There was no doubt in Tom Rankin’s mind who the stars of the Open House were at his St. Catharines, Ont. based breeding farm on Saturday, May 31. Seven foals were on the ground with their moms, and although most of the guests were interested in the mares and their foals, the foals took centre stage.
“The foals were definitely the stars of the day -- people just lit up around them,” said Rankin. “Watching folks connect with these young horses is truly special and reminds me why I’ve loved this industry for so long. There’s nothing like seeing new life on the farm and knowing you’re part of something that’s both timeless and full of promise. It’s a real privilege to share this part of the journey, and I’m thankful to everyone who came out to be part of it."
The Open House marked the third consecutive year that Tom and Beth Rankin have hosted this event and welcomed the general public to visit their Standardbreds. Held in cooperation with the Bill Galvin Racing Alliance (BGRA), the event promoted two horse-themed contests -- a Youth Literary Derby and a Youth Art Derby, coordinated by the BGRA, and sponsored by the Rankins. Complete rules and details for the contests can be found on the BGRA website at bgracingalliance.ca.
Despite the cool temperatures, over 300 guests stopped by the farm. Kids visiting the farm found lots of inspiration for the BGRA and Name The Foal contests with eight mares and seven foals on hand, eager to interact with their guests. The last broodmare to foal on the farm this year is Royal Witch, and she is expected to foal any day.
The Rankins started breeding Standardbreds in 1990 and have enjoyed considerable success. Over the course of 35 years, they have bred more than 300 horses at the St. Paul St. West nursery.
“Horses have a special kind of magic,” said Karen Hauver, founding director of the BGRA. “For those of us who can see horses or work with them every day, it’s easy to forget just how impactful they can be. But watching people of all ages light up -- hearing their reactions after spending just a few moments with a horse -- reminds us of their incredible power to inspire and uplift. We’re truly grateful to the Rankins and their amazing team for opening their farm and making this memorable experience possible.”
The event was attended by a diverse crowd, including families, couples, local residents, tourists and business associates of the Rankins. Directors and volunteers from the Bill Galvin Racing Alliance were present to greet attendees, share details about the youth contests and answer questions about harness racing.
(Bill Galvin Racing Alliance)