Trainer Rene Allard has dozens of horses racing across North America. Although, as of this writing, the horseman is not personally handling his PA stock, or his horseflesh in any other U.S. racing jurisdiction, for that matter. He is back at home, in Saint-Esprit, Quebec, and he is there for a couple of very good reasons.
While in discussion with Trot Insider, Rene explained that, for the seventh consecutive year, the Allard family farm in Saint-Esprit will host a day of fair racing this Saturday (July 29). The 11-race card is set to kick off with a first-race post time of 1:00 p.m. and pari-mutuel wagering will be available.
The annual day of racing on the farm is a passionate affair for the Allards. For years now, they have gone above and beyond in order to give back to the local area. The fair day also provides up-and-coming drivers the opportunity to showcase what they can do in the race bike, as a pair of dashes for reinsmen aged 18-30 will go forth on Saturday.
“There will be 11 races on Saturday,” Rene told Trot Insider about the fair date, which is part of the Circuit Regional des Courses de Chevaux du Quebec program. “The races will be competitive. It’s not like you’re going to see one horse destroy the rest of the field. The races look to be evenly matched and should be very competitive. There are 10 races with five horses and one with six. The racing should be very good.”
It is safe to say that the Allards have pulled out all the stops when it comes to making this Saturday’s fair day at the track one to remember. The event, which is free to attend, will feature everything, including on-site wagering, food sales, alcohol sales, refreshments for kids, live music, draws for free meals, games for kids, pony rides, inflatable play areas for children, and more. There will also be a pair of large tents to help house much of the activity. A creature dubbed ‘the fastest pony in the world’ will even take part in a half-mile time trial against a Standardbred. The day will conclude with a pig roast, which will cost $20 to take part in.
“It’s a day that our entire family really cherishes,” said Rene. “We do put a lot into it, but everyone that takes part in it really comes away from the day with a positive, memorable experience, which is what this is all about.”
Rene conceded that the person that loves the day more than anyone is the family’s patriarch, Michel Allard, who has been a hands-on force with the annual event for years. But Saturday’s installment of the fair day is a special one for Michel, who is scheduled to undergo heart surgery this coming Monday (July 31).
“We learned that my dad would have to have heart surgery due to an issue with a valve,” said Rene, “so that really left a void in organizing the event, because my dad takes care of so much of the planning and execution of the day.”
The Allards were faced with a decision: Cancel the event on short notice, or do what had to be done in order to ensure that the day goes off without a hitch. Even though he heads one of the busiest racing operations on the continent, the decision was an easy one for Rene, who created a ten-day window in his schedule to come to Saint-Esprit to make this Saturday’s card happen.
“It definitely wasn’t by design, but I was lucky enough to be able to rearrange my schedule to help make this event happen,” said Rene, who noted that his brother, driver Simon Allard, will also be at the farm for the Saturday event.
The Allard family farm is located at 248 Riviere Nord in Saint-Esprit. The races will start at 1:00 p.m.
To view the harness racing entries for Saturday at Saint-Esprit, click the following link: Saturday Entries – Saint-Esprit.
Rene Allard, pictured with his father, Michel (Photo courtesy TC Média - Jean Joubert)