After dedicating their entire adult lives to the sport of harness racing, Larry & Jackie Drysdale of Winbak Canada, are moving on to the next stage of their Iives together.
"I started working at Armstrong's in 1970," Larry told TROT Magazine, "but when we took the yearlings to sell in Harrisburg that fall I took a job with Joe O'Brien and I headed to California from there. Joe trained all of the Armstrong's yearlings and he offered me a job. I worked for Joe for the next four years and that's where I met Jackie."
The couple tied the knot in 1974 a year after they met. Larry was raised in Acton, Ontario, and Jackie in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, but their love of harness racing brought them together, both working for a man from Atlantic Canada.
Shortly after they were wed, both moved on to work for Jack Kopas, After two years at the Kopas Stable, Larry went back to work for the Armstrong Brothers in 1976, and he remained there until they closed their doors in 2004. Jackie worked a few different jobs over the next decade, but rejoined her husband at Armstrong Brothers in 1988, and they both stayed on when Joe Thomson's Winbak Canada took over the facility afterwards -- Larry as Farm Manager, and Jackie as Office Manager.
"We've worked beside each other for the last 30 years," laughs Jackie (16 years with Armstrongs and 14 with Winbak), "and we still like each other!"
When asked what they plan to do with their newly-found free time (they believe their last day working will be Friday, July 20th), Larry told TROT, "We'd like to do some travelling -- maybe even buy an RV. We'll spend some of the cold winter months in a warmer climate I would think, but we won't stray too far from our home in Orangeville, Ontario for too long...that's where our son and our three grandchildren live. Our family means everything to us."
Winbak Farm of Ontario will present an open house for Larry and Jackie Drysdale’s retirement on Saturday, August 18, 2018 in the North America Cup Room at Woodbine Mohawk Park from 3:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
For more information on the Open House please contact Winbak Farm of Ontario at 905-838-2145.
I listened to you when you
I listened to you when you told me to buy Armbro Acton and Armbro Chuck. But didn’t listen to you guys when you told me to buy Armbro Cadet and Armbro Dallas. Really enjoyed those days looking at yearlings at the farm. Enjoy your retirement - you two deserve it.
Jackie and Larry, two of the
Jackie and Larry, two of the best, always helpful and delivering professional service all through the Armbro and Winbak years. All the best in your retirement. Enjoy those grandkids.
Gay and Brian Webster
Congratulations to both of
Congratulations to both of you! I am a bit sad and jealous!I have know Larry since the Armbro days as well. Always a pleasure to work with both of you and I will miss those familiar voices on the phone. No more bad days. Enjoy those grand kids and your
free time. You will not believe what it is like to have time for yourselves. I wish you a long and healthy retirement.
What an absolute pleasure to
What an absolute pleasure to work beside both of them. Our Armstrong family was such a special and unique situation and these folks were part of the reason. Much love to you both and oh how you deserve to get in a RV and be free after a lifetime of working day and night.
Two of the Greatest People to
Two of the Greatest People to deal with both Professionally and Personally. All the Best. Happy Retirement
Congratulations Larry and
Congratulations Larry and Jackie.....you have been more than fair with all our Winbak dealing from Doran, Sandra and Tim....enjoy your time with family..all the best and God Bless
Two of the nicest people you
Two of the nicest people you will ever meet. Enjoy yourselves Jackie and Larry!!
Congratulations to Larry and
Congratulations to Larry and Jackie on their retirement, they have been valued assets to the industry.