This week Robert Smith recounts the racing career of a once well known and well loved horse who made his reputation by being there for the "long haul" as the old saying goes
.
The stories of the great horses of the past are not told only in the records and exploits of the "Rich and Famous" but also of the so called "Working Class" horses that graced our sport for many years. At one time, not all that long ago, a horse was judged on more than just speed. There was another important quality and it was called STAYING POWER, being on the job day in and day out.
This story could be told featuring many horses but I have chosen a special one who I think is deserving of mention for his long and enduring career. His name is Brother Hy; he was not part of royalty but very much a part of the working class. A further consideration is his connection to a man who also has displayed those qualities throughout a lengthy career in the sport. That man is Earl Hyatt, son of the horse's owner Alex Hyatt of Petrolia. He will be profiled in more detail in a later offering.
Brother Hy was a foal of 1956, the result of a mating between Hyatt's mare Blondie D. secured from the Sarnia based Moore Bros., and a local stallion Brother Harmony. Both were chestnut and so was "Brother". Brother Harmony was a rare commodity in those days as he possessed a record of 2:00, taken in a time trial in the U.S. He stood at the farm of L.K. Dobbin near Petrolia in an area with the delightful name of "Marthaville". Today that area has completely changed, and all traces of its former rural identity have been replaced with the building of modern homes.
Unraced at two, Brother Hy's lengthy career began as a three year old at Leamington, Ont. on the afternoon of August 5 ,1959. Driven by Ken Bogart of Shedden, Ont. he won his first start that day, pacing at a clip of 2:15 1/5, immediately losing his maiden status. Later that season he recorded his best time of 2:14 at Norwich, Ont. His first season of racing ended with a total of 11 victories, all with Ken Bogart steering. Often racing two heats for as little as a $200 purse, his season's earnings amounted to a modest $797.00. Owner Alex Hyatt had his first horse and he had all the indications of a horse who liked to win.
The years that followed saw Brother Hy become a constant and frequent visitor to the winners circle to say the least. His travels took him far and wide and he also enjoyed the company of a variety of drivers. After Ken Bogart came the father and son team of Cecil and Wes Coke, and later Stan Williams who gave him his lifetime best of 2:05 1/5 taken at Rideau Carleton in 1964. His lifetime best also coincided with his 65th lifetime victory. The man who perhaps drove him most was Earl Hyatt. He has a lingering fondness for the horse and says "He was a joy to have in your barn; I wish I had one like him now." Unfortunately his many successes occurred in an era of very low purses and limited earning power. His largest single season's earnings came in 1964 when he banked just $4,600. His final lifetime start was at the old Goderich track in 1968. His lifetime bankroll was just a shade over $18,000, a far cry from what it might have been in later years.
In 1961, his third year of racing, Brother Hy was involved in an indelible piece of harness racing history. He won the featured pacing event on the evening of May 17,1961 as London's Western Fair Raceway staged the inaugural program of night racing in Ontario. He won one heat and finished second in the other to Baron Atom thus giving him the winner's share of the $700 purse for best standing. Ken Bogart was the pilot.
At the age of 12 Brother Hy was stricken with a serious virus. Despite the efforts of a lot of veterinary intervention the game chestnut passed away at the Hyatt farm, right where he was foaled. Over 10 seasons and 85 wins he thrilled a lot of racing fans, brought much joy to his owner and his family. In short he was a credit to the sport. His memory and his deeds will live on as the years go by, and his name will be mentioned by those who remembered him as a good honest hard working horse.
Year Starts Wins 1959 22 11 1960 45 23 1961 24 4 1962 20 5 1963 29 11 1964 31 13 1965 19 3 1966 22 11 1967 18 4 1968 7 0 Totals 237 85