In 2003, Dave Tingley prepared a smallish, speed-laden Angus Hall filly for the races, officially commencing his journey with Peaceful Way.
After five years full of accolades, records and jaw-dropping performances, Tingley watched his star pupil inducted into the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame during the gala dinner last night in Mississauga, ON.
"It was a very proud moment," Tingley told Trot Insider. "You never really take the time to look back and see all of what has been accomplished. Last night provided me with that opportunity.
"To see Peaceful Way inducted into the Hall of Fame was quite an experience. On behalf of myself and her groom Isabelle, we were honoured that she was inducted. Isabelle was quite emotional, and she should've been. Those two had a very tight bond and it was just a special moment."
Tingley told Trot Insider that he wished to congratulate all of the Hall's past and present inductees. "I would like to thank the industry, Peaceful Way's connections, and Peaceful Way herself for the memories -- it sure was quite a ride.
"For all that she overcame, it was just great to see her inducted. When I starting off with her, she was an extreme flight animal that was absolutely bubbling over with speed and raw ability.
"Although, she was named 'Peaceful,' she was anything but that at the beginning -- until about August of her two-year-old season I didn't know if she was going to make it to the races. Love proved to be a major factor in her success. We got the fight out of her, got her to the races and the rest is history."
Tingley said that the richest Canadian-bred trotter of all time had a heart of a champion, unparalleled determination and a don't-fight-me attitude. "She knew she was the best. She liked to do things her way because she knew deep down that she was the best. Sometimes drivers had to find that out the hard way."
From 52 career starts, Peaceful Way retired with a record of 33-3-2, over $3.2 million in earnings, victories in the sport's top stakes and multiple O'Brien Awards. Her mark of 1:51.4 was taken over Meadowlands Racetrack at age four.