In this week's Rewind Robert Smith recalls the lengthy career of veteran Québec horseman Réal Bardier. At age 86 he is very active and involved in his life's calling, but now from the sidelines.
At the age of 86, horseman Réal Bardier still stands tall as one of the last remaining vestiges of a once great harness racing sport in the province of Québec. His memories from a lifetime of doing what he loves are still as vivid as the day that most of them happened. The passage of time has done little to dull his 'scrapbook' type of mind.
Réal Bardier was born on July 2, 1928 in the small hamlet of St. Victoire de Sorel, P.Q. This is the area credited with displaying the first Christmas tree ever on Christmas Eve back in 1781. His siblings consisted of seven boys and two girls, a typical 'small' Quebec family from that era. As a young boy he lived in a world literally surrounded by horses and very early in life, he decided that his life's calling would involve them. This was perhaps prompted by his father's uncle who owned a standardbred named Oiseau d'Or, or if you prefer in English, "Golden Bird".
His first job that he recalls at age 11 was the usual entry level task of 'hot walker', a position where most youngsters started in those days. His early learning apparently went along quickly and successfully, and in 1941 when he was just 13, Réal drove in his first race at Ayers Cliff, a small town near his home. His initial win came behind a mare called Miss Lebars, sired by the famous Grattan Bars. It is interesting to note that racing is still held here as one of the last remaining spots from a once vibrant Quebec racing circuit.
He admittedly never really considered working at any other occupation and soon assumed the job of a full-time horseman. His first owner was Mr. O. W. "Wally" Rock, a tavern owner from his home area of Sorel. After racing locally, a then-16-year-old Bardier headed out of the Province to try his luck at Toronto's legendary Dufferin Park, then the capital of winter racing.
The young Mr. Bardier was pretty brave as he left the comforts of home and despite his limited command of English, headed westward. He loaded his two horses and all of their equipment on a train at Sorel and departed at 9:00 a.m. After transferring in Montréal, he arrived in Toronto the following morning before dawn at 6:00 a.m. He then unloaded everything and led the horses through downtown Toronto along Dufferin Boulevard to his destination Dufferin Park. Now that was quite a walk!
Later in the 1940's, Bardier campaigned his small stable at the popular New York State tracks located at Buffalo and Batavia. When Rosecroft Raceway in Oxon Hill, Maryland opened in 1949, Réal was there to share in the fun of opening a new track. He joined a group of well-known horsemen such as Delvin Miller, Earle Avery, Tommy Lewis and fellow Canadian Eph L'Hereux who raced at that inaugural meeting. A green horse named Mr. McKillop owned by Mr. Rock gave him his first victory there.
By the decade of the 1950's Réal had established himself as one of Quebec's most successful and accomplished horsemen. He competed regularly on the tough Blue Bonnets and Richelieu Park circuit, as well as other spots nearby. He drove with all of the best reinsmen of the day such as Clint Hodgins, Keith Waples, Marcel Dostie, Benoit Cote, Bill Habkirk, Dr. John Findley and a host of others. He is also happy to have had a long-term friendship with the late Cliff "Chappy" Chapman. He recalls a very big happening in the mid 50's when he won 17 heats in one day. He split the day between Richelieu Park and Trois Rivieres.
Following the lead of their successful brother, five of Réal's brothers eventually worked for him grooming and training horses. Some of them he set up with their own stables and undoubtedly Normand was the best known. In an interesting and rather humorous article that appeared in The Montréal Gazette newspaper in 1960, the "Bardier Boys" were in a playful mood. They were pictured on the track with a horse from Réal's stable named Roya Phonograph. They were shown holding a small record player and a few 45's and having a good laugh. The picture caption read as follows:
SWING YOUR PARTNER: The Bardier brothers Germain, Camille and Marc spin a few discs for their pacer Roya Phonograph who is entered in tonight's tenth race at Richelieu Park. Roya will be driven by a fourth member of the Bardier racing clan, Réal.
