SC Rewind: Remembering Bob McIntosh

In this week's edition of Rewind Robert Smith recalls the very long and successful career of the late Robert A. "Bob" McIntosh.  One of the sport's all time great non-driving trainers passed away recently on Sunday, July 28.  His lengthy career is filled with amazing accomplishments and countless great horses that he developed, many of them bred and raised under his watchful eye. 

Bob accepts one of many awards he received during his lengthy career 

The entire world of harness racing was shocked and deeply saddened by the recent passing of Bob McIntosh.  His name has been synonymous with the absolute best in everything he did during a career that spanned virtually his entire lifetime.  Robert Alvin McIntosh hailed from the small Kent County town of Wheatley, Ont. It is one of those hamlets that is actually located in two Counties.  Erie, the north - south main street divides it as part Essex and mainly Kent County.  His family's roots run deep in this part of the country.  

Born on August 11, 1952,  he was the youngest in a family of three born into the family of John "Jack" and Marion (Brown) McIntosh.  His ancestors were needless to say of Scottish ancestry and many of them were farmers and livestock keepers.  His father Jack was a general farmer who grew grain and other field crops and particularly enjoyed raising and caring for his horses and cattle.  

His interest in livestock eventually led him into the ownership of Standardbreds, but at first only as a hobby.  By then his oldest son Douglas and later Bob soon took a very intense interest in the harness breed.  It seemed that the Wheatley locality had more than its share of harness racing enthusiasts, perhaps best known among them was Dr. Lloyd McKibbin, a veterinarian who was located nearby.  

After ownership, at times in partnership with others, in a couple of well travelled aged pacers, the senior McIntosh ventured further afield.  In the 1950's he travelled to Ohio and attended a horse sale; perhaps several.  With his trusty vet companion "Doc" McKibbin  nearby he purchased a filly named Success Barbara.  In time she became the start of a long line of successful horses, several generations in fact. From this point in time the McIntosh name would slowly become better known in the sport. 

Bob began his long career working at the side of his father Jack and later joined his brother Doug's stable as a groom and later as second trainer.  As time progressed and he learned more he decided in the late 1970's to start his own stable.  Harness racing in general was on an upward trend.  

Very early in Bob's career he made a huge decision.  After driving in a few races he decided that particular job was not for him.  He could and would train horses but when it came time to race, someone else would handle that chore.  As the record shows this plan along with many others worked to perfection over the years. 

Bob McIntosh, left and his cousin Al McIntosh, his longtime partner, share a moment with their stable star Camluck in this photo taken around 1991 at Lexington, Kentucky.  

As his stable size increased  McIntosh partnered with many individuals and groups of owners.  However one partnership stands out above all the rest.  In 1978 Bob's first cousin Al (Alvin, also named after his grandfather) formed a union that is perhaps unique in the sport.  They claimed a horse named Brilliant Bonnie for $5,000 which was then considered a fairly high price.  Thus began a very long business and ultra friendly relationship. 

Now some 46 years later Al stated recently (as he often has in the past ) "Bob and I have never spoken a cross word to each other about horses in all those years."  Al also jokes that he is probably one of the few people who have owned horses all those years and only had one trainer.  He said recently "even Mr. Woolworth had two trainers,  Earl Avery and Stanley Dancer!"

A rather well kept secret over many years when told reveals that one member of the McIntosh clan had a much higher average as a trainer than Bob.  Many years ago the McIntosh stable was racing a stable star at The Meadows track in Pennsylvania.  By some quirk of the rules local racing laws stated that a horse's trainer had to be on the grounds on race day. Bob, the listed trainer, was in another city busy with another stable member so thus ruled out.  Al happened to be there and he was designated as the trainer of record.  

Al was suddenly thrust into an unusual role for a professional accountant.  As it turned out an important decision had to be made shortly before post time.  The scheduled driver Walter Case Jr. was delayed due to flight problems and did not arrive on time.  A new driver had to be named so the newly minted trainer asked for a fairly well-known driver who was available.  A short time later with Herve Filion in the sulky Lustras Big Guy was the race  winner and Al immediately carried an average of 1.000  as a trainer.  

With his lofty average intact he retired as a trainer,  never to try his luck in that capacity again!  One start, one win spells PERFECT or a thousand! 

