Cullen Heading To Ontario

After spending most of the past five years racing on the Alberta circuit, the Travis Cullen stable is headed east to Ontario.

“We’ve been talking about it in the family for a bit now,” Cullen told Horse Racing Alberta's Peter Watts. “I’ve been able to sell several horses including Outlawsurshotshark and Pickles On Top. Don Byrne is taking over full ownership of those two. I’ve sold all my two- and three-year-olds. Singlikeanangel is probably the best of what I’m taking east. I’ve still got 14 horses although I’m trying to move at least four of those. I’ve got six horses already in Ontario. I just bought two more out of the U.S. this weekend. So we’ll have 16 or so to start. I’ve got two mares in foal which I’m probably going to leave here, at least for the moment.”

Cullen will race this coming weekend at Century Downs and probably leave the following week. He’ll head to Stephenson's Training Centre, just north of Hamilton to join his sister and brother-in-law, Ashleigh and Ed Hensley, who shipped east a couple of weeks ago.

“I’m going to take my time with the ship,” said Cullen. “It’s a long way to go, so we’ll likely stop three or four times along the way. Once we get settled, we’ll likely start to race at Flamboro Downs, which is just across the way from the training centre. Depending upon how the horses are doing and what other horses I’m able to pick up, I may try to race a bit at Mohawk.”

Travis Cullen departs Alberta after compiling an impressive record during his time on the circuit. He’s won 201 races this season in 551 starts as a driver. He has 186 training wins from 497 starters. Lifetime, he’s had his picture taken 878 times in 3,012 races. His owners have collected more than $3.7 million in purses during his time in this province.

Travis Cullen and 2014 Alberta Horse of the Year Who Doesnt (Coady Photo)

“I’ll still have a house in Airdrie,” noted Cullen. “We’ll see how things go in Ontario before I decide what to do with that. We’re just renting our farm, so we don’t have to worry about selling that property. It’s just time to see what other opportunities are out there.”

(with files from Horse Racing Alberta)