If you’ve won a horse race or been in the winner’s circle at Truro Raceway in the past seven years, chances are you’ve come across Kyle Burton.
Burton, a Truro native, is the official track photographer at the half-mile oval and captured this image of Maiden Heaven (#3), Sestina (#2), Kendal Courageous (#5) and Galamoe (#1) at Truro on September 25 last year, the feature image for March in the I Love Canadian Harness Racing Fan Club's 2017 Heart of Harness Racing Calendar.
"On any other race that day, this would have been a normal photo. Luckily, the action got heated just as they crossed the finish line and I was able to get this shot of four horses in a win photo,” Burton explained. “I honestly didn't do much -- I just stood there and pointed the camera in the right direction. The horses (and the action) did the rest. This same class of condition mares was very competitive all season and routinely had similar close finishes. It makes for exciting racing."
Burton works in Halifax, for a large ocean tech company which specializes in ocean research equipment, satellite communications and defense and security applications.
“It's certainly a whole other world compared to horse racing, but I enjoy the technical side of things and this job certainly has an abundance of that. I manage marketing efforts at the company; whether that be branding, social media, press releases or the 15 or so international trade shows we exhibit at each year. I recently just got back from San Diego where I was attending the Oceanology International North America event. After the event ended, I rented a car to visit Santa Anita and Del Mar racetracks. That was a fun experience.”
The next racing season at Truro will be Burton’s eighth, but he maintains that it still feels like he started yesterday. He also trys to volunteer and help with events at the track, and between races he emcees the afternoon racing card, providing tips and selections for racing fans. Burton will join Brad McCallum later this month as co-host of the Truro Harness Horse Owners Association banquet.
In addition to his volunteer work, he was a horse owner for a brief moment in time. Unfortunately the filly was injured in a freak training accident but Burton was able to find a great home for her and visits her regularly.
Burton’s most exciting experience in racing was watching his Dad’s (Roy Burton) homebred mare, A Regal Beauty, go from foal to the winner’s circle. “I would love to breed her mother (La Sorciere) again, but I might have to convince my father with a few bribes before that will happen! She's a good cross with the new Ontario stallion and Mach Three son Physicallyinclined. He started at Truro Raceway too and I don't think I have ever seen a faster horse in the flesh than him. I might reconsider horse ownership if I could have one of their babies!"
Kyle with mares A Regal Beauty and La Sorciere
Burton has been able to travel to different provinces to photograph racing and took in the North America Cup at Mohawk Racetrack last year. “That experience was amazing and I still count my lucky stars that I got within inches of greats like Always B Miki and Marion Marauder. I also had a bittersweet moment taking photos at Fredericton Raceway, on what may have been their last race date ever. There probably is no other track like Fredericton where the action is so close to the fence, which makes it great for photographer and fan alike.
“For 2017, I'll be searching for that one special photo for the Media Excellence Award at the O'Brien's. That's a big goal, but I look forward to working towards it."