It’s been several years since the distinctive grey horse named Spoonman has raced, but that hasn’t kept him away from the racetrack where he’s become a favourite
among race goers.
Spoonman & Joanne Colville at Western Fair Raceway. (Iron Horse Photo)
Now in the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Program, Spoonman is a Standardbred ambassador and is showcased at many of Ontario tracks during their special event programs. Just this past Friday night he, and his rider, OSAS’s events co-ordinator Joanne Colville, were on hand at Western Fair Raceway for their Molson Pace night.
“It’s always a big hit when we have a horse like him lead the post parade,” said Ian Fleming, Western Fair’s Racing Manager. “After the post parade he’d go over and hang his head over the fence where the customers could pet him. For many of them, it’s the closest they’ll ever get to a horse.”
“He post paraded 14 races that night, he was ready for his bed when we were done,” laughed Colville, noting that it was the first time the 15-year-old gelding had led a post parade since last summer. He doesn’t have much time off though as he and Colville are off to Friday night’s Tri-Pride night at Grand River.
The Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society is a not for profit organization created in 1996 to assist in the adoption and relocation of retired Standardbreds in Ontario. OSAS has many horses in the program looking for a good home.
(OSAS)