McIntosh, Heffering On Canadian Horse Racing Hall Of Fame Induction

On Tuesday, May 18, the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame announced its 2010 inductees. Among those to be enshrined within the hall are breeder Peter Heffering and trainer Bob McIntosh, who was very humbled

with the news. "I started out with one $5,000 claimer in 1977 and all I wanted to do was to pay the rent to keep a roof over my head," he said.

Along with being a four-time O'Brien Award winner as Canada's Trainer of the Year, McIntosh, a resident of Windsor, Ont., is also the leading conditioner in the history of the prestigious Breeders Crown series of races, as pupils from his stable have reigned supreme in 15 events. Horses which hail from McIntosh's operation have won more than 3,500 races and banked more than $78 million in purse earnings.

"It was a really nice surprise and it is a big thrill," McIntosh, 57, told Trot Insider about the news of his nomination and induction into the hall. "There is a very impressive list of a lot of great horsemen to come out of Canada. To now be a part of that list is a great honour."

Another that was humbled and honoured by the news of his induction into the hall was the patriarch of Tara Hills Stud Farm, Peter Heffering.

"Being inducted into the Hall of Fame was a pleasant surprise," Heffering, a resident of Port Perry, Ont., told Trot Insider. "I was very pleased to have been nominated. It was not something that I expected, but it is nice to be recognized.

"The stud farm probably has a lot to do with me getting into the Hall of Fame. My son David has really taken charge with the stud farm recently. Without the involvement of him and his hard-working staff, the farm wouldn't be successful as it is right now. We've raised some nice horses and have raced some nice horses. We're really proud of what we have been able to do with the stud farm."

Heffering's induction into the Canadian Horse Racing shrine comes on the heels of another honour, as the 78-year-old was inducted to the inducted into the Canadian Agricultural Hall of Fame this past November.

To view the complete list of standardbreds, thoroughbreds and horsepeople which are to be inducted into the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame on Thursday, August 19, 2010 at the Mississauga Convention Centre in Mississauga, Ont., click here.