Leading up to the National Caretaker Appreciation Day event later this month, Standardbred Canada will be profiling caretakers from across the country in our Faces of Racing series.
Whether you are born into the world of harness racing or not, the position of caretaker is the starting point of the industry. As a caretaker you learn the basics of the sport, you learn the proper way to maintain a happy and healthy horse, you experience the highs and the lows, and you learn how far you want to advance in the game; do you become an owner, a trainer, or a driver? The experience you have as a caretaker is a contributing factor to your future ambitions in the harness racing industry.
Ashley Gamester, who works for the Jason Hughes Stable in Charlottetown, P.E.I., can attest that her time as a caretaker has influenced the way she has moved forward in the industry.
As many Islanders in the harness racing community can relate, Ashley was born with horses in her blood. “I was born into the harness racing industry. My grandfather and uncle were heavily involved and I was lucky enough to grow up next door to them, so the passion came naturally.”
As a child, Ashley would spend time in her family’s stable and traveling with her grandfather, Bryon Gamester throughout Prince Edward Island to race. As her love for the horses grew, Ashley branched out to expand her knowledge of the game and started working for fellow Island horsemen, Terry Gallant and Jason Hughes. “I’ve been fortunate enough to work with Terry and Jason, both have taught me a great deal of what I know and have given me so many opportunities in this business.
“One of my most memorable moments as a caretaker would be winning the 2016 Cecil Ladner with OK Galahad. We ended up winning five races on that card from Jason’s barn,” recalls Ashley. After a successful 2016 campaign, Ashley had to say goodbye to OK Galahad, as the horse headed south of the border.
“My biggest challenge has been not getting too attached to all the horses in the barn. My grandfather usually kept his horses for a long time, whereas the barns I have worked in constantly have horses coming and going. I tend to fall in love with my horses, so learning that this is still a business and treating horses well while they are with me and being able to say goodbye has been something I’ve had to learn.”
In 2017, Ashley took her involvement in the sport to the next level and acquired the now nine-year-old gelding, Narragansett. But this wasn’t the first horse Ashley had owned. In 2005, she purchased her first horse, Windameres Girl, whom she looked after while her uncle, Melvin trained. To even further her participation, Ashley recently obtained an “A” trainer’s license which permits her to operate a public stable if she chooses to do so.
“The harness racing industry is hard because it is not a 9-to-5, Monday to Friday kind of job. If you are dedicated, willing to learn and put in a lot of hard work and just love the animal, it can be a very rewarding job.”
As someone whose interest in harness racing began at a young age, Ashley recognizes the importance of learning from those around her, as it creates the basis of the next generation in the sport. “To me, horsemanship is having a well rounded knowledge of the animal, putting the horse first, and having success with different types of horses. I also think a good horseman has to be willing to share their knowledge with others, so that we can create a future generation of people with great horsemanship skills.”
Even though she’s only 26, Ashley has a tremendous amount of experience in the harness racing community as a caretaker, licensed trainer and owner. “I just love being at the track and around the horses. Some of my best friends are around the track so it’s great to be able to spend time with them doing what we love.
“I love the idea of having National Caretaker Appreciation Day! There are so many hardworking people behind the scenes that deserve to be acknowledged.”
Standardbred Canada along with the horsemen’s associations and tracks across the country will partner on National Caretaker Appreciation Day the weekend of July 20-22 at racetracks across the country.