A Rare 'Mach' Affair For Sylvestre

Diane Sylvestrie with Jays N Tigers
Published: December 5, 2024 11:30 am EST

Three half siblings programmed to race within 25 minutes of each other is not something a breeder gets to witness often.

The rare occurrence happened at The Raceway Western Fair District this past Tuesday evening, Dec. 3 as three half brothers, out of the mare Machs Affair, were entered in back-to-back races on the 11-race dash card with a pair of them squaring off for a final half battle in the 10th race resulting in a 1-2 family photo finish.

Diane Sylvestre with Come On Artie, Jays N Tiger and Come On Barney

From left to right: Come On Artie, Jays N Tigers and Come On Barney -- all sons of Machs Affair -- with their breeder, Diane Sylvestre.

Machs Affair is a lightly raced daughter of Mach Three who didn’t make a start until her four-year-old season in 2012, and from just 16 career races, broke her maiden in 2014 at the Forest City oval with Scott Wray driving for trainer Dwayne May and owner Diane Sylvestre of Sarnia, Ont. 

Sporting a mark of 2:00.2, the mare moved on to the breeding shed and was paired with Vintage Master for her first live foal in 2016, named Come On Barney. Her next mating was with Tigerama, producing Jays N Tigers in 2018. Artspeak was the next chosen sire and resulted in Come On Artie in 2020. Then a date with State Treasurer produced Summer Lovn in 2022. All four of Machs Affair's offspring have made it to the races and have raced mainly in London, Ont.

So back to Tuesday night… Come On Artie (owned and bred by Sylvestre and trained by May) was in tough in the ninth race and, as the longest shot on the board looking for his first victory of the season after an 11-win campaign in 2023, he finished sixth with Andy Moore driving, about four lengths behind the 1:56.3 winner Crazy World.

Race 10 was up next and Come On Barney (owned and bred by Sylvestre and trained by May) was in to go with the rail advantage, but Jays N Tigers (bred by Sylvestre and owned and trained by Diana McIntosh) would be leaving right behind him from the trailing spot.

Come On Barney was noticeable very sharp in the early going, trying for the top, but did let Papiamento go just before the quarter-mile station; however, a give-and-go move would put him back on top before turn number two with Jays N Tigers sitting back in forth. Straightening up for the halfway point, a sibling showdown was brewing as Jays N Tigers would make the move to challenge his older brother just before the half… Come On Barney never let his younger brother go by and when it was all said and done, the pair was only separated by a half length at the finish in 1:59.2. 

Come On Barney, driven by Lorne House, was on top for his 13th career win and Jays N Tigers, an 11-time winner in his career, was second right there with Tyler Borth in the bike. Race favourite Bryant Seelster likely had the best trip of all -- covered up and watching the brothers battle throughout the final half -- but as he tipped wide for the drive home, there was no way he was going by that stubborn sibling rivalry as the brothers had brought their best on this night and increased Machs Affair's offspring earnings to $314,340.

“We are so proud of our 'Mach' family, especially when you are with them from the minute they are born and watch them come up through the ranks of breaking, training and qualifying,” said Sylvestre the following day. “All owners and trainers know how hard it is and the time that it consumes… The ups and downs and to get them to the track. And when they give you that 110 per cent, it is the most rewarding feeling you can ever have.

"Here’s hoping we can continue our ride for a few more years," she continued. "Having the three boys here at Western Fair was an awesome milestone!”

(With files from Western Fair District)

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