A roadside sign in front of the McIntosh training centre on the outskirts of Windsor 

Around 1982 Bob's business base was set up at an already existing training site just outside of Windsor and strategically located very close to the then popular Windsor Raceway.  It had previously been owned by another local harness owner, the late Len Skinner. In order for a large operation the likes of this stable to operate successfully, a dedicated and well trained work staff was required.  Bob's stable soon began to draw many good employees.  

In an industry where the length of employment is often measured in months and seldom years,  many people who joined the McIntosh operation stayed for the long haul.  Several current and recently departed employees have been on staff for 30 to 40 years.  The McIntosh stable has been graced by many long termers but probably headed by 40-plus-year veteran Wayne Hinnegan.  There have been many more "lifers" including Ross Siddall, also a Wheatley native, who served as the stable's resident blacksmith for many years and was followed by his son Ryan who continues in that capacity. 

Long-time McIntosh stable trainer Wayne Hinnegan is on the far right along with caretaker Debby Jeffries following a win at Greenwood back in 1985 

During the past 10-15 years I have made many visits to the McIntosh training centre.  I can recall from my very first visit that I was warmly received by Bob and many of his staff.  I don't pretend to be a close friend but we did have countless good visits and reminiscences of his many years in the business.  

A photo of Jack McIntosh, Bob's father, taken by amateur photographer Robert McIntosh who enjoyed photography as a long-time hobby and outside interest. 

I was always deeply impressed at how fond Bob was of his earliest memories of accompanying his father to the old one-day race meetings which he always called matinees.  Despite having some of the greatest performers of the last 40 or so years in his care he seemed to love talking about his family favourites.  Perhaps J W Barbara (J W was his fathers initials) was at the top or close to it of his most loved.  He obviously thought very highly of Camluck, a horse he referred to as "The Gordie Howe of Harness Racing,"  a reference to his longevity and continuing productivity. 

Perhaps a bit of a fitting happening marked the closure to Bob's long training career.  On July 26th when the last horse from his stable started for a purse before his passing, it ended with a trip to the winner's circle.  A three-year-old filly named Right Match scored a victory at the Grand River track with driver Scott Coulter in the sulky.  Not so surprising was Bob getting a win in what would be his grand finale, even though no one knew at the time.  I also believe that this would be among the last horses that Patty, Bob's late wife would have named.  That was apparently her department.

That was win number 4,600 and something, an amazing accomplishment. 

Robert Alvin McIntosh has indeed carved a very special niche in the world of harness racing.  His immense talent,  untiring work ethic and his willingness to continue learning and never lean on his laurels has taken him on an amazing journey.  A gentleman who has been associated with Bob for many years in numerous capacities including horse ownership,  recently made quite a statement about this man. Marvin Chantler, the squire of Mardon Stables of Loretto, Ont., said,  "Bob was a wonderful person. I really believe that he could talk to horses and they would listen and tell Bob what they needed. An amazing horseman; he will be missed." 

On a couple of occasions and quite by accident, I visited Bob's stable on or around  August 11th.  Despite being a diligent and dedicated worker he traditionally took that day off as it was his birthday.  It was a "luxury" he permitted himself.  Sunday would have been his 72nd birthday.  

Thanks Bob for a lot of memories. 

Bob McIntosh Picture Gallery 

A Christmas photo of Bob McIntosh and wife Patty along with infant son Rob Jr. 

A typical pose of Bob in a pre-race photograph 

The family of Jack and Marion McIntosh. L-R, Mary Ann, Bob and Doug 

Driver Bill Gale and Bob McIntosh hoist the Provincial Cup won by Mystery Fund in 1989 at Windsor Raceway

Bob McIntosh, son Rob McIntosh, Dylan McIntosh son of Doug and brother Doug McIntosh

Harness training legend Bob McIntosh (left) congratulates driving legend John Campbell after their horse Go Daddy Go captured the $217,000 Battle of Waterloo at Grand River Raceway in Elora on Aug. 4, 2014. (Tony Saxon / Guelph Mercury staff)

Quote For The Week: "Time is history's worst enemy, and once we lose precious parts of our heritage, we can't get them back." - Quote from Linda Kaat, former wife of baseball great Jim Kaat. 

Who Is It?  

This young lad was known for his love of horses and dogs throughout his lifetime.  Can you identify him?  

Who Else Is It?  

These two gentlemen both now departed, did quite a bit of driving for the McIntosh stable at one time.  Can you name them?