Horseman Rob Shepherd has taken the time to discuss recent award winner Blue Moose with COSA TV.
Just weeks ago, Blue Moose was named The Raceway at Western Fair District Older Pacing Horse of the Year and Horse of the Year for 2019.
Shepherd explained that the son of Badlands Hanover is more than just another drive to him. Shepherd owns the gelding and reinvests his purse earnings back into the Ontario Standardbred industry to further build his racing operation.
“It’s great when you work with a horse like this,” said Shepherd. “I own him, too. We had a pretty good year last year, so we bought some yearlings this year with his money, trying to generate more. We bought a couple of babies, and a filly, he helped me pay for her and my broodmare. My mare paid for him, so it helps out a lot that way.”
Blue Moose is one of four siblings to earn more than $100,000 in their respective careers. Trainer Isabelle Darveau has the five-year-old ready to go for race days, and, according to Shepherd, Blue Moose is always ready to put his best hoof forward.
“He’s great. Every time you take him to the track he always gives you a hundred per cent,” said Shepherd. “He’s an ‘easy keeper’ at the barn and doesn’t take much maintenance. He’s just a week-in, week-out horse. He shows up all the time – he didn’t at first, but he’s turned into that type of horse with age.”
Although his foes may not have to deal with him as much early in races, they sure have to try to hold him off when the wire is within sight.
“He’s tough,” said Shepherd. “You can move him early. He can leave, but he’s not a great ‘leaver.’ He’s usually coming at the end. That’s where you get paid, so he always seems to get paid. He’s easy to drive. He’s ‘two fingers’ and he makes my job look easy.
“It’s actually an honour taking a horse like this to the track.”