In 1959 Réal had an interesting and productive season with one of his all-time favourites, a veteran trotter named Carpet Bagger. His performance on the big Montréal tracks almost gained the pair a berth in that year's $50,000 International Trot held at Roosevelt Raceway on August 1. On July 11, Réal piloted the 10-year-old gelding to a victory in the final qualifying race and in the process established a new lifetime record of 2:02.4.
Following the race Bardier revealed his strategy which may very well have influenced the outcome. He told a reporter "This horse trots better when he's tired. He's too game, too much energy to burn, so three hours before Saturday's race I took him on a 10 mile workout. That DID IT! He got tired enough and won the race."
For those fortunate enough to hold a winning ticket on the old trotter, he rewarded them with an across the board payoff of $23.80; $9.80 and $5.80.
Despite the successful outcome of the race, Carpet Bagger was not chosen by General Manager Georges Giguere to go to Roosevelt. Instead, Philip Frost -- a somewhat younger horse and a recent purchase by The Maplewood Stables for $35,000 -- was given the nod. He had finished second to Carpet Bagger in the Montréal race but did not fare well in the big race at Roosevelt, finishing seventh. The race was won that year by the world famous trotter Jamin of France in a 1-1/2 mile event.
Carpet Bagger was but one of a long list of horses who enjoyed lengthy and memorable careers on the Montréal circuit. Each time they stepped on the track, they thrilled their legion of friends and followers who identified with their individual personalities. It may be hard to believe now, but in days gone by it was entirely possible that a person would make a special trip to the track just because a certain horse was racing. In later years a special annual race was instituted to honour the memory of this old warrior and Réal was there to join in. Those who remember him recall that he trotted with his head down as he went without a check.
In 1990 at the age of 62, Réal decided to give up active training and driving. He had already had a long and rewarding career and, unlike many of his contemporaries, had escaped serious injuries often incurred in such a dangerous occupation. Plagued by chronic back problems he set aside his whip and silks, but his love of the game has remained.
Despite his absence from the 'hands-on' portion of the business, he has remained very interested and involved. His son Stephane is a very successful trainer and 'Dad' accompanies his son to various locations throughout each season, whether it be Ontario, Florida or Sudbury. Additionally he keeps tabs on his nephews Claude and Normand Jr. They are top level trainers and break and condition horses primarily for Richard Berthiaume, currently an owner of several Grand Circuit performers.
His daughter has a successful banking career in Montréal. Réal's ex-wife Louise Bardier is a well-known personality in Quebec and they remain as friends.
These days in his spare time Réal makes the rounds in his neighbourhood on a bicycle. He doesn't pedal, he just sits on it and makes his way around safely and securely, staying on the sidewalk. This gives him a good spot to sit and visit and perhaps recall a story or two from the good ol' days of his long and colourful career.
Merci Beaucoup, Réal!
At Left: Réal Bardier leads one of his mid 1970's stars, Bravo Angus out of his stable. At Right: Réal Bardier in a recent photo (Courtesy of Rick Karper)
Driver Réal Bardier is shown here with a 1940's performer Skytop sired by Abbedale
1973 - In the photo above taken at Blue Bonnets Raceway in Montréal, a trackside presentation is held to honour that year's "Carpet Bagger Trot" winner Satin Mir and driver Marcel Dostie. Next to Dostie is Réal Bardier (Former handler of Carpet Bagger), Guy Nadeau (Blue Bonnets Official) and Bob Pare (Blue Bonnets Race Secretary).
Keep up the good work
Keep up the good work Mr.Smith, just love going back into the past and you do a wonderfull job.Un bonjour a mon ami REAL, continue mon ami et que la santee reste avec toi.
A Great job as usual Robert.
A Great job as usual Robert. Keep up the good work.
Merry Christmas to you and your family. Health and happiness in the upcoming New Year.
My thanks to Rick Karper for
My thanks to Rick Karper for his assistance with today's Rewind . He was instrumental in gathering much of the information on this interesting horseman . I also wish to thank Rick for his ongoing interest and support of my endeavours connected with the important task of chronicling the history of our great sport .