally purchased for $5,000 he went on to win almost $500,000 for London, Ont. owner Dr. George Boyce DVM (U.S.T.A. photo)

Way back on October 16, 1928 the tiny community of Lumsden, located in the Qu'Appelle Valley region of south-central Saskatchewan, welcomed its newest citizen. The bouncing baby boy, the first born son of Ryerson and Minnie Kopas was named John but has forever been known as 'Jack'. He was their sixth child but their first and only son, followed by one more sister. Undoubtedly his parents envisioned their son becoming a grain and livestock farmer as most people were in that area. While their dreams were based on sound footing, the young Kopas decided early in life that his aspirations would lead him elsewhere.

I recently had a lengthy and interesting conversation with Jack as he shared a few 'tidbits' of his lifetime of memories and involvement in the sport he has loved for so many years. Although still at times referred to as a "Westerner", he has spent much of his life and certainly the majority of his racing career in the East. His introduction into the sport started early and at the age of 16, he was already at the sport's showplace, Roosevelt Raceway working as a groom for Jim Kealey. Now with over 70 years of memories, accomplishments and accolades, Jack is a pretty special man. I am honoured that he took the time to chat with me; I will remember it.

By the time he was about 20 his mind was made up to follow a career with the horses. In our conversation he said, "My thinking was if I'm going to starve to death I might as well do it doing something I love." And so it was; and so it has been. Jack made his first lifetime start as a driver in 1949 at the nearby Fort Qu'appelle, Sask. fairgrounds track. His travels soon led him East as the sport was pretty 'small time' in Western Canada back then.

"If I had stayed back home, I would have never made it," Jack told me with a laugh. "Racing at a few fairs and small town tracks on holiday race days was about all there was back then."

In 1958 Jack and his wife Alice and infant son left their home area in Western Canada and made the long eastward journey to Quebec, settling in Three Rivers. Despite not knowing many people Jack was fortunate to hook up with a prosperous horse owner named Michaud who helped get him started with a number of decent horses. Not long after this though Mr. Michaud died suddenly. His estate sold all of the horses leaving Jack in the proverbial position of high and dry; somewhat alone with a wife and small child to support and unable to speak French to add to his woes.

A scene from the earlier days of the career of Jack Kopas taken in 1963. He is shown here at age 35 following a win at the Three Rivers track with Success Hope along with co-owner Raymond Burgess and son Dick at the horse's head. The trainer of this horse was Jack McIntosh, one of those who spotted the potential in Jack's driving ability before he became well known.

Somehow things worked out and Jack's career continued its then slow but steady climb. After several years of racing on the Quebec circuit he was encouraged to move to Ontario and try his luck there. Around 1965 he made a permanent move to the London area after already racing at the Western Fair track. Jack was very definite in saying "from here my career in the sport really took off."

One of the first orders of business in moving to the London area was the establishment of their home base at Ilderton, a small hamlet just north of the city limits and described as halfway between Lake Erie and Lake Huron. A nice little 10-acre plot which eventually included a 17 stall barn was the ideal spot. Today some 50 years later they are still there. Jack said, "There are no horses now, probably just a few rabbits roaming around."

The formula for success that applies to any horseman starts with getting good racing stock. By the mid 1960's the Kopas barn was steadily attracting more and better horses, several from the ownership of veterinarian Dr. George Boyce of London. In 1968 a 'super' horse named Super Wave then just a two-year-old was the talk of racing. In the next few seasons his career blossomed under Jack's guidance. He was the headliner in Jack's operation and was soon followed by many more such as full brother Springfield and also Shadow Star, who captured some huge events like the Battle Of Brandywine and Sheppard Pace. While Jack had a 'ton' of good ones, Super Wave put him 'on the map' to stay.

Jack is seen in a warm up prior to race time (Hoof Beats)

In the mid 1970's the talent parade continued, led by Jade Prince, Nat Lobell and Super Clint to name just a few. Also emerging at this time was the next generation of the Kopas family as Super Clint with son John driving posted a big upset in 1977 at Lexington when they defeated Governor Skipper in what was then a world record time. With each passing year more and more young pupils joined the operation which was growing by leaps and bounds. The success rate with colt performers became the trademark of the stable.

Because of the limited availability of stabling for young horses at London's Western Fair track, Jack decided to begin winter training in Florida. Vividly recalling the cold climate where he was born and raised, it was not a difficult decision. At his peak, the numbers reached 85 head with half headquartered at Ben White in Orlando and the rest at Seminole Downs. Jack recalls with pride that besides enjoying the business and being successful, he was also pleased that his stable operated pretty smoothly under the guidance of son Roger who for many years served as barn boss. "We had a lot of good people who worked with us over the years and helped to make things go."

For many years the Kopas stable wintered in Florida and their barn at Ben White was often a favourite spot for snowbirds. I had the pleasure of a few visits as shown in this photo as I chatted with groom Alex Hammond, who is on the left (D.M. Smith photo)

Many champions emerged from the Kopas barn and to name them all would surely fill a few volumes, more than a reminiscence like this can hold. He had success with all types of horses and fared well with pacing fillies such as world champion Roses Are Red, a multiple stakes winner, and also Areba Areba, a winner of over $300,000 in a smaller purse era. Add to that the many great performers from prominent owners such as Armstrong Bros. and Almahurst Farms. Armbro Bramble, Alberton, Blizzard Almahurst, Centre Square, Savilla Lobell and the list goes on but should also include the memorable grey filly Keystone Wallis.

In 1988, the year that Jack was elected to the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame he was still putting out champions when Armbro Feather was a standout for the Armstrong Bros. stable. Then a four-year-old, she was driven by son John and trained by Jack and Alice's other son Roger.

In 1995 he was enshrined in the U.S. Hall of Fame at Goshen and is also a member of the Western Fair's Wall of Fame along with Super Wave.

Jack Kopas proudly displays a trophy won by Super Wave. Always a distinctive part of his racing silks was the Maple Leaf shown on his sleeve (Harness Horse)

From a very humble beginning, racing at numerous small towns like Fort Qu'Appelle and many other whistle stops where the purses were lucky to reach the $100 mark, Jack Kopas forged quite a career. In reminiscing about his long tenure in the sport he regrets that his father died at such a young age which prevented him from seeing the young fellow's life plan work out as well as it did.

Jack recalls the fatherly advice he reluctantly received, "Sonny, you'll starve to death if you keep fooling with those horses", but obviously the outcome was otherwise. The senior Kopas did have a liking for horses and cattle but only those with a white face, Jack recalls. At one time he raised and sold some of the highest quality Clydesdale horses and Hereford cattle found in all of Western Canada.

I would like to extend my birthday wishes to Jack and Alice and to their entire extended family. Congratulations on a very long, successful and colourful career and thanks for your continuing sense of humor, an important element not always present in folks of your age. As we signed off our conversation I said "Thank you so much; I should have enough info now to put together a pretty good story" to which Jack replied, "YES; you should have plenty of good old fashioned B*** S*** by now!!!"

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JACK!!