When Winbak Farm of Canada's Manager Pat Woods heard the news that Angus Hall was among the inductees of the 2019 Hall Of Fame class in Canada, he was over the moon.
"I called Larry and Jackie (Drysdale) right away to share the wonderful news." Woods said. "They were so excited. Everyone is happy that his accomplishments would be recognized among the greatest horses and horsepeople in Canada."
Others that will take their place in the Canadian Horse Racing Hall Of Fame include Ian Fleming, Jimmy Takter, Trevor Ritchie, and Tricky Tooshie.
According to the Canadian Horse Racing Hall Of Fame website, Angus Hall has sired over 1,700 horses, both in North America and abroad. His stud career has spanned over 18 years, and an astonishing 71.5 percent of his foals have hit the racetrack. He made headlines in 2010, when it was announced that his frozen semen would be available to breeders in New Zealand and Australia.
His racing career, albeit brief, was productive as well. 'Angus' bankrolled over $830,000 in 26 lifetime starts, winning eight of them. He was the first two-year-old colt trotter ever to break the 1:55 barrier, completing the mile in 1:54.4 at Colonial Downs in a Breeders Crown elimination.
Angus Hall is currently standing at Winbak Farm of Canada. Larry Drysdale was the farm's Manager when Angus Hall first arrived from Glengate Farms in 2006. He's been there ever since.
"He's an amazing horse to be around," Woods said. "He has a big personality and is definitely the farm pet. He always chats to you when you walk past his stall or paddock. He was spoiled by Jackie Drysdale, who brought him carrots or apples regularly. If he heard Jackie's voice and she didn't bring him a treat, he would let it be known that he wasn't too happy. Everyone on the farm has a soft spot for him. He is just a remarkable horse."
As of this writing, Angus Hall has sired six millionaires, and his offspring have earned over $102 million. Among the list of standouts produced by Angus Hall are fellow Hall Of Famer Peaceful Way and 2006 Horse of the Year Majestic Son. "I loved to watch Peaceful Way take on the boys," Woods said. "She knew how good she was and carried herself like a champion."
As far as Majestic Son goes, Woods admits he has a soft spot for him. "He raced so tough for Mark Steacy. I got to work with 'Majestic' every day when he retired to stud at Tara Hills. He was such a nice horse to be around. He has a similar personality to 'Angus'; Good-natured, easy-going and has that Angus trait of a big shaggy mane."
When asked where Angus Hall ranks among the great trotting sires of all time, Woods was anxious to answer. "Angus definitely makes a case for himself as one of the greatest in the trotting world," Woods explains. "I personally feel his biggest impact will come on the broodmare side. He comes from arguably the best trotting family ever. He and his full brothers, Andover Hall and Conway Hall, will have a huge impact on the greatest trotting lines in the business. Angus broodmares are out there producing great racehorses and strengthening the trotting breed. His impact will be felt for a very long time, and we will see his name in the lineage of our great trotting lines."
(with files from Post Time with Mike and Mike)
Congratulations, Angus Hall,
Congratulations, Angus Hall, on being inducted into the Hall of Fame