Woodbine Mohawk Park's Q&A racing profile series continues with its focus shifting to a Standardbred connected to the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society (OSAS), Foamy, a long-retired 20-year-old trotter who brought profound companionship and comfort to Taralee Waite in her final months.
Julie Kangas, a longtime champion of OSAS and former caretaker of Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Famer Goodtimes, helped facilitate the union between Foamy and Waite.
Following Waite’s passing, Kangas took Foamy in and the devoted mare has continued to honour her good friend and neighbour’s legacy in the years since.
“It was about this time in 2020 that she came into our lives,” recalled Kangas. “There are no regrets.”
Fun Fact #1: Waite nicknamed Foamy “Cure” after dreaming of her late father admiring the cúr – the foam – on a pint of beer, inspiring the perfect nod to him, her Irish heritage, and her beloved horse.
Fun Fact #2: Foamy’s second dam, Anamosa Hanover, was the Dan Patch Two-Year-Old Trotting Filly of the Year in 1987.
Foamy
Foaled: May 5, 2005
Sire: Striking Sahbra (ON)
Dam: Shavings
Owner: Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society
OSAS Program Status: Graduated
Walk us through the beginning of Foamy’s journey to Tara.
“Glenn and Tara Cameron [née, Waite] were neighbours that were, and are, great friends. Tara was diagnosed early in 2020 with cancer and it progressed by that summer. Glenn approached me early December to see if I could find Tara a horse. ‘Can you find Tara a horse for Christmas?’ He felt, at the time, it would be a boost and help with her recovery. Tara always had a special connection with animals of all types – think Temple Grandin.
“‘Can you find Tara a horse by Christmas?’ Oh boy. That is a task. I immediately contacted [OSAS's] Joanne Colville, who responded almost immediately with, ‘I know just the horse.’ Enter Foamy, the fire-breathing dragon. Foamy is a tough little nut wrapped up to be a queen.
“Jason Woodward, Standardbred trainer and best friend, and I drove down to Joanne’s to pick her up. We brought her home around Dec. 7 so she could be settled by Christmas. My two geldings [Friday and Ricky], also ex-Standardbred racehorses, are pretty chill and life carried on seamlessly with the pint-sized, black trotter.”
Describe the moment when Foamy and Tara first met.
“We set the stage and Tara came up to visit on Christmas Eve. It was a tear-filled, joyous presentation. Foamy and Tara were smitten with each other. They had a great time together -- lots of cuddles and spoiling for Foamy and a respite type therapy for Tara. Unfortunately, Tara’s health declined and we lost her in May 2021.
“I told Joanne no matter the outcome, Foamy would have a forever home with me and her minions. Being able to give back, after many years working for John Bax, is a great pleasure. I love this breed and their full-on personalities.”
What goes through your mind whenever you see Foamy?
“I see and remember Tara every time I see that mare. I see the kindness and quirkiness that was Tara. She would have done so many cool things with her. I try to do right by Foamy, knowing Tara is looking down over us… plus she threatened to haunt me. That was Tara.
“Foamy is the epitome of a tough racehorse. A ton of heart and personality. Unfortunately, she is losing her sight and has uveitis. Friday and Ricky act as her seeing eye dogs. She pushes them around to where she wants to go. She is and always will be our queen.”
Foamy with Taralee Waite
Founded in 1996, OSAS is an approved charitable organization committed to assisting in the adoption and relocation of retired and non-racing Standardbred horses within Ontario. A primary mandate of the program is to showcase the versatility of the breed to horse lovers unfamiliar with harness horses.
OSAS, which strives to educate and assist in the retraining and management of Standardbreds, relies heavily on volunteers and temporary foster homes to carry out its mission.
Those interested in getting involved with OSAS and its cause can reach out at [email protected] or call 905-339-6748 for more information.
(With files from OSAS & Woodbine)