In June of 2007, a new era began on the grounds of Truro Raceway and now, 16 years later, the Nova Scotia Provincial Exhibition grounds in Bible Hill, N.S. is honouring the horse behind the history.
Just a short distance from Truro Raceway, a new multi-purpose pavilion was developed at the Exhibition grounds and has been dedicated to the career and life of harness racing hero, Somebeachsomewhere.
'Beach' made his career debut 16 years ago on the Truro, N.S. oval, winning three qualifiers in three weeks before travelling onwards to making his mark in harness racing history. With 21 starts throughout Canada and the United States, Somebeachsomewhere had 20 wins and one second with $3,328,755 in career earnings.
Trained and co-owned by Brent MacGrath, Somebeachsomewhere posted the all-age world record at the time of 1:46.4 in the Bluegrass at The Red Mile on Sept. 27, 2008. The photo taken during the record mile is prominently displayed on the signage of the pavilion.
"Obviously they had heard of 'Beach' and the impact he had on Truro Raceway, Truro, and really, all of Nova Scotia. I would say they were wanting to name the barn after an equestrian hero and he fit the bill," MacGrath was quoted as saying in a Saltwire article.
MacGrath said that he and his wife Rhonda, a caretaker of Somebeachsomewhere, picked the picture taken by Dave Landry. With the pavilion acting as a multi-purpose building and featuring equestrian and agriculture events, MacGrath added that it was important to them that people immediately recognized 'Beach' as a racehorse.
(With files from Saltwire)