Of the 46 freshman pacing colts heading to Woodstock Raceway for Friday’s Grassroots season opener, Tye Seelster commanded the highest price
at auction last fall.
Stratford resident Victor Hayter shelled out $70,000 to purchase the son of Camluck-The Patriot at the Forest City Yearling Sale, and so far the long time horse owner has not suffered one moment of buyer’s remorse.
“I picked him out of the catalogue, and went up to the farm and saw him up there, watched his video,” recalls Hayter. “This little colt, in his video he paced free-legged and he was a very, very good looking horse when he was in flight. He had very good conformation, very good manners, he stood correct, and his mother made $600,000 and some.”
Learning his lessons from the owner’s son Edward Hayter, Tye Seelster continued to impress, picking things up quickly and demonstrating all the characteristics of a legitimate racehorse. The colt was ready to qualify early and laid down a solid runner-up effort in a June 25 test at Mohawk Racetrack, pacing around the slightly off track in 1:58.1.
“He qualified last Saturday and he did a good job so we thought we’d stick him in the stakes and see how he makes out,” says Hayter. “He hasn’t done much wrong. He has been a real good colt.
“I hope he lives up to his price tag,” adds the owner with a chuckle.
Jody Jamieson engineered Tye Seelster’s successful qualifying effort and will be back in the race bike for Friday’s Grassroots test. The pair will tackle a field of six from Post 3.
“The one horse will be tough to beat I think,” says Hayter of Who Doesn’t (Post 1), a 1:56.4 winner in his June 21 qualifier at Mohawk. “I think he likes to leave.”
If Tye Seelster delivers on his potential, Hayter is hoping it will be the start to a successful year of racing for his string of five racehorses. Since buying his first horse in 1977, the harness racing supporter has enjoyed his share of ups and downs and he would love to see 2011 come out on the up side.
“I’ve had good luck and I’ve had bad luck. I’ve set some track records and I’m sure I’ve had some of the slowest miles ever, too,” he says with a laugh. “But it looks like it might be my year.”
Tye Seelster will help kick off Woodstock Raceway’s Canada Day card, which gets under way at 4 p.m. The two-year-old pacing colts will also be featured in the track’s second through sixth races.
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To view entries for Friday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Friday Entries – Woodstock Raceway.