They had a lot of success over the past eight years but prominent Quebec owner Richard Berthiaume and trainer Benoit Baillargeon have parted company.
“It’s like when a coach shakes up the team. We have a good relationship, it’s been fun, but we’re hoping for a big year in the U.S. and that’s a complication for Ben,” said Berthiaume, who owns 14 horses, including millionaire pacing mare Voelz Hanover and Hambletonian hopeful Murmur Hanover, third in last year’s Breeders Crown.
Berthiaume’s young horses will be prepared as usual by Normand and Claude Bardier, but their base thereafter will be the stable of Ontario trainer Corey Johnson. He already has older horses Voelz Hanover, Upfront Hoosierboy and Odysseus Blue Chip.
“Like Ben, he’s a guy from Quebec. My vet (Eddy McCarvill) already was going there. And they have a team that can race outside (Ontario),” said Berthiaume.
Randy Waples is now his stable’s go-to driver, in place of Mario Baillargeon.
(A Trot Insider exclusive by Paul Delean)