Wayne McGean is no stranger to developing talented horses, but he and his partners in the Capers 3 Stable are having the time of their lives with O'Brien Award nominee Bronx Seelster.
And while the trainer might not be a household name in harness racing circles, there's a good chance McGean's record of success could make him a more visible participant. In the past, he would break and train down yearlings and then sell them as developed two-year-olds. Notable recent performers that have come from the McGean operation include C A Marauder, Royal Outlook, Steady Warrior, Doctor Royal and Print Media.
The total yearling price for those five horses: $34,500, or an average of $6,900.
The total earnings from those five horses: $1,277,132, or average of $255,436.
"I used to sell them, now I keep them," said McGean with a laugh, and a laugh that's well warranted in light of his O'Brien Award nominee Bronx Seelster.
Purchased from the 2017 London Selected Yearling Sale for $22,000, Bronx Seelster (Big Jim - Tarport Baccarat) scored seven wins, finished second three times and earned in excess of $383,000 from 12 races. Three of his wins were in Ontario Sires Stakes events and he also swept the Battle of Waterloo at Grand River Raceway, the race McGean pointed to as his highlight of the season.
"It was amazing, it was an unbelievable year," stated the humble horseman. "Hard work paid off."
"He’s got such determination," said McGean of his stable star. "He’s just so determined and he fights on, he doesn’t take back. He’s just one of them horses, they’re hard to find.”
Truth be told, there's no Midas touch when it comes to developing Standardbreds but given his past success the surprise element should be low in the event that one of McGean's four 2019 two-year-olds makes an on-track impact. Those four freshmen and two sophomores -- Bronx Seelster and Excaliber Seelster -- comprise the McGean armada and all of those horses are currently in training.
McGean quickly credited his Capers 3 Stable partners, Dave Mercer and Brent Bradbury, for his stable's success and was elated by the call from Standardbred Canada to inform him that Bronx Seelster made the short list as an O'Brien Award finalist, and he'll be in attendance at the black tie gala for the first time.
"I was really happy that he was nominated...kind of over the moon," admitted the Nova Scotian. "I'm really looking forward to it. It is an honour to have a horse nominated for an O'Brien."
Either Bronx Seelster or OSS rival Stag Party will be named Canada's Two-Year-Pacing Colt of the Year as Standardbred Canada presents the 30th edition of the O’Brien Awards on Saturday, February 2, 2019 at the Hilton Mississauga/Meadowvale Hotel. The black tie gala includes a cocktail reception, gourmet dinner, wine, and complimentary portrait for the night's attendees.